By Jeremy Gottschalk
Herald Intern
A proposed land use amendment for an Oviedo seminary was issued a continuance by the City of Oviedo Land Planning Agency to grant community members more time to discuss the proposal after a recent public hearing. Reformed Theological Seminary introduced Ordinance No. 1766, land zoning changes, which would allow the construction of up to 163 student beds and two residential units on its RTS Orlando campus.
City of Oviedo Land Planning Agency reviewed the proposal and unanimously passed the motion for continuance to allow Reformed Theological Seminary to meet with the Kingsbridge community members and homeowners’ associations.
The current flexible-use land zoning has restricted dormitory-style housing since 1995 but allowed for up to 120 multifamily units. Attorney Michael Grindstaff, Shutts & Bowen LLP, represented Reformed Theological Seminary in the introduction of Ordinance No. 1766, an amendment for both short-term and long-term student living spaces while self-imposing a reduction in future available housing units.
Established in 1966, Reformed Theological Seminary is a theological seminary in the Reformed theological tradition with campuses in multiple locations in the United States. In 1999, the 65-acre Oviedo RTS campus was established.
The proposal includes developing RTS student housing for 163 beds, including a dormitory for up to 40 students, in land tracts adjacent to E. Mitchell Hammock Road and Long Lake.
During the meeting, architect Stewart Neilson, McCree General Contractors and Architects, explained to board members how the proposal lowered 120 multifamily residential units to 163 beds.
“We didn’t want to make an impact,” Neilson said, speaking on behalf of an absent traffic consultant. Neilson summarized how the building layout, utilities, drainage and parking lot are all part of the original development program.
“We’re not trying to change a lot. We’re not trying to spend a lot of money with a big development. We are trying to stay within the guidelines and only change the definition not allowing a dormitory,” Neilson said.
Public comments included stormwater drainage issues, concerns over lake view obstruction from buildings, conservation efforts for the Long Lake wetlands and lack of adherence to HOA fencing regulations.
A West Kingsbridge resident spoke on traffic consideration and suggested including a sidewalk in future planning phases for the length of Reformation Drive to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists using the private road as a bypass from E. Mitchell Hammock Road to East Kingsbridge.
In a rebuttal, RTS addressed traffic concerns, public safety, designation and protection of conservation lands, and agreed to meet with community HOAs within the two-week continuance.
Ordinance No. 1766 was revisited on Tuesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Oviedo’s City Hall, 400 Alexandria Blvd.
If the proposal is accepted, the amendment will be passed to Oviedo City Council on June 1.
