New Church In-Progress Along Avalon Road In Avalon Rural Settlement

A new 17,000 square foot church has been proposed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The church has already completed the purchase of the property and is actively perusing permits in Orange County.

The church property is located along Avalon Road, north of Sandhill Road and south of Davenport Road. Parcel ID is 06-23-27-4284-05-170. This plot can be viewed on our Horizon West Area Map.

Zoning adjustments have previously been approved for the church in 2019, even after considerable opposition from 10 local residents. In 2019, District 1 was represented by Commissioner VanderLey, who voted in approval for the project. The Board approved the following variance and exception:

1. Special Exception to allow a religious use facility.
2. Variance to allow a spire with a height of 67 ft. in lieu of 35 ft.  Note: The Decision Letter from Orange County states the church revised the spire height down to 55 feet.

In 2021, the Capacity Encumbrance Letter (CEL) application was denied due to insufficient roadway capacity on Avalon Road between Malcom Road and Tilden Road. As part of the denial, the applicant has several options to proceed and submitted a Roadway Agreement to mitigate the capacity deficiency. In December 2021, Orange County has approved a proportionate share payment in the amount of $63,436 to mitigate the deficiency.

Building permits have been submitted to Orange County and are going through the normal review process with Orange County. Building permits are unable to proceed until the project receives an approved Capacity Encumbrance Letter.

The church also requested a waiver of the sidewalk requirement. The request along Davenport Road was denied and the church will be required to build a 6-foot sidewalk. However, the request for a sidewalk along Avalon Road was approved. In lieu of the required sidewalk, the church will contribution $75,960 to the Orange County Sidewalk Fund.