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January 19, 2017

Town planners recommend school expansion approval

As part of the project, the parking lot at Beckham and South Third streets would expand by nine spaces, for a total of 37.

The flat-roofed addition would stand behind the church, which faces Culpeper Street.

Church School Expansion

• What: 10,000-square-foot, two-story addition on the existing 0.65-acre lot.

• Where: St. James’ Episcopal Church School, 73 Culpeper St., Warrenton.

• Needed: Special use permit to continue the use of the parish school with the future expansion and Architectural Review Board certificate of appropriateness.

• Zoning: Central Business District.

• Next: Town council public hearing, Tuesday, Feb. 14, and Architectural Review Board consideration, Thursday, Feb. 23.

• School website: saintjamesepiscopalschool.org

• Church website: saintjameswarrenton.org

By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Staff Journalist

The planned St. James’ Episcopal Church School addition will move to the Warrenton Town Council next month.

The church seeks a special use permit for a 10,000-square-foot addition and renovations at 73 Culpeper St.

If approved, the two-story addition, adjacent to the rear parking lot, would serve as a new education building for the parish school.

The town planning commission voted, 6-0, Tuesday night to recommend council approval.

> Document embedded below

Planning commission member Anna Maas, wife of the St. James’ Rector Ben Maas, abstained from voting.

During the public hearing, Culpeper Street resident Ron Scullin suggested the town improve surrounding streets.

“For safety reasons and the flow of traffic, the town might want to make Beckham Street one-way towards South Third Street,” said Mr. Scullin, the lone speaker during a public hearing that lasted three minutes.

Church leaders hope to start work on the site in May.

The first phase would include construction of the new building with a flat roof, five classrooms and an unfinished basement.

The second phase would include improvements to the parking lot, adding nine parking spaces — for a total of 37 — and a one-way student drop-off/pickup area.

In 2015, the church received a waiver from the town council, allowing it to increase parking spaces in the lot.

Vehicles would continue to use the entrance on Beckham Street.

The South Third Street exit would get moved to align with East Franklin Street.

Because the church stands in Warrenton’s historic district, the project also needs a certificate of appropriateness from the Architectural Review Board for the design and materials used on the new addition.

The town council public hearing on the special permit will take place Tuesday, Feb. 14.

The Architectural Review Board will discuss the project Thursday, Feb. 23.

Town Planning Commission packet Jan. 17 by Fauquier Now on Scribd