To celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, Abundant Life Ministries wants to construct a 10,370-square-foot community building behind a single-family house it owns at 782 Prospect Ave. The group filed the first set of plans with Charlottesville’s Department of Neighborhood Development Services on February 12.
Such a building would be a by-right use under the city’s zoning code, which means the project needs only staff approval to begin work. However, Abundant Life is asking for permission to remove 26 trees on the 1.286-acre property, and it also wants to be excused from being required to build a 63.5-foot stretch of sidewalk.
“The city is currently working on a sidewalk improvement project along Prospect Avenue, including the Abundant Life project area, to provide a 5-foot sidewalk along the southeast edge of Prospect Avenue,” reads an application request drafted by the firm Line and Grade on ALM’s behalf…