Old church goes from ‘Rock of Ages’ to Rockology School on BZA vote
Rock on ...
That’s the directive the Greencastle Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) gave Rockology Music School in approving a special exception use variance for the Jeremy Black-Julianna Goldsmith enterprise to operate in the old G.T. Haywood Memorial Pentecostal Church at 804 Albin Pond Rd.
The BZA unanimously approved the use variance to allow the music school to operate in the Single-Family 1 District on a motion by Wayne Lewis and second from Andrew Ranck. They joined Margaret Kenton and Brian Cox in casting favorable votes on the project which came with nine letters of support from neighbors and just one in opposition which noted “more suitable” locations in business areas and empty storefronts around town.
Approval also came following withdrawal of a second special exception use variance request which sought approval for a massage therapy business as an incidental use for personal services.
A number of letters and comments made during the BZA’s November meeting at City Hall praised interaction with the Rockology program and the musical instruction and socialization skills young people particularly have received.
A couple of cases were cited in which youngsters with Asperger’s Syndrome have reportedly benefited from taking drum therapy at Rockology with instructor Shem Rees, calling it “rewarding and therapeutic.”
The variance and subsequent move to Albin Pond Road would allow Rockology to expand, having 2.5 times the space in which it currently operates. The new site will give Rockology four lesson rooms with room for five where it now has but three.
“It’s time to expand,“ Goldsmith said, indicating the people are “tripping over each other” getting from the crowded parking lot to the business.
One of the issues raised before approval was granted was the possibility of noise coming from the building.
Black, however, noted that he has never received a single noise complaint at the present location at 1011 Indianapolis Rd. while that is closer to three houses that the Albin Pond Road site will be.
“It’s to our benefit,” Black added, “to keep the sound to a reasonable level” so as not to disturb other students taking lessons at the same time.
“I don’t think noise will be a problem,” he said, pledging to mitigate it if it somehow does.
City Planner Shannon Norman, attending her last meeting in that position, noted that the project would not alter the character of the neighborhood.
“It will eliminate a large vacant structure and bring use and value to the property,” Norman added.
The exterior of the building, she said, “will not be changed in a substantive manner.”
Black said there would be no exterior changes other than a new roof and the elimination of the skylights, which leak. He also plans to use the same sign the church had in front of the building just to identify the location.
“I’m not looking to sell retail there,” added Black, who resides in the home immediately adjacent to the old church.
Hours of operation will primarily be afternoon and evenings with the last lessons generally over by 9 p.m.
The old church sanctuary, Black said, will allow the music school to have performances on occasion.
“The beauty of that building is the performance space,” Black said, indicating it will probably be used once a month once it’s ready.
“We hope by going to a bigger location,” Black said, “that we can touch more lives.”
Another positive, BZA member Lewis pointed out, is that the building has been a church for 30 years and exempt from property taxes, but now will be going on the tax rolls.
The Rockology request was handled as a special exception since the city zoning ordinance allows special exceptions to be granted in residential areas for churches, schools and day-care centers.
BZA member Mark Hammer was absent.