The Jacksonville Planning Commission on Thursday approved a zoning exception for Cornerstone Christian School of Jacksonville to use the former Arlington Family YMCA at 8301 Fort Caroline Road for athletic and sports competition facilities and camps.
Our Daily Record news partner reports the YMCA ceased operations of its Arlington branch Jan. 1 and sold the 7.36-acre Fort Caroline Road campus to the school Feb. 26 for $1.2 million.
Because the property is zoned residential low density, use by Cornerstone Christian School requires an exception from the city zoning code.
The school plans to use the facilities as they exist for sports-related activities.
The property comprises an 18,176-square-foot gymnasium and club space along with outdoor athletic fields.
Students will be transported from the school at 9039 Beach Blvd., which contains a 31,500-square-foot building on a 3-acre property.
The commission approved the exception with conditions. If the property is used for academics, the school will be required to submit a traffic study for approval from the city Planning Division of the Planning and Development Department.
The school would be required to provide pedestrian enhancements, such as sidewalks and a crosswalk, and signage indicating the presence of children.
According to the school’s website, the private school is nondenominational and has 380 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade.
The planning commission also approved other zoning exceptions. You can read about those in this Daily Record story.