Brian Kuni

Brian Kuni is a Project Manager and currently runs the New Jersey office. Brian and Steve attended college together where Brian received his bachelor of Architecture from Drexel University. His relationship with SSA pre-dates the official start in 2013, so Brian is considered a “founding Team member”. His experience in architecture began in 1993 and Brian founded K4-design in 2004. Brian plans to relocated to the Florida office within the next 4-years. Brian has 3 boys, hence he spent a lot of time at the local emergency room, so much so, and the staff knows Brian on a first name basis. He enjoys the beach, swimming in his pool, water sports, biking, golf & Watching his boys play College & High School Sports.

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Nate...

Pablo Solis

Pablo specializes in the design of luxury custom homes and waterfront estates which are distinctive to the site and their occupants. He is dedicated to serving the needs of his clients by creating professional collaborations that serve the best interests of every project. He brings to Steve Siebert Architecture an extensive design experience and a substantial portfolio of built work to continue the tradition of creating unique homes with character.

Chris Crawford

Christopher Crawford is a Senior Designer, associate of SSA since 2016, and principal of Car-Wash-Architect.com, an international design firm specializing in car wash projects. With some 30 years of experience in the architectural industry and over 1,500 design projects completed to date (including some 375 car wash projects), his firm is considered the “best car wash designer in the industry”. With projects across the USA, as well as the UAE, Australia, Canada and Saudi Arabia, his car wash designs have consistently been selected for the cover/feature article for the annual design issue in AutoLaundry News, the biggest magazine in the car wash industry, more than 10 times. A military veteran, Chris served 20 years in the US Navy and Naval Reserve, lived in 11 foreign countries, is multilingual and has several college degrees.

Simeon Kirilov

Simeon Kirilov is the other licensed architect on our Team. Simeon is a Senior Architect and manages & leads many projects for Steve Siebert Architecture. His degree is from Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and he joined SSA in 2019. Simeon has over 18 years experience in the design industry including his time at SSA. His strengths are in creative design & attention to detail which is reflected in his work. Outside the office Simeon is an avid cyclist and a car enthusiast ready to engage in car-talk at any time.

Adam Miller

Adam Miller has been a Senior Designer with SSA since 2017. Adam graduated from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in 2008 with a bachelor of Architecture degree. He has over ten years experience with various other local Firms, including: George Brewer & Mummaw, prior to joining our Team. Adam is a Florida native and enjoys time at home with his Wife and two young boys. In his free time you will find him outdoors and often fishing.

Brian Thorn

Brian R Thorn is a Level-II Designer and has been with Steve Siebert Architecture since 2014. Prior to joining SSA Brian completed 10 years of drafting experience and attended Palm Beach Community College & New England Institute of Technology. His experience includes site-work and landscape drafting, and he enjoys creative problem solving. Brian is a native of West Palm Beach and enjoys spending his leisure time outdoors with his family. Brian’s hobbies include: basketball, landscaping & gardening. He is well known for his cooking skills, especially his famous BBQ & smoked meats.

Daniel Carpio

Daniel Carpio has been with our team since early 2021. Daniel is a Level-II designer and is currently studying to take the NCARB Architecture licensing exam. Daniel obtained his bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University and has five-years experience in the industry. His passion lies in residential, as he believes nothing is more intimate than designing a home. Daniel enjoys working out, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Djamel Benfattoum

Djamel joined our team in the beginning of 2024. He comes to us with 9 years of combined experience, working on residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Djamel brings positive energy to our team and always establishes ambitious objectives to reach the best outcome with every project.

Sarah Vallely

Sarah Vallely joined the team at the beginning of 2019. As the financial manager, Sarah keeps our financial house in order. She manages our contracts, pays our bills, sends out invoices, and keeps our bank and accountant up to date. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Communications from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and was active in the South Florida events scene before joining SSA. When she's not at work, she is busy chasing around and playing chauffeur to her young son.

Steve Siebert

Steve Siebert is the Senior Principal and the founder of Steve Siebert Architecture. Steve began the company on March 1st 2013 following a lengthy career in design. His experience began in 1979 at the 100 year-old firm of Hamme Associates in York Pennsylvania doing Church design. Later, Steve started a design-build Company in York, PA, Campbell-Siebert, Inc focused on commercial projects. He relocated to Florida in 2002 to join a national Church-Design-Build company (Cogun, Inc). His 42 years of experience led Steve to build a company that celebrates and encourages the individual talents of each Team member. Our goal is to be better each day as we continue to grow and focus on our Clients needs. Steve enjoys dining out & traveling nationally and internationally with his wife Lori. At home he enjoys watching his Kids raise their families and spending time with his grandkids.

Site Plan Approval and Site Selection for a Church

Introduction

Building a new church requires careful planning, starting with site selection and approval. This initial phase sets the foundation for your entire project and typically takes 6–12 months to complete. The site plan approval process must happen before you can apply for building permits or start construction.

Your site plan needs to address multiple requirements, from parking spaces to environmental impact. Local governments require detailed plans showing building placement, drainage systems, utility connections, and traffic patterns. Municipalities can also review, site lighting photometrics, landscape buffers and landscaping. These plans help ensure your church will be a good neighbor and meet all safety standards.

The size of your congregation will influence many aspects of site selection. A general rule is to plan for 100 square feet of building space per 15 regular attendees, and 1 parking space for every 3 seats in the auditorium.  Each 100 parking spaces take about 1 acre of land to accommodate. Your site should also allow for future growth—many churches plan for future expansion within their first decade.

Location accessibility is crucial for your congregation. Studies show that most church members live within a 15-minute drive of their place of worship. Your site choice should consider this travel time along with factors like visibility and available parking.

Cost considerations go beyond the initial land purchase. Site development often accounts for 15–20% of your total project budget. This includes expenses for utilities, drainage, parking lots, and landscaping. A clear understanding of these costs helps prevent budget surprises later in the project.

Understanding Zoning Requirements

Churches need specific zoning approvals before construction can begin. Most cities divide land into residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Churches are typically allowed in residential and commercial zones, but each municipality has its own rules.

  • Conditional Use Permits (CUP): Local zoning codes often require churches to obtain a CUP, which shows that the church’s activities won’t disrupt the neighborhood. The approval process includes public hearings where neighbors can voice concerns about traffic, noise, or parking.
  • Building Setbacks: These affect how close the church can be to property lines. A typical requirement might be 25 feet from the front property line and 15 feet from side property lines.
  • Height Restrictions: Some zones limit buildings to 35 feet, while others allow up to 60 feet. Special exceptions may be needed for unique features like bell towers or steeples.
  • Lot Coverage Rules: These determine what percentage of the property can have buildings on it. Most zones allow 30–40% coverage, leaving space for parking and landscaping. Some cities offer density bonuses for including community spaces or additional green areas.

Zoning requirements vary significantly between cities and neighborhoods. Working with a local architect or civil engineer who knows these codes will save time and money during the approval process.

Key Site Selection Criteria

The right location for your church starts with understanding essential site selection criteria:

  • Minimum Lot Size: A 2–3 acre lot typically accommodates a 250-person congregation, including parking and the building footprint. For every additional 250 members, plan for 1–2 more acres.
  • Accessibility: Most successful church sites are within a 15–20 minute drive for 80% of members. Consider proximity to major roads and highways, and evaluate traffic patterns during planned service times.
  • Future Growth: Industry standards suggest planning for 20–30% growth over 5–10 years, ensuring the site allows for building expansion and additional parking.
  • Environmental Factors: Conduct soil tests to check for:
    • Load-bearing capacity
    • Drainage qualities
    • Contamination issues
    • Rock formations
  • Cost Considerations: Factor in site preparation, utility connections, road improvements, drainage systems, and environmental mitigation.
  • Neighborhood Compatibility: Research local demographic trends, surrounding property values, nearby land uses, and community development plans.

A thorough evaluation of these criteria helps prevent costly mistakes and ensures your church can serve its community effectively for years to come.

Parking and Traffic Considerations

Church parking needs careful planning to handle weekly services and special events.

  • Standard Parking Ratios: One space for every 2.5 – 3 seats in the main worship area. For a 300-seat sanctuary, you’ll need 100–120 parking spaces.
  • Traffic Impact Studies: These are essential and typically required by local authorities. They analyze peak traffic periods (usually Sunday mornings and major holidays) and determine if road improvements, like turn lanes or traffic signals, are needed.
  • Entry and Exit Planning: Focus on safety and traffic flow. Multiple access points reduce congestion, while proper sight lines ensure safe turns. Consider staggering service times to spread out traffic impact.
  • Shared Parking Agreements: These can be cost-effective. For example, a church in Dallas saved $400,000 by sharing parking with a nearby office complex.
  • Public Transportation Access: Churches near bus routes or train stations reduce parking needs by 10–15%. Installing bike racks and creating safe pedestrian paths also encourages alternative transportation.
  • Future Growth: Plan for 20% more spaces than current needs to accommodate special events and future congregation growth.
  • Handicap Spaces: Typically 2% of total parking must be accessible. Also, include adequate lighting, security cameras, and clear signage to ensure safety and easy navigation.

Utility Requirements

Building a church requires careful planning for utility infrastructure:

  • Power: Requirements typically range from 400-800 amps & 3-phase service, depending on building size and features. Modern churches need reliable power for sound and lighting systems, HVAC equipment, kitchens, offices, and security systems.
  • Water Systems: Must accommodate daily needs and emergencies. The average church uses 4,000–6,000 gallons per week, plus additional capacity for fire suppression systems.
    • Key considerations: drinking fountains, restrooms, kitchens, baptismal pools, and landscaping irrigation.
  • Sewer Capacity: Must align with peak usage, especially during large services. A typical 500-seat church requires a minimum 6-inch main sewer line.
  • Storm Water Management: Includes retention ponds, underground storage, permeable pavements, and drainage systems.
  • Communication Infrastructure: Ensure high-speed internet (minimum 100 Mbps), multiple phone lines, emergency systems, and audio/visual streaming capabilities.

Work with local utility companies early in the planning process to confirm service availability and connection costs.

Buffer and Landscape Requirements

A well-planned buffer zone and thoughtful landscaping create harmony between your church and the surrounding community:

  • Setbacks: Typically range from 25–50 feet for religious facilities.
  • Screening Requirements: Include a mix of trees, shrubs, and fencing. Many cities mandate visual barriers between parking areas and residential properties, such as a 6-foot privacy fence with evergreen trees spaced 15–20 feet apart.
  • Tree Preservation: Many jurisdictions require maintaining a specific percentage of existing trees or replacing removed trees (e.g., a 2:1 ratio).
  • Sound Management: Buffer zones should include sound-reducing elements like earth berms, dense vegetation, or acoustic fencing.
  • Lighting Design: Prevent light spillover with downward-facing fixtures. Typical codes limit light levels to 0.5 foot-candles or less at residential property lines.

Working with a local landscape architect helps ensure compliance with municipal codes while creating an inviting space.

The Approval Process Timeline

The site plan approval process typically takes 6–12 months:

  1. Pre-Application Meeting: Review your initial concept with local planning officials.
  2. Submission Package: Include detailed site plans, architectural drawings, engineering studies, and environmental assessments. Most municipalities require 10–15 copies of all documents.
  3. Department Reviews:
    • Planning: 30–45 days
    • Engineering: 30–45 days
    • Fire Department: 14–21 days
    • Public Works: 14–21 days
  4. Public Hearings: Notify your congregation to attend and show support. Expect 2–3 public hearings over several months.
  5. Revisions: Adjust plans based on feedback. Each cycle adds 30–45 days.
  6. Final Approval: Comes from the city council or county commission. You’ll receive a formal letter outlining the conditions for construction.

Conclusion

Building a new church requires careful planning, patience, and attention to detail throughout the site selection and approval process. Success depends on thorough preparation and understanding of local requirements before breaking ground.

The typical timeline from site selection to final approval ranges from 6–18 months. This investment ensures your church meets all requirements and serves your congregation effectively for years to come.

Three key factors for success:

  1. Building a strong professional team early in the process.
  2. Maintaining open communication with local authorities.
  3. Engaging positively with the surrounding community.

Start with these resources:

  • An architect with religious facility experience.
  • A real estate attorney specializing in land use law.
  • Your local planning and zoning office.
  • An experienced civil engineer familiar with religious facility projects.

Taking time to get these foundational steps right will help create a stable foundation for your ministry’s growth and community impact.

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