The Sandy Springs Planning Commission on Thursday passed two controversial cases on to the City Council for consideration at its Dec. 15 meeting.

Al Pond moved to approve with conditions the Church of Scientology’s rezoning request for its building at 5395 Roswell Road, seconded by Wayne Thatcher. It passed 3-2, with David Rubenstein also in favor. Susan Maziar and Roger Rupnow voted in opposition.

Rupnow also opposed Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School’s request for use permits for its campus located at 805 Mount Vernon Hwy., which passed with conditions 5-1.

“There are 58 conditions we’re requiring to develop this,” Rupnow said about the school’s phased master plan for expansion. “That’s an almost unmanageable task.”

Both matters received at least an hour’s deliberation each, with about 50 residents in attendance for each discussion.

Scientology opponents Daniel Hubbell, Jane Kelley, Patty Burns, Manuel L. Curry and Sheila O’Shea protested the rezoning’s impact on residential and commercial traffic at the corner of Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive.

“This site is already overdeveloped. It is not suitable for an increase in density,” said Ms. Kelley, representing the High Point Civic Association.

Ms. Burns, representing Round Hill Condominiums, called the church’s assurance of an occupancy cap a “Trojan horse” that will enable code violation.

“Staff’s opinion is incorrect,” she said about recommendations accepting the occupancy cap and total number of parking spaces. “It will render traffic excessive and burdensome. This is a public safety hazard.”

However, church attorney Woody Galloway said parking is a “false issue” and compared its figures with other local congregations.

“We have 111 spaces for 170 people. How can anyone argue that is not enough?” he said. “You can’t enforce one regulation for one church and another for this church.”

No supporters spoke on behalf of the church.

However, both supporters and opponents lined up to weigh in on the Holy Innocents’ request.

Sean Rasmus, Neil Williams, Paige Huff, Lou Bailey, Charles Kelly, Jim Caldwell and Peggy Farnham spoke on behalf of the school.

“There’s no reason not to let them improve the campus,” Caldwell said. “It enhances our home values.”

Opponents Barbara Malone, Carol Matts and Laurie Robbins decried future loudspeaker volume, carpool traffic, the 48-foot height of the proposed new buildings and delivery trucks.

“It’s worse than living behind a Wal-Mart,” Ms. Robbins said.

School attorney Amy Hillman denied the allegation.