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pc_02 28 2008 LITTLE ROCK PLANNING COMMISSION PLANNING – REZONING – CONDITIONAL USE HEARING MINUTE RECORD FEBRUARY 28, 2008 4:00 P.M. I. Roll Call and Finding of a Quorum A Quorum was present being ten (10) in number. II. Members Present: Pam Adcock Troy Laha Jerry Meyer Lucas Hargraves Jeff Yates Chauncey Taylor Darrin Williams J. T. Ferstl Obray Nunnley, Jr. Bill Rector Members Absent: Valerie Pruitt City Attorney: Cindy Dawson III. Approval of the Minutes of the January 17, 2008 Meeting of the Little Rock Planning Commission. The Minutes were approved as presented. LITTLE ROCK PLANNING COMMISSION PLANNING – REZONING – CONDITIONAL USE HEARING FEBRUARY 28, 2008 4:00 P.M. I. OLD BUSINESS: Item Number: File Number: Title A. G-25-198 Champlin Drive Name Change to Kirk Road Champlin Drive, south of Rahling Road B. LA-0020 Rees Land Alteration Variance C. Z-5097-K Rezoning from R-2 and MF-12 to MF-12, O-3 and OS West side of Chenonceau Blvd., 1,000 feet south of Highway 10 D. LU08-20-01 A Land Use Plan Amendment in the Pinnacle Planning District from Single Family to Office and Low Density Residential located at the present terminus of Valley Ranch Drive. D.1 Z-8301 Rezoning from R-2 to O-3 7101 Valley Ranch Drive E. Z-8304 Rezoning from R-2 to AF 14824 Crystal Valley Road E.1 Z-8304-A Pomtree Commercial Stable – Conditional Use Permit 14824 Crystal Valley Road F. Z-6957-H 5100 Talley Road office, showroom/warehouse – Conditional Use Permit 5100 Talley Road G. Z-6957-I 5200 Talley Road office, showroom/warehouse – Conditional Use Permit 5200 Talley Road Agenda, Page Two I. OLD BUSINESS: (CONTINUED) Item Number: File Number: Title H. S-1605 Big Oak Subdivision Preliminary Plat, located on Baseline Road and Victoria Drive. I. S-1606 Dailey Drive Subdivision Preliminary Plat, located on Dailey Drive, South of Baseline Road. J. Z-8152-A Storthz Short-form POD, located at 424 North University Avenue. K. Z-8308 Calvary Bread of Life Ministries Short-form PID, located between West 33rd and West 34th fronting Jane Street and Mabelvale Pike Road. II. NEW BUSINESS: Item Number: File Number: Title 1. Z-3371-V Rezoning from C-3 to C-4 Southwest corner of Colonel Glenn Road and Colonel Glenn Court 2. Z-5615-A Allison Memorial Presbyterian Church Parking Lot – Conditional Use Permit 922 Wright Avenue 3. Z-5683-C Little Rock Montessori School Expansion – Conditional Use Permit 11701 Pleasant Forest Drive 4. Z-5820-B The Anthony School – Revised Conditional Use Permit 7700 Ohio Street 5. Z-7980-A Entergy Substation – Revised Conditional Use Permit 14250 Colonel Glenn Road Agenda, Page Three II. NEW BUSINESS: (CONTINUED) Item Number: File Number: Title 6. Z-8311 Chenal Adult Day Services Adult Day Care Center – Conditional Use Permit 805 Kirby Road 7. Z-8312 Glory Divine Christian Academy Day Care Center – Conditional Use Permit 2824 John Barrow Road 8. G-25-199 Marshall Street Name Change to “Children’s Way” Marshall Street from 7th Street to Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive 9. A-314 Crackerbox Annexation, Northwest corner Kanis and Kirby Roads February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: A FILE NO.: G-25-198 Name: Champlin Drive Name Change to Kirk Road Location: Champlin Drive, south of Rahling Road Petitioner: Whisenhunt Investments Request: To change the name of Champlin Drive to Kirk Road STAFF REPORT: On December 28, 2007, the applicant requested that this item be deferred to the February 28, 2008 Planning Commission agenda. Staff supports the deferral request. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2008) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that, on December 28, 2007, the applicant had requested the item be deferred to the February 28, 2008 meeting. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and deferred to the February 28, 2008 meeting. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. STAFF REPORT: On January 29, 2008, the applicant requested that this item be deferred to the April 10, 2008 Planning Commission agenda. Staff supports this deferral request. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter to staff on January 29, 2008 requesting the application be deferred to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: B FILE NO.: LA-0020 NAME: 1815 Rahling Road Land Alteration Regulation Variance LOCATION: 1815 Rahling Road APPLICANT: John Rees ENGINEER: Crafton, Tull, Sparks & Assoc. AREA: Approx. 2.1 acres CURRENT ZONING: O3 VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: A variance request to exceed the cut, fill, and slope requirements of Sec. 29-190 of the Land Alteration Regulations. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The applicant is requesting to exceed the total maximum vertical height of 30 ft for terraces with multiple retaining walls. The applicant’s terrace retaining walls total approximately 36 ft high from the original ground line elevation. The applicant desires to exceed the maximum height of 15 ft for a single vertical retaining wall. The tallest vertical retaining wall is approximately16 ft. The applicant also desires to exceed the 1:1 slope requirement between terraces meaning the slope will be steeper than the code allows. Furthermore, the applicant desires to landscape the terraces differently than required by code. The applicant believes the different landscaping will help hide the height and extreme slope of the wall and make it more appealing to the public. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: This approximate 2.1 acre property is zoned O3 and located at 1815 Rahling Road just east of the Champlin and Rahling Road intersection. This current building with the terraces and retaining walls is the 2nd building in this complex. Currently, the first building has yet to receive a full certificate of occupancy due to not complying with the City Landscape codes. The property on the east of the subject property is undeveloped and zoned R2. The property on the south is an apartment complex and currently zoned MF-18. The property to the west is owned by the February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: LA-0020 2 applicant where an office was recently built. To the north of Rahling Road is a church and undeveloped steep property that are both zoned R2. The applicant began construction on the property at 1815 Rahling Road without a grading permit issued by Public Works. The terraces and retaining walls have already been built and are not in compliance with the Land Alteration Regulations. The applicant has filled on the neighbor’s property and it is unknown at the time of writing if permission was given. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has not received any phone calls about this matter. Also at time of writing, staff has not received proof of public notice to adjacent property owners by the applicant. D. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Provide letter from adjacent property owner on their letterhead approving grading on their property. 2. Per Sec 29-190(1), the maximum height of a vertical terrace is 30 ft. Per Sec. 29-190(a), the depth of fill or excavation shall be measured from the finish grade elevation to the original ground line elevation. The original ground line elevation shows to approximately 294 ft and the finish grade elevation of 330 ft meaning the vertical terrace is 6 ft above the maximum height allowed. 3. Per Sec 29-190(1)(e), terracing width shall be at a ratio of at least 1 ft of horizontal terrace for every 1 ft of vertical height up to a maximum 15 ft if architectural stone is used. In other words, the terraces should be approximately constructed to a 1:1 slope. The existing terraces are constructed much steeper than a 1:1 slope. 4. Per Sec. 29-190(1)(f), if vertical wall is faced with architectural stone, the terrace plantings shall be a minimum of 2 rows of trees 4 ft between the rows, staggered not more than 20 ft on centers. Shrubs and ground cover shall be required in accordance with the Landscape Regulations. The applicant is proposing: Terrace #1) no trees planted at base of wall and instead proposes a vegetation to climb the stone faced wall; Terrace #2) proposes trees to be planted on 10 inch centers and vegetation to climb the stone faced wall; Terrace #3) no trees planted at base of wall and instead proposed holly bushes to be planted; and Terrace #4) proposes holly bushes to be planted near parking lot. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: LA-0020 3 5. If variance is not approved, the terrace should be reconstructed to meet the Land Alteration Regulations. E. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE: (NOVEMBER 1, 2007) At the subdivision committee, the application was explained by staff. It was explained that the total maximum height of a vertical terraces and retaining walls cannot exceed 30 ft, the terrace slope cannot be steeper than 1:1, and a single retaining wall cannot exceed 15 ft without variances issued by the Planning Commission. It was further explained that the applicant desires to hide the terrace walls by landscaping that does not comply with the Land Alteration Regulations. F. STAFF ANALYSIS: Staff was not aware of the construction of the terrace retaining walls on this property due to a grading permit had yet to be issued for the work to begin. Upon inspection, it was determined that the construction of the terrace retaining walls was nearly complete and the structure did not comply with the City’s Land Alteration Regulations. The project was told to stop work and submit plans to detail the heights and widths of the terraces. As staff suspected, the terrace retaining walls did not comply with the City’s Land Alteration Regulations. The following violations were found: 1.) The total vertical height of the terrace walls is 36 ft. tall from the original ground line elevation. The code states the total vertical height of the terrace walls cannot exceed 30 ft. tall. 2.) The tallest retaining wall exceeds the maximum height of 15 ft. This retaining wall is 16 ft. tall. 3.) The slope of the terraces is steeper than the maximum 1:1 slope. The code requires for a 5 ft. vertical retaining wall the width of the terrace must also be 5 ft. and for a 15 ft. vertical retaining wall the width of the terrace must also be 15 ft. One of the applicant retaining walls is 16 ft. vertical and the terrace is 10 ft. wide and another retaining wall is 11 ft. vertical and the terrace is 9 ft. wide. 4.) No grading permit has been issued for grading and drainage and construction of the terraces and retaining walls to begin on the property. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: LA-0020 4 To make the terraces more appealing to the public at their present heights and slopes, the applicant has proposed a different landscape scheme for the terraces. The code requires terrace plantings to a minimum 2 rows of trees 4 ft between the rows, staggered not more than 20 ft. on centers and shrubs and ground cover shall be required in accordance with the landscape regulations. The applicant is proposing the following landscape: Terrace #1. No trees planted at base of wall and proposes vegetation planted to climb the modular wall; Terrace #2. Trees are to planted on 10 foot centers and vegetation planted to climb the modular wall; Terrace #3. No trees planted on base of wall and proposes dwarf holly bushes planted instead; Terrace #4. Proposes holly bushes to be planted on the terrace near the parking lot. In addition all landscaped areas are to be irrigated. This many variances have never been requested on one application since the Land Alteration Regulations were adopted in September, 2000. Usually, only one particular code cannot be met and a variance is then requested. In this case, the applicant is requesting variances from all of the codes pertaining to construction of terraces and retaining walls as found in the Land Alteration Regulations. Besides the terrace and retaining wall violations on this site, the property next door to the west which is also owned by the applicant does not comply with the Landscape Code and has yet to get a full certificate of occupancy. G. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff believes if the variances are not approved by the Planning Commission, the terraces should be reconstructed to meet the Land Alteration Regulations. If the variances are approved, all disturbed area should be temporarily vegetated. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (DECEMBER 6, 2007) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant had requested deferral of the item. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: LA-0020 5 agenda and deferred to the January 17, 2008 agenda. The vote was 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2008) Staff informed the Commission that on January 9, 2008 the applicant requested the application be deferred to the February 28, 2008 Agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. The chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the February 28, 2008 Agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant failed to send the required notices to surrounding property owners. Staff requested the application be deferred to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: C FILE NO.: Z-5097-K Owner: Deltic Timber Corporation Applicant: White-Daters and Associates Location: West side of Chenonceau Blvd., 1,000(+) feet south of Highway 10 Area: 23.12 Acres Request: Rezone from R-2 and MF-12 to MF-12, O-3 and OS Purpose: Future development Existing Use: Undeveloped SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Single family residences on larger lots; zoned R-2 South – Single family residences (across Chenonceau Blvd.,); zoned R-2 East – Undeveloped property (across Chenonceau Blvd.); zoned O-2 and C-3 West – Single family residences; zoned R-2 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments. B. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: The site is not located on CATA Bus Route. C. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Aberdeen Court, Maywood Manor, Bayonne Place and Chevaux Court Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5097-K 2 D. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the Chenal Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Single Family, Multi Family and Commercial for this property. The applicant has applied for a rezoning from MF-12 to O-3, from R-2 to MF-12, and from R-2 and MF-12 to OS. The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan since this is just a reconfiguration of the existing plan. Master Street Plan: Chenonceau is shown as a Minor Arterial. A Minor Arterial provides connections to and through an urban area and their primary function is to provide short distance travel within the urbanized area. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians. This street may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. Bicycle Plan: A Class III bike route is shown on Chenonceau. A Class III bikeway is a signed route on a street shared with traffic. No additional paving or right- of-way is required. Class III bicycle route signage may be required. Neighborhood Action Plan: A City of Little Rock Neighborhood Plan does not cover this area. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: Deltic Timber Corporation, owner of the 23.12 Acres located on the west side of Chenonceau Blvd., 1,000 feet-plus south of Highway 10, is requesting to rezone the property from “R-2” Single Family District and “MF-12” Multifamily District to “MF-12” Multifamily District, “O-3” General Office District and “OS” Open Space District. The rezoning represents a reorganization of zoning lines with an area over 40 acres in size east of the Aberdeen Court neighborhood. Following is a description of the proposed rezoning: 1. MF-12 to O-3 (9.38 Acres) – to enlarge an existing O-3 zoned tract. 2. MF-12 to OS (0.93 Acre) – east side of Chenonceau Park. 3. R-2 to OS (6.08 Acres) – north and west sides of Chenonceau Park and along east boundary of Aberdeen Court Neighborhood. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5097-K 3 4. R-2 to MF-12 (6.37 Acres) – west of existing MF-12 zoned tract. The property is currently undeveloped and mostly wooded, with varying degrees of slope. The Aberdeen Court single family development is located to the west, with the Bayonne neighborhood to the south across Chenonceau Blvd. Single family residences on larger lots are located to the north, with various nonresidential uses and zoning along Highway 10. Undeveloped O-2 and C-3 zoned property is located across Chenonceau Blvd. to the east. The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates the property as Single Family, Multifamily and Office. The requested rezoning does not require an amendment to the Future Land Use Plan based on the fact that it is a reconfiguration of zoning lines within an existing plan area. Staff is supportive of the requested rezoning. Staff views the request as an appropriate revision of zoning lines within an area of existing R-2, MF- 12 and O-3 zoning. The proposed plan will create an OS buffer along the east side of the Aberdeen Court Neighborhood, which currently does not exist. The OS strip is 100 feet wide at its narrowest point, widening to several hundred feet wide along the west side of Chenonceau Park. The proposed rezoning will enlarge the existing O-3 zoning by 9.38 acres and have a net decrease of approximately four (4) acres in the MF-12 zoning. Staff believes the reconfiguration of zoning lines within this area along Chenonceau Blvd. will have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the general area. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested MF-12, O-3 and OS rezoning. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2008) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter to staff on January 15, 2008 requesting the application be deferred to the February 28, 2008 Agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. With a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent the Commission voted to waive their bylaws and accept the request for deferral being less than five (5) working days prior to the public hearing. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5097-K 4 The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the February 28, 2008 Agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) Bill Spivey and Tim Daters were present, representing the application. There were several persons present in opposition. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of approval. Staff noted that the applicant had amended the application to have the west 50 feet of the proposed MF-12 zoning to be an undisturbed buffer. Bill Spivey and Tim Daters addressed the Commission in support of the application. Mr. Daters explained the proposed rezoning. Mr. Spivey explained the reconfiguration of existing zoning lines. He noted that portions of the overall property were already zoned MF-12 and O-3. Edward Oglesby addressed the Commission in opposition. He noted that he represented the Aberdeen POA. He noted that there were a number of Aberdeen residents present. He stated that the only objection was to the portion being rezoned from R-2 to MF-12. He explained that the residents were fine with leaving the property immediately east of Aberdeen R-2. He noted Deltic’s future plan previously designated a school east of Aberdeen. Glenyce Feeney also addressed the Commission in opposition. She explained that Deltic Timber had represented the property east of Aberdeen as a buffer area. She noted the multifamily zoning would devalue her property. Commissioner Laha asked about the buffer promised by Deltic. Commissioner Nunnley asked if there was anything in writing about the buffer. Ms. Feeney stated that there was not and explained. Mr. Nunnley asked who told her about the buffer. She stated that it was Gene Eberle, a real estate agent. Tarena Word also spoke in opposition. She noted that her lot backed up to the proposed OS zoning. She explained that she did not think there would ever be any development east of her lot. Mary Ryan also spoke in opposition. She stated that she opposed the application for two (2) reasons; impact on quality of life and impact on property values. She explained that she had asked for a 300-foot buffer area but Deltic was not agreeable. Maria Ryan also made statements in opposition. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5097-K 5 Frank Pohlkamp, president of the Bayonne POA, also spoke in opposition. He objected to the location of the MF-12 zoning to the entrance of the Bayonne Subdivision. He made several recommendations to the Commission. He noted that condos would be preferred to apartments. He requested using the Planning Zoning Development process for development of the property. He suggested a green-space buffer along Chenonceau Blvd. He also suggested moving the MF zoning closer to Highway 10 and changing it to MF-6. Bill Spivey addressed the neighbors’ comments. He noted that Deltic Timber has been working with the Aberdeen and Bayonne POA’s. He asked if the Commission could vote on the O-3 portion of the application and defer the remainder. The issue of deferring part of the application was discussed. Mr. Spivey asked to amend the application to have a vote on the O-3 portion and withdraw, without prejudice, the remainder of the application to be refiled. Mr. Pohlkamp and Mr. Oglesby expressed opposition to the amendment. This issue was discussed further. Staff noted that the entire application should be deferred. Mr. Spivey noted that he would defer the entire application. Additional comments were made regarding the deferral. Mr. Oglesby noted that the Aberdeen neighborhood would not support the application unless a 300-foot buffer were provided. There was a motion to defer the application to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. Commissioner Nunnley asked if Deltic Timber ever provided written documentation to owners regarding how the property immediately east of the Aberdeen neighborhood would be developed. Mr. Spivey noted that older plan maps of the Chenal area showed a school at this location, but no written assurance was ever given by Deltic, it was only shown on a map. The motion to defer was passed by a vote of 7 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent. The application was deferred to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: D FILE NO.: LU08-20-01 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment - Pinnacle Planning District Location: The present terminus of Valley Ranch Drive Request: Single Family to Office and Low Density Residential Source: Mr. Ed Willis, FC Grass Farms Partnership PROPOSAL / REQUEST: A Land Use Plan amendment in the Pinnacle Planning District from Single Family to Office and Low Density Residential. Office represents services provided directly to consumers as well as general offices that support more basic economic activities. Low Density Residential provides a broad range of building types including single family attached, single family detaches, duplex, townhome or multi family with a density of between six and ten dwelling units per acre. The applicant has applied for a rezoning from R-2 to O-3 General Office District. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: The property is currently zoned R-2 Single Family and is 50 acres ± in size. The R-2 Single Family District extends both north and west of this amendment area and is largely undeveloped and wooded. Immediately south of the amendment area is zoned O-3 General Office District and has a medical office and vacant land. East of this area is zoned MF-18 for a multi family development and Planned Development Residential for a partially developed attached single family development. Further south, along Cantrell, is zoned for six different Planned Commercial Developments for a liquor store, an auto shop, and a few offices. Some of the frontage on Cantrell is still zoned R-2 Single Family and is occupied by single family residences. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: This area is shown as Single Family on the Future Land Use Plan. The Single Family extends north, west and east of this application site. As Valley Ranch Drive heads south, the plan changes from Single Family to Office and then to Business Node along Cantrell. The northwest corner of Patrick Country Road and Cantrell Road is shown as Public Institutional. The northwest corner of Valley Ranch and Cantrell is shown as Suburban Office. Business Node is shown on the plan along Cantrell Road between Valley Ranch Road and Patrick Country Road. MASTER STREET PLAN: Valley Ranch Drive is shown as a Local Street on the Plan. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non- residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as “Commercial February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: D (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU08-20-01 2 Streets”. These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. This street may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. BICYCLE PLAN: A Class II bikeway is shown along Cantrell Road according to the Master Street Plan bicycle section. A Class II bikeway is located on the street as either a 5’ shoulder or six foot marked bike lane. Additional paving and right of way may be required. PARKS: According to the Master Parks Plan, this area is not located within eight blocks of a city park or open space. HISTORIC DISTRICTS: There are no city recognized historic districts that would be affected by this amendment. CITY RECOGNIZED NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN: The property under review is not located in an area covered by a City of Little Rock recognized neighborhood action plan. ANALYSIS: This application is proposing to amend approximately 50 acres of Single Family currently shown on the Future Land Use Plan to Office and Low Density Residential. This amendment would basically extend the existing Office further north approximately 150 feet and change a 40+-acre area from Single Family to Low Density Residential. The application is located in west Little Rock at the present terminus of Valley Ranch Drive. Over the last few years, Valley Ranch Drive has been developing into an office park. This application can be seen as an extension of the previously approved rezoning for the other O-3 in the area. In the past four years there have been sixteen permits issued for new Office buildings in this census tract. Of these sixteen permits, two were located on Valley Ranch Drive. While there does seem to be a large amount of Office already shown in this area, these numbers show a demand for more Office uses in the census tract and general vicinity. While there are several hundred acres of undeveloped Single Family shown on the Land Use Plan north of this area, there is no Low Density Residential shown in the near vicinity. The closest parcel shown as Low Density Residential is over one mile west of this location on the south side of Cantrell Road and west of Highway 300 and that is less than 6 acres. There seems to be a need for additional LDR for this area. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: D (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU08-20-01 3 North of this application area will remain Single Family on the Future Land Use Plan. Staff feels this amendment would be appropriate with the Low Density Residential to provide a buffer between the Office and Single Family. The land immediately north of this application site is still zoned R-2 single family and shown as Single Family on the Future Land Use Plan. The proposed Low Density Residential area would protect future Single Family developments while still allowing for more office in the immediate future and provide other housing options besides just Single Family and Multi Family for this area. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: Aberdeen Court POA and Maywood Manor. Staff has received no comments from area residents. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is appropriate. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The item was placed on the consent agenda for approval. By a vote of 9 for and 0 against the consent agenda was approved. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: D.1 FILE NO.: Z-8301 Owner: FC Grass Farms Partnership Applicant: Ed Willis, Financial Centre Corporation Location: 7101 Valley Ranch Drive Area: 3.88 Acres Request: Rezone from R-2 to O-3 Purpose: Future office development Existing Use: Undeveloped SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Undeveloped property; zoned R-2 South – Undeveloped property; zoned O-3 East – Undeveloped property (across Patrick Country Road); zoned PD-R West – Single family/ranch type use (across Valley Ranch Drive); zoned R-2 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Due to the proposed use of the property, the Master Street Plan specifies that Valley Ranch Drive for the frontage of this property must meet commercial street standards. Dedicate right-of-way to 30 feet from centerline. 2. Patrick Country Road is classified on the Master Street Plan as a collector street. A dedication of right-of-way 30 feet from centerline will be required. 3. A 20-foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of Valley Ranch Drive and Patrick Country Road. B. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: D.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8301 2 C. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Aberdeen Court and Maywood Manor Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. D. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the Pinnacle Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Single Family for this property. The applicant has applied for a rezoning from R-2 to O-3 General Office District. A Land Use Plan Amendment from Single Family to Office is a separate item on this agenda. Master Street Plan: Valley Ranch Drive is shown as a Local Street on the Plan. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as “Commercial Streets”. These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. This street may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. Bicycle Plan: A Class II bikeway is shown along Cantrell Road according to the Master Street Plan bicycle section. A Class II bikeway is located on the street as either a 5-foot shoulder or six foot marked bike lane. Additional paving and right-of-way may be required. Neighborhood Action Plan: This area is not currently covered by a neighborhood action plan. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: FC Grass Farms Partnership, owner of the 3.88 Acre property located along the south side of Valley Ranch Drive, north of Cantrell Road, is requesting to rezone the property from “R-2” Single Family District to “O-3” General Office District. The rezoning is proposed to incorporate the property into the existing O-3 zoned property immediately to the south for future office development. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: D.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8301 3 The property is currently undeveloped and wooded, with varying degrees of slope. Valley Ranch Drive currently ends near the southwest corner of the property. In the future Valley Ranch Drive will be extended along this property’s north boundary, and connect into Patrick Country Road. The property to the north and east (across Patrick Country Road) is currently undeveloped and zoned R-2. The property immediately to the south is zoned O-3. Undeveloped R-2 zoned property and a single family/ranch-type use are located to the west, across Valley Ranch Drive. A school development is located further west, with undeveloped O-1 zoned property to the southwest, along the west side of Valley Ranch Drive. The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates this property as Single Family. The applicant has filed a Land Use Plan Amendment for a change to Office which is a separate item on this agenda. Staff is supportive of the requested O-3 zoning. Staff feels that is reasonable to zone this 3.881 acres to O-3 to be incorporated into the existing O-3 zoned property immediately to the south for future office development. However, given the fact that there will be future single family residences located to the north across the future expansion of Valley Ranch Drive, staff believes that a 50-foot wide OS buffer and no vehicular access easement (outside the Valley Ranch Drive right-of-way) will be appropriate along the north boundary of the property. There is an active single family preliminary plat (Ranch Highlands) which shows single family lots across Valley Ranch Drive to the north, fronting the street. The OS zoned buffer/no vehicular access easement should run for approximately 1,050 linear feet, beginning at the northeast corner of the property (Patrick Country Road) and running west to near the southwest corner of the property. Staff believes that this will help screen and buffer the future single family residences from the future office development. With the OS area provided, staff feels that the requested O-3 zoning will have no adverse impact on the general area. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested O-3 zoning, subject to a 50 foot wide OS buffer/no vehicular access easement being provided along the north property line, outside the right-of-way for Valley Ranch Drive. The OS strip should run from Patrick Country Road to the west approximately 1,050 linear feet. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: D.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8301 4 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2008) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter to staff on January 16, 2008 requesting the application be deferred to the February 28, 2008 Agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. With a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent the Commission voted to waive their bylaws and accept the request for deferral being less than five (5) working days prior to the public hearing. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the February 28, 2008 Agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. STAFF UPDATE: The applicant has filed a Land Use Plan Amendment for the acreage to the north, from Single Family to Low Density Residential (across the future expansion of Valley Ranch Drive). The request is included in Item D. on this agenda. Staff also expects the applicant to file an application to abandon the existing single- family preliminary plat within this area. With these changes, staff can support the requested O-3 rezoning without the 50-foot wide OS buffer/no vehicular access easement as previously requested by staff. Staff will hold the rezoning application and not send it to the Board of Directors until the preliminary plat abandonment application is filed. REVISED STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested O-3 rezoning. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: E FILE NO.: Z-8304 Owner: Nealon and Susan Pomtree Applicant: Stephen R. Giles Location: 14824 Crystal Valley Road Area: 31.5 Acres Request: Rezone from R-2 to AF Purpose: Commercial stable Existing Use: Single family residence SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Undeveloped property; zoned R-2 South – Horse stables/riding arena and single family residences on large lots (across Crystal Valley Road); zoned R-2 East – Single family development; zoned R-2 West – Single family residences on large lots; zoned R-2 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Crystal Valley Road is classified on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial. A dedication of right-of-way 45 feet from centerline will be required. B. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: The site is not located on CATA Bus Route. C. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the SWLR United for Progress and Crystal Valley Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: E (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8304 2 D. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the Crystal Valley Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Single Family for this property. The applicant has applied for a rezoning from R-2 to AF. The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Master Street Plan: Crystal Valley Road is shown as a Minor Arterial. A Minor Arterial provides connections to and through an urban area and their primary function is to provide short distance travel within the urbanized area. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on Crystal Valley since it is a Minor Arterial. This street may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. Bicycle Plan: A Class I bike route is shown on Crystal Valley Road. A Class I bikeway is built separate from or alongside a road. Additional paving and right-of- way may be required. Neighborhood Action Plan: This area is not covered by a City of Little Rock Neighborhood Plan. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: Nealon and Susan Pomtree, owners of the 31.5 acre property located at 14824 Crystal Valley Road, are requesting to rezone the property from “R- 2” Single Family District to “AF” Agriculture and Forestry District. The rezoning is proposed to operate a commercial stable in conjunction with the single family use. There is a single family residence located near the north property line of the 31.5 acres. There are barn-type accessory structures located within the northeast quarter of the property. The remainder of the property is fenced and has been used as pasture-type land in the past. The property is located just outside the city limits, but inside the City’s extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction. A new single family subdivision is located to the east, with undeveloped R- 2 zoned property to the north. Single family residences on large lots are located to the west and southwest across Crystal Valley Road. A facility February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: E (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8304 3 containing horse stables and an outdoor riding arena is located to the south across Crystal Valley Road. The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates this property as Single Family. The requested AF zoning does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Staff is supportive of the requested AF rezoning. Staff views the request as reasonable, given the current surrounding uses. The property is located in an area which is more rural in nature, with many residences on acreage tracts and additional AF zoning and uses in the general area. The property owners have applied for a conditional use permit for a commercial horse stable, which is a separate application on this agenda. Staff believes that AF zoning and use of this property will be appropriate and will have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or general area. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested AF rezoning. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2008) Staff informed the Commission that on December 26, 2007 the applicant requested the application be deferred to the February 28, 2008 Agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. The chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the February 28, 2008 Agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: E.1 FILE NO.: Z-8304-A NAME: Pomtree Commercial Stable – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 14824 Crystal Valley Road OWNER/APPLICANT: Nealon Pomtree/Stephen Giles PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow a commercial stable on this 31.5-acre tract. A request to rezone the tract from R-2 Single Family to AF Agriculture and Forestry is a separate item on this agenda. (Z-8304) 1. SITE LOCATION: The site is located adjacent to the city limits, on the north side of Crystal Valley Road, west of Sienna Lake. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site is located outside of the city limits in an area that serves as a transition from the more urban development of Sienna Lakes to the rural properties extending to the west and south. The area is characterized principally by single-family homes on large tracts and large areas of undeveloped properties. The new Sienna Lake residential subdivision is under development adjacent to the east. The proposed use is compatible with uses and development in the area. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Crystal Valley and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the rezoning and C.U.P. requests. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: An existing, 20-foot wide gravel driveway provides access to the site from Crystal Valley Road. The applicants propose to continue use of the driveway, as is. A new, gravel parking lot will be constructed adjacent to the proposed stable. A variance is requested to allow use of the gravel parking lot and driveway. Staff is supportive of the variance request due to the low traffic volume expected and the agricultural nature of the proposed use. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: E.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8304-A 2 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: The applicant proposes to construct a small parking lot to serve the stable. The new development is within a 31+ acre tract that will be zoned agriculture and forestry. The existing trees and shrubbery on the site will suffice to satisfy the landscape requirements. If the tract is ever cleared of trees, landscaping and buffering must be installed to comply with the City’s Landscape and Buffer Ordinances. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Crystal Valley Road is classified on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial. A dedication of right-of-way 45 feet from centerline will be required. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Property is outside of current service boundary. No comment. Entergy: No comment received. CenterPoint Energy: Approved as submitted. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: No water service is available at this time. A water main extension and approval of the City of Little Rock would be required. All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met. Fire Department: Outside service boundary. Must have approval of local volunteer fire department prior to construction of building. County Planning: Approved as submitted. CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. Planning Division: No Comments. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (DECEMBER 27, 2007) Nealon Pomtree and Stephen Giles were present representing the application. Staff informed the Committee that the applicants had asked that the item be February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: E.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8304-A 3 deferred to the February 28, 2008 agenda. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding days and hours of operation, building design, fencing, site lighting and signage. Staff asked if the residence on the site would be used for any business activities. Staff asked the applicants to locate and describe any outside use areas and to locate to dumpster on the site plan. Public Works and Landscape comments were discussed. It was noted that the property would be rezoned to agriculture and forestry and the proposed use would not require additional landscaping or buffers. Mr. Giles presented a floor plan and building elevations. He stated the new building would contain an office, tack room, feed room and 23 stalls. The building is designed as a typical barn-type structure. Mr. Giles showed a modified site plan, indicating a small parking area adjacent to the building, with access off of the existing driveway. The applicants were advised to submit responses to staff’s inquiries. The Committee then forwarded the item to the Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: A conditional use permit is requested to allow a commercial stable on this 31.5± acre tract. An application to rezone the property from R-2 to AF Agriculture and Forestry District is a separate item on this agenda. The property currently contains a single family residence and several outbuildings and barns. The applicants propose to construct a 156 X 36 stable building and the adjacent gravel parking lot. The building will have a board and batten exterior and a gambrel roof. Windows will be located at each stall and room. The building will contain 23 individual stalls, a tack room, feed room and reception room/office. The residence is not involved in the business but may be occupied by the caretaker of the property. The proposed days and hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. These are the hours that patrons who are boarding horses at the stable will have access to the stable. In an emergency, patrons will have 24-hour access with prior notice to the owners/management. The entire site will be enclosed with a fence. Fencing will be a combination of wood and wire. Lighting on the exterior of the stable will be shielded downward. Any other site lighting will comply with dark sky criteria. A single ground-mounted sign will be located adjacent to the driveway at the street. Staff would recommend that the sign size be compatible with the maximum size allowed in residential zones; 6 feet in height and 32 square feet in area. There will be no dumpster. Patrons may walk or ride their horses around the stable or anywhere within the fenced property. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: E.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8304-A 4 The applicant is requesting approval of a variance to allow continued use of the existing gravel driveway and of the proposed gravel parking lot. An existing cattle guard on the driveway, near the street, will serve as an effective way to remove gravel from the tires of vehicles and trailers coming out of the driveway onto Crystal Valley Drive. Staff is supportive of the variance request, subject to compliance with the County’s standards for construction of the apron within the right-of-way. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. There is no bill of assurance for this acreage tract. Staff believes the proposed use is appropriate for the site and is compatible with uses in the area. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. 2. The ground mounted sign is not to exceed 6 feet in height and 32 square feet in area. 3. Any site lighting is to be shielded downward and into the site, utilizing “dark- sky” standards. Staff recommends approval of the variance request to allow the gravel driveway and parking lot subject to compliance with Pulaski County standards for construction of the driveway apron within the right-of-way. STAFF REPORT: On December 26, 2007, the applicant requested that this item be deferred to the February 28, 2008 Planning Commission agenda. Staff supports the deferral request. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2008) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that, on December 26, 2007, the applicant had requested the item be deferred to the February 28, 2008 meeting. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and deferred to the February 28, 2008 meeting. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: E.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8304-A 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: F FILE NO.: Z-6957-H NAME: 5100 Talley Road Office, Showroom/Warehouse – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 5100 Talley Road OWNER/APPLICANT: Boen Enterprises/McGetrick and McGetrick PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to add office, showroom/warehouse as a permitted use to the building planned for construction on this O-3 zoned lot. 1. SITE LOCATION: The site is located on the west side of Talley Road, one lot north of Remington Drive. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site is located in an area that is developing with new commercial, office and light industrial uses. The properties immediately adjacent to the site are undeveloped and zoned O-3 and C-3. Undeveloped R-2 and I-1 tracts are located to the east. The proposal to add office, showroom/warehouse as a permitted use to this proposed O-3 zoned building is compatible with zoning in the area. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The building is proposed to contain 9,780 square feet. If it were used entirely for general and professional office uses, 24 parking spaces would be required. If portions are occupied by office, showroom/warehouse uses, the parking requirement is reduced. The applicant is proposing 51 on-site parking spaces, taking access to the site from an access easement on the north and a shared parking-access easement on the south. The parking is sufficient for the use. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: F (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6957-H 2 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site plan must comply with the City’s landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. Two (2) additional islands are needed in the parking areas reflecting fifteen (15) concurrent spaces. An automatic irrigation system to water newly landscaped areas will be required. Otherwise, the site appears to comply with the City’s minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements by having the required green space allocated to plantings. Prior to the issuance of a building permit a landscape plan must be submitted and approved. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. No backing out into vehicle access easements. 2. At the time of construction, repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 3. Storm water detention ordinance applies to this property. 4. If a future driveway is planned to take access to the property to the south directly across the access easement from the current site’s south driveway, in accordance with 31-210(h)(12), access driveways running parallel to the street shall not create a four-way intersection within 75 feet of the curb line of the street. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No comment received. CenterPoint Energy: Approved as submitted. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met. Contact Central Arkansas Water regarding the size and location of the water meter. A Capital Investment Charge based on the size of connection(s) will apply to this February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: F (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6957-H 3 project in addition to normal charges, if connections are made to the 12-inch main in Talley Road. This fee will apply to all connections including metered connections off the private fire system. Additional fire hydrant(s) will be required. Contact the Little Rock Fire Department to obtain information regarding the required placement of the hydrant(s) and contact Central Arkansas Water regarding procedures for installation of the hydrant(s). Fire Department: Fire hydrants will be required. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. Planning Division: No Comments. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (DECEMBER 27, 2007) Pat McGetrick was present representing the application. Staff presented the item and noted little additional information was needed on this use issue. Public Works and Landscape Comments were discussed. Staff noted additional interior landscape islands were needed. Staff voiced concern about vehicles backing out into what was labeled a vehicle access easement. Mr. McGetrick responded that the easement was only a shared driveway between this lot and the lot to the south. He was advised to modify the site plan so that it would be clear that the access easement did not serve any additional lots. Mr. McGetrick was also advised that a four-way driveway intersection could not be created within 75 feet of the curb of Talley Road. Mr. McGetrick was advised to respond to staff issues by January 2, 2008. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The applicant proposes to construct a 9,780 square foot, one-story building on the O-3 zoned lot located at 5100 Talley Road. Fifty-one (51) parking spaces will be located around the building. The site will have a driveway shared with the lot to the south. Additional access is from an access easement driveway on the north. The applicant is requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow office, showroom/warehouse as a permitted use for the building. No specific tenants are proposed at this time. Allowing the use will provide additional opportunity for occupancy of the building. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: F (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6957-H 4 Office, showroom and warehouse means a facility for mixed use with the following characteristics: (1) A showroom for display of product line which does not include items for user purchase, except within C-3 general commercial district. (2) A storage or warehouse facility which occupies not more than sixty (60) percent of the gross floor area of the structure(s). (3) The principal office of the business; (4) Sales to contractors or other businesses installing or delivering to consumer and user. The applicant submitted a revised plan in response to Subdivision Committee comments. Building height, setbacks, buffers and landscaping all appear to comply with Ordinance Standards for an O-3 development. The access easement on the south side has been modified to clearly indicate that it is only shared with the lot to the south. Since it is not a service drive providing access to multiple lots; the proposed parking is allowable as shown. There is no bill of assurance as yet for this unplatted lot. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. The proposed use is compatible with uses and zoning in the area. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. to allow office, showroom/warehouse subject to compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2008) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that the applicant had failed to send the required notices and the item needed to be deferred. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and deferred to the February 28, 2008 meeting. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: F (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6957-H 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: G FILE NO.: Z-6957-I NAME: 5200 Talley Road Office, Showroom/Warehouse – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 5200 Talley Road OWNER/APPLICANT: Boen Enterprises/McGetrick and McGetrick PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow the addition of office, showroom/warehouse as a permitted use to the building planned for construction on this O-3 zoned lot. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located at the southwest corner of Talley Road and Remington Drive. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site is located in an area that is developing with new commercial, office and light industrial uses. The properties immediately adjacent to the tract are zoned O-3. Undeveloped R-2 and I-1 zoned tracts are located to the east. A 35-foot wide Open Space zoned strip is located along the south perimeter of this tract, providing a buffer to the single family located across Talley road to the south. The proposal to add office, showroom/warehouse as a permitted use to this proposed O-3 zoned building is compatible with zoning and uses in the area. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The building is proposed to contain 14,400 square feet. If it were used entirely for general and professional office uses, 36 parking spaces would be required. If portions are occupied by office, showroom/warehouse uses, the parking requirement is reduced. The applicant is proposing 49 on-site parking spaces, taking access off of Remington Drive and Talley Road. The parking is sufficient for the use. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: G (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6957-I 2 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site plan must comply with the City’s landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. Additional interior islands are needed in two (2) areas. These islands are to be a minimum of one hundred and fifty (150) square foot in area and seven and one-half (7’6”) foot wide in width to satisfy this minimal landscaping requirement. The zoning street buffer ordinance requires an average seventeen foot (17’) wide landscape strip. Currently, the proposed parking lot encroaches into this minimal area and thus some parking spaces will need to be eliminated to meet this minimal requirement. The thirty-five foot (35’) wide open space buffer needs to be labeled undisturbed. An automatic irrigation system to water newly landscape areas will be required. Otherwise, the site appears to comply with the City’s minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements by having the required green space allocated to plantings. Prior to the issuance of a building permit a landscape plan must be submitted and approved. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. At time of construction if sidewalks do not exist, sidewalks with appropriate handicap ramps are required in accordance with Sec. 31-175 of the Little Rock Code and the Master Street Plan. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No comment received. CenterPoint Energy: Approved as submitted. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: G (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6957-I 3 Water: All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met. Contact Central Arkansas Water regarding the size and location of the water meter. A Capital Investment Charge based on the size of connection(s) will apply to this project in addition to normal charges, if connections are made to the 12-inch main in Talley Road. This fee will apply to all connections including metered connections off the private fire system. Additional fire hydrant(s) will be required. Contact the Little Rock Fire Department to obtain information regarding the required placement of the hydrant(s) and contact Central Arkansas Water regarding procedures for installation of the hydrant(s). Fire Department: Fire hydrants will be required. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: This site is not located on a CATA bus route. Planning Division: No Comments. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (DECEMBER 7, 2007) Pat McGetrick was present representing the application. Staff presented the item and noted little additional information was needed. Staff commented that the 35 foot wide Open Space zoned buffer on the south perimeter of the lot needs to remain undisturbed. Public Works and Landscape Comments were discussed. It was noted that additional interior landscape islands were needed and the street perimeter landscape strip was less than Ordinance requirement. Mr. McGetrick stated he would make those corrections. He was advised to submit responses to staff by January 2, 2008. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The applicant proposes to construct a 14,400 square foot, one-story building on the O-3 zoned lot located at 5200 Talley Road. Forty-nine (49) parking spaces will be located in front of and behind the building. The applicant is requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow office, showroom/warehouse as a permitted use of the building. No specific tenants are February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: G (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6957-I 4 proposed at this time. Allowing the use will provide additional opportunity for occupancy of the building. Office, showroom and warehouse means a facility for mixed use with the following characteristics: (1) A showroom for display of product line which does not include items for user purchase, except within C-3 general commercial district. (2) A storage or warehouse facility which occupies not more than sixty (60) percent of the gross floor area of the structure(s). (3) The principal office of the business; (4) Sales to contractors or other businesses installing or delivering to consumer and user. The applicant submitted a revised site plan in response to Subdivision Committee comments. Building height, setbacks, buffers and landscaping all appear to comply with Ordinance Standards for an O-3 development. The thirty- five (35) foot wide Open Space zoned strip along the south perimeter has been clearly labeled as undisturbed. There is no bill of assurance as yet for this unplatted lot. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. The proposed use is compatible with uses and zoning in the area. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. to allow office, showroom and or warehouse subject to compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2008) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that the applicant had failed to send the required notices and the item needed to be deferred. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and deferred to the February 28, 2008 meeting. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: G (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6957-I 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: H FILE NO.: S-1605 NAME: Big Oak Subdivision Preliminary Plat LOCATION: Located on Baseline Road and Victoria Drive DEVELOPER: Card Investments, LLC 17200 Chenal Parkway, Suite 300 PMB 356 Little Rock, AR 72223 ENGINEER: Development Consultants, Inc. 2200 North Rodney Parham Road, Suite 220 Little Rock, AR 72212 AREA: 6.10 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: 26 FT. NEW STREET: 885 LF CURRENT ZONING: R-2, Single-family PLANNING DISTRICT: 15 – Geyer Springs West CENSUS TRACT: 41.05 VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: 1. A variance to allow a reduced front building line (Section 31-256). 2. A variance to allow reduced lot depths (Section 31-232). 3. A variance to allow a reduced lot depth adjacent to a main line railroad line (Section 31-232(g)). 4. A variance to allow the placement of an eight (8) foot fence around the perimeter of the site. 5. A variance from Section 31-232(f) to allow the creation of a pipe stem lot (Lot 12). A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The developers are seeking preliminary plat approval to allow the development of 6.10 acres with 25 single-family residential lots and one (1) tract. The lots are proposed containing an average lot size of 0.232 acres with a minimum lot size February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1605 2 of 7,000.23 square feet (0.161 acres). The development will provide 795 linear feet of new public street. There are variances associated with the proposed plat. The variances include a reduced front yard setback, an eight foot privacy fence around the perimeter of the property, reduced lot depths, reduced lot depths for lots abutting a main railroad line and the creation of a pipe stem lot. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The site was previously a manufactured home park. Presently all the units been removed. To the east of the site is a manufactured home park and to the west are single-family homes. Further west is an apartment complex with gates which appear to close during the evening hours. A main rail line is located along the southern perimeter of the property. To the north, along Baseline Road is an apartment complex, an industrial use and a single-family home. The manufactured home park took access from Baseline Road as well as Victoria Drive and both curb-cuts are in tact. Victoria Drive is a residential street with curb and gutter. There is no sidewalk along the property frontage. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has received an informational phone call from an area resident. Southwest Little Rock United for Progress, the West Baseline Neighborhood Association and all abutting property owners were notified of the Public Hearing. D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS: 1. Big Oak Court should be constructed to Master Street Plan standards. The preliminary plat shows the right-of-way to 50 feet in width; the street to be 26 feet wide; and a 5 foot sidewalk on both sides. 2. A 20 foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of Big Oak Court and Victoria Drive. 3. Sidewalks with appropriate handicap ramps are required to be installed on Victoria Drive along the frontage of the property in accordance with Section 31-175 of the Little Rock Code and the Master Street Plan. 4. Close curb cut on Baseline Road and match sidewalk across Tract A. 5. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 6. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. Obtain barricade permit prior to doing any work in the right-of-way from Traffic Engineering at (501) 379-1805 (Travis Herbner). February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1605 3 7. Obtain permits for improvements within State Highway right-of-way from AHTD, District VI. 8. Storm water detention ordinance applies to this property. Show the proposed location for storm water detention facilities on the plan. If developed flows are less than pre-developed flows detention will not be required for this property. Controls should be installed to reduce damage from storm water runoff onto adjacent properties. 9. Streetlights are required by Section 31-403 of the Little Rock code. Provide plans for approval to Traffic Engineering. Streetlights must be installed prior to platting/certificate of occupancy. Contact Traffic Engineering 379-1813 (Steve Philpott) for more information. 10. If disturbed area is one (1) or more acres, obtain a NPDES storm water permit from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality prior to the start of construction. 11. Obtain permits prior to doing any street cuts or curb cuts. Obtain barricade permit prior to doing any work in the right-of-way. Contact Traffic Engineering at (501) 379-1805 (Travis Herbner) for more information. E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING: Wastewater: Sewer main extension required, with easements. Contact Little Rock Wastewater at 688-1414. Entergy: Approved as submitted. Center-Point Energy: Center-Point Energy has an existing gas main located within the proposed development area which may be in conflict with the proposed plat. Contact Center-Point Energy for additional information. AT & T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met. A Capital Investment Charge based on the size of the meter connection(s) will apply to this project in addition to normal charges. A water main extension will be required in order to provide service to this property. This development will have minor impact on the existing water distribution system. Proposed water facilities will be sized to provide adequate pressure and fire protection. Fire Department: Install and place fire hydrants per code. Contact the Little Rock Fire Department for additional information. County Planning: No comment. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1605 4 CATA: The site is located near CATA Bus Routes #17 and #17A, the Mabelvale- Downtown and Mabelvale-UALR Routes. Parks and Recreation: No comment. F. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN: Planning Division: No comment. Landscape: No comment. G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (January 24, 2008) Mr. Robert Brown and Mr. Ed Hankins were present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the proposed development stating as presented there were a number of variances associated with the request. Staff stated they felt it was important to increase the depth of the lots adjacent to a main railroad line to allow for proper separation. Mr. Brown stated he would redesign the plat to reduce the impact on the lots adjacent to the railroad main line. Mr. Brown questioned staff’s request for the total lot area of Lot 16. Staff stated it was difficult to determine if the lot met the 7,000 minimum lot size requirement but once the lots were redesigned to increase the depth for the lots adjacent to the railroad this would more than likely eliminate staff’s concern for the lot area of this proposed lot. Public Works comments were addressed. Staff stated Big Oak Court should be constructed to Master Street Plan standard. Staff noted a reduced right of way width and reduced street paving would meet the Master Street Plan requirements. Staff also stated if the street was constructed to a minor residential street standard, sidewalks would not be required. Staff stated sidewalks would be required along Victoria Drive and Baseline Road. Staff requested the curb cut on Tract A be removed and closed limiting access to the development from Victoria Drive. Staff noted streetlights would be required at the time of final platting. Staff also stated a grading permit would be required and the Storm water detention ordinance requirements would also apply to development of the site. Staff noted comments provided by the various other departments and agencies stating if there were specific concerns the applicant should contact the agency directly. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. H. ANALYSIS: The applicant submitted a revised preliminary plat to staff addressing most of the issues raised at the January 24, 2008, Subdivision Committee meeting. Several February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1605 5 of the lots adjacent to the railroad track have been increased to allow for the proper depth of lots adjacent to a main railroad line. Lots 14 and 15 have not been indicated with the 175-foot depth. The revised preliminary plat indicates the variance request for the street design is no longer being request. The applicant has indicated the street will be designed to a minor residential street standard which eliminates the need for a variance to reduce the centerline radius. The lots are indicated with a reduced front building setback of 15-feet adjacent to Big Oak Court. The ordinance typically requires the placement of a 25-foot building setback along the street frontages. The site plan indicates Lots 14 and 15 with less than the 175-foot typically required lot depth for lots abutting a mainline railroad right of way. The lots are indicated with a 149.35 foot depth. The ordinance states the 175-foot depth is necessary to ensure proper separation of the residences from the adjacent railroad line. The request includes a variance to allow the placement of an eight (8) foot fence around the perimeter of the site and within the required building setback. The ordinance typically allows the placement of a six foot fence on the perimeters of the property. The plat indicates Lots 10 and 11 with a depth less than the 100-foot depth typically required per the Subdivision Ordinance. The lot depth along the common lot line is 72.48 feet. The lots are indicated with 7,043 and 7,061 square feet of lot area. The plan indicates the creation of a pipe stem lot for Lot 12. The lot is indicated with a stem of 57.15 feet and the width at the street is 20 feet. The ordinances states the creation of pipe stem lots is prohibited but the definition of a pipe stem lot indicates the minimum width of the stem at the street right of way shall be 30-feet and the maximum depth of the pipe stem lot including the stem shall be 300-feet. The lot as proposed does not meet this typical minimum criteria. Staff is supportive of the proposed subdivision and the associated variances. The site has had a history of an undesirable use. The development is proposed as a new single-family subdivision which will bring new families into the area which will have a stake in the success of the neighborhood. Although there are a number of variances associated with the request staff does not feel individually or collectively they will significantly impact the development or the area as a whole. To staff’s knowledge there are no outstanding technical issues associated with the request. Staff feels the development of this new subdivision at a density of 4.09 units per acres is an appropriate development for the site. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1605 6 I. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff recommends approval of the variance request to allow a reduced front building line (Section 31-256). Staff recommends approval of the variance to allow reduced lot depths (Section 31-232). Staff recommends approval of the variance to allow a reduced lot depth adjacent to a main line railroad line (Section 31-232(g)). Staff recommends approval of the variance to allow the placement of an eight (8) foot fence around the perimeter of the site. Staff recommends approval of the variance request to allow the creation of a pipe stem lot and the variance associated with the development standards of the pipe stem lot. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 14, 2008) Mr. Robert Brown was present representing the application. There were no registered objectors present. The Chair informed the applicant there were eight (8) Commissioner’s present. The Chair stated when the Commission had fewer than nine (9) members present the applicant was offered the right to defer his or her item to a later public hearing. Mr. Robert Brown requested the item be deferred to the February 28, 2008, public hearing. There was no further discussion of the item. A motion was made to defer the item to the February 28, 2008, public hearing. The motion carried by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were registered objectors present. Staff presented the item stating the applicant amended the request to place a condition on the plat to require the lots abutting the railroad tract to be bricked on all four sides to reduce the impact of sound on these structures. Staff stated the applicant had indicated the name of the proposed subdivision would be changed prior to final platting. Staff stated to their knowledge there were no remaining outstanding technical issues associated with the February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1605 7 request. Staff presented a recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff also presented a recommendation of approval of the variance request to allow a reduced front building line (Section 31-256), the variance to allow reduced lot depths (Section 31-232), the variance to allow a reduced lot depth adjacent to a main line railroad line (Section 31-232(g)) and the variance request to allow the creation of a pipe stem lot and the variance associated with the development standards of the pipe stem lot. Staff also presented a recommendation of approval of the variance to allow the placement of an eight (8) foot fence around the perimeter of the site. Mr. Sylvester Murray addressed the Commission with questions. He stated he did not understand the request and was wondering what impact this would have on his home. He also stated the area did not need any additional apartments or mobile homes. Commissioners Adcock and Rector stated the request was for single-family homes and not for manufactured homes or apartments. They stated with the proposed development this should improve the area. Commissioner Adcock stated the homes would average $130,000 to $150,000. She stated with the new construction this should spur clean up in the area and was a start to redevelopment for the area. Ms. Mattie Gibson addressed the Commission with questions. She stated she did not understand the request. She stated she had invested a great deal in her home and was a single mother and single grandmother. She questioned the impact the development would have on her home. Commissioner Adcock stated the development would not impact her home and the developers would not get in her back yard. Mr. Nathan Earley stated his questions had been answered. Mr. James Cosey stated he was not sure of the request. He stated he now understood the request and no longer had questions. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for approval of the item. The motion carried by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: I FILE NO.: S-1606 NAME: Dailey Drive Subdivision Preliminary Plat LOCATION: Located on Dailey Drive, South of Baseline Road DEVELOPER: Robert Lawrence 309 Warren Lane Inglewood, CA 90302 ENGINEER: ETC Engineers and Architects, Inc. 1510 S. Battery Street Little Rock, AR 72202 AREA: 3.5 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: 21 FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF CURRENT ZONING: R-2, Single-family PLANNING DISTRICT: 15 – Geyer Springs West CENSUS TRACT: 41.06 VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: 1. A variance from Section 31-232 and Section 36-254(4) to allow a reduced lot width for Lots 2 – 20. 2. A variance to Section 36-254(4) to allow the creation of lots with a reduced lot area. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The developer is proposing the subdivision of this 3.5-acre site into 21 single- family residential lots. The lots are proposed with two (2) variances from the lot development standards of the Subdivision Ordinance. The variances include the development of lots with less than the typical minimum lot width of 60-feet and lot areas less than the typical 7,000 square foot minimum established by the Subdivision Ordinance. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: I (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1606 2 B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The site was formerly a manufactured home park with all but one of the units being removed. To the east is a US Post office. To the west are single-family homes. There is a large undeveloped parcel to the north of the site along Baseline Road and a new office building has been constructed to the northwest. After leaving Baseline Road, the area is predominately single-family. Approximately two blocks east is the Southwest Little Rock Community Center and Police Substation. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has not received any comment from area residents. Southwest Little Rock United for Progress, Chicot Neighborhood Association and all abutting property owners were notified of the Public Hearing. D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS: 1. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 2. Sidewalks with appropriate handicap ramps are required to be installed along Dailey Drive in accordance with Section 31-175 of the Little Rock Code and the Master Street Plan. 3. Streetlights are required by Section 31-403 of the Little Rock code. Provide plans for approval to Traffic Engineering. Streetlights must be installed prior to platting/certificate of occupancy. Contact Traffic Engineering 379-1813 (Steve Philpott) for more information. 4. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 5. Storm water detention ordinance applies to this property. Show the proposed location for storm water detention facilities on the plan. 6. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. Obtain barricade permit prior to doing any work in the right-of-way from Traffic Engineering at (501) 379-1805 (Travis Herbner). E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: Approved as submitted. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: I (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1606 3 Center-Point Energy: Approved as submitted. AT & T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met. A Capital Investment Charge based on the size of the meter connection(s) will apply to this project in addition to normal charges. A water main extension will be required in order to provide service to this property. This development will have minor impact on the existing water distribution system. Proposed water facilities will be sized to provide adequate pressure and fire protection. Fire Department: Install and place fire hydrants per code. Contact the Little Rock Fire Department for additional information. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is located near CATA Bus Routes #17 and #17A, the Mabelvale- Downtown and Mabelvale-UALR Routes. Parks and Recreation: No comment received. F. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN: Planning Division: No comment. Landscape: No comment. G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (January 24, 2008) The applicant was not present. Staff presented an overview of the proposed development stating there were a number of issues and concerns which would need addressing prior to the item being forwarded to the Commission. Staff stated they would contact the applicant directly to work on the concerns. Commissioner Laha stated he would contact the engineer to invite him to the neighborhood association meeting to answer questions and provide additional information concerning the proposed development. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. H. ANALYSIS: The applicant submitted a revised preliminary plat to staff addressing a number of the issues raised by staff at the January 24, 2008, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant has indicated a sidewalk will be placed along Dailey Drive and indicated streetlights will be installed with the final platting of the lots. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: I (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1606 4 The developer is proposing the subdivision of this 3.5 acre site into 21 single- family residential lots. The lots are proposed with two (2) variances from the lot development standards of the Subdivision Ordinance; to allow the development of lots with less than the typical minimum lot width of 60-feet and a lot areas less than the typical 7,000 square foot minimum established by the ordinance. Lots 2 – 7 are indicated ranging in size from 6,974 square feet to 6,829 square feet. The remaining lots range from 7,003 square feet to 8,464 square feet which is adequate to meet the typical minimum lot area requirement. Lots 2 – 20 are indicated with a lot width of 50-feet. The property is presently zoned R-2, Single- family which typically requires a minimum lot width of 60-feet. Staff is supportive of the subdivision and the two variances associated with the request. The lots are indicated with setbacks typical of the R-2, Single-family Zoning District; allowing a 25-foot front and rear yard setback and 5-foot side yard setbacks. With the indicated lot widths, lot areas and the proposed setbacks this allows for a building footprint on the smallest of the lots of 3,400 square feet which is a greater footprint than the existing homes in the area. The development is proposed with an overall density of 6 units per acre which is not out of character with single-family development in the City. Staff does not feel the creation of the plat as proposed will significantly impact the area if developed as proposed. I. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff recommends approval of the variance request to allow Lots 2 – 20 to develop with a reduced lot width and the variance to allow Lots 2 – 7 to develop with a reduced lot area. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 14, 2008) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that the applicant had failed to send the required notices and the item needed to be deferred. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and deferred to the February 28, 2008 meeting. A motion was made to approve the item as presented by staff on the consent agenda. The motion carried by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: I (Cont.) FILE NO.: S-1606 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff also presented a recommendation of approval of the variance request to allow Lots 2 – 20 to develop with a reduced lot width and the variance request to allow Lots 2 – 7 to develop with a reduced lot area. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for placement of the item on the consent agenda for approval. The motion carried by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: J FILE NO.: Z-8152-A NAME: Storthz Short-form POD LOCATION: Located at 424 North University Avenue DEVELOPER: LPS Properties, LLC Sam Storthz III, Managing Partner 810 North University Avenue Little Rock, AR 72205 ENGINEER: Edward Smith – White Daters and Associates 24 Rahling Circle Little Rock, AR 72223 AREA: 0.96 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF CURRENT ZONING: O-3, General Office District ALLOWED USES: General and Professional Office Uses PROPOSED ZONING: PCD PROPOSED USE: O-3 uses and selected C-3 uses VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST: On March 1, 2007, the Little Rock Planning Commission withdrew a request to rezone the site from O-3, General Office District to PCD at the request of the applicant. The applicant’s proposal was the same proposal as currently being considered by the Commission. The building located at 424 N. University was originally constructed in 1970 as a masonry construction and contains approximately 11,968 square feet of rental area. The property is currently zoned O-3, General Office District which allows for general office type uses as allowable uses on the site. In addition, the site is allowed a maximum of ten percent of the gross floor area as a listed accessory February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: J (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8152-A 2 use as indicated in the O-3, General Office District zoning classification. The applicant is proposing a rezoning of the site to PCD to expand the allowable uses for the site. The site is proposed as a mixed use development and is proposed to contain the following uses either as a single user or a mixture of uses: A. Keeping the existing permitted uses under the “0-3” General Office District Zoning. B. Keeping the following existing permitted uses under the “0-3” General Office District Accessory Uses Zoning except delete the “shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the total floor area on the site” provision. - Antique shop, Barber and beauty shop, Book and stationary shop, Camera shop, Candy store, Clothing store, (including clothing accessories), Custom sewing or millinery, Drugstore or pharmacy, Eating place, (Pick-up Only), Florist shop, Health studio or spa, Hobby shop, Jewelry store, Key shop, Laundry pickup station, Tailor shop. C. Add the following permitted uses in the “C-3” General Commercial District: Appliance sales and repairs, Audio sales and service, Auto parts and accessories, Bakery or confectionery shop, Beauty supply store, Bicycle shop, Beverage shop, (coffee, tea, fruit or health drinks), Card shop, Carpet and flooring store, Catering, commercial, Clock or watch repair, Cosmetic store, Computer sales and repair, Dollar and variety store, Fabric store, Food store, Frame shop, Furniture store and/or rentals and/or repairs, Garden and supply shop (indoor only), Gift shop, Handicraft, ceramic, sculpture or similar artwork store, studio or gallery, Hardware store, Houseware and kitchen store, Interior decorating shop, Job printing, Lithographer, printing or blue printing, Kitchen remodeling store, Linen shop, Luggage store, Medical appliance fittings and sales, Mail services store, Massage therapist, Music store, Office equipment sales and service, Office supply store, Optical shop, Paint and wallpaper store, School supplies, Second hand shop (resale of used goods such as used furniture, clothes, books, etc, ), Shoe repair, Sporting goods store, Swimming pool sales and supplies, Telephone and accessory sales and repair, Television sales and repairs, Toy store, Upholstery shop, Video, DVD, CD’s sales and rentals, Vitamins and health food store. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The site contains an office building and associated parking currently being used as a medical office. To the north of the site is a private school and to the south of the site is a residential tower and an office tower is located to the southwest. There is a nursing home located immediately west of the site and east of the site are office uses. Other uses in the area include two shopping centers, Park Plaza and Mid-Towne. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: J (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8152-A 3 C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has received an informational phone call from an area resident. The Hillcrest Residents Neighborhood Association, all property owners located within 200 feet of the site and all residents, who could be identified, located within 300-feet of the site were notified of the Public Hearing. D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS: 1. In recognition of the fact that this is a developed site and the applicant proposes only use changes and no changes to the existing building footprint, drives, parking, staff is recommending a reduced right of way dedication on Father Tribou Street (formerly Lee Street) of 25 feet from the centerline (instead of the Master Street Plan requirement of 30 feet) and 45 feet from the centerline of University Avenue (rather than 55 feet). The approximate 5-foot dedication on Father Tribou and University Avenue are required due to the increased intensity of uses for the site with the change from office to commercial uses and the allowance of a large percentage of the building square footage as selected C-3, General Commercial District uses by right. With greater intensity of the use mix, additional traffic is expected which right turn lanes can correct when added to the existing streets, but until such lanes are built, the City will provide the applicant with a franchise to allow the existing parking to be located in the portion of the right of way to be dedicated. Any future development on the site will require full right of way dedication and meeting the boundary street ordinance requirements. For City-funded projects, the City bears the cost of relocating improvements such as driveways, curbing and landscaping which is disturbed in the street widening process. 2. Obtain a franchise agreement from Public Works (Bennie Nicolo, 371-4818) for the private improvements located in the right-of-way. E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No comment received. Center-Point Energy: Approved as submitted. AT & T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: No objection. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: J (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8152-A 4 Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is located on CATA Bus Route #21, the University Avenue Route. Parks and Recreation: No comment. F. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN: Planning Division: This request is located in the West Little Rock Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Mixed Use for this property. The applicant has requested to rezone the site from O-3, General Office District to Planned Office Development to add additional uses to the site including selected commercial uses. The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Master Street Plan: University Avenue is shown as a Principal Arterial. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on University since it is a Principal Arterial. Father Tribou Drive is shown as a Local Street. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as “Commercial Streets”. These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. These streets may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. Bicycle Plan: There are no bike routes shown in the immediate vicinity. Neighborhood Action Plan: This area is covered by the Midtown Neighborhood Action Plan. The Commercial Development goal states: “To increase the long-term viability of our retail, office, and medical centers, and prevent destabilization of surrounding neighborhoods.” Landscape: 1. The site plan must comply with the City’s landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: J (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8152-A 5 2. This site plan appears to be a use issue only. However, should the building undergo rehabilitation then the parking lot will be required to be brought into compliancy with both the zoning ordinance and the landscape ordinance at such time. 3. A landscape plan will be required in conjunction with redevelopment of this site. G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (January 24, 2008) The applicant was present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the development stating the request was to rezone the site from O-3, General Office District to PCD and add additional uses as allowable uses to the site. Public Works comments were addressed. Staff stated a reduced right of way dedication was being requested. Staff noted due to the potential increase in intensity of the use of the site additional right of way and turn lanes could be required. Staff stated a franchise would be provided to the owners to allow parking within the public right of way. Landscaping comments were addressed. Staff stated if the building was rehabilitated then the parking lot would be required to be brought into compliance with the current typical ordinance standards. Staff noted comments provided by the various other departments and agencies stating if there were specific concerns the applicant should contact the agency directly. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. H. ANALYSIS: There were no outstanding technical issues remaining from the January 24, 2008, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant is seeking a rezoning of the site to allow additional uses to be added as allowable uses for the site. The primary issue between staff and the applicant involves the right of way dedication. The applicant has indicated a right of way dedication to the edge of the parking stalls is acceptable with them. Staff is supportive of the allowance of reduced right of way dedication including a 25-foot right of way dedication along Father Tribou Drive and a 45-foot right of way dedication along South University Avenue. Staff feels the right of way should be dedicated as a part of the approval. The rezoning request will potentially increase the activity on the site, creating a commercial development, thus potentially necessitating additional street improvements in the area. A portion of the existing parking will be impacted by the right of way dedication which staff is agreeable to the allowance February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: J (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8152-A 6 of a franchise agreement to allow the existing parking to remain until such time as the additional improvements are installed. The site is located within the Midtown Overlay District. The purpose of the Midtown Overlay District is to create a quality vital atmosphere for businesses, commercial or office and residents. Buildings, parking, signage, landscaping and street furnishings should all be designed to complement and encourage pedestrian use both day and evening. As stated in the purpose and intent section of the Midtown Overlay District proper planning is necessary to ensure visual clutter is avoided. Guideline and strategies must be in place to protect the district from the negative impact of poorly planned or incompatible development has the potential to destroy the attributes that will attract people to the district. The district regulations shall apply to new development, and redevelopment exceeding fifty percent of the structure’s current replacement value and expansion of existing development. The design guidelines shall be implemented when a permit is requested for exterior improvements on buildings or in the public right of way. Routine repairs, maintenance and interior alterations shall not require compliance with the overlay regulations. It does not appear the overlay requirements will be evoked with the development as proposed. The applicant is proposing the redevelopment of the site as a mixed-use development with no limits placed on the uses proposed. There are no exterior modifications proposed to the existing building or parking. All renovations will be interior renovations only. The building contains 11,968 square feet along with 72 parking spaces. Based on typically minimum parking requirements for a commercial development, 39 parking spaces would be required. Based on typical parking ratios for a mixed use development (1 space per 225 square feet) 53 parking spaces would typically be required. Neither the site plan nor cover letter indicates any signage either existing or proposed. Signage typically allowed in office zones is a maximum of six feet in height and sixty-four square feet in area. With regard to signage, the Midtown Overlay District states no pole-mounted signs and no wood, painted signs or pan-faced-style signs are permitted. Staff would recommend if additional signage is approved, the signage conform to signage as allowed per the Midtown Overlay District. The site is indicated as MX on the City’s Future Land Use Plan. The MX – Mixed Use Category allows for a mixture of residential, office and commercial uses to occur. A Planned Zoning District is required if the use is entirely office or commercial or if the use is a mixture of the three. The applicant has not placed limits on the proposed use mix of the site; only indicated the site will be redeveloped as a mixed use development. Staff recommends a percentage be placed on the proposed uses limiting the site to 60 percent commercial uses and 40 percent office uses. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: J (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8152-A 7 Staff is generally supportive of the proposed development. There is an outstanding issue related to the right of way dedication for the abutting streets. Staff cannot support the application as filed with limiting the right of way dedication to the edge of the parking stalls along the abutting streets. I. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends denial of the request. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 14, 2008) The applicant was not present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item stating the applicant had requested a deferral of the item to the February 28, 2008, public hearing. Staff stated the deferral request would require a waiver of the Commission’s By-laws with regard to the late deferral request since the request was made on February 13, 2008. Staff stated they were supportive of the deferral request. There was no further discussion of the item. A motion was made to approve the item as presented by staff on the consent agenda. The motion carried by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff stated the original application was submitted with a survey, which was outdated and did not show the existing right of way located along the abutting roadways. Staff stated the applicant had since provided them with a current survey, which indicated right of way along Father Tribou and North University Avenue somewhat different than originally thought. Staff stated they originally thought the existing right of way along Father Tribou was 20-feet and recommended a reduced right of way standard requesting an additional 5-feet along Father Tribou Street. Staff stated along North University Avenue staff requested a reduced standard and a right of dedication of 45-feet. Staff state they continued to recommend the reduced right of way standard along North University Avenue or a dedication to 45-feet from centerline as opposed the typically required 55-feet from centerline. Staff stated the 45-foot right of way along North University Avenue was currently in place. Staff stated the reduced standard would require adoption of an ordinance by the Board of Directors to allow a variance from the Master Street Plan. Staff stated the reduced right of way standard was only being supported for the current PCD rezoning request to add additional uses to the site. Staff recommends at the time the site is redeveloped the full 55-feet of right of way be dedicated. Staff stated with regard to Father Tribou Street they recommended the applicant dedicate an existing 10-foot gap in the right of way as presently existed bring February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: J (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8152-A 8 the total right of way for Father Tribou to the Master Street Plan standard or 30-feet from centerline. Staff stated there was presently parking and landscaping within the right of way for North University Avenue and Father Tribou Street. Staff stated they supported the issuance of franchise permit for the parking, landscaping, and other improvements located in the right-of-way. Staff stated the applicant must contact Public Works for the permit application. Staff stated the original recommendation was the development be limited to a 60 percent commercial and 40 percent office use mix but now felt the developers proposal was acceptable. Staff stated they were supportive of allowing the development to contain a mixed-use development with 75 percent commercial uses and 25 percent office uses. Staff stated otherwise to their knowledge there are no remaining outstanding technical issues associated with the request. Staff presented a recommendation of approval of the request including the above comments and the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for placement of the item on the consent agenda for approval. The motion carried by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: K FILE NO.: Z-8308 NAME: Calvary Bread of Life Ministries Short-form PID LOCATION: Located between West 33rd and West 34th fronting Jane Street and Mabelvale Pike Road DEVELOPER: Calvary Bread of Life Ministries P.O. Box 20212 Little Rock, AR 72221 ENGINEER: BT Engineers 1501 Market Street Little Rock, AR 72211 AREA: 0.8046 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 zoning lot FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF CURRENT ZONING: I-2, Light Industrial District ALLOWED USES: Light Industrial Uses PROPOSED ZONING: PID PROPOSED USE: I-2, Light Industrial District uses and Add a Church VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The request is a rezoning of the site from I-2, Light Industrial District to PID to add a church as an allowable use for the property. The applicant is proposing to utilize the existing building and parking with no modifications to the exterior of the structure and limited interior renovations will be undertaken to add a sanctuary, classroom space and restroom facilities. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The site is located with frontage on Mabelvale Pike, Jane Street, West 33rd and West 34th Streets. The front of the building appears to front West 33rd Street. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: K (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8308 2 The building is a vacant industrial building. There are a number of uses located on this block including, residential, an auto repair garage and a plumbing supply company. To the east of the site is a residential neighborhood. To the south of the site are industrial uses. North of the site is a hotel and a drive-in restaurant. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has received several informational phone calls from area residents. The South of Asher Neighborhood Association, all property owners located within 200 feet of the site and all residents, who could be identified, located within 300-feet of the site were notified of the Public Hearing. D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS: 1. Mabelvale Pike is classified on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial. A dedication of right-of-way 45 feet from centerline will be required along the frontage of the property. 2. A 20-foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of West 33rd Street and Jane Street. 3. The southeastern portion of the structure is located in the 100-year floodplain. This structure appears to be a pre-FIRM structure. Any additions to the structure in the future will require the lowest finished floor elevation of the new addition to elevated to 1 foot above the base flood elevation. 4. The alley is recommended to be abandoned and easements maintained for utilities. 5. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING: Wastewater: Sewer main located within the alley. No new construction is allowed over the existing sewer main. Contact Little Rock Wastewater Utility at 688-1414 for additional information. Entergy: No comment received. Center-Point Energy: Approved as submitted. AT & T: No comment received. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: K (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8308 3 Central Arkansas Water: All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met. Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. If a larger and/or additional meter is needed, a Capital Investment Charge based on the size of the meter connection(s) will apply to this project in addition to normal charges. Fire Department: Install and place fire hydrants per code. Contact the Little Rock Fire Department for additional information. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is located near CATA Bus Route #14, the Rosedale Route. Parks and Recreation: No comment received. F. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN: Planning Division: This request is located in the I-630 Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Light Industrial for this property. The applicant has applied for a rezoning from I-2, Light Industrial District to Planned Industrial Development to add a church as an allowable use to the property. The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Master Street Plan: Mabelvale Pike is shown as a Minor Arterial. A Minor Arterial provides connections to and through an urban area and their primary function is to provide short distance travel within the urbanized area. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on Mabelvale Pike since it is a Minor Arterial. Jane, West 33rd and West 34th Streets are shown as Local Streets. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as “Commercial Streets”. These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. These streets may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. Bicycle Plan: A Class III bike route is shown along Mabelvale Pike. A Class III bikeway is a signed route on a street shared with traffic. No additional paving or right-of-way is required. Class III bicycle route signage may be required. Neighborhood Action Plan: This area is covered by the Oak Forest Neighborhood Action Plan. The Economic Development goal states: “To create a healthy economic climate that encourages investment, reinvestment, and diversity of employment opportunities.” February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: K (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8308 4 Landscape: 1. The site plan must comply with the City’s landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. 2. Landscaping will be required with any new on site parking or with the redevelopment/rehabilitation of the existing structure(s). G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (January 24, 2008) The applicant was present. Staff presented an overview of the proposed development stating there were a few outstanding technical issues associated with the request. Staff questioned if the church would house a daycare or offer a mother’s day out. Staff also questioned if the site would be used as a “soup kitchen”. Staff questioned the days and hours of operation of the facility. Staff also questioned the proposed parking plan. Staff requested the applicant provide the proposed signage plan including the location, total height and total area. Public Works comments were addressed. Staff stated a 20 foot radial dedication was required at the intersection of West 33rd and Jane Streets. Staff also stated the southeastern portion of the building was located within the floodplain and future construction would be required to be constructed above the base flood elevation. Landscaping comments were addressed. Staff stated landscaping would be required with any new on-site parking or with the redevelopment or rehabilitation of the existing structure. Staff noted comments provided by the various other departments and agencies stating if there were specific concerns the applicant should contact the agency directly. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. H. ANALYSIS: The applicant has submitted a revised cover letter addressing most of the issue raised at the January 24, 2008, Subdivision Committee meeting. A revised site plan indicates the placement of a ground mounted sign at the intersection of West 33rd and Jane Streets. The sign is proposed with a maximum height of eight feet and sixty-four square feet in area. Building signage is proposed consistent with signage allowed in industrial zones. The church has a seating capacity of 250 – 300 persons. Church service and Prayer service hours are Tuesday and Thursday 12 am to 1 am, Friday 9 pm to 11 pm, Sunday norning 9 am to 12 noon and Sunday night 6 pm to 8:30 pm. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: K (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8308 5 There will not be a mother’s day out program nor will the site house a soup kitchen. The site contains parking for 30 vehicles and the applicant has indicated agreements from adjoining property owners to allow additional parking on neighboring lots. The activities of the church will not impose on the hours of operation for the adjoining businesses so the shared parking should not cause a significant impact on the area. The ordinance would typically require the placement of 75 parking spaces to serve a church with a seating capacity of 300 persons. Although the indicated parking is less than one half the typical requirement staff does not feel this will significantly impact the area if additional parking can be secured off site. Staff recommends the applicant provide the parking agreements from the adjoining property owners. Staff is supportive of the request. The site is presently zoned I-2, Light Industrial District and the request is to add a church as an allowable use for the property. Staff does not feel based on the uses in the area the addition of a church to this site will adversely impact the adjoining properties. I. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff recommends the applicant provide the parking agreements from the adjoining property owners. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 14, 2008) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that the applicant had failed to send the required notices and the item needed to be deferred. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and deferred to the February 28, 2008 meeting. A motion was made to approve the item as presented by staff on the consent agenda. The motion carried by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff also presented a February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: K (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8308 6 recommendation the applicant provide the parking agreements from the adjoining property owners. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for placement of the item on the consent agenda for approval. The motion carried by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 1 FILE NO.: Z-3371-V Owner: Colonel Glenn Development Co. Applicant: White-Daters and Associates Location: Southwest corner of Colonel Glenn Road and Colonel Glenn Court, extending to the northeast corner of David O Dodd Road and Bowman Plaza Drive. Area: 6.306 Acres Request: Rezone from C-3 to C-4 Purpose: Auto dealership Existing Use: Undeveloped SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Bank and office/school-type use (across Colonel Glenn Road); zoned C-2 and C-3 South – Undeveloped property (across Bowman Plaza Drive); zoned C-3 East – Rave Theater and auto dealership; zoned C-3 and C-4 West – Convenience store and undeveloped property (across David O Dodd); zoned C-3 and R-2 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. At time of development, repair or replace any curb gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. B. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: The site is not located on CATA Bus Route. C. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the John Barrow and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: 1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3371-V 2 D. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the 65th Street West Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Commercial for this property. The applicant has applied for a rezoning from C-3 to C-4. The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Master Street Plan: Colonel Glenn Road is shown as a Principal Arterial. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on Colonel Glenn Road since it is a Principal Arterial. Colonel Glenn Court is shown as a Local Street. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as “Commercial Streets. These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. These streets may require dedication of right-of- way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. Bicycle Plan: There are no bike routes shown in this immediate vicinity. Neighborhood Action Plan: This area is not covered by a City of Little Rock Neighborhood Action Plan. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: Colonel Glenn Development Company, owner of the 6.306 acre property located at the southwest corner of Colonel Glenn Road and Colonel Glenn Court, is requesting to rezone the property from “C-3” General Commercial District to “C-4” Open Display District. The rezoning is proposed for development of an auto dealership. The property is currently undeveloped and covered with grass and brush. The property slopes downward slightly from south to north. Some clearing and site work has taken place in the past in conjunction with developments on adjacent properties. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO: 1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3371-V 3 The Rave Theatre and an auto dealership are located east of the property along Colonel Glenn Court. A branch bank is located immediately north, with an office/school-type use across Colonel Glenn Road to the north. Undeveloped C-3 zoned property is located to the south across Bowman Plaza Drive. A convenience store and undeveloped property is located across David O Dodd Road to the west. The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates this property as Commercial. The requested C-4 zoning does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Staff is supportive of the requested C-4 rezoning. Staff views the request as reasonable, given the current surrounding uses and future plan designation. Part of the platted lots along the west side of Colonel Glenn Court which include a portion of the subject property are currently zoned C-4. There is additional C-4 zoned property further east across Colonel Glenn Court. There is also undeveloped C-3 zoned property to the south along Bowman Plaza Drive and David O Dodd Road. Staff believes a future C-4 commercial development of this property will be appropriate and will have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or general area. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C-4 rezoning. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 2 FILE NO.: Z-5615-A NAME: Allison Memorial Presbyterian Church Parking Lot – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 922 Wright Avenue OWNER/APPLICANT: Allison Memorial Presbyterian Church PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for construction of a parking lot on this R-4 and C-3 zoned church site. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the east side of Chester Street, at Wright Avenue. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The Church has been at this location for several years. Uses in the area include single family, a school, community center, library and other churches. The proposed parking lot is compatible with uses in the area and will help to reduce the church’s on-street parking demand. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Downtown and Wright Avenue Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The church’s sanctuary has a seating capacity of 250 persons, requiring 62 parking spaces. There is currently some unimproved on-site parking. Under this proposal, 62 parking spaces will be constructed. Access will be from a single driveway off of Izard Street on the east and a single driveway off of Wright Avenue on the south. The applicant has addressed staff’s concerns with driveway spacing by removing a proposed second driveway onto Izard Street. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site plan must comply with the City’s minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5615-A 2 The landscape and buffer ordinance require a minimal six foot nine inch wide (6’-9”) landscape strip around the sites entirety. Currently, this proposal reflects parking located within this minimal area. It is recommended to eliminate the egress apron on the southeastern corner in addition to the elimination of a few of the parking spaces. A variance from the City Beautiful Commission must be obtained prior to the issuance of a building permit otherwise. An automatic irrigation system to water landscaped areas will be required for all newly landscaped areas. Street trees are recommended on this site. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Due to the use of the property, the Master Street Plan specifies that Wright Avenue for the frontage of this property must meet commercial street standards. Dedicate right-of-way to thirty (30) feet from centerline. 2. A twenty (20) foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of Wright Avenue and Izard Street. 3. A twenty (20) foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of Wright Avenue and Chester Street. 4. A twenty (20) foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of Wright Avenue Bypass and Izard Street. 5. Driveway locations do not meet the traffic access and circulation requirements of Section 30-43 and 31-210. The code requires driveway spacing on a commercial street to be 125 feet from the property line and 250 feet from another driveway or intersection. The driveway to the south must be removed due to the distance from the north driveway, property line, and Wright Avenue/Izard Street intersection. The width of driveway must not exceed 36 feet. 6. At time of development, sidewalks with appropriate handicap ramps are required in accordance with Section 31-175 of the Little Rock Code and the Master Street Plan to be installed on Wright Avenue Bypass. 7. At time of development, sidewalks with appropriate handicap ramps are required in accordance with Section 31-175 of the Little Rock Code and the Master Street Plan along Wright Avenue. 8. At time of development, repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5615-A 3 9. At time of development, old curb cuts should close with new curbing. 10. At time of development, plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. Obtain barricade permit prior to doing any work in the right-of-way from Traffic Engineering at (501) 379-1805 (Travis Herbner). 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Existing sewer main located in project area. Contact Little Rock Wastewater for details prior to construction. Entergy: No comment received. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. If larger meter(s) are required, location may be different than that of the existing meter(s). Fire Department: Approved as submitted. Contact Captain Dennis Free at Little Rock Fire Department; Phone # 918-3757. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route. Planning Division: No Comments. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 7, 2008) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted little additional information was needed. Staff asked the applicant to provide a signage plan and to specify the use of the two structures shown on the east half of the church site. Public Works and Landscape Comments were addressed. Right-of-way dedication and street improvements were discussed. It was noted that sidewalks were needed and old curb cuts needed closing. Staff noted that one driveway on the Izard Street frontage needed to be removed from the plan to comply with spacing requirements. Staff noted that the landscaping strip in one area fell below the minimum ordinance standards. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5615-A 4 The applicants were advised to submit responses and revised site plans to staff. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: On November 3, 1992, the Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow this existing church to construct a new, 250-seat sanctuary addition. A 25-space parking lot was also approved at the northeast corner of the block. The parking lot was never constructed. On December 1, 1992, the Board of Directors passed Ordinance No. 16,312, which granted a waiver of the right-of-way dedication and boundary street ordinance requirements for Wright Avenue Bypass (17th Street) located on the north perimeter of the church site. The church subsequently acquired the remainder of the block bounded by Wright Avenue, Izard Street, Chester Street and Wright Avenue Bypass (17th Street). Much of the east half of the block is zoned C-3. The northeast corner is zoned R-4, as the portion of the block where the church building is located. A conditional use permit is requested to allow for construction of a 62-space parking lot on the east half of the block. Two buildings currently on the east half of the block will remain for the time being. One is an occupied single-family residence. The second is a small take-out only café building, which is currently being used by a nearby day care center for food preparation. A single driveway will provide access off of Izard Street on the east and Wright Avenue on the south. The applicant submitted a revised site plan addressing most of the issues raised at Subdivision Committee. A proposed second driveway to Izard Street has been removed. Sidewalks are shown along Wright Avenue and Wright Avenue Bypass (17th Street) and old curb cuts are shown to be closed and curbed. The church is requesting a waiver of the requirement to dedicate additional right- of-way for Wright Avenue located on the south side of the church site and of the requirement to construct the street to commercial street standards. The right-of- way is currently 40 feet. The Master Street Plan requires 60 feet for commercial street; 50 feet for typical residential streets. Staff is supportive of the request. The street in question has been in place for over 100 years and is typical of many of the streets in the Original City of Little Rock. Most of the east-west traffic in the immediate area utilizes 17th Street/Wright Avenue Bypass, located on the north side of the church. The church has shown the construction of a 5-foot wide sidewalk on the Wright Avenue frontage, with a setback of 2± feet from the curb of the street. A small portion of the parking lot intrudes into the required street buffer/landscape area at the southeast corner of the block. There is adequate February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5615-A 5 width available for planting. If a minimum width of 4.5 feet cannot be provided at this point, a variance will be required from the City Beautiful Commission. To staff’s knowledge, there are no other issues. The Original City of Little Rock bill of assurance does not address use issues. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. 2. Any site lighting must be shielded downward and into the site. Staff recommends approval of a waiver of the right-of-way dedication and boundary street ordinance requirements for Wright Avenue on the south side of the church subject to a sidewalk being constructed and any old curb cuts being closed with new curbing. Staff recommends approval of a variance to allow a reduced street buffer/landscape strip width at the southeast corner of the new parking lot. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 3 FILE NO.: Z-5683-C NAME: Little Rock Montessori School Expansion – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 11701 Pleasant Forest Drive OWNER/APPLICANT: Little Rock Montessori/Kenneth King PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for expansion of this existing Montessori School by utilizing this R-2 zoned residential structure for additional classrooms and library. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the south side of Pleasant Forest Drive; west of the Pleasant Forest/Woodland Heights/Rodney Parham intersection. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The school was existing at its current location when this area was annexed in 1974. The property is located at the edge of a large office/institutional node. Such uses are located to the south, north and northeast. Single-family homes are located across Rodney Parham to the southeast and directly adjacent to the west. Staff is concerned that the current proposal extends the nonresidential use further into the residential neighborhood. Staff believes the erosion of the residential use area by even this one lot could have a negative effect on other single family properties. Additionally, the school purposes to increase its enrollment from 90 to 130, with a corresponding increase in employees. Staff also has concerns abut the lack of adequate parking and stacking space, which further impacts the neighborhood. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Pleasant Forest and Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The school currently has a small drop-off area and parking lot containing 15 spaces located on the east side of the building. An additional drop-off area with space for 4 vehicles is located along Pleasant Forest Drive. The current enrollment is 90 students with 10 employees, requiring 19 parking spaces. The proposal is to increase enrollment to 130 students and to February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 3 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5683-C 2 add 4 more employees. Depending on the ages or grades of students, at least 6 and as many as 8 additional parking spaces are required. No additional parking or drop-off areas are proposed. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site plan must comply with the City’s landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. The zoning buffer ordinance requires a twenty-two foot (22’) wide land use buffer next to the residentially zoned property to the west. Seventy percent (70%) of this area is to remain undisturbed. The property to the west is zoned residential, therefore, a six (6) foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward, a wall, or dense evergreen plantings, is required along the western perimeter of the site. Any new parking must comply with the zoning buffer and the landscape ordinance. An automatic irrigation system to water landscaped areas will be required. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, it will be necessary to provide an approved landscape plan stamped with the seal of a Registered Landscape Architect. The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving as many existing trees as feasible on this tree-covered site. Credit toward fulfilling Landscape Ordinance requirements can be given when preserving trees of six (6) inch caliper or larger. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. With the current enrollment, vehicles stack onto Pleasant Forest Drive, a public collector street, diminishing the carrying capacity of the public street and creating a safety hazard. The latest traffic counts show Pleasant Forest Drive to carry 4300 vehicles per day. The service volumes expected on a collector street is 5000 vehicles per day. With the increase in enrollment by approximately 40%, vehicle stacking will increase. Provide a traffic circulation plan showing the projected number of vehicles, lengths of stack, circulation of vehicles out of the public street. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 3 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5683-C 3 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No comment received. CenterPoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. Fire Department: Fire hydrant may be required. Contact Captain Dennis Free at Little Rock Fire Department; Phone #918-3757. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is not located on or near a CATA bus route. Planning Division: No Comments. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 7, 2008) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed on the ages of children enrolled at the school and the number of employees. Staff asked the applicant to locate and describe signage and fencing. It was noted that the school proposed to increase enrollment from 90 students to 130. It was also noted that the subdivision’s bill of assurance appeared to still be in force and prohibited the proposed use. In response to a question from staff, the applicant stated there would be no outside activities on the added site, other than a walkway from the building to the existing school building. Public Works and Landscape Comments were discussed. Public Works staff expressed concern about vehicle stacking on Pleasant Forest Drive and asked the applicant to provide a traffic circulation plan. The Committee cautioned the applicant about the potential bill of assurance issue. After the advising the applicant to submit responses to staff issues by February 13, 2008, the Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 3 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5683-C 4 STAFF ANALYSIS: The Little Rock Montessori School is located on the R-2 zoned, 0.95 acre tract at 3704 Woodland Heights Road. The school was in existence when this area was annexed to the City in 1974. On June 1, 1993, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow for an addition onto the existing building. The addition was proposed to provide a “nap room” for the smaller children and an extra room for after school activities. A 13-space parking lot was located on the east side of the building. The school had an enrollment of 85 children with 15 employees, requiring 24 parking spaces. No increase in enrollment was proposed. This addition was not constructed and, after three years, the C.U.P. was no longer valid. On July 23, 1998, the Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow for construction of an addition onto the existing building. The addition was to be smaller than that approved in 1993. Again, the use was nap room and after school activity area. No increase in enrollment was proposed. The school worked with the City on a redesign of the Woodland Heights/Rodney Parham/Pleasant Forest intersection, resulting in the current parking lot design on the east side of the building. A portion of the parking lot and driveway was permitted to be in the right-of-way, resulting in 15 parking spaces. That addition was constructed. On September 30, 1999 a conditional use permit was approved to allow for construction of a drop-off area off of Pleasant Forest Drive, on the north side of the school. Again, no increase in enrollment or number of employees was proposed. They remained at 85 and 15 respectively. The School is now requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow two major changes. First, is to expand the school property by taking in the single family residence located adjacent to the school at 11701 Pleasant Forest Drive. The school proposes to remodel the residential structure to convert it into a two classroom facility with library. Second, is to expand the school’s enrollment from 90 students to 130 and to expand employee numbers from the current number of 10 to 14 (Note: the school has previously had 15 employees.). The school proposes to expand its curriculum to add grades 1 and 2. The ages of the children currently range from 22 months to 5 years old. The exterior of the house will remain as is with the exception of removing the garage door and installing siding to match the rest of the house. The existing playground area will be improved and a covered walkway will be constructed to connect the existing school building with the structure at 11701 Pleasant Forest Drive. There will be no outdoor activities on the new site. The existing driveway on the residential lot will be utilized for parking of two teachers’ vehicles. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 3 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5683-C 5 Staff is not supportive of the proposal. Since the school’s annexation into the City, there have been three subsequent conditional use permit applications reviewed by the Planning Commission. Two things have remained constant throughout those reviews. The school campus did not expand and the enrollment numbers remained the same. This current proposal expands the school use area by taking in a single-family residence and converting it into classroom and library space. Additionally, the school’s enrollment is to increase by 40 students, a 44% increase. The curriculum is to expand with the addition of grades 1 and 2. No changes are proposed to the current parking and drop-off arrangements. Stacking for drop-off and pick-up is to continue on Pleasant Forest Drive during peak hours. Public Works staff has reviewed the traffic circulation plan submitted by the school and cannot support a proposal which results in additional vehicle stacking on Pleasant Forest Drive. The 1979 Bill of Assurance for Pleasant Forest Park Subdivision appears to still be in force and contains the following statement, which is pertinent to the current issue: “No lot which is designated as a single family lot shall be used except for single family residential purposes.” The applicant states he is aware of that issue and is pursuing amending the bill of assurance. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of the C.U.P. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter to staff on February 26, 2008 requesting the application be deferred to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. With a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent the Commission voted to waive their bylaws and accept the request for deferral being less than five (5) working days prior to the public hearing. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 4 FILE NO.: Z-5820-B NAME: The Anthony School – Revised Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 7700 Ohio Street OWNER/APPLICANT: The Anthony School/Sharon Morgan PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for an addition onto the existing private school located on this R-2 zoned tract. 1. SITE LOCATION: The site is located on the north side of Ohio Street; west of Mississippi Avenue. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The Anthony School property is located near the fringe of what is primarily a single-family neighborhood; at the area where uses transition from single family to multifamily and more intensive uses. Single-family homes are located to the immediate north, west and south. Several homes have been removed from the lots to the south. An MF-12 zoned condominium development is adjacent to the east. One block to the east and north are multiple commercial uses fronting on Cantrell Road and Mississippi. The school has existed at this site for many years and, under this proposal, is not expanding beyond its current property boundary. The use should continue to be compatible with the neighborhood. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Meriwether Neighborhood Association were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The school has 38 classrooms serving children ages 3 years to grade 8. The school currently has 403 students with a facility capacity of 460-470 students. There are currently 46 employees with the planned addition of a part-time school nurse. Access to the site is off of Ohio Street. 38 parking spaces are located on-site, in front of and to the west side of the school buildings. Stacking space is provided in the driveway that enters from Ohio and extends along the west side, exiting onto Iowa Street. No changes are proposed to either driveways or parking. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5820-B 2 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site plan must comply with the City’s minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. A small amount of building landscaping will be required between the parking lot and this new building. All dead/diseased plant material must be replaced in conjunction with this request. All fencing and dumpster enclosures should be in good repair or replaced in conjunction with this request. Street trees are recommended. An automatic irrigations system to water landscaped areas will be required. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, it will be necessary to provide an approved landscape plan stamped with the seal of a Registered Landscape Architect. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Due to the proposed use of the property, the Master Street Plan specifies that Iowa Street for the frontage of this property must meet commercial street standards. Dedicate right-of-way to thirty (30) feet from centerline. 2. Due to the proposed use of the property, the Master Street Plan specifies that Ohio Street for the frontage of this property must meet commercial street standards. Dedicate right-of-way to thirty (30) feet from centerline. 3. At time of dedication, obtain a franchise agreement from Public Works (Bennie Nicolo, 371-4818) for the private improvements located in the right-of-way. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No comment received. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5820-B 3 AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. Additional fire hydrant(s) will be required. Contact the Little Rock Fire Department to obtain information regarding the required placement of the hydrant(s) and contact Central Arkansas Water regarding procedures for installation of the hydrant(s). Fire Department: Fire hydrant may be required. Contact Captain Dennis Free at Little Rock Fire Department; Phone # 918-3757. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is not located on or near a CATA bus route. Planning Division: No Comments. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 7, 2008) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding existing and proposed enrollment, current and proposed number of employees, number of classrooms by grade, fencing, signage and site lighting. Staff asked the applicant to provide a description of the proposed building construction and to provide a more detailed description of the uses proposed for the addition. The applicants were asked to locate the mechanical equipment. Staff asked if the building would be made available for use by groups and organizations outside of The Anthony School. Public Works, Utility and Landscape Comments were noted and discussed. The applicants commented that there were no plans to increase grades or to increase enrollment above the present level of 450 students. The applicants stated a neighborhood meeting was scheduled for February 19 at the school. After advising the applicants to respond to staff issues by February 13, 2008, the Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The Anthony School, a private school, is located on the R-2 zoned, 4.3± acre tract. A revision to the previously approved conditional use permit is requested to allow for construction of a 21,000 square foot cafeteria and general education February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5820-B 4 addition onto the rear of the existing school building. No expansion of the school property is proposed. The addition will be arranged on two levels to the north of the existing gymnasium. The addition will be used for a variety of educational support, classroom and food service uses by the school. The cafeteria addition will be used as a secondary drop-off area for students, an after school care area, 3 and 4 year old skate area, theater and stage for recitals, food preparation and service area and a stage area for educational events. Building height will be 38 feet and the building will be constructed of brick and metal to match the existing school. The standing seam metal roof will have a 2:12 pitch. Mechanical equipment will be roof mounted, in a location to be determined. Site lighting will be limited to the new addition. Any additional lighting will be determined at a later date. New signage will consist of a small ground sign on the west side of the new addition and wall signage on the west wall. The school has allowed other groups to schedule use of its facilities. That will continue. In the past, groups such as boy scouts, cub scouts, girl scouts, home school organizations and athletic organizations have used The Anthony School facilities. The School currently has 403 students enrolled for the spring 2008 semester. Projection for the 2008-2009 school year is approximately 27 to 30 new students. The existing facility capacity is 460 to 470 students. There are currently 46 employees with the possible addition of a school nurse for the 2008-2009 school year. Listed below is the number of classrooms by grade: GRADE NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS 3 Year 3 Physical Education 1 4 Year 4 Music 1 Kindergarten 3 Spanish 1 1st 3 Violin 1 2nd 2 Computer 2 3rd 2 Writing Lab 1 4th 2 Tutor Room 2 5th 2 Art 2 6th 2 Gym 7th 2 Cafeteria 8th 2 TOTAL CLASSROOMS 38 February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5820-B 5 The applicant submitted responses to Subdivision Comments as noted in the analysis above. The school has stated they will comply with Public Works, Utility, Fire Department and Landscape Comments. There is no bill of assurance for this acreage tract. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. Staff supports the proposed C.U.P. to allow the classroom/education addition. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. 2. Any new site lighting is to be shielded downward and into the site. 3. The roof mounted mechanical equipment is to be screened from adjacent residential property. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 5 FILE NO.: Z-7980-A NAME: Entergy Substation – Revised Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 14250 Colonel Glenn Road OWNER/APPLICANT: Mintons, Koban, Young/Entergy PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for revision of a previously approved C.U.P. to allow a utility substation on this R-2 zoned property. 1. SITE LOCATION: The site is located on the south side of Colonel Glenn Road; west of Cooper Orbit Road. The property is located outside of the city limits but within the City’s zoning jurisdiction. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property is located in an area characterized primarily by single-family residences on large tracts and large areas of undeveloped properties. The substation was approved by the Commission on May 11, 2006 and subsequently approved by the Board of Directors on February 20, 2007. Relocating the access drive to the south, within the existing Entergy transmission line right-of-way will not affect the substation’s compatibility with the area in a negative manner. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site and all residents within 300 feet who could be identified were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The substation access drive will include a 15-foot concrete apron at the intersection with Lawson Road. From the concrete apron, approximately 85 feet of the access drive will be paved with asphalt. The remainder of the access drive and the area within the substation will be surfaced with gravel. Parking area is available for service vehicles. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site must be developed to comply with the City’s landscape and buffer ordinance. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7980-A 2 Buffer and screening are required where the site is adjacent to residentially zoned or used property. Screening may be either a solid fence or wall or dense evergreen plants. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Plat Requirements a. Colonel Glenn Road is classified on the Master Street Plan as a principal arterial. Dedication of right-of-way to fifty-five (55) feet from centerline will be required. b. With site development, provide design of street conforming to the Master Street Plan. Construct one-half street improvement to Colonel Glenn Road including 5-foot sidewalks with planned development. 2. The property appears to be within the 100-year floodplain and is beyond the City Limits. Contact Pulaski County Planning Department pertaining to development requirements in the floodplain. 3. Provide a letter prepared by a registered engineer certifying the sight distance at the intersection of Lawson Road and the access easement complies with 2004 AASHTO Green Book standards. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Property is outside of current service boundary. No comment. Entergy: No comment received. CenterPoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: Additional fire hydrant(s) may be required. Contact the Fire Department having jurisdiction to obtain information regarding the required placement of the hydrant(s) and contact Central Arkansas Water regarding procedures for installation of the hydrant(s). Fire Department: Approved as submitted. Located outside Little Rock City Limits. Provide approval and comment from local Volunteer Fire Department. County Planning: Access from Lawson Road appears to be located in the Floodway and Floodplain. No fill allowed in the floodplain without a February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7980-A 3 development permit from the County. No fill allowed in the floodway without a no rise certificate or no adverse impact. Contact Pulaski County Planning. CATA: Outside service areas. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 7, 2008) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted there were some issues that needed to be addressed. In response to a question from staff, the applicant stated the proposed new access road was located entirely within an existing utility right-of-way easement. Staff asked if the new driveway would be paved. The applicants were asked to locate and describe any fencing and gates and to label areas to be cleared and to be left wooded. The applicants were asked to provide a statement from the local volunteer fire department indicating that the proposed new access was acceptable and sufficient to provide access to the site. In response to questions, the applicants stated the driveway was relocated to avoid a tributary that crosses the site. They stated more trees could be preserved on the north perimeter, reducing visibility of the site. Public Works, Landscape, Utility and County Comments were discussed. Pulaski County Planning Director Van McClendon was present and spoke about flood plain/floodway concerns. The applicants were advised to address those issues and provide responses to staff. In response to a question, the applicants stated the lots had not been final platted, due to an ongoing lawsuit, which objectors had filed over the City’s approval of the plat and C.U.P. The applicants were advised to respond to staff issues by February 13, 2008. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: On May 11, 2006, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow construction of an Entergy Utility Substation on this R-2 zoned tract. A preliminary plat was also approved, creating a 3-lot residential plat with a variance to allow a lot without public street frontage. An access easement was approved to provide access off of Colonel Glenn Road to the lot. It is on this lot that the substation was approved. On February 20, 2007, the Board of Directors upheld the Commission’s action, approving the plat and C.U.P. Objectors filed suit, seeking to overturn the City’s action. That trial is pending. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7980-A 4 Entergy has filed a revision to the previously approved conditional use permit. The utility proposes to take access from Lawson Road to the substation site, rather than from the access easement onto Colonel Glenn Road. That access easement, which was a part of the approved plat, will remain in place but will not be used by Entergy. The access road to Lawson will be constructed entirely within an existing Entergy transmission line right-of-way. Under the presently approved C.U.P., access to the substation would extend from Colonel Glenn Road, across Tract 1 of the 3-lot subdivision and across an unnamed tributary of McHenry Creek. Taking access from Lawson Road will make use of the existing utility right-of-way easement. This proposed access will minimize the impact caused by access to the subdivided property and eliminate the need for channelization work to the unnamed tributary. Also, the substation has been reduced from a 3-transformer bay structure to a 2-bay structure and the northern fence line has been revised to allow for less visibility from the north. The site plan has been slightly modified to adjust to the boundary set by the court as a result of a boundary dispute. The substation will be enclosed by a 7-foot tall chain link fence topped by 3 strands of barbed wire, for a total height of 8 feet. Two gates will provide access to the substation. An additional steel gate is proposed on the access drive itself, approximately 100 feet off of Lawson Road. A letter of approval has been provide by the Crystal Fire Protection District No. 24. Signage will include an aluminum sign with Entergy name, logo and substation name. The sign will be mounted on the south fence of the substation. Applicable warning signs will also be included. A letter from an engineer certifying sight-distance for the driveway onto Lawson Road has been provided to Public Works. The applicant is working with Pulaski County Staff to comply with applicable development requirements in the floodplain. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. There is no bill of assurance for this acreage, preliminarily platted tract. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the revised C.U.P. subject to compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7980-A 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter to staff on February 27, 2008 requesting the application be deferred to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. With a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent the Commission voted to waive their bylaws and accept the request for deferral being less than five (5) working days prior to the public hearing. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the April 10, 2008 Agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 6 FILE NO.: Z-8311 NAME: Chenal Adult Day Services Adult Day Care Center – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 805 Kirby Road OWNER/APPLICANT: Claire Bailey/Lynda Sikes PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use of the residential structure on this R-2 zoned tract as an adult day care center. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the east side of Kirby Road; approximately 1,000 feet north of Kanis Road. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property is located in an area that is principally single family in use and zoning. Properties to the north, east and south are occupied by varying types of single family residences on larger lots. The R-2 property across Kirby Road to the west is undeveloped. An as-yet undeveloped single family subdivision is proposed for the PRD zoned tract to the southwest. More urban single family neighborhoods are located just to the north and east. Two churches are located to the north. This relatively small day care use could serve as a good transition between the mixed office commercial development, which will occur at some point to the south and the residential uses. The adult day care center will not generate the type of outside activity typically associated with a children’s day care. The use should be relatively quiet and low impact in nature. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Parkway Place Neighborhood Association were notified of this request. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8311 2 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site currently has a standard, residential, two-car driveway, with access off of Kirby Road. The daycare is proposed to have an enrollment of 20 clients with 5 employees, requiring 7 on-site parking spaces. The applicants propose to construct 2 spaces off of the driveway in front of the house. The driveway is proposed to extend to the rear yard where an additional 6 spaces are to be constructed. The applicants are requesting a 2-year deferral of the requirement to pave the new parking area. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site plan must comply with the City’s landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. Any new parking must comply with the zoning parking ordinance, buffer ordinance, and the landscape ordinance. Currently, it appears the parking area is being proposed in the required landscape and buffer area; revise. The zoning buffer ordinance requires an eight foot wide land use buffer along both the northern and southern property line next to the residentially zoned properties. Seventy percent (70%) of this area is to remain undisturbed. Any/all trees located within this area must be preserved. The zoning buffer ordinance requires a nineteen foot wide (19’) land use buffer along the eastern property line next to the residentially zoned property. Seventy percent (70%) of this area is to remain undisturbed. Any/all trees located within this area must be preserved. The zoning buffer ordinance requires an average nineteen foot wide (19’) street buffer and in no case less than half along the western property line next to the street. The property to the north, south and east is zoned residential, therefore, a six (6) foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward, a wall, or dense evergreen plantings, is required along the northern, southern, and eastern perimeters of the site. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Kirby Road is classified on the Master Street Plan as a collector street. A dedication of right-of-way thirty (30) feet from centerline will be required. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8311 3 2. Due to the new driveway, provide a letter prepared by a registered engineer certifying the sight distance at the intersection of Kirby Road and the driveway complies with 2004 AASHTO Green Book standards. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer not available to this property at this time. Little Rock Wastewater is in the process of constructing sewer mains to serve this area and project should be completed in 2008. Entergy: No comment received. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. If a larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required, a Capitol Investment charge based on the size of connection(s) will apply to this project in addition to normal charges. If this development takes place, please contact Central Arkansas Water to change this to a commercial class meter. Fire Department: Fire hydrant may be required. Contact Captain Dennis Free at Little Rock Fire Department; Phone # 918-3757. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is not located on or near a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 7, 2008) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding fencing, signage and site lighting. The applicants were advised to provide a site plan showing a properly designed parking lot. The applicants were advised that the parking and drives would need to be paved or a variance approved. Staff noted the bill of assurance submitted with the application. Staff questioned if the bill of assurance was correct and advised the applicants to do further research at the county. Public Works, Landscape and Utility Comments were discussed. Public Works staff stated the proposed circular driveway would not be allowed unless a registered Engineer certified sight distance in compliance with AASHTO Green Book standards. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8311 4 The applicants were advised to respond to staff issues by February 13, 2008. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The R-2 zoned, .92± acre tract located at 805 Kirby Road is occupied by a one- story, brick and frame, single family residential structure. The applicants are requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow use of the structure as an adult day care center. Eight parking spaces are proposed to be constructed on the site; two in the front yard and six in the rear yard. The day care is proposed to have an enrollment of 20 clients with 5 employees. Days and hours of operation are proposed as Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The rear yard is currently enclosed with a 4-foot tall chain link fence. Dense evergreen shrubs will be planted along the north, east and south perimeters to provide screening. A small ground sign (4’ tall, 30” X 26” in area) will be placed in the front yard. Pole mounted security lights are proposed in both the front and rear yards, at the parking areas. The day care is currently operated in an office building on Hardin Road. The facility is licensed by the Arkansas Office of Long-Term Care. The applicants desire to relocate the facility to a location that will provide a home-like environment and will allow their clients to enjoy the outdoors during those times of year when the weather permits. Staff is supportive of the proposed use. The property is located at the edge of a residential neighborhood. Other institutional type uses are located to the north. The property is not a small lot in a dense urban neighborhood. Adjacent properties are similar in size or larger than this 1.0± acre tract, providing adequate separation between uses. The relatively small day care will not generate traffic to a degree that will impact the street or the neighborhood. The applicant is requesting a two-year deferral of the paving requirement for the new parking spaces. Staff can support the deferral for the parking in the rear yard. The new spaces in front should be paved with opening of the day care. The applicant did respond to issues raised at Subdivision Committee as noted in the analysis above. A proposed circular driveway has been removed from the plan. The fire department has determined the site is within required distance from an existing fire hydrant. The applicant has visited with the utility agencies and has addressed their comments. The 1918 bill of assurance for Asbury Acres is mostly illegible but likely does not address use issues. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8311 5 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the C.U.P. subject to compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. Staff recommends approval of a two-year deferral of the paving requirement for the new parking spaces located to the rear of the residence. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) Jeff and Lynda Sikes were present, representing the application. There was one (1) person present with concerns and one (1) person present in support. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The Sikes addressed the Commission in support of the application. Jeff Sikes expressed a desire to move the day care use from its current location to have a more home-like environment. Lynda Sikes described the proposed day care use. She explained that there was a desire to have a day care location with yard space for the clients. She noted that additional landscaping would be installed around the parking area in the rear yard. She stated that the height of the proposed sign could be reduced. She also explained that the proposed day care use was a quiet, low-key use. Commissioner Nunnley asked about the maximum number clients. Ms. Sikes stated that the maximum would be 20 clients. Ross Phillips addressed the Commission in support of the application. Grant Cox addressed the Commission with concerns on behalf of the Parkway Place Neighborhood Association. He noted that his main concern was with the proposed use, if approved, leading to other future changes in the residential neighborhood. He expressed concern with traffic in the area. He noted that the proposed sign needed to be lower than four (4) feet. Lynda Sikes amended the application to have a maximum sign height of three (3) feet and to install screening shrubs along the west side of the rear parking lot (between the parking and the street). There was a motion to approve the application as amended by the applicant and recommended by staff. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was approved. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 7 FILE NO.: Z-8312 NAME: Glory Divine Christian Academy Day Care Center – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 2824 John Barrow Road OWNER/APPLICANT: Chris Megee/Tom Megee, Felicia Hill, Fateema Smith PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use of the existing building on this MF-24 zoned site for a day care center. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the west side of John Barrow Road, at 29th Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property fronts onto John Barrow Road, an arterial street that bisects the John Barrow neighborhood. The property is located at the northern edge of the residential neighborhood and serves as a transition to the more intensive uses located to the north. A recently approved PD-R for a duplex residential development is located to the west. A Mixed Use PCD development is proposed adjacent to the north. Six lots of MF-24 zoned property (owned by this same property owner) separate the proposed day care from the commercial component of the Mixed Use PCD. Vacant residential property is located to the south and east. The proposed use is appropriate for this site. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the John Barrow and Twin Lakes Neighborhood Associations were notified of this proposal. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: Gravel parking areas are located both in front and behind the building. Access is off of John Barrow Road and West 29th Street. The applicants are requesting a 24-month deferral of the paving requirement to allow continued use of the gravel parking. Staff supports the deferral. The day care is proposed to have an enrollment of 77 children with 10 employees, requiring 17 on-site parking spaces. The proposed site plan indicates constructing new parking to replace the gravel parking areas. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8312 2 The new parking lots will contain 18 spaces with additional room to add more parking if needed. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site plan must comply with the City’s minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. The zoning buffer ordinance requires an average thirteen foot (13’) wide street buffer and in no case less than nine (9’) along both John Barrow Road and Ludwig Streets. The zoning buffer ordinance requires an average seventeen foot (17’) wide street buffer and in no case less than nine foot (9’) along 29th Street. The landscape ordinance requires a nine foot wide (9’) landscape perimeter around the sites entirety. A variance from this minimal amount will require a variance from the City Beautiful Commission prior to the issuance of a building permit. Street trees are recommended. An automatic irrigation system to water landscaped areas will be required. Upon paving of this site the parking lot must comply with the parking ordinance, the buffer ordinance and the landscape ordinance. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. John Barrow Road is classified on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial. A dedication of right-of-way forty-five (45) feet from centerline will be required. 2. Due to the proposed use of the property, the Master Street Plan specifies that W. 29th Street for the frontage of this property must meet commercial street standards. Dedicate right-of-way to thirty (30) feet from centerline. 3. A twenty (20) foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of John Barrow Road and W. 29th Street. 4. Per the Boundary Street Ordinance, if the property is redeveloped or further developed in the future, construct one-half street improvements to W. 29th Street including 5-foot sidewalks in conformance with the Master Street Plan. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8312 3 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No comment received. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. Fire Department: May require fire sprinklers and fire hydrant. Contact Captain Dennis Free at Little Rock Fire Department; Phone # 918-3757. County Planning: No comments. CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 7, 2008) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding signage, fencing and site lighting. The applicants had a “work in progress” site plan. They were advised to submit a complete site plan to staff. Public Works, Utility and Landscape Comments were discussed. The applicants were advised to meet with those reviewing agencies if there were questions. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The MF-24 zoned property located at 2824 John Barrow Road is currently occupied by a one-story, 4,000± square feet, frame, non-residential structure and gravel parking areas. The building has a history of non-residential use and until recently was occupied by a building contractor. The applicants are requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow use of the building for a day care center. A deferral of the paving requirement is requested for 24 months to allow continued use of the gravel parking areas. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8312 4 The day care center is proposed to have an enrollment of 77 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The business is proposed to have 10 employees. Days and hours of operation are proposed as Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. A fenced playground is to be located adjacent to the north side of the building. There will be lighting at the building’s entrances and any parking lot lighting will be shielded downward and into the site. Signage will consist of wall signs on the east and south facades and a single ground sign not to exceed 6 feet in height and 64 square feet in area. No dumpster is shown. Any dumpster or trash area must be enclosed by screening and located to the rear of the building. The proposed site plan indicates parking lots in front of and behind the building. Required landscape areas and right-of-way dedication have been indicated. Existing natural vegetation should provide the required buffer on the west perimeter. The day care is proposed to occupy the south 6 lots of this block. The north 6 lots are owned by the same property owner. Although the required 9 foot landscape strip is provided along the north edge of the proposed parking areas, the full buffer width of 17 feet is not met. Additionally, the playground area is located within the buffer. Staff supports a reduction in the buffer in light of the common ownership and the nonconforming status of both properties. When this site is developed with the new parking and landscaping, a 6-foot wood privacy fence should be installed along the north perimeter to provide screening. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. The applicant responded to issues raised at Subdivision Committee as reflected in the analysis above. The 1907 bill of assurance for John Barrow Addition does not address use issues. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. 2. Any dumpster/trash collection area is to be located behind the building and screened to comply with code. Staff recommends approval of the reduced buffer width subject to a 6-foot tall opaque wood fence being installed along the north perimeter of the site at the time the new parking and landscaping are installed. Staff recommends approval of a 24-month deferral of the paving requirement to allow continued use of the existing gravel parking areas. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8312 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. The Chairman asked if there were any persons present opposed to the application, having one (1) card in opposition. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. There was a motion to approve the application, as recommended by staff. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was approved. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 8 FILE NO.: G-25-199 Name: Marshall Street – Street Name Change to “Children’s Way” Location: That portion of Marshall Street located between West 7th Street and Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive (14th Street) Petitioner: Arkansas Children’s Hospital Request: To change the name of that portion of Marshall Street between West 7th Street and Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive to “Children’s Way”. Abutting Uses and Ownerships: All properties along this affected section of Marshall are owned by Arkansas Children’s Hospital, or by their controlled subsidiaries, except for: • Interstate I-630 Right-of-Way, bridge and ramps, which encompasses the whole length of Marshall between 7th and 8th, by the AHTD. • Property at the SE corner of Marshall and 7th, the parking lot for the 1515 Building, owned by the State of Arkansas, Arkansas Building Authority. There is no access or address onto Marshall to this property. The applicant has spoken with Anne Laidlaw, Director of ABA. She states that the State has no objection to the proposed renaming. • The Westside Lofts apartment building, 1300 Marshall, owned and operated by ARC of Arkansas. The management and tenants of this building have been approached by ACH and offered assistance in change of address, as noted separately. ƒACH has also contacted the Acting Postmaster and Public Works naming office, with no objections to the renaming from either. ƒAll ACH mail is delivered to the main 800 Marshall address and distributed from there. However, the many ACH-controlled facilities along Marshall represent a vast number of entities and programs, and thousands of employees. A sampling is included below: February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: G-25-199 2 700 Block West Side AHTD – I-630 ROW East Side State of Ark – 1515 Bldg. parking lot 800 Block West Side Main Hospital • All patient beds, surgeries, specialty treatment areas, over a dozen clinics, plus offices. East Side Patient Parking Lot ‘Pulse Center’ simulation education cntr. 900 Block West Side Sturgis Building – • Several clinics, Out-patient Pharmacy, Physician and staff offices, main Laboratory, conference suite and main Library. East Side Patient Parking Lot 1000 Block West Side Patient Parking Lot ACH Energy Center East Side ‘East Campus’ – Daycare Center, Fitness Center, Nursing Offices, Campus Security, ‘Children’s Hall’ Conference Center 1100 Block West Side Laundry Building (warehouse and shops) Ark. Children’s Research Institute Brandon Conference Center (7 story) • Includes conference center, clinics, the ACH Foundation East Side ACH Shuttle Parking lot 1200 Block West Side Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Ctr. Ark. Children’s Research Institute Add’n East Side ACH Shuttle Parking lot 1300 Block West Side Westside Lofts East Side ACH ‘Circle of Friends’ Clinic February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: G-25-199 3 Report on tenant notifications at Westside Loft Apartments Mr. Scott Allen, ACH Director of Community Outreach performed the following contacts with the stated results. January 17: Hand-delivered letters to all 33 apartments + Owner at Westside Loft Apartments, asking for approval of street name change. January 18: Knocked on doors as a follow-up and to ask for Signature of Approval. Results as of January 21: • Ten people signed approval. • Two people objected and did not sign. • Two people objected in writing. • Have not been able to contact the rest. • Seven apartments appeared to be vacant. • Steven Hitt, CEO of ‘The Arc Arkansas’ (building owner) gave verbal approval and has followed up with a letter of approval. The connected Dennis Development Center (not a Marshall addressee, but attached to the Westside Lofts) sent an e-mail expressing their Approval of the name change. If received, further responses from tenants will be forwarded to City Planning ASAP. Neighborhood Effect: Other than the effect of changing addresses, renaming the street should have no effect on the neighborhood. By and large, the proposed name change affects the area of Marshall Street located within the Hospital Campus. Two blocks of the street (8th – 10th Streets) are no longer public right-of-way. That portion of Marshall was abandoned in September 2006. Neighborhood Position: The position of those affected by the name change is noted above. The majority of individuals/entities affected have agreed to the name change. Notice was also sent to the Central High Neighborhood Association. As of this writing, the Association has voiced no opinion. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: G-25-199 4 Effect on Public Services: No public services have objected to the proposal. STAFF ANALYSIS: Arkansas Children’s Hospital desires to rename Marshall Street to “Children’s Way”, from 7th Street north of I-630, south to Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive. This includes the portion of Marshall Street between 8th and 10th, already abandoned to ACH by Board action, but partly open to traffic as a private drive. The purpose of the renaming is to facilitate campus wide Wayfinding improvements, helping families and visitors find their way on campus. This includes a consistent name and addressing scheme for major campus structures. As Marshall Street is the consistent spine connecting buildings the public commonly visit, it is logical to tie them together with a street name related to their common purpose and ownership. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the street name change. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. Staff noted that the applicant revised the application to be a street name change south of West 8th Street to Daisy Bates Drive, eliminating the proposed name change north of West 8th Street to West 7th Street. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval, as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 9 FILE NO.: 314 NAME: Crackerbox Annexation REQUEST: Accept 1.7 acres plus or minus to the City LOCATION: Northwest of the Kirby-Kanis intersection SOURCE: Carrie Holyfield, Agent for the Property Owners GENERAL INFORMATION: • The area requested for consideration is currently undeveloped. • There is one tract with one owner. • The site is contiguous to the City of Little Rock along two sides. • The annexation request is to obtain sewer service and other City services. • The area in question is trapezoid in shape, 364 feet along the east, 284 feet along the north, 182 feet along the west and 332 feet along the south. • Currently the property is zoned C-1, Neighborhood Commercial. • The property owners have indicated the intention to develop this land as a convenience store with gas pumps. AGENCY COMMENTS: Public Safety: Fire: The Little Rock Fire Department has indicated they have no real concerns about the annexation of this land to the City of Little Rock. Station 20 is a little over half a mile to the north of the annexation on Oak Meadow Drive just west of Kirby Road. Trucks already pass by this site in order to provide service to areas of Little Rock beyond this site to the southeast and southwest. Police: The Little Rock Police Department has indicated they have no concerns or issues with the requested annexation. Patrol vehicles already travel both Kirby and Kanis Roads to provide service to other areas currently within the City. February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 9 (Cont.) FILE NO.: 314 2 Infrastructure and Community Facilities: Central Arkansas Transit: No Comment Received. There is no regularly schedule bus route close to this site. The closest route is the West Markham Route (Route 5). At its closest point this route is over a mile to the northwest of the annexation area, Markham-Chenal intersection. Parks and Recreation: No Comment Received. The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Master Plan indicates that this site is within 8-blocks of an existing park or recreation area. Public Works: The Public Works Solid Waste Division indicated they have no issues with the annexation of this land. The Public Works Traffic Engineering Division has indicated they have no issues with the annexation of this land. The Public Works Department Civil Engineering indicates they have no issues with the annexation of this land. At the time of development boundary street improvements and street lights will be constructed by the developer. Kanis Road is classified as a Minor Arterial and is not built to standard at this location. Kirby Road is classified as a Collector and is not built to standard at this location. As part of the development process required for this site’s development, both of these streets would have to be constructed to Master Street Plan Standard by the developer. The City would then have the requirements of maintenance of the roads. In addition to the road construction, drainage improvements would also be required of the developer. In both the case of the road construction and drainage improvements, the designs would have to be approved by the City Engineering section of the Public Works Department. Since the proposed use is non- residential, solid waste disposal would be by private contract and would not increase demand on the City’s solid waste collection system. Utilities: Central Arkansas Water: No Comment Received. There is a 12-inch line along Kirby Road and a 6-inch line along Kanis Road. Entergy: No Comment Received. Reliant-Energy: No Comment Received. Wastewater Utility: The Little Rock Wastewater Utility has indicated that they have no objections to the requested annexation. The Utility is currently February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 9 (Cont.) FILE NO.: 314 3 constructing mains in the area, which the property owner/developer should be able to connect to later this year. Southwestern Bell: No Comment Received. Schools: Little Rock: No Comment Received. The annexation is not within the Little Rock School District. Pulaski County Special: No Comment Received. The annexation area is within the Pulaski Special School District. Baker Elementary School is to the northwest (on Kanis Road) approximately a third of a mile. ANALYSIS: This land is a mostly cleared site at the northwest corner of Kirby and Kanis Roads. It is contiguous to the City Limits along its northern and eastern boundaries. There is an approximate rise of 18 feet from Kanis Road north and east. The high point is at the northeast corner of the property (on Kirby Road). Neither Kirby nor Kanis have been improved both remain narrow two-lane county roads with open-ditches. There has been minimal development in the immediate vicinity over the last several decades. Several subdivisions were developed to the north and east of this area in the 1980s and early 1990s. More recently subdivisions have been developed and are developing to the south (a quarter of a mile or so) and the southwest (a quarter of a mile or so). The City Land Use Plan has designated this intersection for non-residential use for many decades. The land has been zoned C-1, Neighborhood Commercial for a number of years. Kanis is shown on the City Master Street Plan as a Minor Arterial (4 or 5 lane road), while Kirby is classified as a Collector (3-lane road). The applicant has been to the Little Rock Planning Commission for approval of a convenience store with gas pumps. This application after several public hearing and some changes has now been approved for development. In order to construct the proposed development, annexation is desirable for wastewater and other services to the proposed new development. This is vacant, undeveloped, land and with the development of this land street and drainage improvements will be required of the private property owner. In February 28, 2008 ITEM NO.: 9 (Cont.) FILE NO.: 314 4 addition with the development, connection to the various utilities would be done at the cost of the developer. The Utilities and the City would only have future maintenance costs. There is development occurring to the northwest and southwest of this site. The areas to the south are developing and areas to the north and east have developed. While there are still areas in the immediate vicinity that have not developed or redeveloped, this site is on the western edge of the development within Little Rock. Suburban to urban development has already started further to the west both to the north and south, thus this area is a natural location for consideration of annexation to the City. Staff Recommendation: Approval PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 28, 2008) The item was placed on the consent agenda for withdrawal. By a vote of 9 for and 0 against the consent agenda was approved.