Loading...
pc_07 29 2004 LITTLE ROCK PLANNING COMMISSION PLANNING – REZONING – CONDITIONAL USE HEARING MINUTE RECORD JULY 29, 2004 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 Gary Langlais Norm Floyd Mizan Rahman Fred Allen, Jr. Darrin Williams Bill Rector Bob Lowry Jerry Meyer Chauncey Taylor Members Absent: Robert Stebbins City Attorney: Cindy Dawson III. Approval of the Minutes of the June 17, 2004 Meeting of the Little Rock Planning Commission. The Minutes were approved as presented. LITTLE ROCK PLANNING COMMISSION PLANNING – REZONING – CONDITIONAL USE HEARING JULY 29, 2004 4:00 P.M. I. DEFERRED ITEMS: A. Z-7620 Bubar Family Care Facility – Special Use Permit 3712 High Drive B. LU04-19-02 A Land Use Plan Amendment in the Chenal Planning District on the southeast and southwest corners of Chalamont and Cantrell Road from Single Family to Commercial. C. Z-7623 Rezoning from R-2 to C-3 Southeast and Southwest corners of Cantrell Road and Chalamont Drive D. Z-7570 James Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit 6805 Woodson Road E. Z-7627 Woodlands Edge Subdivision Recreational Facility Woodlands Trail Drive F. Z-7631 Graham Temple C.O.G.I.C. Family Life Center – Conditional Use Permit 4307 Frazier Pike G. Ordinance Amending Section 36-556.(b) to add Stagecoach Road and a portion of Colonel Glenn Road to the list of Scenic Corridors. H. Granite Mountain – Audubon Overlay, a Design Overlay District for State Highway 365 from Roosevelt Road south and east to city limits. II. NEW ITEMS: 1. Z-3292-H Rezoning from PCD to O-3 Southwest corner of West Markham Street and Atkins Road 2. LU04-11-03 Amendment in the I-430 District from MOC to CS Between Shackleford Road and I-430 North of Old Shackleford Road Agenda, Page Two II. NEW ITEMS: (CONT.) 2.1. Z-4923-B Rezoning from PCD to O-2 and C-2 Southwest corner of S. Shackleford Road and I-430 3. Z-7670 Rezoning from O-3 to O-1 4305 Barrow Road 4. LU04-20-01 Amendment in the Pinnacle District from Single Family to Office and Mixed Office and Commercial North of Cantrell Road between Ranch Blvd. and Valley Ranch Drive 4.1. Z-7684 Rezoning from R-2 to O-3 East side of Chenonceau Blvd., North of Cantrell Road 5. Z-7685 Rezoning from R-2 to O-3 South side of Valley Ranch Drive, North of Cantrell Road 6. Z-7671 Henderson Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit 1312 Hendrix 7. Z-7672 Britton Day Care Family – Special Use Permit 8701 Verbena Drive 8. Z-7673 Griffin Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit 4521 Timberland Drive 9. Z-7674 Cottrell Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit 63 Saxony Circle 10. Z-7675 Hunter Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit 8605 Herrick Lane 11. Z-7676 Lovelace Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit 8 Timber Valley Cove 12. Z-7678 Dean Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit 9517 John Hancock 13. Z-7682 Goss Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit 6709 Lantana 14. Z-3168 Rock Creek Covenant Release SE corner of Markham and Bowman Agenda, Page Three II. NEW ITEMS: (CONT.) 15. Z-3263-B Carr Enterprises – Revised Conditional Use Permit 415 East 9th Street 16. Z-5668-E Home Depot – Revised Conditional Use Permit 12610 Chenal Parkway 17. Z-7669 Chapple Day Care Center – Conditional Use Permit 5104 Baseline Road 18. Z-7677 Abraham Day Care Center – Conditional Use Permit 8824 West 34th Street 19. Z-7679 Davie Accessory Dwelling – Conditional Use Permit 4714 Westwood Avenue 20. Z-7680 DD and F Building – Conditional Use Permit 411 East 6th Street 21. Z-7681 Godley Transitional Housing – Conditional Use Permit 2123 Howard Street 22. Z-7683 Baird Transitional Housing – Conditional Use Permit 3316 West 12th Street 23. G-25-191 Kavanaugh Blvd. Name Change to Richard B. Hardie Drive Between Kavanaugh Place and McKinley July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: A FILE NO.: Z-7620 Owner: Bubar Family Care Facility – Special Use Permit Location: 3712 High Drive Applicant: Dennis Bubar Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow for the operation of a Family Care Facility on the R-4 zoned property located at 3712 High Drive. A. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the South End, MLK and South End Neighborhood Developers Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: Dennis Bubar, owner of the single family residence located at 3712 High Drive, is requesting a special use permit to allow for the operation of a Family Care Facility at that address. All of the adjacent properties are zoned R-4, with the exception of the lot immediately to the north which is zoned I-3, and is undeveloped. There is additional I-3 zoned property further to the north and east, with PR zoning further west and south. There are single family residences located to the north, south and east. The property is occupied by a one-story brick and frame single family residence, with four (4) bedrooms. The applicant is requesting a special use permit in order to provide a residence for four (4) to six (6) individuals who have a mental disability and may also have a substance abuse problem. The residents are involved in a program, where treatment and services are provided by Gain, Inc. A letter provided by Gain, Inc. notes that they have “determined that these individuals are stable and able to live in the community.” The goal in housing is to have the client be as independent as possible, without putting themselves at risk for destabilization, and a housing situation that is more structural and supportive provides them this opportunity.” Copies of the letters submitted by Dennis Bubar and Dr. Les Smith, Medical Director of Gain, Inc., are attached for Planning Commission review. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: A (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7620 2 The City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance defines a Family Care Facility as follows: “Family care facility means a facility which provides resident service in a family-like environment to six (6) or fewer individuals and not more than two (2) staff personnel. These individuals require a minimal level of supervision and are provided service and supervision in accordance with their individual needs.” Section 36-54(a) of the Zoning Ordinance provides the purpose of requiring a Special Use Permit for this type of use, as follows: “General purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide a method of control over certain types of land uses which, while not requiring the full review process of the conditional use permits, do require some review procedure which allows for determination of their appropriateness within the neighborhood for which they are proposed and for public comment.” Section 36-54(e)(2) of the Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for Family Care Facilities as follows: a. This use may be located only in a single family home. b. Medical or counseling needs must be provided off-site. c. No physical changes in the residence are permitted which would provide other than sleeping accommodations. d. Drives and parking shall not exceed that required by ordinance for a single-family residence. e. This use shall not be permitted to run with the title to the land and not be transferable. f. The number and spacing of existing similar facilities in the neighborhood. g. Existing zoning and land use patterns. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: A (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7620 3 h. Area wide availability of facilities providing like services. i. Provision for readily accessible public or quasi-public transportation. The following additional site and location criteria was approved by the Planning Commission on February 12, 2004 and the Board of Directors on March 16, 2004: “The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed family care facility.” To staff’s knowledge, there have been no special use permits issued for other Family Care Facilities in this neighborhood. Additionally, staff knows of no facilities providing this type of resident care in the immediate area. The site is located near CATA Bus Route #11 (M. L. King, Jr. Route), which runs south along M. L. King Drive to West 34th Street. The applicant submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood as part of the application process. The Bill of Assurance was recorded in 1955 and appears to still be in effect. It contains the following language: “(1) LAND USE AND BUILDING TYPE. No lot shall be used except for residential purposes. No building shall be erected, altered, placed or permitted to remain on any lot other than one detached single family dwelling not to exceed 2 stories in height and a private garage or carport for not more than two cars.” Staff believes the proposal to be reasonable and supports the applicant’s request for a special use permit. Subject to compliance with the site and location criteria, as noted above, Staff does not believe the level of activity generated by a Family Care Facility at this location would have any negative impact on the neighborhood. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (APRIL 15, 2004) Dennis Bubar was present, representing the application. Staff briefly described the proposed family care facility. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: A (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7620 4 Dennis Bubar explained that the individuals who will live in the residence have mental disabilities, and some may also have drug or alcohol abuse problems. He noted that they do not have physical disabilities. In response to a question from staff, he noted that there would be no physical changes to the residence. Mr. Bubar also noted that none of the clients owned vehicles, therefore no additional parking was needed. Mr. Bubar explained that the individuals who live on the site will be picked up by Gain, Inc. each day between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., and returned to the residence between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. He noted that counseling and treatment services are provided at the Gain, Inc. offices. He also noted that a doctor or counselor employed by Gain, Inc. will stop by the residence each day to inspect the premises. In response to a question from the Committee, Mr. Bubar noted that a few of the residents might have a part-time job. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the application to the full Commission for final action. D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a Family Care Facility at 3712 High Drive, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36-54(e)(2). 2. Compliance with the additional site and location criteria as approved by the Planning Commission on February 12, 2004 and the Board of Directors on March 16, 2004. 3. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 4. The Special Use Permit will be for Dennis Bubar only, and will not be transferable in any manner. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 6, 2004) Cindy Dawson, City Attorney, informed the Commission that the application needed to be deferred to the June 17, 2004 agenda to allow staff time to research the Fair Housing Act with respect to this application. There were several persons present in opposition. They were informed of the deferral date. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: A (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7620 5 The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the June 17, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays. The application was deferred. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 17, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the City Attorney’s Office had requested to defer the application to the July 29, 2004 agenda to allow additional time to research the Fair Housing Act with respect to this application. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the July 29, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. The application was deferred. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the City Attorney’s Office had requested to defer the application to the September 9, 2004 agenda to allow additional time to research the Fair Housing Act with respect to this application. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was deferred. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: B FILE NO.: LU04-19-02 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment - Chenal Planning District Location: Southeast and Southwest corner of Cantrell Rd. and Chalamont Dr. Request: Single Family to Commercial Source: Brian Dale, White - Daters & Associates, Inc. PROPOSAL / REQUEST: Land Use Plan amendment in the Chenal Planning District from Single Family to Commercial. The Commercial category includes a broad range of retail and wholesales sales of products, personal and professional services, and general business activities. Commercial activities vary in type and scale, depending on the trade area that they serve. The applicant wishes to develop the property for commercial uses. Staff is not expanding the application since there is undeveloped land shown as Commercial located along Cantrell Road at the Chenal Parkway intersections and at the Ferndale Cutoff Road intersection. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: The applicant’s property consists of two pieces of vacant land along the south side of Cantrell Road at Chalamont Drive currently zoned R-2 Single Family with 3.8 acres ± east of Chalamont, and 5.7 acres ± west of Chalamont for a total area of about 9.5 acres ± in size. All of the surrounding property is zoned R-2. A vacant non-conforming car repair garage sits on the north side of the Cantrell / Chalamont intersection. The Robinson Elementary, Middle and High schools are located to the east of the application area. The property to the west along Cantrell Road consists of single-family housing built on large lots. Further to the west of the application area a dirt hauling business occupies a Planned Development - Industrial, which lies on both sides of Cantrell Road. The land to the south of the study area is largely vacant. However, a subdivision of single- family houses is in the process of developing and expanding towards the applicant’s property along Chalamont Drive. This area was preliminary platted on the October 15, 1998 planning commission agenda. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-19-02 2 FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: On February 17, 2004, multiple changes were made from Single Family, Multifamily, and Office to Office, Park Open / Space, Commercial, and Multifamily along Chenal Parkway north of Cantrell Road starting about 1 mile east of the applicant’s property to accommodate proposed development. On December 2, 2003, a change was made from Low Density Residential to Commercial on the southwest corner of Ferndale Cutoff and Highway 10 about 1 mile to the west for proposed commercial development. On January 2, 2002, A change was made from Single Family to Commercial, Suburban Office, and Park / Open Space near the Southeast corner of Chenal Parkway and Cantrell Road starting a little over one mile east of the application area to accommodate proposed development. On March 6, 2001 a change was made from Single Family to Commercial in the 19,900 block of Highway 10 about 2/3 of a mile to the east of the amendment area to accommodate proposed development. The applicant’s property and all of the surrounding land is shown as Single Family except for the Robinson schools, which are shown as Public Institutional. MASTER STREET PLAN: Cantrell Road is shown as a Principal Arterial on the Master Street Plan and built as a rural two-lane road. At the area fronting the schools, Cantrell Road provides an additional center turn lane. Chalamont Drive and Morgan Cemetery Road are shown as Collector Streets. Chalamont Drive is built to Master Street Plan standards. Morgan Cemetery Road is built as a rural road with open drainage. A Class II Bikeway is shown on Cantrell Road from Ferndale Cutoff Road to Chenonceau Boulevard. Class II Bikeways do not require any additional Right of Way or paving and would be subject to any half street improvements made by the applicant. The applicant may be responsible for half street improvements along Cantrell Road. PARKS: The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Master Plan of 2001 includes public school facilities within the Eight-block strategy of providing park and open space facilities within an eight-block walking distance of all City of Little Rock residents. The Robinson schools, which are east of the application area, are included in the plan’s Eight-block strategy. Additional park facilities may need to be developed in the future to serve a broader group of citizens. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-19-02 3 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: The east boundary of this amendment area is located about 1 mile to the west of the developing commercial node at the Chenal / Cantrell intersection. Cantrell Road / Highway 10 has been planned utilizing commercial nodes that are distinct and separate. Most of the Commercial nodes on Cantrell Road are located at intersections with Principal and Minor Arterials. The applicant’s property is located at an intersection with a Collector Street and a Principal Arterial. This action would add a commercial node in an area that has been shown as Single Family. The applicant has not shown a need to add Commercial to the plan in an area where Commercial has not been shown before. Staff has concerns that the length to depth ratio of the property in questions might result in strip commercial development rather than node commercial development. The potential for this area to develop as a Commercial node is limited by the presence of the schools that are located immediately to the east. Conflicts can arise between the intense uses of Commercial and schools. The location of the applicant’s property near the schools may cause traffic conflicts from both the loading and unloading of students and the commercial traffic throughout the day. At this location, there are three schools, a high school, a middle school and an elementary school. A change to Commercial may encourage developments that generate large volumes of traffic originating from a large market area. Any potential increase in traffic at this location may be incompatible with the neighboring Public Institutional uses. If Commercial was approved for this location, the close proximity of the two collectors (Morgan Cemetery Road and Chalamont Drive) that intersect Cantrell may encourage pressure for future non-residential development in the amendment area. The location of a collector intersecting an arterial in itself does not necessitate Commercial being shown on the land Use Plan. The Commercial development that is occurring nearest the applicant’s property is located about a mile to the east at the Chenal / Cantrell intersection. The July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-19-02 4 Chenal / Cantrell Commercial node contains land available for non-residential development that is not yet developed to its full potential. About 110.5 + acres of land shown as Commercial is located at the Chenal / Cantrell intersection with about 30.2 + acres being developed and about 80.3 + acres remaining undeveloped. The applicant’s property is also located to the east of the Cantrell / Ferndale Cutoff intersection. The 21.06 + acres of Commercial shown at the Cantrell / Ferndale intersection is between a Principal Arterial and a Minor Arterial. The applicant’s property is about halfway between the Chenal / Cantrell Commercial node and the Cantrell / Ferndale Cutoff intersection. Some changes have just occurred to the east at the Chenal Parkway and Highway 10 existing Commercial node. The changes include adding additional Commercial areas to areas of Commercial that are still vacant. With vacant Commercial land lying both to the east and to the west in existing commercial nodes, it is difficult to justify adding an additional commercial node. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: Aberdeen Court Property Owners Association, Bayonne Place Property Owners Association, Carriage Creek Property Owners Association, Chenal Ridge Property, Du Quesne Place P.O.A., Eagle Pointe Property Owners Association, Glen Eagles Property Owners Association, Hillsborough Property Owners Association, Hunters Cove Property Owners Association, Hunters Green Property Owners Association, Johnson Ranch Neighborhood Association, Marlowe Manor Property Owners Association, Maywood Manor Neighborhood Association, St Charles Property Owners Association, Charleston Heights/North Rahling Rd N.A., and Margeaux Place Property Owners Association. Staff has received no comments from area residents at the time of writing. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is not appropriate. Staff believes that it is not appropriate to create another commercial node along this stretch of Cantrell and have concerns on commercial activities abutting the school property. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 6, 2004) The item was placed on the consent agenda for deferral to the June 17, 2004 Planning Commission meeting. A motion was made to wavier the by-laws for a five-day notice to defer prior to the Planning Commission meeting. That motion was made and approved with a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes, and 0 absent. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda and was approved with a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-19-02 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 17, 2004) The item was placed on the consent agenda for deferral to the June 17, 2004 Planning Commission meeting. A motion was made to wavier the by-laws for a five-day notice to defer prior to the Planning Commission meeting. That motion was made and approved with a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 absent. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda and was approved with a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The item was placed on the consent agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 Planning Commission meeting. A motion was made to waive the by-laws for a five-day notice to defer prior to the Planning Commission meeting. That motion was made and approved with a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 absent. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda and was approved with a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: C FILE NO.: Z-7623 Owner: Deltic Timber Corporation Applicant: White-Daters and Associates Location: Southeast and southwest corners of Cantrell Road and Chalamont Drive Area: 11.77 Acres Request: Rezone from R-2 to C-3 and OS Purpose: Future Commercial Development Existing Use: Undeveloped SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Single family residences on large lots and auto repair business (across Cantrell Road); zoned R-2 South – Undeveloped property (approved residential preliminary plat); zoned R-2 East – Joe T. Robinson High School; zoned R-2 West – Single family residences on large lots and commercial building; zoned R-2 and PD-I A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Highway 10 is classified on the Master Street Plan as a principal arterial. Dedication of right-of-way to 55 feet from centerline at all locations will be required. Note: According to map scale, the area west of Chalamont is deficient. Boundary Street improvements are required with future development. B. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: The site is not located on a 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 DuQuesne Place Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7623 2 D. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the Chenal Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Single Family for this property. The applicant has applied for C -3 General Commercial for commercial development. A land use plan amendment for a change to Commercial is a separate item on this agenda. 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. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: Deltic Timber Corporation, owner of the 11.77 acre property located at the southeast and southwest corners of Cantrell Road and Chalamont Drive, is requesting to rezone the property from “R-2” Single Family District to “C-3” General Commercial District and “OS” Open Space District. The rezoning is proposed for future commercial development of the property. The property is currently undeveloped and wooded. The general area along Cantrell Road contains a mixture of uses. There is an auto repair business and single family homes across Cantrell Road to the north, with Joe T. Robinson Elementary School located to the northeast. Joe T. Robinson Junior and Senior High School campus is located to the east. There are single family residences and a commercial building to the west along Cantrell Road. There is undeveloped R-2 zoned property to the south. A preliminary plat has been approved for this area to the south for phases of the Chalamont residential subdivision. The applicant proposes to rezone 4.08 acres at the southeast corner of Cantrell Road and Chalamont Drive from R-2 to C-3. The applicant is proposing to zone a 50 foot wide strip (0.80 acre) along its south boundary to OS. The applicant also proposes to rezone 5.73 acres at the southwest corner of the intersection from R-2 to C-3, with a 50 foot wide strip (1.16 acres) along its south boundary. The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates the property as Single Family. The applicant has filed a Land Use Plan Amendment for a change to Commercial, which is a separate item on this agenda (Item 7.). July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7623 3 Staff does not support the requested C-3 zoning. Staff does not feel that there is currently a need for additional commercial zoned property in this general area. There is a large amount of undeveloped commercial zoned property to the east, at the intersection of Cantrell Road and Chenal Parkway, and to the west at the intersection of Cantrell Road and Ferndale Cut-Off. Both of these intersections are arterial/arterial intersections. The intersection of Cantrell Road and Chalamont Drive is an arterial/collector intersection. The Highway 10 Plan establishes commercial nodes at specific locations along the highway. This request does not adhere to that plan. Staff feels that C-3 zoning for the properties at the southeast and southwest corners of Cantrell Road and Chalamont Drive is premature at this time. Staff feels that the applicant should possibly look at other options for the property. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of the requested C-3 rezoning. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 6, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the June 17, 2004 agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. With a vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays, the Commission voted to waive their bylaws and accept the applicant’s request for deferral, being less than five (5) days prior to the public hearing. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the June 17, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays. The application was deferred. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 17, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the July 29, 2004 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 deferral request less than five (5) days prior to the public hearing. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7623 4 The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the July 29, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. The application was deferred. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the September 9, 2004 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 deferral request less than five (5) days prior to the public hearing. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was deferred. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: D FILE NO.: Z-7570 Name: James Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 8605 Woodson Road Applicant: Carolyn A. James Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family Home to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 8605 Woodson Road. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents located within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Wakefield and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. Staff Analysis: 6805 Woodson Road is located at the southeast corner of Woodson Road and Newstead Drive. All surrounding properties are zoned R-2 and contain single family residences. There is a mixture of commercial and industrial uses to the north, along West 65th Street. The applicant’s home is a one-story brick and frame structure and is typical of those in the general area. The front yard is fenced and provides a safe play area. The applicant proposes to operate the day care from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The applicant has noted that she will have one (1) employee, as required by the State Department of Human Services. There is a one-car concrete driveway from Woodson Road, with parking for three (3) vehicles, including a single-car carport. On inspection, staff observed four (4) vehicles parked in the rear yard on unpaved surface. The applicant informed staff that some of the vehicles will be removed from the property. The applicant has discussed constructing a concrete parking pad on the south side of the driveway and carport. There should be sufficient space for drop-off and pick-up of children. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: D (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7570 2 The applicant is currently licensed by the State to care for five (5) children. She is in the process of being licensed to keep up to 10. The applicant has noted that the majority of the children she cares for live in southwest Little Rock neighborhoods. The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicant met with personnel of the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk Recorder’s office and was unable to locate a Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood. Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues associated with this application, as long as the applicant ceases parking vehicles on the grass in the rear yard. Staff feels that the proposed day care family home at this location will have no adverse impact on the general area. There are no permitted/licensed day care family homes or day care centers within 300 feet of the site. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a day care family home at 6805 Woodson Road, subject to the following conditions: July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: D (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7570 3 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36- 54(e)(3). 2. Compliance with the following additional site and location criteria as approved by the Planning Commission on February 12, 2004 and the Board of Directors on March 16, 2004: a. This use may be located only in a single-family home, occupied by the caregiver and which is the full time residence of the caregiver. b. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family home proposed to be located within 300 feet of an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects, from property line to property line. c. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. d. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment of the annual business tax. e. All vehicles must be parked on a paved surface. f. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. g. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. h. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. i. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. 3. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 4. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be limited to day-light hours. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: D (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7570 4 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 12, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the application, along with the other day care family home – special use permits on this agenda, needed to be deferred to the March 25, 2004 Planning Commission agenda pending completion of the review of Ordinance regulations regarding day care family homes and special use permits. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the March 25, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays. The application was deferred. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MARCH 25, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the May 6, 2004 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 applicant’s request for deferral, being less than five (5) days prior to the public hearing. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the May 6, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was deferred. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 6, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the July 29, 2004 agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the July 29, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays. The application was deferred. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: D (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7570 5 STAFF UPDATE: Staff reinspected the site on July 1, 2004. The reinspection revealed that the concrete driveway had been extended, and there is currently parking for at least five (5) vehicles (including the carport). A new parking pad has also been constructed for the detached garage in the rear yard. Staff observed no vehicles parked on unpaved area. Staff also observed no vehicles which were not operational. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Carolyn James was present, representing the application. Staff gave the results of the July 1, 2004 reinspection. Staff noted that the proposed day care family home use would conform to the requirements found in Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City’s Zoning Ordinance. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Carolyn James was present, representing the application. There was one (1) objector present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. Staff noted that the driveway had been widened to provide parking for at least five (5) vehicles, and that there were no vehicles parked in the rear yard in the grass. Troy Laha addressed the Commission in opposition to the application. He stated that a day care is a business use which should not be allowed in residential areas. He stated that there were vehicles parked in the grass. Carolyn James addressed the Commission in support of the application. She provided the commissioners with photos of the site and explained the recent improvements to the driveway. There was a motion to approve the application as recommended by staff. The motion passed by a vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays and 1 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: E FILE NO.: Z-7627 NAME: Woodlands Edge Subdivision Recreation Facility – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: Woodlands Trail Drive OWNER/APPLICANT: Rocket Properties, LLC/The Mehlburger Firm PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for development of a private, subdivision recreation area on this R-2 zoned 5.85± acre tract. STAFF REPORT: On April 14, 2004, the applicant submitted a request that this item be deferred to the June 17, 2004 meeting. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the applicant’s request for deferral to the June 17, 2004 meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 6, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and informed the Commission that the applicant had requested that the item be deferred to the June 17, 2004 agenda. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and deferred to June 17, 2004 by a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. STAFF REPORT: On May 6, 2004, the applicant requested that this item be deferred to the July 29, 2004 meeting. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the applicant’s request for deferral to the July 29, 2004 meeting. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: E (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7627 2 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 17, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission of the applicant’s request for deferral. There was no additional discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for deferral to the July 29, 2004 meeting. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. STAFF UPDATE: On July 15, 2004, the applicant submitted a request that this item be withdrawn, without prejudice. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the applicant’s request for withdrawal, without prejudice. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission of the applicant’s request to withdraw the item, without prejudice. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for withdrawal by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: F FILE NO.: Z-7631 NAME: Graham Temple C.O.G.I.C. – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 4307 Frazier Pike OWNER/APPLICANT: Graham Temple C.O.G.I.C./Arthur Devine PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for the addition of a Family Life Center building on this R-3 zoned church site. 1. SITE LOCATION: The site is located between Frazier Pike and East 39th Street, in the College Station community. The site is outside of the Little Rock city limits, but within the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: Graham Temple Church has been at this location for over 75 years and is an important part of the community. Allowing construction of this additional building will not affect the church’s continued compatibility with the neighborhood. The church is located in an area of mixed zoning and uses. Several other institutional uses, including the Pulaski County Health Clinic, a Head Start Facility, a nursing home and an ADED office are located across Frazier Pike, to the south. A restaurant and auto repair garage are adjacent to the west. Single family homes are located east and west of the proposed new building. Vacant, wooded property is located across East 39th Street to the north. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the College Station Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site is accessed by two existing driveways. One driveway leads to a 35 space parking lot. The second driveway passes under a covered drop- off area before entering the parking lot. No changes to the driveways or parking area are proposed. The church has a seating capacity of 300, requiring 75 parking spaces. No change in the seating capacity of the sanctuary is proposed, so no additional parking is required. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: F (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7631 2 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Compliance with the City’s Landscape and Buffer Ordinance is required. A 6-foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward, a wall or dense evergreen plantings are required along the eastern and western perimeters of the site. If there are not to be any window or door openings, except those required by ordinance, then the building can serve as providing the necessary screening. The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving as many trees as feasible. Extra credit toward fulfilling Landscape Ordinance requirements can be given when properly preserving trees of 6-inch caliper or larger. Trees to be preserved must be protected to their dripline with protective fencing. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. This site is outside of the corporate limits, but within the extraterritorial jurisdiction. 2. Frazier 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. Show the centerline of Frazier Pike on the survey. 3. Provide design of street conforming to the Master Street Plan. Construct one-half street improvement to these streets including 5-foot sidewalks with planned development. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer service not available to this site at this time. Entergy: No Comments received. CenterPoint Energy: Approved as submitted. Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted. 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. Additional fire hydrant(s) will be required. Contact the Little Rock Fire July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: F (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7631 3 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). ¾-inch is the largest meter available of the existing water main. If there are facilities that need to be adjusted and/or relocated, contact Central Arkansas Water. That work would be done at the expense of the developer. Fire Department: A fire hydrant may be required. Contact Little Rock Fire Department. County Planning: No Comments received. CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding building height and materials, signage, site lighting and the dumpster location. Staff asked the applicant to provide the seating capacity of the church’s existing sanctuary and the number of on-site parking spaces. Staff asked the applicant to provide the means of wastewater disposal. It was noted that the 1924 bill of assurance did not address use issues. Staff noted that the proposed family life center building was centered in the lot. Staff commented that moving the building off of the center of the lot would leave some room on the lot for future parking, if needed. Public Works and Landscape Comments were presented and discussed. Utility Comments were noted. The applicant was advised to respond to staff issues by April 21, 2004. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: Graham Temple C.O.G.I.C. is located on the C-1 zoned property at 4307 Frazier Pike. The property is outside of the Little Rock city limits but is within the City’s zoning jurisdiction. The church has existed at this location for over 75 years. The church building was destroyed by the 1997 tornado that hit College Station and the current, new building was constructed. The site also contains a paved parking lot and driveways. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: F (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7631 4 The church proposes to construct a one-story, 50’ X 100’ Family Life Center building on R-3 zoned property behind the church building. This adjacent property is cleared and grass-covered. The proposed new building will contain a fellowship hall, kitchen, restrooms and a small apartment for visiting evangelists and guests of the church. The new building will be constructed of colored metal with a metal, pitched roof. The building will be roughly centered in the100 foot wide lot, providing a 25 foot side yard setback on each side and over a 25 foot setback from the East 39th Street property line. The church has one existing ground-mounted sign which will be expanded to allow for placement of the name of the new family life center building. The area of the sign will be well below that allowed in commercial zones. New lighting will be installed on the existing parking lot. Staff is supportive of the requested conditional use permit. Allowing the addition of a small, family life center building to this existing church site should not negatively impact the neighborhood. Attention must be given to properly screening the site from the adjacent single family properties to the east and west. The 1924 bill of assurance does not address use issues. Sewer service will be through LR Wastewater. Sewer was extended to College Station following the 1997 tornado. The church will have to work with Wastewater regarding a sewer main extension. This item has previously been deferred from the May 6, 2004 and June 17, 2004 agendas. The applicant did appear at the July 8, 2004 Subdivision Committee meeting where an update was given. The applicant has responded to issues raised by staff and discussed at Subdivision Committee. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the staff report. 2. Any new site lighting must be shielded downward and into the site. 3. The dumpster must be properly screened and located so that the truck does not have to back into the street. The dumpster must not be located adjacent to one of the residential properties. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: F (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7631 5 STAFF REPORT: On April 22, 2004, the applicant requested that the item be deferred to the June 17, 2004 Commission meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 6, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and informed the Commission that the applicant had requested that the item be deferred to the June 17, 2004 agenda. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and deferred to June 17, 2004 by a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. STAFF REPORT: On June 2, 2004, the applicant requested that this item be deferred to the July 29, 2004 meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 17, 2004) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission of the applicant’s request for deferral. There was no additional discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for deferral to the July 29, 2004 meeting. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that the notification requirement had not been correctly followed and the item needed to be deferred. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for deferral to the September 9, 2004 meeting. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: G SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment to Section 36-556.(b) of Chapter 36 of the Code of Ordinances to add Stagecoach Road and a portion of Colonel Glenn Road to the list of scenic corridors. REQUEST: That the Planning Commission receives comments from interested parties and the Plans Committee and vote on a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Public Notice: Notice of the proposed Ordinance Amendment and of the Commission hearing was sent to the following: Billboard Companies Lamar Outdoor Advertising Arkansas Sign and Neon Cuerdon Signȱ Cynthia Neal, 361 LLC Custom Outdoors Advertising Affected Neighborhood Associations John Barrow Westwood Tall Timber Pecan Lake Stagecoach-Dodd Crystal Valley Otter Creek SWLR United for Progress PLANS COMMITTEE: (MAY 26, 2004) Staff presented the item. There was little discussion. The consensus was that the proposed amendment was a positive change. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: G (Cont.) 2 STAFF REPORT: On April 5, 1983, the Board of Directors passed Ordinance No. 14,430 which designated I-430, I-630, I-440, Highway 10 and Rebsamen Park Road as scenic corridors for the purposes of billboard regulation. On July 7, 1992, Ordinance No. 16,244 was passed which established additional criteria for billboards and added Chenal Parkway from Kanis Road to Arkansas State Highway 300 to the list of scenic corridors. A scenic corridor is defined by Section 36-530. of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas as “a public right-of-way which, in the opinion of the board of directors, exhibits special aesthetic and visual characteristics worthy of protection through enhanced billboard regulation. Section 36-556.(b) of the Code states: “No billboard may be altered or erected within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the scenic corridors.” Recently, development has started to increase in the general area along Stagecoach Road and Colonel Glenn Road, west of the Stagecoach/Colonel Glenn split. In conjunction with the increase in development, several permits have been issued for new billboards on those corridors. In response to concerns raised by citizens about the possible proliferation of billboards in those areas, staff is proposing adding those two streets to the list of scenic corridors. Any existing billboards along Stagecoach Road and Colonel Glenn Road, west of the Stagecoach/Colonel Glenn split will become nonconforming and no new permits will be issued. Staff believes the two roads in question meet the definition of “scenic corridor” and it is appropriate to add them to the designated scenic corridors. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the proposed ordinance amendment. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 17, 2004) Staff presented the item and requested that action be deferred to the July 29, 2004 meeting. There was no additional discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and deferred to the July 29, 2004 meeting. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: G (Cont.) 3 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Staff presented the item and requested that the item be deferred to the September 9, 2004 meeting to allow further study. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for deferral to the September 9, 2004 meeting. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 36 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS PROVIDING FOR THE ADDITION OF STAGECOACH ROAD AND A PORTION OF COLONEL GLENN ROAD TO THE LIST OF DESIGNATED SCENIC CORRIDORS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, a scenic corridor is defined by Section 36-530. of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas as “a public right-of-way which, in the opinion of the board of directors, exhibits special aesthetic and visual characteristics worthy of protection through enhanced billboard regulation; and WHEREAS, Section 36-556.(b) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas currently designates I-430, I-630, I-440, Highway 10, Rebsamen Park Road and Chenal Parkway from Kanis Road to Arkansas State Highway 300 as scenic corridors; and WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Planning Commission and the Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas that Stagecoach Road and Colonel Glenn Road from Stagecoach Road to the western boundary of the City’s planning boundary exhibit special aesthetic and visual characteristics worthy of protection through enhanced billboard regulation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. That Chapter 36., Section 36-556.(b) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas be amended to provide for the addition of new text and to then read as follows: (b) I-430, I-630, I-440, Highway 10, Rebsamen Park Road, Chenal Parkway from Kanis Road to Arkansas Street Highway 300, Stagecoach Road and Colonel Glenn Road from Stagecoach Road to the western boundary of the City’s planning boundary are designated as scenic corridors for purposes of this article. No billboard may be altered or erected within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the scenic corridors. SECTION 2. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of the ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of the ordinance. 2 SECTION 3. Repealer. All laws, ordinances, resolutions, or parts of the same, that are inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency. SECTION 4. Emergency Clause. Whereas, it has been determined that it is necessary that the proposed amendment become effective immediately to protect the special aesthetic and visual characteristics of Stagecoach Road and the designated portion of Colonel Glenn Road; an emergency is hereby declared and this Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage. PASSED:_____________________ ATTEST: APPROVED: _____________________________ _____________________________ C i t y C l e r k M a y o r July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: H GRANITE MOUNTAIN - AUDUBON OVERLAY Owner: Various Applicant: City of Little Rock Location: Along and 300 feet within site of State Highway 365 from Roosevelt Road south and east to city limits Area: 144 acres plus or minus Request: Establish an Overlay for the area Purpose: To assure redevelopment in the area is pedestrian friendly and compatible with the proposed Audubon Facility at Granite Mountain. Existing Use: Commercial (zoned C3 and I2), Residential (zoned R2 and I2) and vacant land (zoned R2, C4, C3 and I2) SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Cemeteries (zoned R3) Schools (zoned R4 and R3), and Shopping Center (zoned C3) South – Various uses: mining, residential and agricultural (not zoned) East – Along corridor, Industrial with some residential uses north of I-440 (zoned I2), Public uses and homes south of I-440 (zoned R2 with small areas of C3 and I2) West – Along corridor, Residential with a few businesses (zoned I2) north of I-440, south of I-440 Residential with a few businesses (zoned R2, C3, I2 and PR) A. TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: 1. Confederate Blvd./Springer Avenue (State Highway 365) is classified as a Minor Arterial. This street is not currently built to standard. Dedication of right-of-way and street improvements to Master Street Plan standard will be required upon redevelopment of the adjacent land to this road. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) GRANITE MOUNTAIN – AUDUBON OVERLAY 2 2. Existing public transportation is supplied by Bus Route 6 (Granite Mountain), which runs along Confederate Blvd./Springer Avenue to the former Booker Homes site. B. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION: The citizen group lead by Audubon drafted the Standards. Two mailings were made to property owners to receive comment (only minimal responses were made). A representative presented a draft of the overlay to the Granite Mountain Neighborhood Association at their April meeting. Notice of the Public Hearing before the Planning Commission was sent the property owners within the area as well as the Neighborhood Associations surrounding the area. C. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the I-30 Planning District. The Land Use Plan along Confederate Blvd. shows Light Industrial to the east and Service Trades District to the west. An Overlay considers design not use of the land. Along Springer Avenue, the Plan shows Park Open Space for the Fourche Creek and as well as Parks -- Granite Mountain and Booker. Single Family is shown from 38th to Detroit. Along the north side of Springer Avenue east of Detroit, Mixed Use is proposed with Single Family to the south. The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. City Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan: The applicant’s property lies in the area not covered by a neighborhood plan. D. STAFF ANALYSIS: In the first few months of 2003, Planning Staff was asked to work with Audubon Arkansas to look at the transportation and aesthetic concerns the group had about the future of Confederate/Springer. Representatives of Audubon met with Planning Staff to discuss the group’s plans and vision for the area. During the spring of 2003, Planning Staff examined the area – Census statistics, roads and transportation both existing and possible future July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) GRANITE MOUNTAIN – AUDUBON OVERLAY 3 developments, land use controls – both design and use. After discussions with other public agencies about the area, Staff developed some general recommendations for Audubon Arkansas. This information was sent to them in late May 2003. Audubon Arkansas asked that the City start a process for an Overlay. Over the summer of 2003 a Committee was put together: two Planning Commissioners, League of Women Voters representative, Audubon and City Parks representatives. The two neighborhood associations were contacted for representative but no attendees or contacts were developed. The Committee met twice a month on Monday afternoons. A ‘concepts’ sheet was developed for a possible Overlay along with possible changes to the City Land Use Plan and Master Street Plan. This was done over the fall months of 2003. After Thanksgiving a letter was mailed to property owners with the ‘concepts’ as well as possible Land Use, Zoning and Master Street Plan changes, with a request that comments be returned before Christmas 2003. In addition the letter invited anyone interested to attending the meetings of the Committee to provide contact information. Most of the responses were informational requests. However a couple of owners did express some concerns or questioned the need to do anything. Several (four) property owners responded and started attending the meetings. Information about the responses was provided to the Committee members. It should be noted that attendance at the Committee meetings varied greatly. However a summary of each meeting was distributed to the twelve individuals who had been appointed or volunteered for the Committee. During January and February 2004, a draft Overlay was developed and the other proposals were refined (Land Use Plan and Master Street Plan changes). The draft Overlay and proposals for a Land Use Plan and Master Street Plan change were distributed to property owners for comments during March and early April 2004. Planning Staff along with a couple of Committee members attended the April Granite Mountain Neighborhood Association meeting to present the proposals. There was only one written response to the second mailing. Only a couple of informational calls were generated from this mailing. The one letter was distributed to the Committee members. At this point Staff reviewed the proposals to see if support could be given to the various requests. In April and May 2004 information about the letter July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) GRANITE MOUNTAIN – AUDUBON OVERLAY 4 responses and Staff recommendations was given to Committee members. With attendance waning, it was decided to proceed to Public Hearings. Staff contacted Audubon Arkansas and it was agreed to proceed to public hearing on the proposals. The request is therefore to approve a Design Overlay, amend the City Land Use Plan and amend the Master Street Plan (items for the latter two follow this one on the Commission’s agenda). The Overlay requires the following: • Area: Three hundred (300) feet either side and adjoining State Highway 365 from Roosevelt Road to the City Limits • Setback: From Confederate 15 feet, from Springer 25 feet • Signage: No pole or off-premise signs, monument signs maximum area 30 SF and 6-foot height • Landscape/Streetscape: Rather than street buffer, eight-foot sidewalk (on curb – Confederate, no property line – Springer) Street-trees on Confederate every thirty feet in 4x4 well. • Plantings: Special listing for utility pole frontage and non-utility pole frontage • Vehicular use and service areas: allow for porous materials with approval, surface parking only on side and rear not abutting street, service ad loading dock areas only on side and rear not abutting street • Outdoor lighting: lighting must be inward and downward and a lighting plan is required, maximum height in 20 feet. • Exceptions: must use the Planned Zoning District process This is a zoning overlay district, thus the above regulations would modify the current zoning ordinance requirements. The regulations are not retroactive; therefore they would affect only properties, which expanded or built new structures. The primary concerns expressed about implementing the Overlay are: • The need or desirability of making the changes at all, • The piecemeal development pattern which would result, • Particular concern about the need for such a wide sidewalk and negative effects that the street-trees could cause (site-distance, maintenance, safety) The members of the Committee did not vote on changes, but rather changes were generally consensus. There are one or more of the individuals on the Committee who feel that the proposals go too far or not far enough. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) GRANITE MOUNTAIN – AUDUBON OVERLAY 5 E. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Since this is a State Highway, staff recommends adding wording on the “Landscape/Streetscape” section to have State Highway Department review of swales. Approval with this change. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 17, 2004) Vice Chair Stebbin asked if the applicant wished to defer the item since there were only eight commissioners. Mr. Malone of the Planning Staff indicated that Mr. Smith, Executive Director of Audubon should be the one to make that decision. Mr. Smith indicated that it would be good to at least let the issues be “aired”. However since the Commission’s policy was to either hear the item or defer without hearing, he felt it would be better to defer. By a vote of 8 for and 0 against the item was deferred to July 29. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Walter Malone, Planning Staff reviewed the process used for development of the Overlay and each of the major sections of the draft. Mr. Malone also reminded the Commission that overlays are “zoning” and are not retroactive. There were a couple of questions from commissioners about the background on why an overlay was done and why some of the standards were being proposed. It was decided to hear from Ken Smith, director of Audubon Arkansas to get these answers. Mr. Smith reviewed Audubon Arkansas’ plans for the former “Booker Homes” and current Gilliam Park sites. He also indicated there has been a lack of infrastructure investment in this area. Sidewalks are lacking or unsafe and there is much disrepair in the area. Audubon will rehab the community center for both office space and a meeting room. This should be done in the next year as well as trails on the “Booker” site and in Gilliam Park. The Housing Authority is also building new housing which is a change for the better. It is hoped this activity will bring more commercial development, with better lighting and quality streets. With the help of the City new trails are being designed for the “Booker” site. In response to a question, Mr. Smith indicated this land is the high ground over the Fourche Creek and will be the center for the landscape and restoration efforts along Fourche Creek. The Overlay is part of the “big picture” to improve the aesthetics. There were questions from several commissioners on why the need for 8-foot sidewalks. In response, the width is partly due to the idea of joint use by bike and pedestrian. There is a need for good safe sidewalks. Commissioner Meyer asked about trails along the Fourche and railroad right-of-way. Mr. Smith indicated it would be better addressed later by Bryan Day, the Parks Director. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) GRANITE MOUNTAIN – AUDUBON OVERLAY 6 In response to a question, Audubon has one-third of the funding for the initial renovations and has high confidence everything will be accomplished. Phase two, trails and wild life viewing is being designed. The third phase “a new center” is five or more years down the road; however, grants are being investigated. Commissioner Rector expressed concerns on the impact an overlay would have since the area is not experiencing much development. Mr. Smith indicated there was not a date for redevelopment but that the overlay was to give a “form” for the areas’ future development. There was concern about the extent of the overlay. Roosevelt Road is used due to the school. Some expressed the opinion that I-440 would be a better entry. Commissioner Floyd expressed concern about adding the area north of the railroad (Confederate Blvd.) and several commissioners indicated they felt the 8-foot sidewalk seemed counter to Audubon’s goals. Mr. Smith indicated if one had both walkers and bikers this width was needed. Bryan Day, the Parks Director talked about bike plans and that 8 to 12 foot trails were the requirement. He noted that the Baltimore Street area was and has been strong but the surrounding area had been neglected by the City. Now, we are making an effort to clean up an overlooked area. The City has $1.2 million for trails on the Fourche Creek area which should be done over the next 4 or 5 years. This effort works with other things and it will be great in the future to be able to bike in the area. Kathleen Oleson, League of Women Voters, urged passage of the overlay. This would establish a concept for development. Only those doing new construction would have to meet the new standards. The proposals would help change the feel of area. There was discussion about who would pay for the 8-foot sidewalk (property owner) and the difference in cost between a 5-foot and 8-foot sidewalk. There was also discussion about the setback and whether it would be wise to have a reduced setback for the industrial zoned land. Mr. Robert Clark, a property owner on Confederate Blvd. referred to his letter. Mr. Clark began reading his letter. Chairman Rahman told Mr. Clark the Commission had his letter and indicated that it was a good letter. Chairman Rahman stated that a better use of his time might be to provide some “highlights”. Mr. Clark continued to read the letter – concerns about helping Audubon at the expense of existing property owners, sidewalks, lack of development in the area, desire to have Confederate removed as Roosevelt Road had been, street trees, etc. Commissioner Rector indicated he believed this was a public project which should not be made a burden on property owners. That implementation as an overlay would be spotty at best. He further stated overlays work in areas of high demand which this is not and that the improvements should be made all at once. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) GRANITE MOUNTAIN – AUDUBON OVERLAY 7 Chairman Rahman indicated this was a public/private partnership and would enhance the attractiveness and developability of the area. There was further discussion about these issues. Mr. Clark read additional sections of his letter showing the lack of development in the area. There was discussion about the large floodplain where public dollars would have to be used, the sidewalks and the desire not to include the Confederate Blvd. segment. Several commissioners asked to split the area north and south of I-440 so as not to vote down the entire package. Ken Smith, of the Audubon reminded the Commission there was some new development in the area (housing). This activity with the Audubon project and others will create a synergy, critical mass. This is a long-term plan which hopefully would happen in 30 years to create a more nature and pedestrian friendly area. Commissioner Floyd expressed concern about forcing private development to contribute unwillingly. Commissioner Wilkins expressed concerns about the reduced setback along Confederate Blvd. (industrial zoning). Commissioner Allen indicated the item should be deferred to discuss these issues. There was some discussion about who would review what, if the item was deferred. Commissioner Rector repeated that this should not be done as an overlay but rather as a public project. Maybe the area south of I-440 could be an overlay, but the northern section should be done by the public. There was discussion about other overlay areas and the impacts. There was concern that the issue should not be totally rejected but was not appropriate north of I-440. Tony Bozynski, the Director of Planning stated this was one corridor and a gateway to the City. He asked for support of the entire area, reminding the Commission this area has been often overlooked in the past. General discussion followed. Commissioner Rector expressed that an overlay by itself does not create value. The overlay is supportive of larger public interest, but commissioners were concerned about a piecemeal approach by using the overlay process. Commissioner Meyer moved approval, by a vote of 7 for 3 against, the motion passed. After the vote, each of the opposing commissioners indicated that they did support the overlay south of I-440. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 1 FILE NO.: Z-3292-H Owner: Kathy J. McFarland, Trustee for the M. J. Keech Trust Applicant: The Hathaway Group Location: Southwest corner of West Markham Street and Atkins Road (Lot 1, Park West Commons) Area: 1.5751 Acres Request: PCD Revocation Purpose: Future Office Development (credit union office and banking facility) Existing Use: Undeveloped SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Mixed Commercial and Office uses (across West Markham Street); zoned C-3 South – Office development; zoned PCD East – Auto dealership and mixed commercial uses (across Atkins Road); zoned PCD and C-2 West – Church; zoned R-2 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 2. Repair or replace any curb and 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 a CATA Bus Route. Route 5 (West Markham Route) runs to the east along West Markham, east of Chenal Parkway. 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 Gibralter Heights/Point West/Timber Ridge and Parkway Place Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3292-H 2 D. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the Ellis Mountain Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Office for this property. The applicant has applied for O-3 zoning for future office development, with the PCD revocation. The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Master Street Plan: Markham Street is shown as a Collector on the Master Street Plan and will be required to be built to that standard. Atkins is shown as a local street and will be required to be built to a Minor Commercial Collector standard. Both streets may require dedication of right-of-way and street improvements. City Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan: The applicant’s property lies in the area covered by the Rock Creek Neighborhood Action Plan. In the Office and Development goal, the plan calls for the Promotion of “commercial and office development that: a) Meets the needs of Rock Creek Neighborhood residents for shopping, services, and jobs… and to “Aggressively use Planned Zoning Districts (PZD’s) to influence more neighborhood-friendly and better quality developments” and to “Encourage Little Rock, not only in the Rock Creek Neighborhood but also citywide, to adhere to the adopted Land Use Plan. Encourage a policy of reviewing the entire plan comprehensively and thoughtfully every three to five years and making plan amendments extremely rare.” This application would not require a Land Use Plan amendment but would remove a PCD on the site. Uses in the O-3 zoning district could meet the needs of the community. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: The property at the southwest corner of West Markham Street and Atkins Road, currently known as Lots 1 and 2, Park West Commons, was zoned O-3 between 1977 and 1979. The Little Rock Planning Commission denied a proposed site plan for the site on January 21, 1999, because of site design issues. The applicant revised the site plan and resubmitted the application, which was approved on March 4, 1999. The approved site plan included at two story office July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3292-H 3 building containing 46,200 square feet, a one story office building containing 25,000 square feet and 231 parking spaces. The Little Rock Board of Directors adopted Ordinance No. 18,272 on May 2, 2000, establishing Atkins Road Partnership – Short-Form PCD located at the southwest corner of West Markham Street and Atkins Road. The approval included the development of the site with eight smaller buildings located on the southern portion of the site (Lot 2) containing 28,800 square feet and a single 21,420 square foot commercial center located on the northern portion of the site (Lot 1). The approval limited the uses of the site to O-3 permitted uses for the office area and C-2 permitted uses (except restaurant) for the proposed commercial building. The hours of operation were approved as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the office uses and the commercial hours would be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The signage was approved as a monument style sign located at each entrance, which would comply with city standard for office zones. On August 14, 2000, staff at a staff level approved a revised site plan, which decreased the number of buildings and total square footage on the site. The approval included the development of five single-story buildings on the southern portion of the site and a single story commercial center located on the northern portion of the site. The total square footage of the retail center was decreased to 18,240 and the total square footage of the office buildings was decreased to five buildings containing 27,200 square feet. The Little Rock Board of Directors adopted Ordinance No. 18,640 on February 5, 2002, revising the PCD for Lot 2 only. The applicant revised the PCD for the southern lot to allow lot lines to be placed along previously approved phasing lines. On January 29, 2004, the Planning Commission denied proposed revisions to the PCD. The property owner, Kathy J. McFarland (Trustee for the M. J. Keech Trust), is currently requesting to revoke the PCD for Lot 1, Park West Commons only, and have the zoning revert back to its original O-3 classification. The applicant is proposing to develop a credit union office and banking facility on the property. The site (Lot 1) is comprised of 1.5751 Acres and is currently undeveloped and covered with high grass and weeds. The site was cleared some years ago with some mature trees remaining along the west July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3292-H 4 property line. Lot 2 is in the process of being developed. There are currently two (2) small office buildings on Lot 2 with associated paved drives and parking. The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates this property as Office. The requested PCD revocation, with the property reverting back to O-3 zoning, does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Staff is supportive of the requested PCD revocation for Lot 1, Park West Commons. Staff feels that the property reverting back to O-3 for the development of a credit union/banking facility is an appropriate use of the property, and should be compatible with the surrounding developments. Staff believes that revocation of the PCD for Lot 1, Park West Commons only will have no adverse impact on the general area. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested PCD revocation for Lot 1, Park West Commons. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The applicant offered no additional comments. 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 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 1 ITEM NO.: 2 FILE NO.: LU04-11-03 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment - I-430 Planning District Location: Between Interstate 430 and Shackleford Rd, north of Old Shackleford Rd Request: MOC (Mixed Office Commercial) to CS (Community Shopping) Source: Joe White, White-Daters Engineers PROPOSAL / REQUEST: Land Use Plan amendment in the I-430 Planning District from MOC (Mixed Office Commercial) to CS (Community Shopping). CS (Community Shopping) provides for shopping center type development with one or more general merchandise stores. The applicant has indicated they intend to develop the property commercially using the site plan review process. Staff is not expanding the application since the Land Use Plan in this area was reviewed within the last two years. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: The property is vacant and currently zoned PCD-expired (Planned Commercial District). The area requested is 63 acres ± in size. To the north the zoning is O3 (General Office) with office buildings, a hospital and two hotels. South of the subject property is zoned PCD-expired (Planned Commercial District) and R2 (Single Family) and generally vacant. The PCD-expired is the remaining portion of the PCD-expired involved in this change. The zoning has been requested to change to office, O2 (Professional Office). To the east is Camp Aldersgate, which is zoning OS (Open Space). West of the site, across Interstate 430 the land is developed as single-family homes and zoned R2 (Single Family). FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: September 19, 2000, A change was made from LDR (Low Density Residential) and MOC (Mixed Office Commercial) to MX (Mixed Use) approximately a mile to the southwest on the west side of Interstate 430 at Bowman Road and 36th Streets. The proposal was to develop a church based campus with various non- traditional outreach programs on the majority of the site. July 17, 2001, A change was made from C (Commercial) to PR (Park) approximately a mile to the northwest, on the west side of Interstate 430 in the Birchwood Subdivision. This was part of a citywide classification of existing City parkland to a new Park zone. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-11-03 2 September 4, 2001, A change was made from PK/OS (Park/Open Space) to LDR (Low Density Residential) approximately half a mile to the east. The proposal was to expand a retirement community (Good Shepard) with the addition of duplex or attached housing. March 18, 2003, A change from SF (Single Family) to SO (Suburban Office) approximately a quarter mile to the northwest, along Aldersgate Road. The proposal was to develop the land to an office use. November 4, 2002, A change from SF (Single Family) to LDR (Low Density Residential) approximately a mile to the southeast. This change was part of a package of changes resulting from an overall Land Use Plan review for this area. The change was intended to more accurately reflect the current land use and zoning of the area. February 4, 2003, A change from MF (Multifamily) to MOC (Mixed Office Commercial) approximately a mile to the southwest, south of 36th Street along the west side of Interstate 430. The change was for an expansion of the proposed use area to the south for a large primarily commercial development. November 18, 2003, A change from MOC (Mixed Office Commercial) to STD (Service Trades District) approximately a quarter mile to the south at the northwest corner of Shackleford and 36th Street. The proposal was made as a result of a Planned Zoning District request for a service trades type of use in that general location. The application area is shown as MOC (Mixed Office Commercial) on the City Land Use Plan. To the east is shown as Park/Open Space, with Multifamily and Single Family beyond that. To the north, generally across Interstate 430 is shown as Office and Suburban Office. Across Interstate 430 to the west is shown for Single Family. To the Southwest across Interstate 430 is shown for Mixed Use while south of the site is shown as Mixed Office Commercial) and Office to the southeast. MASTER STREET PLAN: Shackleford Road is shown as a Minor Arterial on the plan. The Standard is for a four or five lane road in a right-of-way of 90 feet. It is not built to standard. Shackleford Road is currently a two-lane road. Significant widening will have to be done along this frontage. There are no bikeways shown that would be affected by this amendment. PARKS: The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Master Plan of 2001 shows this area to be within 8 blocks of a public or private recreation or outdoor space. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-11-03 3 HISTORIC DISTRICTS: There are no city recognized historic districts that would be affected by this amendment. CITY RECOGNIZED NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN: This application area is within the John Barrow Neighborhoods Plan area. That Plan recommends medical and other business uses in this general area. The Plan envisions employment and service opportunities to area residents from any businesses, which might occur in the north portion of their Plan area. ANALYSIS: This site became Mixed Office and Commercial on the City Land Use Plan in 1987. Prior to that it had been Major Office. The change was made as part of a larger review along Interstate 430, which had been started due to a rezoning request for a Mixed Use development for the site – a mall, hotel and office complex. The Plan was changed to Commercial/Office, which later became the Mixed Office Commercial classification on December 1, 1987. The Staff write-up indicates a “PCD recommended to assure high quality development and to minimize traffic flow problems on Shackelford and 36th Street.” Due to concerns about previous developments that had not materialized and the effects on Camp Aldersgate special requirements were made of the development through the Planned Development process. In the successive sixteen years no development has materialized and the City reviewed one alternative development proposal. After public hearings and Board of Director approval, the City was taken to court where much of the case was ruled in the City’s favor. However the applicant requested that the application be withdrawn and the Board of Directors granted this request. The site in question is heavily wooded and contains significant topographic change. The elevation change is from near 360 feet to over 510 feet a difference of 150 feet. There is a significant hilltop in the northeast section of the Plan amendment area, with a lower hilltop just off the amendment area at the southeast corner. Most of Little Rock’s development, both residential and nonresidential, has been to the northwest of this site. That is the site is on the southeastern edge of the major growth area of the City. Based on development, both subdivision and building activity, development is to the northwest of the site and has been for several decades. Most of the new office and commercial development in Little Rock has occurred along Markham, Chenal Parkway and Cantrell Roads west of July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-11-03 4 Interstate 430. To a lesser extend this development as occurred along Markham east of Interstate 430, Shackleford Road north of Interstate 430, and Kanis and Bowman Roads. Interstate 430 has for years been eyed as a potential Office and or Commercial corridor. In the 1970s and 1980s the City worked, through its Plans, for this to be an Office corridor with major commercial at Rodney Parham and Interstate 30 and a lesser commercial area at Colonel Glenn Road. During the 1980s and 1990s increased amounts of commercial development were shown at the two remaining un-developed or under-developed interchanges – Shackleford and Colonel Glenn Road. This was marked by the afore mentioned amendment in 1987. Over the last five to ten years the City has added significant amounts of commercial at the Colonel Glenn Interchange with Interstate 430. This addition has been in all four quadrants of the interchange. A small commercial center and multiplex theater as well as several freestanding commercial businesses have been developed. The City has approved a large commercial development in the last few months – a ‘Power’ Center. The concerns raised in 1987 about the development of this land still remain – effects on Camp Aldersgate, development of Shackleford Road to arterial standard and the ability of the Shackleford interchange to hand traffic volumes, which might be generated. Through the City’s actions over the last several years, the decision has been made to locate the Community Shopping area at the Interstate 430 – Colonel Glenn interchange. Large amounts of commercial zoning are in place and not development along Colonel Glenn Road. To the north while developed, the use pattern is more office and support commercial to the office developments. The need or desirability of another large commercial area at the Shackleford interchange is questionable. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: John Barrow and Sandpiper. As of this writing, no comments have been received. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is not appropriate. A development that includes or is predominantly commercial needs to be reviewed using the Planned Zoning District process to assure all issues and concerns are addressed. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-11-03 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The item was placed on the consent agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 Planning Commission meeting. A motion was made to waive the by-laws for a five-day notice to defer prior to the Planning Commission meeting. That motion was made and approved with a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 absent. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda and was approved with a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 2.1 FILE NO.: Z-4923-B Owner: Summit Mall Co., LLC Applicant: Shackleford Crossings, LLC Location: Southwest corner of S. Shackleford Road and Interstate 430 Area: 97.446 Acres Request: Rezone from PCD to O-2 and C-2 Purpose: Future Office and Commercial Development Existing Use: Undeveloped SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Mixed Residential Office and Commercial uses (across I-430); zoned R-2, O-2, O-3 and C-2 South – Mixed Residential, Office and Commercial uses (along Old Shackleford and S. Shackleford Roads); zoned R-2, O-3, C-2, C-3 and PCD East – Camp Aldersgate (across S. Shackleford Road); zoned OS West – Single Family Residences (across I-430); zoned R-2 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Shackleford Road is classified on the Master Street Plan as minor arterial. A dedication of right-of-way 45 feet from centerline will be required. 2. With future development, provide design of streets conforming to the Master Street Plan. Construct one-half street improvement to these streets including 5-foot sidewalks with planned development. Intersection improvements and freeway ramp improvements may also be required. B. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: The site is not located on a CATA Bus Route. Route 3 (Baptist Medical Center part-time route) runs along Aldersgate Road to the east. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 2.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-4923-B 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 John Barrow and Sandpiper Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. D. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the I-430 Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Mixed Office Commercial for this property. The applicant has applied for O-2 and C-2 zoning for future office and commercial development. A land use plan amendment for a change to Community Shopping for the area to be zoned C-2 is a separate item on this agenda. The request for the O-2 area does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Master Street Plan: Shackleford is shown as a Minor Arterial on the Master Street Plan. Currently, Shackleford Road is built to a two-lane standard. Dedication of right-of-way and street improvements may be required. 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. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: On December 1, 1987, the Board of Directors passed Ordinance No. 15,385 rezoning this 97 acre property from R-2/O-2 to PCD, establishing the Summit Mall – Long-Form PCD. The approved site plan included a shopping mall, office buildings, hotel, restaurants and associated parking. Over the years, the PCD received several time extensions from the Planning Commission. On April 3, 2001, the Board of Directors passed Ordinance No. 18,456, the Summit Mall – Revised PCD, as approved by the Planning Commission on September 14, 2000. Residents filed suit challenging the Board’s April 3, 2001 decision. The court ruled in the City’s favor. On February 24, 2004, the Board of Directors approved July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 2.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-4923-B 3 Ordinance NO. 19,057 which revoked Ordinance No. 18,456 (Summit Mall – Revised PCD). The City’s official zoning maps currently designate the property as PCD – expired. Shackleford Crossings, LLC (agent for Summit Mall, LLC) prospective owner of the 97.446 Acre property at the southwest corner of S. Shackleford Road and I-430, is requesting to rezone the property from PCD-expired to “O-2” Office and Institutional District and “C-2” Shopping Center District. The applicant proposes to rezone the north 62.443 acres to C-2 and the south 35.003 acres to O-2. The rezoning is proposed for future commercial and office development of the property. The O-2 and C-2 zoning districts are site plan review districts, and future development of the property will require Planning Commission review and approval. The proposed site is undeveloped and heavily wooded, with varying degrees of slope throughout the property. Interstate 430 is located immediately north and west of the property, with Shackleford Road along the eastern boundary. Camp Aldersgate is located across Shackleford Road to the east. The property immediately south is also vacant and wooded. There is a Comcast Cable office building and tower along the west side of Shackleford Road which is surrounded by this 97 acre property. The general area contains a mixture of residential, office and commercial uses and zoning. The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates this property as Mixed Office Commercial. A Land Use Plan amendment for a change to Community Shopping for the north 62.443 acres is a separate item on this agenda (Item #2). Staff does not support the requested O-2 and C-2 rezoning. Staff feels that it is not appropriate to establish a zoning pattern for this large acreage tract without first reviewing a site plan for the property’s development. The concerns raised over the years regarding the development of this property are still valid. These include traffic volume, street improvements, excavation, tree preservation, retaining walls and the effects of a large development on the surrounding properties, including Camp Aldersgate and Comcast. Therefore, staff feels that the proposed rezoning is premature. Staff would prefer to see a proposed PCD or POD development for the property, so the development issues associated with the property can be discussed simultaneously with a zoning/use plan. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 2.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-4923-B 4 F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of the requested O-2 and C-2 rezoning. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the September 9, 2004 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 deferral request less than five (5) days prior to the public hearing. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was deferred. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 3 FILE NO.: Z-7670 Owner: Glenroy and Adelle Charles Applicant: Glenroy and Adelle Charles Location: 4305 Barrow Road Area: 0.15 Acre Request: Rezone from O-3 to O-1 Purpose: Single Family Residential Existing Use: Single Family Residence (under reconstruction) SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Sober Living, Inc. facilities; zoned O-3 South – Duplex and Single Family Residences; zoned R-4 and R-3 East – Undeveloped property; zoned R-3 West – Undeveloped property; zoned O-3 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. No comments regarding reconstruction of a home on this lot. A permit will be required for any modifications to driveway. 2. Repair or replace any curb and 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 a CATA Bus Route. Route 14 (Rosedale Route) runs along West 36th Street to the north. 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 Westwood Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 3 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7670 2 D. LAND USE ELEMENT: This request is located in the Boyle Park Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Office for this property. The applicant has applied for O-1 zoning for reconstruction of a single-family house and future office uses. The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Master Street Plan: John Barrow is shown as a Minor Arterial on the Master Street Plan and is built to a four-lane section. Dedication of right-of-way and street improvements may be required. City Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan: The applicant’s property lies in the area covered by the John Barrow Neighborhood Action Plan. The Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Goal of “An improved overall appearance and safety of the John Barrow neighborhood Area” has an action statement of “Determine if existing zoning classifications compromise the interest to revitalize or stabilize the housing and infrastructure and improve the overall appearance of the John Barrow Neighborhood Area.” The proposed O-1 zoning district permits both single-family houses and office uses. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: Glenroy and Adelle Charles, owners of the 0.15 Acre property at 4305 Barrow Road, are requesting to rezone the property from “O-3” General Office District to “O-1” Quiet Office District. The rezoning is proposed in order to reconstruct the single family residence on the property. The residence which existed on the property was nonconforming, as single family dwellings are not permitted uses in the O-3 zoning district. The property contains a one-story frame single family residence which is in the process of being reconstructed. There is a one-car wide driveway from Barrow Road which serves as access. The general area near the intersection of Barrow Road and West 43rd Street contains a mixture of uses and zoning. The Sober Living, Inc. facilities are located to the north on O-3 zoned property. There is a duplex and single family residences to the south, with undeveloped R-3 July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 3 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7670 3 zoned property to the east. Undeveloped O-3 zoned property is located to the west across Barrow Road, with a commercial development (PCD) to the northwest. The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates this property as office. The requested O-1 zoning does not require a change to the Land Use Plan. Staff is supportive of the requested O-1 zoning. Staff feels that O-1 zoning for the property is reasonable. The O-1 zoning district would allow the use of the property as single family residential. It would also allow the residential structure to be converted to a small office use in the future. If converted to an office, the applicants will be required to submit a site plan to staff, and construct the appropriate number of on site parking spaces, paved and landscaped as per City Ordinance requirements. Staff feels that the proposed rezoning will have no adverse impact on the general area. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested O-1 rezoning. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The applicant offered no additional comments. 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 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 4 FILE NO.: LU04-20-01 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment - Pinnacle Planning District Location: Ranch Development Request: Single Family to Office and Mixed Office Commercial Source: Joe White, White Daters Engineering PROPOSAL / REQUEST: Land Use Plan amendment in the Pinnacle Planning District from Single Family to Office and Mixed Office Commercial. The Mixed Office and Commercial category provides for a mixture of office and commercial uses to occur. Acceptable uses are office or mixed office and commercial. A Planned Zoning District is required if the use is mixed office and commercial. The Office category represents services provided directly to consumers (e.g., legal, financial, medical) as well as general offices which support more basic economic activities. This request is in two parcels, one at the southwest corner of Valley Ranch Road and Patrick Country Road and the second on the east side of Chenonceau. The request is for unspecified future development. Staff is not expanding the application. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: The property is currently zoned R-2 Single Family and is a combined 5.81 acres ± in size. North of the site is undeveloped land and single-family houses. To the south lies undeveloped land zoned O-3 Office, MF-18 Multi Family, and C-3 General Commercial. A PCD with office and commercial uses also lies to the south. To the east lies a R-2 CUP for a private school and further east lies single family homes zoned R-2 Single Family. To the west at the northwest corner of Valley Ranch Drive and Highway 10 there is an area of Suburban Office that is undeveloped and further to the west is Single Family that has houses on large lots. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: June 20, 2000, a change from Mixed Office Commercial to Commercial for an area between Chenonceau and Patrick County Road one quarter of a mile to the south for future development. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-20-01 2 November 19, 1999, a change from Single Family to Office at 6400 Patrick County Road immediately south of the western area for future development. October 5, 1999, a change from Office to Mixed Office Commercial for an area described as between Chenonceau and Patrick County Road, an area east of Chenonceau north of Highway 10, and an area east of Ranch Boulevard and south of Ranch Drive one quarter of a mile to the south east for future development. MASTER STREET PLAN: Patrick Country Road is shown on the Plan as a Collector and is not currently to standards. Valley Ranch Road and Chenonceau are shown as a local streets built to Commercial standards. All of these previously mentioned streets intersect Cantrell Road, a Principal Arterial, which is built to a five lane standard. PARKS: The closet park to the site is Taylor Loop Park, which is an undeveloped park of 35 acres, located almost two miles to the east. This site is close to the proposed “Take it to the Edge” trail which will connect downtown with “…Two Rivers Park, and Pinnacle Mountain. The trail is composed of paved walking and biking trails, and serves residents and visitors to Little Rock.” This application is within a service deficit area. 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: The applicant’s property lies in an area transitioning from a rural character to a suburban form. Office development has occurred in the area of Ranch Drive and Ranch Boulevard. Large tracts of undeveloped land designated for Office, Commercial and Mixed Office Commercial exist in this area to the south and to the east. The application is in two parts: one area of 2± acres from Single Family to Mixed Office Commercial on the east side of Chenonceau and another area of 4± acres July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) FILE NO.: LU04-20-01 3 from Single Family to Office on the south side of Valley Ranch Drive west of Patrick County Road. Both areas are expansions of the Land Use categories shown to the immediate south of their respective areas. Both of the areas, if changed, will be abutting single-family developments that have been preliminarily platted. The juxtaposition of the Office and Single Family can be detrimental to the Single Family areas. Buffers and/or less intense zoning categories could aid in the transition from the more intensely zoned commercial and office areas to the south and the large tracts of single family to the north. Recent developments in area have been few. A new office/commercial building is under construction at the northeast corner of Chenonceau and Ranch Drive (shown as MOC on plan) as are the apartments that are between Patrick Country and Chenonceau Roads (shown as MF on plan). The acreage south of Ranch Drive on both sides of Chenonceau zoned C-3 still lies undeveloped. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: Johnson Ranch Neighborhood and Aberdeen Court Property Owners Association. Staff has received no comments from area residents. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is appropriate. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The item was placed on the consent agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 Planning Commission meeting. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda and was approved with a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 4.1 FILE NO.: Z-7684 Owner: Ranch Properties, Inc. Applicant: White-Daters and Associates Location: East side of Chenonceau Blvd., north of Cantrell Road Area: 1.97 Acres Request: Rezone from R-2 to O-3 Purpose: Future Office Development Existing Use: Undeveloped SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Undeveloped property (across future extension of Chenonceau Blvd.); zoned R-2 South – Office development (across creek); zoned PCD East – Undeveloped property; zoned R-2 West – Apartment complex under construction (across Chenonceau Blvd.); zoned MF-18 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Chenonceau construction will need to be completed and accepted with the proposed development. B. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: The site is not located on a CATA Bus Route. Route 25 (Highway 10 Express Route) runs along Cantrell Road to the south. 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 River Valley and Aberdeen Court Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 4.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7684 2 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 O-3 zoning for future office development. A land use plan amendment for a change to Mixed Office Commercial is a separate item on this agenda. (Item #4) Master Street Plan: Chenonceau is shown as a local street on the Master Street Plan and is built to a two-lane section. Chenonceau will be required to be built to a Minor Commercial Collector standard. Dedication of right-of-way and street improvements may be required. 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. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: Ranch Properties, Inc., owner of the 1.97 Acres property located along the east side of Chenonceau Blvd., 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 for future office development of the property. The property is currently undeveloped and partially tree-covered. The property is relatively flat, and located approximately three (3) feet below the grade of Chenonceau Blvd. Chenonceau Blvd. currently ends at the north corner of this property. There is a creek/drainage structure located along the property’s south property line. The general area along Chenonceau Blvd., north of Cantrell Road, contains a mixture of uses and zoning. There is an apartment complex under development across Chenonceau Blvd. to the west, with undeveloped R-2 zoned property to the north and east. There is an office development to the south. The Arkansas Baptist school campus is located to the southeast. There is undeveloped C-3 zoned property further south at the northeast and northwest corners of Chenonceau Blvd. and Cantrell Road. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 4.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7684 3 The City’s Future Land Use Plan designates this property as Single Family. A Land Use Plan Amendment for a change to Mixed Office Commercial is a separate item on this agenda (Item #4). Staff is not supportive of the requested O-3 zoning. Given the fact that there is a multifamily project under development to the west and undeveloped R-2 single family property to the north and east, staff feels that “O-1” Quiet Office District is a much better alternative for the property. The O-1 district allows for office development at a smaller scale than the O-3 district, a scale which will be much more compatible with the adjacent residential zonings. The O-1 district allows a maximum building height of 35 feet, which is the same maximum building height as the R-2 and MF-18 districts. The O-3 zoning district allows a building height of up to 60 feet. Staff feels that the property O-3 zoning will not be compatible with the adjacent properties. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of the requested O-3 zoning. Staff recommends approval of O-1 zoning for the property. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the September 9, 2004 agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was deferred. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 5 FILE NO.: Z-7685 Owner: FC Grass Farms Partnership Applicant: White-Daters and Associates Location: South side of Valley Ranch Drive, north of Cantrell Road Area: 3.8381 Acres Request: Rezone from R-2 to O-3 Purpose: Future Office Development Existing Use: Undeveloped SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING North – Undeveloped property (across future extension of Valley Ranch Drive); zoned R-2 South – Undeveloped property; zoned O-3 East – Undeveloped property (across Patrick Country Road); zoned R-2 West – Undeveloped property (across Valley Ranch Drive); zoned R-2 A. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Valley Ranch Drive construction will need to be completed and accepted with the proposed development. B. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT: The site is not located on a CATA Bus Route. Route 25 (Highway 10 Express Route) runs along Cantrell Road to the South. 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 River Valley and Aberdeen Court Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7685 2 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 O-3 zoning for future office development. A land use plan amendment for a change to Office is a separate item on this agenda. (Item #4) Master Street Plan: Valley Ranch Road is shown as a local street on the Master Street Plan and is unbuilt adjacent to this zoning. It would be required to be built to a Minor Commercial Collector standard. Dedication of right-of-way and street improvements may be required. Patrick County Road is shown as a Collector on the Master Street Plan is built to a two lane chip seal with open ditch standard. Dedication of right- of-way and street improvements may be required. 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. E. STAFF ANALYSIS: FC Grass Farms Partnership, owner of the 3.8381 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. 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. There are a few nonconforming residential structures within this O-3 zoned area. Undeveloped R-2 zoned property is also July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7685 3 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 (Item #4). Staff is supportive of the requested O-3 zoning. Staff feels that it is reasonable to zone this 3.8381 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 extension 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. 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. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the September 9, 2004 agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was deferred. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 6 FILE NO.: Z-7671 Name: Henderson Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 1312 Hendrix Owner: Beverly Henderson Applicant: Beverly Henderson Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 1312 Hendrix. A. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Oak Forest and University Park Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: 1312 Hendrix is located at the northwest corner of Hendrix and West 14th Street. All surrounding properties are zoned R-2 and contain single family residences. There is commercial zoned property with a mixture of commercial and office uses further north and west along University Avenue. The applicant’s home is a one-story brick and frame structure, and is typical of those in the general area. The rear yard is fenced and provides a safe play area. The applicant proposes to operate the day care from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The applicant has noted that she will have one (1) employee, her daughter who lives off site. The employee does not drive, and will be dropped off at the site. There is a one-car wide concrete driveway from Hendrix, with parking for three (3) vehicles (including the carport). On inspection of the site, staff observed no vehicles parked on unpaved area. The driveway should allow sufficient space for drop-off and pick-up of children. Staff observed no vehicles on the site which were not operational. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7671 2 The applicant notes that she has been licensed by the State to operate a day care family home at this location for 1 ½ years. The applicant is licensed for up to 10 children. The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicant submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood, which was recorded in 1953 and appears to still be in effect. The Bill of Assurance contains the following language: “These lots are restricted to residential purposes only, with the exception of Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 18 in Block A. These are set aside for business lots. All homes must face the front of the lots as shown on the plat. No posters or bill boards of unsightly nature shall be erected that would detract from the desirability of the neighborhood, nor shall any animal or fowls be kept that may become a neighborhood nuisance.” Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: Day care family home: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver and which is the full time residence of the care giver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. f. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7671 3 home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects, from property line to property line. g. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. h. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment of the annual business tax. i. All vehicles must be parked on an on-site paved surface. j. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. k. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. l. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. m. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues associated with this application. Staff feels that the proposed day care family home at this location will have no adverse impact on the general area. Based on information provided by the State, there are no permitted/licensed day care family homes or day care centers within 300 feet of the site. C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) The applicant was not present. Staff presented the application, describing the proposed day care family home. The specifics of the application were briefly discussed. Staff noted that the proposed day care family home use would conform to the requirements found in Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, as noted in paragraph B. of this report. After the July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7671 4 discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a day care family home at 1312 Hendrix, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36-54(e)(3). 2. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 3. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be limited to day-light hours. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Beverly Henderson was present, representing the application. There was one (1) objector present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. Jane Harrison addressed the Commission in opposition to the application. She explained that business uses in residential areas devalue the areas. There was a motion to approve the application, as recommended by staff. The motion passed by a vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay and 2 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 7 FILE NO.: Z-7672 Name: Britton Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 8701 Verbena Drive Owner: Terell Dean Applicant: Nikitia Britton Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 8701 Verbena Drive. A. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Cloverdale and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: 8701 Verbena Drive is located on the east side of Verbena Drive, north of Baseline Road. All surrounding properties are zoned R-2. There are single family residences to the north, south and west. There are single family residences, a day care center and a church to the east along Oman Road. The applicant’s home is a one-story brick and frame structure, and is typical of those in the area. The applicant proposes to operate the day care from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The applicant has noted that she has one (1) employee who lives elsewhere and comes in at 2:00 p.m. There is a one-car wide concrete driveway from Verbena Drive, with a concrete extension. There is parking for four (4) vehicles, including the garage. On inspection of the site, staff observed no vehicles parked on unpaved area. The driveway should allow sufficient space for drop-off and pick-up of children. Staff observed no vehicles on the site which were not operational. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7672 2 The applicant notes that she has been licensed by the State for one (1) year for a day care family home at this location. The applicant is licensed to care for 10 children. The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicant submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood, which was recorded in 1963 and appears to still be in effect. The Bill of Assurance appears to address no use issues. Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: Day care family home: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver and which is the full time residence of the care giver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. f. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects, from property line to property line. g. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7672 3 h. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment of the annual business tax. i. All vehicles must be parked on an on-site paved surface. j. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. k. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. l. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. m. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, the only outstanding issue associated with this application involves an issue of separation. According to Section 36- 54(e)(3)f. “No Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family home proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved.” A licensed day care center is currently being operated on the property immediately to the east, along Oman Road. This day care center has existed for a number of years. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the day care family home within 300 feet of a permitted day care center. In keeping with the spirit and intent of the newly established ordinance criteria, staff cannot support the proposed special use permit. Staff feels that the two (2) day care uses located on adjacent property could have an adverse impact on the immediate area, by creating an amount of traffic and noise greater than should be allowed in a residential area. To staff’s knowledge, the proposed day care family home would comply with all other ordinance requirements. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7672 4 C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Nikitia Britton was present, representing the application. Staff described the proposed day care family home use. The day care family home requirements with respect to this application were briefly discussed. Staff noted that there was a day care center located on the property immediately east, and that the applicant had requested a variance from the separation requirement. This issue was briefly discussed. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends denial of the requested Special Use Permit. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Nikitia Britton was present, representing the application. There were five (5) objectors present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of denial. Nikitia Britton addressed the Commission in support of the application. With reference to the separation issue, Ms. Britton explained that her day care family home was in operation prior to the current ordinance criteria. Commissioner Lowry noted that in a previous similar case on Pine Cone Drive the Commission approved the day care family home with a five (5) year time limit. The issue of a time limit was briefly discussed. Mr. Lowry asked Ms. Britton if she would limit the day care family home to five (5) years. Ms. Britton explained that she is trying to move the day care out of the residence to a different location. There was additional discussion of the time limit issue. Ms. Britton agreed to a five (5) year time limit and amended the application accordingly. Commissioner Adcock asked how long the day care family home has been at this location. Ms. Britton stated that she has been in operation since May, 2003. There was a brief discussion of this issue. Troy Laha addressed the Commission in opposition to the application. He presented the Commission with a petition of opposition. He expressed concern that Ms. Britton did not live at 8701 Verbena Drive. He explained that day care uses are detrimental to residential areas. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7672 5 Kathleen Oleson, of the League of Women Voters, also addressed the Commission in opposition. She expressed concern with the 300-foot separation variance. Edna Schoemaker also spoke in opposition. She described the Cloverdale neighborhood. She explained that single family residences were not appropriate locations for day care uses, and explained her concerns with them. Janet Berry, of SWLR United for Progress, also spoke in opposition. She asked the Commission to uphold the ordinance criteria and not allow the separation variance. She also expressed concerns with day care family homes having employees. Marvis Hayes also addressed the Commission in opposition, expressing concerns with day care family homes in residential areas. Commissioner Lowry asked about the applicant’s previous application. Staff explained that it was for a day care center on 20th Street. Commissioner Lowry asked Ms. Britton if 8701 Verbena Drive was her principal residence. Ms. Britton responded that it was. She also explained that her employee is her sister who helps her if she needs to leave the residence. There was additional brief discussion of these issues, as well as the day care use. There was a motion to approve the application, as amended by Ms. Britton to provide a five (5) year time limit. The motion failed by a vote of 4 ayes, 6 nays and 1 absent. The application was denied. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 8 FILE NO.: Z-7673 Name: Griffin Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 4521 Timberland Drive Owner: Tedra Griffin Applicant: Tedra Griffin Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family Home to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 4521 Timberland Drive. A. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Tall Timber, Pecan Lake, Stagecoach-Dodd, Westwood and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: 4521 Timberland Drive is located at the northwest end of Timberland Drive. There are single family residences (zoned R-2) immediately east and south along Timberland Drive. There are industrial uses and zoning to the north and west along Colonel Glenn Road and Shackleford Road. There is an OS zoning buffer (approximately 100 feet wide) immediately west of this single family subdivision. The applicant’s home is a one-story brick and frame structure, and is typical of those within this single family subdivision. The rear yard is fenced and should provide a safe play area. The applicant proposes to operate the day care from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The applicant has noted that she will have one (1) employee who lives elsewhere. There is a two-car wide concrete driveway from Timberland Drive, with parking for at least six (6) vehicles. On inspection of the site, staff observed no vehicles parked on unpaved area. The driveway should allow sufficient space for drop-off and pick-up of children. Staff observed no vehicles on the site which were not operational. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7673 2 The site is not currently being used as a day care family home. The applicant notes that she is in the process of being licensed by the State, for care of up to 10 children. The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicant submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood, which was recorded in 1974 and appears to still be in effect. The Bill of Assurance contains the following language: “1. Use of Land. None of the lots hereby restricted may be improved, used or occupied, for other than private residence purposes, and no duplex, flat or apartment house, although intended for residence purposes, may be erected thereon. Any residence erected or maintained on any of the lots hereby restricted shall be designated for occupancy by a single family.” Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver and which is the full time residence of the caregiver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. f. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family home proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7673 3 structures or objects, from property line to property line. g. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. h. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment to the annual business tax. i. All vehicles must be parked on an on-site paved surface. j. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. k. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. l. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. m. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues associated with this application. Staff feels that the proposed day care family home at this location will have no adverse impact on the general area. Based on information provided by the State, there are no permitted/licensed day care family homes or day care centers within 300 feet of the site. C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Tedra Griffin was present, representing the application. Staff presented the application, describing the proposed day care family home. The specifics of the application were briefly discussed. Staff noted that the proposed day care family home use would conform to the requirements found in Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, as noted in paragraph B. of this report. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7673 4 D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a day care family home at 4521 Timberland Drive, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36-54(e)(3). 2. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 3. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be limited to day- light hours. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. The applicant offered no additional comments. 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 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 9 FILE NO.: Z-7674 Name: Cottrell Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 63 Saxony Circle Owner: Marilyn Cottrell Applicant: Marilyn Cottrell Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family Home to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 63 Saxony Circle. A. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Allendale, Santa Monica and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: 63 Saxony Circle is located on the south side of Saxony Circle, west of Wemberly Drive. The properties to the north, east and west are zoned R-2 and contain single family residences. There is undeveloped R-2 zoned property immediately south. The applicant’s home is a one-story brick and frame structure, and is typical of those in the general area. The rear yard is fenced and should provide a safe play area. The applicant proposes to operate the day care from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The applicant has noted that she may care for a few children (less than 5) from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., for parents who work a second shift. The applicant has also noted that she will have no employees. There is a three-car wide concrete driveway from Saxony Circle, with parking for six (6) vehicles (not including the garage). On inspection of the site, staff observed no vehicles parked on unpaved area. The driveway should allow sufficient space for drop-off and pick-up of children. Staff observed no vehicles on the site which were not operational. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 9 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7674 2 The applicant has noted that she has been licensed by the State for a day care family home at this location for nine (9) months. The applicant is licensed for the care of up to 10 children. The applicant currently cares for one (1) child. The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicant submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood, which was recorded in 1970 and appears to still be in effect. The Bill of Assurance contains the following language: “10. Lots numbered one (1) through nineteen (19) inclusive shall be used for residential purposes only. No building shall be erected, altered, placed or permitted to remain on any of the said lots, one through nineteen inclusive, other than one single family dwelling not to exceed two and one-half stories in height plus a private garage or carport.” Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: Day care family home: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver and which is the full time residence of the caregiver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. f. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family home proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 9 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7674 3 shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects, from property line to property line. g. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. h. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment to the annual business tax. i. All vehicles must be parked on an on-site paved surface. j. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. k. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. l. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. m. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues associated with this application. Staff feels that the proposed day care family home at this location will have no adverse impact on the general area. Based on information provided by the State, there are no permitted/licensed day care family homes or day care centers within 300 feet of the site. C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Marilyn Cottrell was present, representing the application. Staff presented the application, describing the proposed day care family home. The specifics of the application were briefly discussed. Staff noted that the proposed day care family home use would conform to the requirements found in Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, as noted in paragraph B. of this report. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 9 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7674 4 D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a day care family home at 63 Saxony Circle, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36-54(e)(3). 2. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 3. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be limited to day- light hours. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Marilyn Cottrell was present, representing the application. There were six (6) objectors present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of approval. Ed Rackley, of the Allendale Neighborhood Association, addressed the Commission in opposition to the application. He presented a petition of opposition to the Commission. Mr. Rackley noted that he was concerned with property values only and no other issues. He noted that there may be two other day care uses in the neighborhood. He expressed concerns with day care uses in the neighborhood. Jane Harrison also spoke in opposition. She stated that she was opposed to day care uses in residential areas. Troy Laha also spoke in opposition. He addressed the hours of operation as proposed, noting that night hours (to 11:00 p.m.) were not appropriate. He noted his involvement in the neighborhood action plan. Marilyn Cottrell addressed the Commission in support of the application. She explained that her day care use would not disrupt the neighborhood. She noted that many families had five (5) or more children and explained. Commissioner Lowry asked Ms. Cottrell if 63 Saxony Circle was her principal residence and if she had any employees. Ms. Cottrell responded that 63 Saxony Circle was her full-time residence and that she would have no employees. Commissioner Lowry stated that he had a problem with the hours of operation being until 11:00 p.m. After a brief discussion, Ms. Cottrell amended the hours to be 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Ms. Cottrell also submitted a petition of support from neighbors. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 9 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7674 5 Commissioner Meyer expressed concern with Ms. Cottrell caring for children for 12 straight hours. Ms. Cottrell responded that she would have no problem caring for the children, and noted that the number of children would vary. This issue was briefly discussed. Commissioner Rector asked how many children the applicant could care for without a special use permit. Staff responded that the applicant could care for up to five (5) children. Rev. Mitchell Moore, Sr. addressed the Commission in support of the application. He noted that he lived next door to Ms. Cottrell and supported the day care use. He explained that the Cottrells keep the property in good condition. There was a motion to approve the application as amended by the applicant (hours) and recommended by staff. The motion passed by a vote of 7 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 10 FILE NO.: Z-7675 Name: Hunter Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 8605 Herrick Lane Owner: Adrian and Faye Hunter Applicant: Adrian and Faye Hunter Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family Home to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 8605 Herrick Lane. A. 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 Neighborhood Association were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: 8605 Herrick Lane is located at the east side of Herrick Lane, north of Baseline Road. All surrounding properties are zoned R-2 and contain single family residences. There is undeveloped property located further to the north and west, with the State Highway Department further to the east. The applicant’s home is a one-story frame structure, and is typical of those in the general area. The rear yard is fenced and should provide a safe play area. The applicants propose to operate the day care from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The applicants have noted that they will have no employees. There is a one-car wide concrete driveway from Herrick Lane, with parking for two (2) vehicles. On inspection of the site, staff observed one (1) vehicle, owned by the Hunters, parked on the grass on the south side of the driveway. The applicants have noted that if approved, the driveway would be widened to a two-car wide drive within 30 days of the approval date. After widening, the driveway should allow sufficient space for drop- off and pick-up of children. Staff observed no vehicles on the site which were not operational. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7675 2 The applicants note that they have been licensed by the State for a day care family home at this address for 15 months. The applicants note that they have cared for children at this location since 1969. The applicants are licensed for the care of 10 children and currently average six (6) children. The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicants submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood, which was recorded in 1963 and appears to still be in effect. The Bill of Assurance contains the following language: “1. No lot shall be used except for residential purposes. No building shall be erected, altered, placed, or permitted to remain on any lot other than one single family dwelling not to exceed two and one-half stories in height and a private garage for not more than two cars.” Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: Day care family home: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver and which is the full time residence of the care giver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. f. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family home proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7675 3 shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects, from property line to property line. g. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. h. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment to the annual business tax. i. All vehicles must be parked on an on-site paved surface. j. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. k. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. l. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. m. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues associated with this application. Staff feels that the proposed day care family home at this location will have no adverse impact on the general area. Based on information provided by the State, there are no permitted/licensed day care family homes or day care centers within 300 feet of the site. C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Adrian and Faye Hunter were present, representing the application. Staff presented the application, describing the proposed day care family home. The specifics of the application were briefly discussed. The issue of widening the driveway was briefly discussed. Mrs. Hunter noted that the driveway would be widened in 30 days if the Special Use Permit is approved. Staff noted that the proposed day care family home use would conform to the requirements found in Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City’s July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7675 4 Zoning Ordinance, as noted in paragraph B. of this report. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a day care family home at 8605 Herrick Lane, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36-54(e)(3). 2. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 3. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be limited to day- light hours. 4. The driveway must be widened to a two-car wide drive by the end of August, 2004. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Adrian and Faye Hunter were present, representing the application. There were two (2) persons present in opposition. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. Faye Hunter addressed the Commission in support of the application. She explained that she has cared for children at 8605 Herrick Lane for 35 years. In response to questions from Commissioner Lowry, Mrs. Hunter noted that 8605 Herrick Lane was her principal residence, her hours were from 6:30 to 5:30, Monday through Friday, and that she had no employees. Jane Harrison addressed the Commission in opposition. She explained that the State should require City approval prior to issuing licenses for day care family homes. Commissioner Floyd noted that the State was in the process of requiring proof from the City. Commissioner Rector noted that the Planning Staff had been in contact with the State regarding this issue. The issue was briefly discussed further. Troy Laha also addressed the Commission in opposition. He stated that he was opposed to business operations in residential areas. He briefly discussed the issue of day care family homes. Staff explained why there were a large number of special use permit applications, noting that the State’s list of day care family July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7675 5 homes was used to determine which ones were licensed by the City. The issue was briefly discussed. There was a motion to approve the application, as recommended by Staff. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay and 1 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 11 FILE NO.: Z-7676 Name: Lovelace Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 8 Timber Valley Cove Owner: Michael and Heidi Lovelace Applicant: Heidi Lovelace Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family Home to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 8 Timber Valley Cove. A. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Tall Timber, Pecan Lake, Stagecoach-Dodd, Westwood and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: 8 Timber Valley Cove is located on the west side of Timber Valley Cove, south of Timber Valley Drive. All surrounding properties are zoned R-2 and contain single family residences. There is some undeveloped R-2 zoned property in the general area. The applicant’s home is a one-story brick and frame structure, and is typical of those in the general area. The rear yard is fenced and should provide a safe play area. There is an enclosed play area (enclosed porch) in the rear yard. The applicant proposes to operate the day care from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The applicant has noted that she will have no employees. There is a two-car wide concrete driveway from Timber Valley Cove, with parking for five (5) vehicles (including a concrete pad extension). On inspection of the site, staff observed no vehicles parked on unpaved area. The driveway should allow sufficient space for drop-off and pick-up of children. Staff observed no vehicles on the site which were not operational. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7676 2 The applicant notes that she has been licensed by the State and has operated a day care family home at this address for five (5) years. She is licensed for seven (7) children with no employees. The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicant submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood, which was recorded in 1974 and appears to still be in effect. The Bill of Assurance contains the following language: “1. Use of Land. None of the lots hereby restricted may be improved, used or occupied, for other than private residence purposes, and no duplex, flat or apartment house, although intended for residence purposes, may be erected thereon. Any residence erected or maintained on any of the lots hereby restricted shall be designated for occupancy by a single family.” Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: Day care family home: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver and which is the full time residence of the care giver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. f. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family home proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7676 3 shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects, from property line to property line. g. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. h. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment to the annual business tax. i. All vehicles must be parked on an on-site paved surface. j. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. k. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. l. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. m. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues associated with this application. Staff feels that the proposed day care family home at this location will have no adverse impact on the general area. Based on information provided by the State, there are no permitted/licensed day care family homes or day care centers within 300 feet of the site. On July 13, 2004, Staff received one (1) call of opposition from Mr. Krippendorf, Chairman of the Pecan Lake Architectural Review Committee. C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Heidi Lovelace was present, representing the application. Staff presented the application, describing the proposed day care family home. The specifics of the application were briefly discussed. Staff noted that the proposed day care family home use would conform to the requirements July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7676 4 found in Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, as noted in paragraph B. of this report. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a day care family home at 8 Timber Valley Cove, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36-54(e)(3). 2. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 3. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be limited to day-light hours. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Heidi Lovelace was present, representing the application. There was one (1) objector present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval. Heidi Lovelace addressed the Commission in support of the application. In response to questions by Commissioner Lowry, Ms. Lovelace noted that 8 Timber Valley Cove was her principal residence, she had no employees, and that her hours of operation would be 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Jane Harrison addressed the Commission in opposition. She stated that she was opposed to day cares in residential areas. Commissioner Floyd noted that day care uses in homes are not allowed by right. He noted that he typically did not support uses in residential areas which created traffic. He expressed support for this application because it was located in a “day care remote area”. There was a motion to approve the application, as recommended by staff. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay and 1 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 12 FILE NO.: Z-7678 Name: Dean Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 9517 John Hancock Road Owner: Joe W. Dean Applicant: Patrice Dean Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family Home to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 9517 John Hancock Road. A. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Upper Baseline and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: 9517 John Hancock Road is located at the southeast corner of John Hancock Road and Patrick Henry Road. All surrounding properties are zoned R-2 and contain single family residences. The applicant’s home is a one-story brick and frame structure, and is typical of those in the general area. The rear yard is fenced and should provide a safe play area. The applicant proposes to operate the day care from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The applicant has noted that she has one (1) employee who lives elsewhere. There is a one-car wide concrete driveway from John Hancock Road, with parking for three (3) vehicles (including the carport). On inspection of the site, staff observed one (1) vehicle parked in the yard which the applicant moved. The applicant has noted that if approved, the driveway would be widened to a two-car wide drive within 30 days of the approval date. After widening, the driveway should allow sufficient space for drop-off and pick- up of children. Staff observed no vehicles on the site which were not operational. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 12 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7678 2 The applicant notes that she has been licensed by the State and has operated a day care family home at this location since 2000. The applicant is licensed to care for nine (9) children. The applicant has been keeping children in her home since 1987. The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicant submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood, which was recorded in 1965. Staff is unsure whether the Bill of Assurance is still in effect, as the County could not supply a legible copy of it. Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: Day care family home: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver and which is the full time residence of the care giver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. f. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family home proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects, from property line to property line. g. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 12 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7678 3 h. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment to the annual business tax. i. All vehicles must be parked on an on-site paved surface. j. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. k. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. l. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. m. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues associated with this application. Staff feels that the proposed day care family home at this location will have no adverse impact on the general area. Based on information provided by the State, there are no permitted/licensed day care family homes or day care centers within 300 feet of the site. On July 15, 2004, Staff received a call of opposition from Pat Gee, president of the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association. Several letters of support have been received from neighbors. The letters are attached for Planning Commission review. C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Patrice Dean was present, representing the application. Staff presented the application, describing the proposed day care family home. The specifics of the application were briefly discussed. The issue of widening the driveway was briefly discussed. Ms. Dean noted that the driveway would be widened in 30 days if the special use permit is approved. Staff noted that the proposed day care family home use would conform to the requirements found in Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, as noted in paragraph B. of this report. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 12 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7678 4 D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a day care family home at 9517 John Hancock Road, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36-54(e)(3). 2. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 3. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be limited to day-light hours. 4. The driveway must be widened to a two-car wide drive by the end of August, 2004. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Patrice Dean was present, representing the application. There was one (1) objector present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of approval. Patrice Dean addressed the Commission in support of the application. She noted that she had lived at 9517 John Hancock Road for 20 years, and that property values had increased during that time. In response to questions from Commissioner Lowry, Ms. Dean noted that 9517 John Hancock Road was her principal residence, she would have one (1) employee (her daughter), and that her hours of operation would be 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pat Gee, of the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association, spoke in opposition. She noted that on July 13, 2004 her association voted to oppose the application. She expressed concerns with businesses being operated in residential areas. She expressed concerns with the appearance of the property. Chairman Rahman asked about the distance between this property and the day care family homes on Pine Cone Drive. Staff noted that there was 500 to 600 feet of separation. Commissioner Floyd asked how many of the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association members live south of Baseline Road. Ms. Gee responded that approximately half lived south of Baseline Road. Commissioner Meyer asked about building materials in the yard and under the carport. Ms. Dean described the items, noting that they would be removed. She noted that she parked her car in the carport. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 12 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7678 5 There was a motion to approve the application, as recommended by staff. The motion passed by a vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay and 1 absent. The application was approved. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 13 FILE NO.: Z-7682 Name: Goss Day Care Family Home – Special Use Permit Location: 6709 Lantana Road Owner: Herbert and Eloise Goss Applicant: Eloise Goss Proposal: A Special Use Permit is requested to allow a Day Care Family Home to be operated in the single family residence located on the R-2 zoned property at 6709 Lantana Road. A. Public Notification: All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, and the Cloverdale and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. B. Staff Analysis: 6709 Lantana Road is located on the south side of Lantana Road, east of Azalea Drive. All surrounding properties are zoned R-2 and contain single family residences. The applicant’s home is a one-story brick and frame structure, and is typical of those in the general area. The rear yard is fenced and should provide a safe play area. The applicant proposes to operate the day care family from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The applicant has noted that she will have no employees. There is a two-car wide concrete driveway from Lantana Road, with parking for six (6) vehicles (including the carport). On inspection of the site, staff observed no vehicles parked on unpaved area. The driveway should allow sufficient space for drop-off and pick-up of children. Staff observed no vehicles on the site which were not operational. The applicant notes that she has been licensed by the State and has operated a day care family home at this address since 2001. The applicant is licensed to care for up to 10 children. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 13 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7682 2 The principal use of the property will remain single family residential. No signage beyond that allowed in single family zones will be permitted. The applicant submitted a copy of the Bill of Assurance for this neighborhood, which was recorded in 1958 and appears to still be in effect. The Bill of Assurance contains the following language: “1. No lot shall be used except for single-family residential purposes. No building shall be erected, altered, placed, or permitted to remain on any lot other than one detached single-family dwelling not to exceed 2 ½ stories in height and a private garage for not more than 2 cars.” Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City of Little Rock Zoning Ordinance establishes the site and location criteria for day care family homes as follows: a. This use may be located only in a single family home, occupied by the care giver and which is the full time residence of the care giver. b. Must be operated within licensing procedures established by the State of Arkansas. State regulations shall control the number of employees residing off premises. c. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the care givers. d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six (6) children from households other than the care givers. e. This use must obtain a special use permit in all districts where day care centers are not allowed by right. f. After the effective date of this subsection, no Special Use Permit will be approved for a day care family home proposed to be located within 300 feet of a licensed day care center or an operating day care family home for which a Special Use Permit has previously been approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the distance between properties shall be measured in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects, from property line to property line. g. All day care family homes located in the City of Little Rock are required to obtain a City of Little Rock business license and to pay an annual business tax as specified in Chapter 17. of the Code. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 13 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7682 3 h. A copy of the day care family home’s current State of Arkansas license must be submitted to the City Collector’s Office each year at the time of payment to the annual business tax. i. All vehicles must be parked on an on-site paved surface. j. All vehicles located on the site must be operational. k. All pick-up and drop-off of children shall be on the property’s driveway and not on the public right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. l. Special Use Permits for day care family homes shall be reviewed by staff every three (3) years for compliance with the development criteria and Planning Commission approval. m. The Fire Marshall must approve use of the residence for the proposed day care family home. Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner. Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location to location or use to use. To staff’s knowledge, there are no outstanding issues associated with this application. Staff feels that the proposed day care family home at this location will have no adverse impact on the general area. Based on information provided by the State, there are no permitted/licensed day care family homes or day care centers within 300 feet of the site. C. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Eloise Goss was present, representing the application. Staff presented the application, describing the proposed day care family home. The specifics of the application were briefly discussed. Staff noted that the proposed day care family home use would conform to the requirements found in Section 36-54(e)(3) of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, as noted in paragraph B. of this report. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. D. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit to allow a day care family home at 6709 Lantana Road, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the site and location criteria established in Section 36-54(e)(3). July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 13 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7682 4 2. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in single family zones. 3. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be limited to day- light hours. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Staff informed the Commission that the applicant submitted a letter requesting that the application be deferred to the September 9, 2004 agenda. Staff supported the deferral request. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission for inclusion within the Consent Agenda for deferral to the September 9, 2004 agenda. A motion to that effect was made. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application was deferred. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 14 OTHER MATTERS REQUEST: The owners of Lot 1, Erwin Addition desire to remove a covenant that was placed on the land by adoption of the Rock Creek Zoning Plan in 1977. STAFF REPORT: This request is one of a continuing number of covenants being presented for release. The Original Rock Creek Plan imposed these covenants on a select number of sites and none of the covenant provisions have ever been enforced. The enforcing body for these provisions was a committee appointed by the City Board. That committee never held a meeting and disbanded shortly after appointment. The variance or repeal element of the covenants specifically direct an owner to the Commission for resolution. The various single property requests that are presented to the Commission are the result of failure to gain support of all the affected owners and perform one revision. This particular tract is located at the southeast corner of Markham Street and Bowman Road. The property is zoned C-3 Commercial and was previously occupied by a two-story building that housed television studios. The site is to be redeveloped with a new building containing, among other uses, a bank and a coffee shop. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the covenant release. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Staff presented the item and recommended approval of the covenant release. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 15 FILE NO.: Z-3263-B NAME: Carr Enterprises – Revised Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 415 East 9th Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Carr Enterprises, Inc./Gerald New PROPOSAL: A revision to a previously approved conditional use permit is requested to allow for the addition of an eighth apartment in this existing, three-story structure. The property is zoned R-4A. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the south side of East 9th Street, between Rock and Commerce Streets. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property is located within an area of mixed uses ranging from single family and multifamily to nonconforming commercial uses, a fire station and two city parks. The applicant proposes to redevelop a derelict building that has a history of use as a multifamily development. The proposed redevelopment should benefit the neighborhood and the proposed use is compatible with uses in the area. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Downtown and MacArthur Park Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site is currently accessed via a gravel driveway off of the adjacent alley. An 8-unit apartment development requires 12 on-site parking spaces. The applicant has submitted a plan that provides a new paved driveway and 14 parking spaces. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Planned Landscape upgrade is acceptable. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 15 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3263-B 2 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. The new driveway shall be a concrete apron per City Ordinance. With construction, repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: Approved as submitted. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments 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. 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). Please submit four (4) copies of the plans for the fire protection system to Central Arkansas Water for review. Contact Central Arkansas Water regarding procedures for installation of fire service. Approval of plans by the Arkansas Department of Health Engineering Division and Little Rock Fire Department is required. Fire sprinkler systems which do not contain additives such as antifreeze shall be isolated with a double detector check valve assembly. If additives are used, a reduced pressure zone backflow preventer shall be required. Due to the nature of this facility, installation of an approved reduced pressure zone backflow preventer assembly (RPZA) is required on the domestic water service. This assembly must be installed prior to the first point of use. Central Arkansas Water (CAW) requires that upon installation of the RPZA, successful tests of the assembly must be completed by a Certified Assembly Tester licensed by the State of Arkansas and July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 15 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3263-B 3 approved by CAW. The test results must be sent to CAW’s Cross Connection Section within ten days of installation and annually thereafter. Contact Carroll Keatts at 992-2431, if you would like to discuss backflow prevention requirements for this project. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted there were very few Staff Comments. The applicant was advised to check with the staff for the MacArthur Park Historic District Commission to make certain that this change did not require that Commission’s approval. Public Works, Landscape and Utility Comments were noted. The applicant stated he had already gone through building permit review and was familiar with all of those comments. The applicant was asked why he did not show the eighth apartment on the original submittal. The applicant responded that it had been determined that fire access could be provided to the entire third floor, which allowed for conversion of what had previously been shown as a common area into the additional apartment. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: On June 26, 2003, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow for the conversion of the existing, three-story, 8,000 square foot structure on the R-4A zoned property at 415 East 9th Street into a 7-unit apartment building. The project has gone through building permit review and remodeling is imminent. The approved plan called for 7 units, a lobby, laundry room and library/lounge. The lobby will contain such amenities as a copy machine, a fax machine, a worktable, vending machines and chairs. The first floor will contain the lobby and 3 apartments. The second floor will contain the laundry room and 3 apartments. The third floor was to contain the library/lounge and 1 apartment. Each of the apartments is to contain 1 bedroom, a bathroom, a closet, a family room and a kitchen. The external part of the building will be July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 15 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3263-B 4 restored following historic guidelines including new wooden shutters with insulated glass; new wood fascia and soffit; architectural shingles, maintaining the dimensions and slope of the roof; and removal of the remaining, steel siding and repairing and replacing the wood siding. A new, paved driveway and parking area is to be constructed on the site; taking access off of the alley adjacent to the east. The applicant had hoped to have a total of 8-units by having 2-units on the third floor. It was felt the building’s design would not allow adequate fire access to allow the second unit on that floor, thus the library/lounge area was designated. Since that time, the applicant’s architect has redesigned the third floor to provide fire access to the entire floor. This will allow the previously designated library/lounge area to become an eighth unit. No other changes are proposed from the previously approved conditional use permit. Staff believes it is appropriate to allow the eighth unit. The proposed use is compatible with uses and zoning in the area. The 1844 Original City of Little Rock bill of assurance does not address use issues. The Historic District Commission reviewed and approved the applicant’s renovation plans on June 5, 2003. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Revised Conditional Use Permit to allow an eighth apartment subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the staff comments and conditions in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Staff Report. 2. Compliance with the Historic District guidelines as administered by the MacArthur Park Historic District Commission, including signage restrictions. 3. The new driveway and parking area is to be overlaid with a shared access easement, to accommodate the shared parking agreement with the adjacent property owners. Staff recommends approval of a parking variance to allow 6 of the 14 parking spaces to be off site. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 15 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3263-B 5 conditions outlined in the “Staff Recommendation” above, including the parking variance. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 16 FILE NO.: Z-5668-E NAME: Home Depot – Revised Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 12610 Chenal Parkway OWNER/APPLICANT: Home Depot USA, Inc./Casco PROPOSAL: A revision to the previously approved conditional use permit is requested to allow for an expansion of the garden center and to allow for an area of outdoor display of storage buildings and trailers. This 16+ acre site is zoned C-3. 1. SITE LOCATION: The site is located at the intersection of West Markham Street and Chenal Parkway. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property is located within the intensely commercial area around the Chenal Parkway/West Markham Street intersection. The immediate area is characterized by multiple commercial uses on C-2, C-3 and PZD zoned properties. Automobile sales businesses are located adjacent to the east and across the Parkway to the south. A “big box” retail store and a strip shopping center are located to the west. Multiple commercial uses are also located to the southwest and southeast. A “PR” zoned floodway borders the site on the north. The proposed changes will not affect the site’s continued compatibility with the area. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Parkway Place and Gibralter Heights Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The existing Home Center and garden center contain a total of 129,102 square feet; requiring 350 on-site parking spaces. The proposed 6,240 square foot garden center expansion requires an additional 20 parking spaces. The site contains 582 parking spaces. Three of those will be lost to trailer display. No other changes are proposed to the existing parking and drives. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 16 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5668-E 2 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: Approved as submitted. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. Water: No objection. Fire Department: If the expanded area is covered, sprinklers may be required. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) Steve Dahms was present requesting the application. Staff noted a revised site plan had been submitted the previous day which showed the specific areas of storage building and trailer display. There were no other comments. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: On March 23, 1993, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow for development of a home center on this C-3 zoned property. The conditional use permit was originally approved for Lowe’s Home Center. The Lowe’s store was never built and Home Depot developed the site based upon July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 16 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5668-E 3 the approved conditional use permit. One condition of the approval was that the area of outdoor display/storage was to be limited to the fenced in garden center shown on the plan. No additional outside display, seasonal or otherwise, was approved. On March 19, 1998, the Commission approved a revision to the conditional use permit to allow static outdoor display on the sidewalk directly in front of the store and to allow a 60’ X 100’ area of temporary, seasonal display to be located adjacent to and east of the garden center. This 6,000 square foot area was to be used for seasonal display of bagged goods such as mulch and fertilizers and other seasonal merchandise. The seasonal display was to be limited to 120 days per year. A temporary chain-link fence was to be erected around the area which was to be removed after the 120 day display period. Home Depot now proposes to replace that temporary seasonal display area with a permanent expansion of the garden center. The concrete slab is to be extended and the area will be enclosed by a 20 feet tall, vinyl coated chain link fence to match the existing garden center. The expanded area measures 52’ X 120’. The area will be uncovered and will be used on a year-round basis. Home Depot also proposes to continue the static display of merchandise on the sidewalk directly in front of the store. This area is used to display model sheds, seasonal merchandise and items such as lawn equipment. Home Depot proposes to use 3 parking spaces near the contractor’s entrance to display small trailers for sale. No changes are proposed to the existing driveways or parking lot. Staff is supportive of the requested amendment to the conditional use permit. The proposed garden center expansion is located on the same area previously approved for 120 days of temporary, seasonal display. The permanent expansion should be less unsightly than the temporary use area. The garden center expansion should not affect the store’s continued compatibility with the surrounding commercial uses. The three parking spaces proposed for trailer display are located near the front of the store, at the contractor’s entrance. The trailer display will not impact the driveways or traffic circulation. Staff supports the use of these three parking spaces for trailer display. There is no bill of assurance issue. At the time of the 1998 revision, concerns were raised by nearby residential property owners that Home Depot was not properly maintaining the landscaping on the site. Any missing or dead landscape materials, including those specified in the 1998 agreement between Home Depot and the neighborhood, must be replaced. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 16 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-5668-E 4 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested revision to the conditional use permit to allow an uncovered expansion of the garden center, the static display on the sidewalk in front of the store and the use of 3 parking spaces for trailer display subject to compliance with the following condition: 1. All missing or dead required landscape materials, including these specified in the 1998 agreement between Home Depot and the neighborhood, are to be replaced. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) Kevin Harms was present, representing Home Depot. There was one objector present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the condition outlined in the “Staff Recommendation” above. Commissioner Lowry asked why the City was enforcing the provisions of an agreement made between Home Depot and its neighbors. Dana Carney, of the Planning Staff, responded that compliance with that agreement was a condition of the previous conditional use permit approval and was being carried forward with this application. The Commission noted that there were traffic problems associated with customer loading located directly in front of the garden center. Darrin Lomas and Mark Brown, store manager and district manager for Home Depot respectively, responded that the new addition would include a loading area at the rear which should help reduce congestion at the front of the garden center. Kathleen Oleson, of the League of Women Voters, commented that Home Depot was a wonderful corporate citizen but, when temporary outdoor seasonal display is approved, it should be temporary. Kevin Harms responded that what was being requested was more in the nature of a permanent addition, to replace the area of temporary, seasonal display. In response to a question from the Commission, Mr. Harms stated Home Depot would not be coming back asking for additional temporary, outside, seasonal display. A motion was made to approve the application as recommended by staff. The motion was approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 17 FILE NO.: Z-7669 NAME: Chapple Day Care Center – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 5104 Baseline Road OWNER/APPLICANT: David Rector/Lakeysha Chapple PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use of the residential structure on this R-2 zoned lot as a day care center. The property has a history of use as nonconforming offices. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located at the northeast corner of Baseline and Dreher. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site has a history of use as a nonconforming office. The property is located on an arterial street in an area of mixed uses; including an auto repair business, a beauty school, an electrical contractor’s office, a church and several multifamily developments. The use of this site as a day care center is compatible with uses in the area. 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, Upper Baseline and Windamere Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The property has a nonconforming, gravel parking lot with access off of Dreher Lane. The proposed day care center is to have an enrollment of 12 children, with 2 employees; requiring 3 on-site parking spaces. The applicant has agreed to realign the parking on the existing parking area so that vehicles enter and exit the property in a forward motion and do not back into Dreher Lane. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: The playground area must be screened from the adjacent residential properties to the north and east. This can be accomplished with a 6-foot high opaque wooden fence with its face side directed outward. Staff supports a variance from this requirement. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7669 2 If a new parking area is to be developed, then it must be properly screened and landscaped according to ordinance standards. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. The proposed land use would classify Dreher Lane on the Master Street Plan as a commercial street. Dedicate right-of-way to 30 feet from centerline. 2. Any future construction would be subject to the Boundary Street requirements of Section 30. Construction of one-half street improvement to Dreher Lane would be required including curb, gutter, and 5-foot sidewalks. 3. Show the proposed location of all driveways to parking areas. Driveway width is limited to 36 feet for a commercial driveway. 4. Queuing of vehicles for pick-up and drop-off of children must be done in a manner that does not cause stacking of vehicles back to Baseline Road. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: Approved as submitted. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted. Water: No objection. Fire Department: Age of children may require the building to be sprinkled; contact the Fire Marshall’s office at 918-3700. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding site lighting and signage. Staff stated a July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7669 3 screening fence was required on the north and east perimeters of the playground and use of the playground should be limited to daylight hours. Public Works, Landscape and Utility Comments were noted. The applicant was advised to contact the Fire Marshall’s office regarding the possible need to install sprinklers. The applicant stated she wished to utilize the existing parking area but would realign the parking so that no vehicles backed out into Dreher Lane. The applicant was advised to respond to staff issues by Wednesday, July 14, 2004. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The R-2 zoned, .67 acre property at 5104 Baseline Road is occupied by a one- story, brick and frame, residential structure. The property has a nonconforming status for use as offices. Most recently, the property was occupied by a real estate firm. The applicant proposes to convert the structure into a small day care center with an enrollment of 12 children and two employees. Although the proposed day care is a small business, staff perceived the change in use as an increase in intensity and, thus not permitted under the site’s nonconforming status. The property is not covered by a valid bill of assurance. The day care is to operate Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A playground will be constructed behind the structure. A 4 foot tall chain link fence will enclose the playground. A 4’ X 6’ X 6’ tall ground mounted sign will be placed in the front yard. The site has a gravel parking area and a concrete paved driveway off of Dreher Lane. The applicant proposes to utilize the existing parking and driveway. Vehicles will be parked so that no vehicles will back out onto Dreher Lane. No other changes are proposed to the site. Security lighting will be placed over each entrance. Use of the playground will be limited to daylight hours. Staff is supportive of the requested conditional use permit. The property is located on an arterial street in an area of mixed uses. A nonconforming auto repair garage is located adjacent to the north. A nonconforming commercial building containing a beauty school is adjacent to the east. A nonconforming electrical contractor’s office is located across Dreher Lane, to the west. A church is located across Baseline Road, to the south. The proposed use is compatible with uses in the area. The applicant is proposing to use the property basically “as is”. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7669 4 Staff is supportive of a variance from the requirement to install screening on the north and east perimeters of the playground area. Although those adjacent properties are zoned R-2, they are occupied by nonresidential uses. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the application subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the comments and conditions in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the staff report. 2. Use of the playground is to be limited to daylight hours only. 2. The existing parking area is to be realigned so that vehicles enter and exit the property in a forward motion and do not back into Dreher Lane. 3. There is to be no direct access from this site to Baseline Road. Staff recommends approval of a variance from the requirement to install a screening fence on the north and east perimeters of the proposed playground area. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was present. There were several interested parties present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval. Staff informed the Commission that the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association had voted to support the proposed day care. Staff informed the Commission that the neighborhood association had expressed concern about allowing continued use of the gravel driveway and Ms. Chapple was prepared to respond. Lakeysha Chapple, the applicant, stated she had amended her application to allow for use of the gravel driveway for a period not to exceed 18 months. She stated she had checked the cost of paving and found it to be $2,500 - $3,000. Pat Gee, president of the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association, stated the association did support the day care. She stated the association wanted to see the parking paved and the parking designed so that vehicles did not back into Dreher Lane. Troy Laha, of 6602 Baseline Road, stated the day care was located in an appropriate site. He stated an 18-month deferral of the paving requirement was too long. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7669 5 Janet Berry, president of SWLR United for Progress, also stated an 18-month deferral of the paving requirement was too long. Jane Harrison, of 8617 Crofton Circle, stated she agreed with the previous speakers. Dana Carney, of the Planning Staff, stated the site was nonconforming and an office use could occupy the site, as is. He stated it was appropriate to allow this small day care center time to complete the paving. Mr. Carney stated staff supported the 18-month deferral. A motion was made to approve the item as amended and subject to compliance with the comments and conditions in the “Staff Recommendation”. The motion was approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 18 FILE NO.: Z-7677 NAME: Abraham Day Care Center – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 8824 West 34th Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Scott Turner/Frederick Abraham PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use of the existing residence on this R-3 zoned property as a day care center. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located at the northeast corner of West 34th and Ludwig; one block west of John Barrow Road. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site is located near the commercial node which extends along John Barrow Road, from 32nd to 36th Street. It is, however, within the residential neighborhood. Single family residences are located adjacent to the east and across Ludwig to the west. A church is located across 34th Street to the south. Along Barrow Road, one block to the east, a variety of smaller scale commercial uses extend from 32nd to 36th. Single family homes are located in the overall area around the site. Staff is concerned that allowing a commercial use of this intensity to be located out of the commercial node and in the residential neighborhood could have a detrimental effect on the nearby residences. 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 Campus Place Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site currently has a paved, single-wide driveway; typical of a single family residence in the area. The proposed day care center is to have a maximum enrollment of 50 children with a total of 6 employees, not counting the director. The day care is to operate with two shifts; with no more than 25 children present at any time. There will be 3 employees on each shift, not counting the director. The applicant has proposed to construct a 6-space, paved parking lot, utilizing the existing driveway off of 34th Street. This will satisfy the parking requirement for 4 employees and 25 children. Staff is concerned that the parking will prove inadequate when the shifts overlap; resulting in vehicles having to park on 34th and July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 18 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7677 2 Ludwig Streets. Very much congestion could result in vehicles stacking on 34th back to John Barrow Road. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Compliance with the City’s Landscape and Buffer Ordinances is required. The playground area must be screened from the adjacent residential properties to the north and east. This can be accomplished with a 6-foot high opaque wooden fence with its face side directed outward. If a parking area is to be developed, then it must be properly screened and landscaped according to ordinance standards. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Show the proposed location of all driveways and parking areas. Driveway width is limited to 36 feet for a commercial driveway. 2. Queuing of vehicles for pick-up and drop-off of children must be done in a manner that does not cause stacking of vehicles back to Barrow Road. 3. Ludwig and 34th Street are improved streets with curb and gutter. Sidewalk construction may be required to be included with future construction. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: Approved as submitted. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. Water: 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: Age of children may require the building to be sprinkled; contact the Fire Marshall’s office at 918-3700. County Planning: No Comments. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 18 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7677 3 CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. The nearest route is located on 36th Street, two blocks to the south. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding the number of children and employees, days and hours of operation, signage, fencing and site lighting. Staff stated screening needed to be installed on the perimeters of the playground area where the site was adjacent to residential properties and use of the playground should be limited to daylight hours. Staff noted there was no on-site parking shown on the site plan. The applicant responded that he intended to install parking. He was advised to meet with staff to devise a parking plan. Public Works, Landscape and Utility Comments were noted. The applicant was advised to contact the Fire Marshall’s office regarding the fire hydrant and sprinkler comments. The applicant was advised to respond to staff issues by Wednesday, July 14, 2004. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The R-3 zoned property at 8824 West 34th Street is occupied by a one-story, brick and frame, single family residence that is typical of homes in the area. The applicant is requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow for the conversion of the residence into a day care center. The application is not for a day care family home where the care giver occupies the residence. The proposed day care center is to have two shifts; operating Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. The maximum proposed enrollment is 50 children, with no more than 25 children present at any time. There will be 6 employees, not including the director. There will be 3 employees on each shift, plus the director. A single ground-mounted sign is proposed to be placed on the 34th Street frontage. The sign will measure 3’ X 4’ and will be 6 feet tall. A 6 foot tall, wood privacy fence will be erected on the east, west and north perimeters of the site. A playground will be located behind the building and will be used only during daylight hours. A single light will be placed to illuminate the parking lot. The light will be shielded downward and into the site. There is no valid bill of assurance. The applicant submitted a revised site plan and responses to issues raised at Subdivision Committee. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 18 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7677 4 While the applicant has done a good job of addressing most of the site plan related issues, staff does not support the proposed use. Staff’s concerns center around the intensity of the proposed use, the hours of operation and the proximity of the site to existing single family residences. The site is on the fringe of the commercial node that is located along John Barrow Road, between 32nd and 36th Streets. There is a clear delineation between those commercial uses and the surrounding residential neighborhood, of which the property is a part. Other than the church to the south, single family homes and properties comprise the majority of the neighborhood immediately around the site. The proposed day care is to operate from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. Staff feels that having this commercial activity and its related traffic extend past 6:00 p.m. will negatively impact the nearby residents. The applicant has proposed to operate the day care in two shifts, with no more than 25 children per shift. Staff does not see how this is workable. There is a likelihood that there will be a time at “shift change” when the number of children and vehicles at the site will exceed the capability of the site to handle them. This will result in vehicles being parked on the street, possibly impacting traffic one block to the east on John Barrow Road. A day care of this size needs to be located in an appropriate commercial location, not within a residential neighborhood. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of the application. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that the applicant had requested that the item be deferred to the September 9, 2004 meeting to allow him to meet with the neighborhood association. The deferral request had been made on July 28, 2004. There was no further discussion. A motion was made to waive the bylaws and to accept the late request for deferral. The motion was approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. The item was then placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for deferral by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 19 FILE NO.: Z-7679 NAME: Davie Accessory Dwelling – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 4714 Westwood Avenue OWNER/APPLICANT: Eva and Jorden Davie PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for construction of an accessory dwelling on this R-2 zoned, 2.3± acre lot. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the west side of Westwood Avenue, one block south of Colonel Glenn Road. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property is located near the northern fringe of the residential subdivision. The properties along the outside of Westwood Avenue are similar to this site; deep and 2+ acres in size. The property is large enough to support a second dwelling. The proposed accessory dwelling is to be occupied by a family member. Allowing the proposed accessory dwelling should not impact other properties in the area. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Westwood and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The existing residence and proposed accessory dwelling require one on- site parking space each. The property has a circular driveway off of Westwood Avenue and more than enough on-site parking to satisfy the ordinance requirement. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 19 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7679 2 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: Approved as submitted. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted. Water: No objection. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: No Comments. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and asked the applicants to provide additional details on the design of the proposed building. Staff also asked if separate utilities would be requested. Mr. Davie responded that the structure would be wood frame with vinyl siding and separate utilities were requested. In response to questions, Mr. Davie stated the accessory dwelling would never be rented; that it would be used for relatives and guests only. There were no other comments. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The R-2 zoned, 2.3 acre lot located at 4714 Westwood Avenue is currently occupied by a one-story, brick (rock) and frame, single-family residence. The property is 124 feet wide and 890 feet deep. The residence is located over 100 feet from the street. The applicants are requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow for construction of a 600 square foot, one-story accessory dwelling behind the existing house. The new structure will be of wood frame with siding and will be occupied only by family members. The accessory dwelling will not be rented. Due to the age of the existing house and the separation between July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 19 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7679 3 the two structures, separate utilities are requested. The existing driveway and parking area is sufficient to accommodate both structures. The 1924 bill of assurance does not address use issues. Staff is supportive of the requested conditional use permit. The 2.3 acre site is more than large enough to accommodate the two structures. The area of the accessory dwelling is substantially less than that of the principal dwelling. The property owners occupy the principal dwelling and the accessory dwelling will be occupied by family members. It will not be rented. The proposed accessory dwelling should have no impact on adjacent properties. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit to allow an accessory dwelling subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. The property owners are to occupy the property. 2. The accessory dwelling is to only be occupied by family members and guests of the property owners and is to not be rented. Staff recommends approval of the request to have separate utilities. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the “Staff Recommendation” above, including the request to have separate utilities. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 20 FILE NO.: Z-7680 NAME: DD & F Building – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 411 East 6th Street OWNER/APPLICANT: King/Acchoine Family Joint Revocable Trust/ Robert Fegtly for DD & F PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use of the existing structure on this R-4A zoned property for general and professional offices. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the south side of East 6th Street, one lot east of Rock Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property is located in an area of mixed uses including single family, multifamily and office uses. This property has an established history of use as nonconforming offices. No changes are proposed to the site. The new owners desire to eliminate the stigma of nonconformity and to bring the site into compliance with zoning. The continued use of this site for general and professional offices is compatible with uses in the area. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Downtown and MacArthur Park Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site contains 12 paved parking spaces, taking access off of the alley which is adjacent to the west. No changes are proposed to the parking. The 12 spaces are sufficient for continued use of this structure as general and professional offices. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 20 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7680 2 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: Approved as submitted. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments. Southwestern Bell: No Comments. Water: No objection. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 8, 2004) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and asked the applicant to provide information regarding signage, days and hours of operation and the number of employees. The applicant was also advised to visit with the staff of the MacArthur Park Historic District Commission to determine of that Commission’s approval was needed for any aspect of the proposal. There were no other comments. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission after advising the applicant to respond to staff issues by Wednesday, July 14, 2004. STAFF ANALYSIS: The R-4A zoned property located at 411 East 6th Street is occupied by a two- story, frame, residential structure and 12 paved parking spaces. The site has a history of use as nonconforming office. Most recently the site was occupied by a law firm. The new owners of the property, DD & F Consulting Group, propose to continue to use the building for general and professional office use. They desire to eliminate the site’s nonconforming status and to bring it into compliance with the Zoning Ordinance requirements. Within the R-4A district, those uses listed in C-1 are permitted as a conditional use. The applicants propose to make no changes to the site other than to replace the existing ground-mounted sign with a new sign. The new sign will be 6 feet in height and 16 square feet in area; well July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 20 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7680 3 within signage allowed in office zones. The site is within the boundary of the MacArthur Park Historic District. Approval must be obtained from the Historic District Commission or its staff. DD & F Consulting Group is a nationwide bank consulting firm specializing in the mergers and acquisitions and other risk management areas of the banking industry. The business has minimal walk-up traffic. Typical days and hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Five to ten employees will work in the building. The 1844 bill of assurance for the Original City of Little Rock does not address use issues. Staff is supportive of the requested conditional use permit. Use of this property for general and professional offices is compatible with uses and zoning in the area. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit application to use this existing structure for general and professional offices subject to approval from the MacArthur Park Historic District Commission or its staff, as required. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the condition outlined in the “Staff Recommendation” above. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 21 FILE NO.: Z-7681 NAME: Godley Transitional Housing – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 2123 Howard Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Latoya Godley/Leanna Godley PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for use of the existing residence on this R-3 zoned property as a transitional housing facility for up to 10 women who are in transition from state incarceration and those who are currently attending drug treatment classes. STAFF REPORT: On July 6, 2004, the applicant submitted a request that this item be withdrawn. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the applicant’s request to withdrawn the item. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission of the applicant’s request to withdraw the item. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for withdrawal by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 22 FILE NO.: Z-7683 NAME: Baird Transitional Housing – Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 3316 West 12th Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Gary Godley, Sr./Abraham Baird PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for use of the existing residence on this R-3 zoned property as a transitional housing facility for up to 10 men who are in transition from state incarceration and those who are currently attending drug treatment classes. STAFF REPORT: A task force appointed by the City Manager is currently studying the issue of transitional housing facilities in Little Rock. It is anticipated that the Task Force will complete its work in August. Staff believes this item needs to be deferred until after the task force has submitted its report. The applicant has agreed to defer the item. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the item be deferred to the September 9, 2004 Planning Commission meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was not present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and recommended that it be deferred to the September 9, 2004 meeting. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for deferral by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 23 FILE NO.: G-25-191 NAME: Kavanaugh Blvd. – Street Name Change LOCATION: Two blocks of Kavanaugh Blvd., between McKinley Street and Kavanaugh Place PETITIONER: Westover Hills Presbyterian Church PROPOSAL: To change the name of this two-block portion of Kavanaugh Blvd. to Richard B. Hardie Drive. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Abutting Uses and Ownership: Westover Hills Presbyterian Church occupies all but one of the properties on the north side of this two block section of Kavanaugh Blvd. The remaining property is occupied by a single family residence which takes an address from an intersecting street, South Road. Three single family homes and a church parking lot which is under construction are located on the south side of the street. The three single family homes take addresses from intersecting streets, Kavanaugh Place and Alden Lane. 2. Neighborhood Effect: Only the applicant, Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, takes an address from this two block section of Kavanaugh Blvd. 3. Neighborhood Position: The owners of all properties abutting the street and the Heights Neighborhood Association were notified of the proposed name change. All abutting property owners were invited to an informational meeting which was hosted by the church on July 17, 2004. As of this writing, staff has received two telephone calls of opposition. 4. Effect on Public Services: No opposition has been voiced by any of the reviewing agencies. Five street name signs will be needed at an approximate cost of $500.00. July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 23 (Cont.) FILE NO.: G-25-191 2 5. Utilities: No opposition has been voiced by any of the reviewing utilities. 6. STAFF REPORT: Westover Hills Presbyterian Church is requesting that the name of the westernmost two block section of Kavanaugh Blvd. be changed to Richard B. Hardie Drive in honor of the church’s pastor emeritus. The two blocks of street are located between McKinley Street and Kavanaugh Place. The church occupies most of the property on the north side of the street and a portion of the property on the south side. One single family residence abuts the north side and three single family residences abut the south side. All of these residences take an address from the intersecting streets. Only the church has an address on the affected section of street. This section of Kavanaugh Blvd. is separated from the remainder of the street by the McKinley-Kavanaugh-Pine Valley intersection. The centerline of Kavanaugh actually continues northwest into Pine Valley Drive. The offsetting of the street through this intersection provides a logical place for a break in the street name. The street then continues west for two blocks; ending at the Kavanaugh-Kavanaugh Place-“R” Street intersection. The church has submitted the following statement in support of the application: “Richard Hardie has been a voice of conscience in the Little Rock community for over half a century. Following his service in the US Navy in the Pacific during World War II (where he saw action on a number of occasions) and three years in seminary, Hardie arrived in Little Rock in 1949 as the first pastor of Westover Hills, the only congregation he has ever served as installed pastor. Over the next 35 years of active ministry Hardie helped the church grow from a small chapel to the second largest Presbyterian congregation in Little Rock. During that time he provided leadership to the congregation and the wider community during such difficult events as the Central High crisis and the school closing. As a supporter of civil rights he participated in the march in Selma, Alabama. As a leader in building community relations he sought to create an environment in which people of faith who were white or African-American, Christian or Jew, could live in peace and harmony. As a July 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 23 (Cont.) FILE NO.: G-25-191 3 minister he has visited the sick, cared for the poor, prayed for the distressed, and spoken with conviction. His goal at all times has been to bring people together in mutual respect and understanding, but he has never lost sight of what is fair and just. Since his retirement in the mid-80’s he has continued to serve the community with imagination and vigor. In short, Richard Hardie has been both an asset and a credit to Little Rock for these many years. It is for these reasons, and out of love and respect for this man of character, that the governing body of Westover Hills unanimously and respectfully requested the change of name for the street on which the church is located.” Staff is supportive of the requested name change. The church represents over 50% of the properties that abut the street. No other property takes an address from the street. The McKinley-Kavanaugh-Pine Valley intersection provides a logical break for the name change to occur. 6. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested street name change. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 29, 2004) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff present the item and a recommendation of approval. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent.