Z-5682-A Staff AnalysisFebruary 8, 2001
ITEM NO.: A
FILE NO.: Z -5682-A
NAME: Country Club of Little Rock -
Conditional Use Permit
LOCATION: 4200 Country Club Blvd.
OWNER/APPLICANT: Country Club of Little Rock
PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to
erect two temporary (bubble) structures
over two pairs of tennis courts. The
structures will be erected around
December 1 of each year and removed
around March 31 of each year. The
Country Club property is zoned R-2.
"" ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS:
1. SITE LOCATION:
The Country Club of Little Rock is located at the
eastern perimeter of The Heights neighborhood. The
tennis courts are located at the southwest corner of
the site, near Country Club Lane.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The Country Club has existed as a component of the
Heights neighborhood for many years. The proposal is
not to add any new activities to the site, but rather
to cover a total of four existing tennis courts for
approximately 4 months each winter. The Club has
agreed to plant additional trees along the perimeter of
the property to provide more screening of the tennis
court area from the nearby residences along Country
Club Lane. As such, allowing the proposed court covers
should not affect the Club's continued compatibility
with the neighborhood.
The Heights Neighborhood Association was notified of
the pending application. Additionally, all residents
within 300 feet of the southwest perimeter of the Club
property and all owners of property located within
February 8, 2001
ITEM NO.: A (Cont.
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4.
FILE NO.: Z -5682-A
200 feet of the southwest perimeter were notified of
the application.
The following individuals who live closest to the
tennis courts have submitted letters stating that they
have no objection to the proposed temporary structures:
■ Mr. and Mrs. Jim Atkins
■ Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Bailey
• Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bailey
• Mrs. Boots Barnett
• Mr. J. W. Benafield
• Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Downs
• Judge and Mrs. Robert Dudley
• Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ford
■ Dr. and Mrs. Jim Landers
• Mr. & Mrs. Russ McDonough, III
• Mr. and Mrs. David Snowden
ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
1904 Country Club Lane
2110 Country Club Lane
2112 Country Club Lane
1921 Country Club Lane
2120 Country Club Lane
2020 Country Club Lane
1900 Country Club Lane
2100 Country Club Lane
1910 Country Club Lane
2000 Country Club Lane
1911 Country Club Lane
No change is proposed. Existing driveways and parking
areas will be utilized.
SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
No additional screening or buffering is required. The
Country Club has agreed to plant 40 loblolly pine trees
inside the fence along Country Club Lane. The trees
will be at least 8 feet tall at planting. The Club
also plans to plant a few white dogwoods in this area.
5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
No Comments.
6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT., AND CATA COMMENTS:
No Comments.
7. STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Country Club of Little Rock proposes to erect two
temporary structures (bubbles) over two pairs of tennis
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February 8, 2001
ITEM NO.: A (Cont.)
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FILE NO.: Z -5682-A
courts. The bubbles will be approximately 36 feet in
height at the tallest point. The structures will be
erected on or around December 1 of each year and
removed on or around the following March 31. These
structures will allow for use of the courts through the
harshest winter months. One bubble will cover Courts
#1 and #2. The second bubble will cover Courts #3 and
#4. These are the easternmost tennis courts, located
adjacent to the 8t' Fairway and farthest away from the
Country Club Lane perimeter of the site. Immediate
plans are to erect one structure. Fund raising
continues for the second structure.
In order to provide a natural screen for the
structures, the Club proposes to plant 40 loblolly
pines inside the fence along Country Club Lane. The
trees will be at least 8 feet tall at planting. The
Club also plans to plant a few white dogwoods in this
area. The Club has committed to maintain the sprinkler
system in this area to ensure the steady growth of
these trees. No other improvements are proposed for
the Club property and no new use areas are proposed.
Letters have been submitted by the adjacent property
owners along Country Club Lane voicing no objection to
the Club's plans.
Staff is supportive of this proposal to erect temporary
structures over the existing tennis courts. The
increased landscaping along the perimeter of the site
should mitigate any potential visual impact of the
structures.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional
use permit subject to compliance with the following
conditions:
1. The structures are to be erected on or within
one week of December 1 of each year and removed
on or within one week of the following March 31.
2. Forty, 8 foot tall loblolly pine trees and a few
white dogwood trees are to be planted inside the
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February 8, 2001
ITEM NO.: A (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -5682-A
fence of the Club property along Country Club
Lane as proposed by the applicant.
3. The sprinkler system is to be maintained in this
area to insure the steady rate of growth of
these new trees.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT:
(OCTOBER 5, 2000)
The applicant was not present. Staff presented the item.
It was felt there were no outstanding issues and the item
was forwarded to the full Commission for final resolution.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (NOVEMBER 9, 2000)
,. The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
The applicant has submitted a letter on November 7, 2000,
requesting that the item be deferred to allow him an
opportunity to meet with a concerned neighbor.
A motion was made to waive the Commission's bylaws and to
accept the late request for deferral. The motion was
approved by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for
deferral to the December 21, 2000 commission meeting. The
vote was 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(DECEMBER 21, 2000)
William Rector and Bob Lowry abstained on this issue. Ron
Tabor was present representing the application. There were
no objectors present. A letter had been received from Eva
Park Riley on behalf of Mrs. Neil Park of #2 Cantrell Road
and Mrs. George Rose Smith of 4300 Cantrell Road requesting
that the item be deferred to allow for a meeting with the
applicant.
Mr. Tabor requested deferral of the item. A motion was made
to waive the Commission's bylaws to accept the late request
for deferral. The motion was approved by a vote of 6 ayes,
0 noes, 3 absent and 2 abstaining (Rector, Lowry).
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O".
February 8, 2001
ITEM NO.: A (Cont.)
FILE NO.: Z -5682-A
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for
deferral to the February 8, 2001 meeting. The vote ,was
6 ayes, 0 noes, 3 absent and 2 abstaining (Rector, Lowry).
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(FEBRUARY 8, 2001)
Commissioners Bill Rector and Bob Lowry abstained on this
item.
John Schultz, general manager of the Country Club of Little
Rock, was present representing the application. There were
no objectors present. Two parties were present in support
of the item. Staff presented the item and a recommendation
of approval subject to compliance with the conditions
outlined in the "Staff Recommendation" above.
Mr. Schultz addressed the Commission and stated that the
Club had committed to landscaping around the maintenance
facility. He presented a copy of a letter which had been
sent from the President of the Club to Mrs. Eva Park Riley
describing, in general terms, the landscaping.
A motion was made to approve the Conditional Use Permit,
subject to compliance with staff comments and
recommendations. The motion was approved by a vote of
7 ayes, 0 noes, 2 absent and 2 abstaining (Rector, Lowry).
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