Z-8706-A Staff AnalysisNovember 3, 2011
ITEM NO.: 4 FILE NO.: Z-8706-A
NAME: Loft 1023 Event Center — Conditional Use Permit
LOCATION; 1023 West 7th Street
❑W NER/APPLICANT- K & M Capital, LLC/Kelly Joiner, Murray Haupt
PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for the
use of the second floor of this existing building as an
event center.
1. SITE LOCATION:
The property is located on the south side of West 7th Street, east of
Ringo Street.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The property is located within the urban core of the City. Uses are varied;
including governmental, institutional and a variety of commercial uses.
This immediate area along West 7th Street has developed as a mini -
entertainment district; including a theatre and restaurants. A space on the
ground floor of this building is being finished out for a new restaurant. The
site's proximity to the downtown area and a number of governmental and
institutional buildings makes it a reasonable location for an event center.
Notice of the public hearing was sent to all owners of properties located
within 200 feet of the site and the Downtown Neighborhood Association.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
The site is located in the UU zoning district and no on -site parking is
required. The site contains no on -site parking.
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
5,
No Comments.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
No Comments.
6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
Wastewater: Sewer available to this project in Ringo Street.
November 3, 2011
ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.
Entergy: Approved as submitted.
Centerpoint Energy: No comments received.
AT&T (SBC): No comments received.
FILE NO.: Z-8706-A
Water: No objections; 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.
Due to the nature of this facility, installation of an approved reduced
pressure zone backflow preventer assembly (RPZ) 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 approved by CAW. The test results must be sent to CAW's
Cross Connection Section within ten (10) days of installation and annually
thereafter. Contact the Cross Connection Section at 377-1226 if you
would like to discuss backflow prevention requirements for this project.
Fire Department: This structure does not meet code requirements.
County Planning: No Comments.
CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route.
Building Codes: Use must comply with all Building Code requirements for
life safety and accessibility including but not limited to elevator, fire
sprinkler system and additional exits.
LRPD: No objections.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (OCTOBER 13, 2011)
The applicants were present. Staff presented the items and noted additional
information was needed regarding capacity of the facility, hours of operation,
signage, food service plan and dumpster location. Staff stated compliance with
all Building Code/Fire Department codes would be required; including life safety
and accessibility items such as elevator, sprinklers and additional exits. The
applicants responded that they were aware of those issues and would comply. In
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November 3, 2011
ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.) _ FILE NO.: Z-8706-A
response to questions from staff, the applicants stated the facility would not be
rented to any person or organization where entry fees or charges would be
required, LRPD officers will provide security at all events and there would be no
sale of alcohol.
Utility Comments were noted.
The applicants were instructed to reply to staff issues by October 19, 2011. The
Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The UU zoned property located at 1023 West 7th Street is occupied by a two-
story, brick building. The buiiding occupies the site from property line to property
line along 7th Street. A one-story, metal building extends out from the rear of the
building, to the south. The brick building contains 10,000 square feet (5,000 per
floor). A laundry-drycleaners occupies a portion of the ground floor. Another
ground floor space is currently being remodeled for a restaurant. An auto repair
business is located in the rear building. The applicants are requesting approval
of a conditional use permit to allow for the use of the entire second floor as an
event center.
The upper floor is divided into two spaces, each roughly 2,500 square feet in
area. The applicant intends to provide space for weddings, receptions and
corporate events. Off duty Little Rock police officers will provide security for all
evening and weekend events. Most events will be held in the evenings and on
weekends and will conclude no later than 12:00 a.m. Exceptions will be made for
occasions such as New Year's Eve. The facility will not be rented to persons or
organizations where an entry fee or charge is required. A representative from
Loft 1023 will be on -site for every event. The applicant estimates the capacity of
the facility to be between 100 and 125 per side. There will be no sale of alcohol
on the premises. Lessors serving alcohol will be required to have a licensed
bartender if anything other than beer or wine is served. Loft 1023 has no food
preparation facility. Licensed caterers will be required for large events. There is
a sink and bar area that may be used for serving/clean-up. The restaurant on the
ground floor may be used by caterers to assist in clean-up, staging, ice needs,
etc. The dumpster will be located behind the building. The alley provides access
for waste pickup. No signage plan was submitted. Any signage must comply
with that signage allowed in the UU district. The applicants state they are aware
of and will comply with all required fire and building codes.
To staff's knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. There is no bill of
assurance for the Original City. The applicant responded to issues raised at
Subdivision Committee, as noted in the analysis above.
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November 3, 2011
ITEM NO.: 4 (Cont.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
FILE NO.: Z-8706-A
Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit to allow the
event center as proposed by the applicant and outlined in the "Staff Analysis"
above subject to compliance with the following additional conditions:
1. Compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Section 6 of
agenda staff report above.
2. Signage is to comply with that allowed in the UU zoning district.
3. The dumpster is to be located and screened to comply with Code
requirements.
4. Compliance with all applicable building and fire code requirements prior to
occupancy.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (NOVEMBER 3, 2011)
The applicants were present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed
the Commission that the applicant had sent the required notices on October 11,
2011 but put the hearing date as November 2, not November 3. He resent the
notices on October 28, 2011 with the correct date and a note explaining the error.
Staff stated they believed there was adequate notice. A motion was made to
waive the Commission's bylaws to accept the notice as completed by the
applicant. The motion was approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval as outlined in the
"staff recommendation" above. There was no further discussion. The item was
placed on the consent agenda and approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and
2 absent.
a]
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS
OCTOBER 13, 2011
ITEM NO.: 4. LOFT 1023 EVENT CENTER CONDITIONAL USE PERMPT
1023 W. 7'H STREET Z-8706-A
Planning Staff Comments:
1. The site is located in the Original City. There is no Bill of Assurance.
2. What is the capacity of the facility?
3. What are the hours of operation?
4. Will the facility be rented to any person or organization where entry fee or charge will be required?
5. Clarify security guard arrangements. Rental fee document state security guard required on weekends.
Cover letter states LRPD will be required at events.
6. Provide alcohol policy — ABC requirements?
7. Compliance with all Building Code/Fire Department codes is required.
8. Provide signage plan.
9. Provide food service plan.
10. Provide dumpster location.
Variance/Waivers:
• None Requested.
Public Works:
1. No Comments.
Utilities and Fire Department/County Planning:
Wastewater: Sewer available to this project in Ringo Street.
Entergy: Approved as submitted.
Centerpoint Energy: No comments received.
AT&T (SBC): No comments received.
Water: No objections; 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.
Due to the nature of this facility, installation of an approved reduced pressure zone backflow preventer
assembly (RPZ) 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
approved by CAW. The test results must be sent to CAW's Cross Connection Section within ten (10) days
of installation and annually thereafter. Contact the Cross Connection Section at 377-1226 if you would like
to discuss backflow prevention requirements for this project.
Fire Department: This structure does not meet code requirements.
County Planning: No Comments,
CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route.
ITEM NO.: 4. (CON'T) (Z-8706-A
Planning Division: No Comments.
Lan ca e: No Comments.
Other: Responses to staff issues and four (4) copies of revised site plan (if required) are to be submitted to staff no
later than Wednesday October 19, 2011. Required notices are to be sent via certified mail to all owners of property
located within two hundred (200) feet of the site no later than Wednesday October 19, 2011. The City provided
notice form must be used. Proof of notice is to be provided to staff no later than October 28, 2011.
Building Codes: Use must comply with all Building Code requirements for life safety and accessibility including
but not limited to elevator, fire sprinkler system and additional exits.