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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLU99-05-01_write up_minutesSeptember 16, 1999 Item No.: 2 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment - Downtown District Request: Adopt New Plan for Downtown STAFF REPORT: A citizen committee was formed to review the City's Plans for Downtown. This committee worked as four subcommittees to develop general proposals for the future of Downtown in four geographic areas: Capitol (West), Central Business District (Office Core), MacArthur (East) and East of I-30. These groups developed similar concepts; thus one committee was formed out of the four. From their work the Framework for the Future was developed, this document has been presented to the Commission and recommended. The Framework of the Future recommended that the City Land Use Plan be modified. This item is the first step in that process. Three changes are requested to bring the Land Use Plan into line with the recommendations of the Framework for the Future. First, a new land use category is proposed. This category is meant to help create a more traditional urban development form. The exact use is not as important as the design. Pedestrian friendly design and 24-hour activity are important elements. A mix of uses is desirable. The new category would be MXU - "Mixed Use - Urban." The proposed category is as follows: Mixed Use - Urban: This category provides for a mix of residential, office and commercial uses not only in the same block but within the same structure. This category is intended for older "urban" areas to allow dissimilar uses to exist, which support each other to create a vital area. Development should reinforce the urban fabric creating a 24-hour activity area. Using the Planned Zoning District or the Urban Use District, high and moderate density developments that result in a vital (dense) pedestrian oriented area are appropriate. The second change to the Land Use Plan is a complete change of the plan map for District 5 - Downtown. This is an area from the Arkansas River south to I-630 and from the Missouri September 16, 1999 ITEMS NO.: 2 (Cont.) Pacific Rail Line east to I-30. (The current classifications date to 1980.) In this area the new land use classifications would be as shown on the attached sketch and described here. The entire district, except those areas described below, would be shown as the new "MXU" - Mixed Use - Urban category. The following areas would be Public Institutional (PI) State Capitol area - west of Woodlane and south of 3=d Streets; the Federal Buildings - Capital Avenue to 4th Street, Arch Street west to State Street, and City/County Buildings - Broadway/Markham area. The following areas would be shown as Low Density Residential (LDR): 6th Street to 9th Street from Ferry to Cumberland; and 9th to I-630 from Commerce to alley between Scott and Cumberland. The following areas would be shown as Park/Open Space (PK/OS): MacArthur Park - 9th Street to 1-630, McAlmont to Commerce; and Riverfront Park -Arkansas River to Little Rock and Western Railroad Spur. In addition, the northern portion of the I-30 District from I-30 to John and Arkansas River to 3=d Street is changed to Public Institutional from Industrial (the Presidential Library site) and from 3=d Street to 9th Street I-30 to College is changed to Mixed Use - Urban from Industrial and Transition. The third change to the Land Use Plan is a complete replacement of the text for the Downtown District. The new text is from the Framework of the Future. It is basically the vision statement and goals/objectives. The new text would be as follows: DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPALS: Downtown should become a place where people want to live and visit and should have a lasting and recognizable image, distinguishable from all other nearby environments. Because it is the State Capitol and proud symbol of a metropolitan area, Downtown Little Rock has many opportunities. Downtown should be the financial, office and governmental center of the region and as K September 16, 1999 ITEMS NO.: 2 (Cont.) such should be planned as a place where people live, visit and work in a safe, vibrant, pedestrian -friendly environment. The built environmental should encourage a sense of community and safety among residents and visitors. Downtown should be planned to become a place of 24-hour activity. These general planning goals should be reinforced by such urban design and planning interventions as the following: • Specify land uses for entertainment and residential use. • Preserve and reuse existing buildings. • Capitalize on the Presidential Library as an economic development tool. • Provide an effective transportation plan with a variety of modes. • Provide landscaping throughout the area. • Utilize the Presidential Library as a regional educational resource center. • Develop streetscaping plans designed for specific needs in designated areas. • Develop a means to encourage property owners to reinvest in Downtown. • Work with Federal, State and County governments to ensure the success of the vision. • Specify land uses that will encourage the development of a niche for retail activities. • Encourage a built form of quality architectural styles that evoke character. • Preserve civic and historic heritage. • Recognize the riverfront as a key urban activity generator. Objective: The Downtown urban form should be protected by, requiring structures be built to the street with street level activity and visual connection between the street and interior. Action Statement: Modify the development standards to encourage higher density development and zero lot line construction. Modify parking regulations (number of spaces, screening, etc.) 3 September 16, 1999 ITEMS NO.: 2 (Cont.) Special design studies should be undertaken and regulations implemented for streets and corridors of community -wide importance. Objective: To support an urban land use form, a fixed transit system is needed. An investment must be made in a fixed transit system for Downtown that effectively connects the different parts of Downtown and moves people within that area. Action Statement: Build a transit infrastructure - fixed routes to serve the Downtown and immediate vicinity. Objective: Residential use is essential for an active and successful Downtown. Because the Downtown residential area has lost most of its residential units, the City of Little Rock must invest in downtown housing to assist in reviving the area thereby creating housing opportunities for high as well as moderate - income levels. Action Statement: Create development and use incentives for owner occupied, market rate rental, and affordable rental residential developments in Downtown. Objective: Downtown must be actively marketed. In most cities a quasi -public agency does this work. The City must establish (with Downtown property owners) an agency to advance the economic development of Downtown. Action Statement: development agency implementation of Development a quasi -public downtown to market and assist with the projects. Objective: In order to achieve an active Downtown, developments should be mixed use and linked. Action Statement: Using the Framework for the Future document as a reference, establish consensus among quasi -public, City, County, and State entities regarding the vision of Downtown. Implement strategies conducive to the objectives of the established vision. Assist only developments that conform to the Framework guidelines. 4 September 16, 1999 ITEMS NO.: 2 (Cont.) Residential: The blocks, north and west of MacArthur Park, in the southeast corner of the District are designated as Low Density Residential (LDR). Within this area, north of Ninth Street is predominately Multifamily with some Single Family while south of Ninth Street is predominately Single Family with some Multifamily. Mixed Use: The majority of the district is designated for Mixed Use Urban. The uses range from high-rise office buildings to single family homes. The intent is to create a vital diverse area, which is pedestrian - friendly. Parks and Open Space: Riverfront Park runs along the Arkansas River along the northeast portion of the district boundary. MacArthur Park, the City's first municipal park established in 1892 is in the southeast corner of the district. Public/Institutional: The State Capitol and related buildings are designated as Public Use, in the western end of the district. The Federal Buildings between Capitol Ave. and 4th Street from State to Arch Streets are also designated Public Use. The third Public Use area is the County and City Buildings along Markham Street around Broadway. These changes to the City Land Use Plan will begin the implementation of the Framework for the Future already reviewed by the Commission. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval 5 September 16, 1999 ITEMS NO.: 2 (Cont.) PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEPTEMBER 2, 1999) Because of the changes proposed by this item, the Commission asked that the item be deferred to allow more time for reviewing the proposal. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda for deferral to September 16, 1999. By a vote of 10 for 0 against (Commissioner Adcock absent) the item was deferred. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEPTEMBER 16, 1999) Walter Malone, Planning Staff, requested that the Chair recognized people with cards for item 2 or item 3 on each of the items. Mr. Malone proceed with the Land Use Plan Amendment. This brings the Land Use Plan in line with the Downtown Framework document. Mr. Malone reminded the Commission of the Framework committees desires for Downtown. Mr. Malone proceed to review the text and map changes: Addition of definition; map changes and inclusion of the vision statement and goals/objections from the Framework document. There was discussion about the Public/Institutional designation area for the Presidential Library site. Commissioner Nunnley asked about the Low Density Residential (LDR) area shown between 6th and 9th Streets on the eastern edge. There was discussion about the planning efforts around the Presidential Library site as well as the use and zoning pattern in the LDR area. Kathy Wells, presidential of Downtown Neighborhood Association, stated she was here to "cheer -you -on" and urge a speedy affirmative vote. At a conference for Downtown revitalization, James Kunstler was scalding in criticism of a block of blank wall. This zoning would work to prevent this. Professor Glasser, University of Arkansas, listed cities which require street -access shops in parking decks. The mixed use is important and parking on Main Street is a problem. Also, use of rooftops is important. On Page 5 of regulations in the height section, the northern boundary should be 3=d Street not Markham. The Committee wanted the skyscrapers back from the Old Statehouse and other public buildings. 2 September 16, 1999 ITEMS NO.: 2 (Cont.) Dickson Flake, this is a good product and will be an asset for redevelopment. Question about the definition of "primary street". Mr. Malone, using 3rd Street, explained the definition. More work is needed on this definition because of the impact with the alley system and existing orientation of buildings. Mr. Flake suggested using a different set back west of Broadway where development more typically has not been to the street and more auto oriented. Finally, the regulations should not be made effective for one year from adoption, due to the long development process downtown (land consolidation, to design/finance to construction). Commissioner Rahman stated there was a lot of debate about these',issues by the Committee. The definition of "primary street" may need work but the setbacks were debated. Things may need to be modified in the future, but the Commission should approve this. This is a good start. Commissioner Berry stated he was glad to see this before the Commission. There were a lot of competing interests involved in the development of these regulations. We are lifting the land use regulation, but we need to have design regulations to make sure everything fits in Downtown. This is a good starting point and feel good about the proposals. Commissioner Faust stated this represents a good piece of staff work. The process brought a lot of interests (some competing) to the table. This process always works. This plan is an example of good sustainable development policy. Commissioner Adcock asked about the street buffers not being required. Mr. Malone stated in the "Urban Use" district the front landscape would not be required because you want the buildings close to the street not landscape or parking lot. Chairman Earnest spoke to the Goals and Objectives and how that was sustainable development. As we go forward these objectives should be used as the basis for downtown revitalization. Commissioner Hawn moved the approval of the Plan Amendments (seconded Commissioner Adcock). By a vote of 10 for 0 against the item was approved. 7