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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLU09-05-01_BOD communicationsOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 AGENDA Subject Land Use Plan Amendment — Downtown Planning District — LU09-05-01 at various locations in the downtown area Submitted by: Department of Planning and Development SYNOPSIS FISCAL IMPACT RECOMMENDATION CITIZEN PARTICIPATION BACKGROUND Action Required gOrdinance Resolution Approval Information Report Approved By Bruce Moore A Land Use Plan amendment in the Downtown Planning District from Mixed Use Urban to Public Institutional to recognize existing uses. N/A Planning Staff recommends approval. The Planning Commission reviewed this issue at its August 6, 2009 meeting and recommended approval (10 in favor, 0 against). There were no objectors present. The Downtown Partnership and the Downtown Neighborhood Association were notified of the public hearing. City Staff developed this amendment package. As part of the Downtown Framework for the Future effort, the Future Land Use Plan was examined. The area was reviewed for conformance with the zoning and existing use pattern. Staff reviewed the Downtown area and identified nine changes thought to be mostly `clean-up' amendments to reflect existing public uses. Each of the proposed areas currently has a public use located there — City, State, County, or Federal. The Land is also currently owned by a governmental entity as well as used by that entity. BACKGROUND CONTINUED The uses include governmental offices — City, County, State and Federal; museums; courtrooms; the convention center; and the transfer station (CATH center bus station). Each area is at least a city block in size or is adjacent to an existing area currently shown for Public Institutional Use. This package of amendments is designed to make the Future Land Use Plan a more suitable representation of current and likely mid-term future uses for this area. 2 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAND USE PLAN (16,222) IN THE DOWNTOWN PLANNING DISTRICT (LU09-05-01) FROM MIXED USE URBAN TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, as the Little Rock Planning Commission believes it appropriate to amend the plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. That the following areas be amended from Mixed Use Urban to Public Institutional. • Area 1 is located at the southeast corner of West Markham Street and South State Street. • Area 2 is located at the northwest corner of Broadway Street and West Second Street. • Area 3 is the city block bounded by Broadway Street, West Second Street, South Spring Street and West Third Street. • Area 4 is the city block bounded by Broadway Street, West Fourth Street, South Arch Street and West Capitol Avenue. • Area 5 is located between West Markham Street on the south and La Harpe Boulevard on the north. This is the site of the Old State House. • Area 6 is also located between West Markham Street on the south and La Harpe Boulevard on the north with South Scott Street on the east. • Area 7 is located just west of Cumberland Street between East 2nd Street and East 3rd Street. • Area 8 is south of East 4`" Street, west of Rock Street, north of East Capitol Avenue and east of Cumberland Street. • Area 9 is two city blocks bounded by West Fourth Street, South Commerce Street, East Capitol Avenue and Interstate 30 frontage road. SECTION 2. That the ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. PASSED: ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney APPROVED: Mayor FILE NO.: LU09-05-01 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment — Downtown Planning District Location: Various Request: Mixed Use Urban to Public Institutional Source: Planning Staff PROPOSAL/REQUEST; These Land Use Plan amendments in the Downtown Planning District represent changes from Mixed Use Urban to Public Instituttional to reflect existing land use in nine different areas of downtown. These areas are all surrounded by Mixed Use Urban or Public Institutional. These amendments are a result of the Downtown Framework for the Future review of the Land Use Plan. 1. Area 1 is located at the southeast corner of West Markham Street and South State Street. This area includes the City of Little Rock Planning and Development Department building and Public Works Department building. 2. Area 2 is located at the northwest corner of Broadway Street and West Second Street. This southern half of the block is owned by Pulaski County and is used for offices and parking. 3. Area 3 is the city block bounded by Broadway Street, West Second Street, South Spring Street and West Third Street. This block is owned by Pulaski County and is used for the Pulaski County Administration Building. 4. Area 4 is the city block bounded by Broadway Street, West Fourth Street, South Arch Street and West Capitol Avenue. It is part of the Federal Building. 5. Area 5 is located between West Markham Street on the south and La Harpe Boulevard on the north. This is the site of the Old State House. 6. Area 6 is also located between West Markham Street on the south and La Harpe Boulevard on the north with South Scott Street on the east. This area is the State Convention Center. 7. Area 7 is the Territorial Restoration site and the Historic Arkansas Museum. It is located just west of Cumberland Street between East 2nd Street and East 3 d Street. 8. Area 8 is south of East 4 1 Street, west of Rock Street, north of East Capitol Avenue and east of Cumberland Street. This area is the Central Arkansas Transit Authority main bus station. FILE NO.: LU09-05-01 (Cont. 9. Area 9 is two city blocks bounded by West Fourth Street, South Commerce Street, East Capitol Avenue and Interstate 30 frontage road. This is for the Main branch of the Little Rock Post Office. Public Institutional represents public and quasi -public facilities that provide a variety of services to the community such as schools, libraries, fire stations, churches, utility substations, and hospitals. These proposed changes are intended to reflect existing conditions and zoning. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: These nine areas are all zoned UU Urban Use District. They are all completely surrounded by UU zoning except for Area 7, which is adjacent to a Planned Residential Development. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: This area is all shown as Mixed Use Urban on the Future Land Use Plan and has not been amended since 1999. Mixed Use Urban surrounds all of these areas. Some of these areas are adjacent to Public Institutional. MASTER STREET PLAN 1. Area 1 is located at State Street and West Markham Street. State Street is a Collector, and West Markham is a Local Street. The primary function of a Collector Street is to provide a connection from Local Streets to Arterials. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as "Commercial Streets". These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. 2. Area 2 is located West 2nd Street and Broadway Street. Broadway is shown as a Principal Arterial, and West 2nd Street is a Minor Arterial. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. A Minor Arterial provides connections to and through an urban area and their primary function is to provide short distance travel within the urbanized area. 3. Area 3 is located between West 2nd Street on the north, West 3rd Street on the south, Broadway Street on the west, and Spring Street on the east. Broadway is shown as a Principal Arterial, Spring Street is a Local Street, and West 3rd Street and West 2nd Street are Minor Arterials. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. A Minor Arterial provides connections to and through an urban 2 FILE NO.: LU09-05-01 area and their primary function is to provide short distance travel within the urbanized area. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as "Commercial Streets". These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. 4. Area 4 is located between West 4`h Street on the north, Capitol Avenue on the south, and Broadway Street on the east. Broadway is shown as a Principal Arterial, and West 4'h Street and Capitol Avenue are Collectors. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. The primary function of a Collector Street is to provide a connection from Local Streets to Arterials. 5. Area 5 is located north of West Markham Street and south of La Harpe Boulevard. La Harpe Boulevard is a Principal Arterial, and West Markham Street is a Local Street. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas.The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as "Commercial Streets". These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. 6. Area 6 is also bordered by La Harpe Boulevard on the north and West Markham Street on the south. South Scott Street is on the east side of Area 6, and Scott Street is a Minor Arterial. A Minor Arterial provides connections to and through an urban area and their primary function is to provide short distance travel within the urbanized area. 7. Area 7 is surrounded by East 2nd Street, South Scott Street and East 3rd Street. These streets are all Minor Arterials. A Minor Arterial provides connections to and through an urban area and their primary function is to provide short distance travel within the urbanized area. On the east side of Area 7 is the Cumberland Street, which is shown as a Collector. The primary function of a Collector Street is to provide a connection from Local Streets to Arterials. 8. Area 8 is located between East 4th Street on the north, South Rock Street on the east, East Capitol Avenue on the south, and Cumberland Street on the west. Cumberland Street is a Collector, and the primary function of a Collector Street is to provide a connection from Local Streets to Arterials. East 4th, East Capitol and South Rock Streets are all Local Streets. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non- residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as "Commercial Streets". These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. 3 FILE NO.: LU09-05-01 (Cont. 9. Area 9 is located between East 4'h Street on the north, Interstate 30 frontage road on the east, East Capitol Avenue on the south, and South Commerce Street on the west. These streets are all shown as Local Streets. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets which are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as "Commercial Streets". These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. BICYCLE PLAN: 1. A Class III bike route is shown along the western edge of Area 1 on North State Street. 2. There are no bike routes shown surrounding Area 2. 3. There are no bike routes shown surrounding Area 3. 4. A Class III bike route is shown along the northern edge of Area 4 on West 4`h Street. 5. A Class I bike route is shown north of Area 5 along La Harpe Boulevard. 6. A Class I bike route is shown north of Area 6 along La Harpe Boulevard. 7. There are no bike routes shown surrounding Area 7. 8. There are no bike routes shown surrounding Area 8. 9. A Class III bike route is shown along the western edge of Area 9 on South Commerce Street. A Class I bikeway is built separate from or alongside a road. Additional paving and right of way may be required. A Class III bikeway is a signed route on a street shared with traffic. No additional paving or right-of-way is required. Class III bicycle route signage may be required. PARKS: According to the Master Parks Plan, these areas are all within eight blocks of a city park. Riverfront Park is located just north of La Harpe Boulevard. HISTORIC DISTRICTS: There are no city recognized historic districts that would be affected by this amendment. CITY RECOGNIZED NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN: These areas are all covered by the Downtown Little Rock Framework for the Future. 4 FILE NO.: LU09-05-01 (Cont. ANALYSIS: City Staff developed this amendment package. As part of the Downtown Framework for the Future effort, the Future Land Use Plan was examined. The area was reviewed for conformance with the zoning and existing use pattern. Staff reviewed the Downtown area and identified nine changes thought to be mostly `clean-up' amendments to reflect existing public uses. Each of the proposed areas currently has a public use located there — City, State, County or Federal. The land is also currently owned by a governmental entity as well as used by that entity. The uses include governmental offices — City, County, State and Federal; museums; courtrooms; the convention center; and the transfer station (CATA center bus station). Each area is at least a city block in size or is adjacent to an existing area currently shown for Public Institutional Use. This package of amendments is designed to make the Future Land Use Plan a more suitable representation of current and likely mid-term future uses for this area. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: the Downtown Partnership and the Downtown Neighborhood Association. Staff has received no comments from area residents. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is appropriate. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (AUGUST 6, 2009) The item was placed on consent agenda for approval. By a vote of 10 for and 0 against the consent agenda was approved. 5