The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutBOD Package with GraphicsOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION NOVEMBER 1, 2005 AGENDA Subject Action Required Approved By LU05-06-02 Land Use an area of Park Open Space to Mixed Use. This is to allow Plan Amendment in the 40rdinance East Little Rock District Resolution Minimal to None from Park Open Space to Approval Mixed Use Information Report 0 against). Planning Staff Recommends approval. Submitted by: Planning & Development Bruce Moore SYNOPSIS Land Use Plan in the East Little Rock Planning District from Levee to Arkansas River, John to Fletcher changing an area of Park Open Space to Mixed Use. This is to allow for development along the river while including a trail connection for the River Edge Trail. FISCAL IMPACT Minimal to None RECOMMENDATION After a public hearing on September 29,2005, Little Rock Planning Commission recommends approval (9 for, 0 against). Planning Staff Recommends approval. CITIZEN Notices were sent to the River Market, East Little Rock, PARTICIPATION Hanger Hill, Downtown and MacArthur Park Neighborhood Associations. Surrounding residents were noticed. A Public Hearing was head on September 29, 2005 BACKGROUND This application is in an area that was once a vibrant single family neighborhood adjacent to an industrial and warehousing area. A loss of population and an increase in industrial activity over recent decades has caused the neighborhood to decline. The end result has been some disinvestment in the existing housing stock leading to several unsafe and vacant structures, teardowns, and vacant BACKGROUND CONTINUED lots. With the recent completion of the Clinton Presidential Center and Park, the current construction of the Heifer International headquarters, and growth in the nearby River Market District, redevelopment of and reinvestment in existing properties is anticipated which may result in a vibrant neighborhood once again. Signs of speculation have recently occurred within this neighborhood as several properties have been listed for sale. South of this site is East 6th Street, which is shown as a Minor Arterial on the Master Street Plan. The Master Street Plan indicates a new alignment of East 6th Street at Bond Avenue that will connect with World Avenue near Heifer International, the Presidential Center, and 3rd Avenue. The applicant has indicated that they will construct a portion of this street to provide access to the site. At the present time the missing link between the two existing streets is approximately 600 feet. This proposed street will provide a connection to the Mixed Use area to downtown passing by the new Heifer International complex as well as the Presidential Park and Library A majority of this amendment area is located on the wet side of the levee and has traditionally been recognized as Park / Open Space. The Master Parks Plan has recognized that this Park Open Space area will facilitate the "Take it to the Edge Trail." Development of a Mixed Use area in the Park Open Space area could disrupt plans for a future trail connection through the area. However, the applicant has indicated that an Open Space strip will follow the levee, which could serve as a trail corridor through the site to facilitate the "Take it to the Edge Trail." This Open Space strip will allow for connections between park areas east and west of the site. Staff had expanded the Mixed Use area to the west and has carried on the similar Park Open Space strip pattern proposed for this development. The addition of Mixed Use to this area could be more appropriate than the existing Park Open/Space. The Mixed Use area will decrease the amount of public lands shown on the Arkansas River Water front but could lead to quality design that could incorporate an open space element into any development on the site. This Mixed Use area could also introduce commercial, office, and high density residential to the waterfront. Staff has concerns about the 1) BACKGROUND CONTINUED introduction of private use adjacent to the waterfront. Over the last decades the city has envisioned the Arkansas River as an icon to the city and has envisioned a public waterfront for all. Not only would developments in the Mixed Use area compliment one another, an intricate public right of way system could be established through individual developments maintaining the city's goal of providing access to the Arkansas River waterfront. The Park Open Space strip would not only serve as an east - west parks connection, but could serve as a buffer from the Mixed Use area and the Low Density Residential area to the south. Since a PZD is required within the Mixed Use category proposed developments would be subject to more stringent review and a public hearing. This additional level of review could lead to quality developments linking the traditional Low Density Residential area to the Mixed Use Urban areas and the Public Institutional areas. It is important to assure that development is compatible with adjacent land uses, especially the nearby Low Density Residential area. With numerous employment opportunities area, the short commute to downtown, and new development the entire area can be considered a prime area for future redevelopment. Since this Mixed Use area will be located in an area originally planned for future parks and recreation use, an internal trail system could compliment the development and connect it to nearby recreation areas. This internal trail system could connect individual elements of any project with each other, and nearby elements. The Presidential Park is less than 500 feet west of the application area and the Carver school is less than 100 feet southeast of the application area and could be easily connected to new development in the proposed Mixed Use area. The current design of the River Trail system meanders from west of downtown, to an area just west of this application. This trail passes through several activity nodes along the way that include Riverfront Park, the River Market, the River Market Pavilion, and the presidential library. The "node concept" could be continued through the Mixed Use area and include links to the proposed marina and other activities. Not only does this trail pass through park activities, it also connects nearby residences and businesses with the conveniences of the downtown, public facilities, and activities on the river. This "node trend" could be carried on as the River Trail approaches additional activity centers to the east. 3 aFERRYr m f" D' .s�� as-wlillq; + 4 u as w PA tl [ n .a 1 i IA F9�@qq•.e a ■u r � �� A RRG11I I .,k 1 r 4 i ` l�I��e � � � _ r a fl � PLAN AMENDMENT N Case: LUO5-06-02 Location: NORTH OF EAST 3 RD, EAST OF BOND STREET PKOS TO MX Ward: 1 PD: 6 0 175350 700 Feet CT: 2 TRS: TINR12W1 FERRY b VEDAF:� �a ° MIR AREA ZONING 1 4 � IXC r� a N Location NOF*T??OF EAST 3 RD, EAST OF BOND STREET Ward: 1 PD: 6 0 175350 700 Feet CT: 2 TRS: T1NR12W1 ��• pp iit� _ As AREA ZONING 1 4 � IXC r� a N Location NOF*T??OF EAST 3 RD, EAST OF BOND STREET Ward: 1 PD: 6 0 175350 700 Feet CT: 2 TRS: T1NR12W1