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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution BOD and ORdinance for all packageOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION MARCH 2, 1999 AGENDA Subject Action Required Submitted By Downtown Neighborhoods Ordinance Plan 4Resolution Approval Information Report Cy Carney City Manager SYNOPSIS Neighborhood Plan for the area between Roosevelt to I-630, Martin Luther King Drive to I-30 RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends resolution. Planning Commission approved resolution February 4, 1999 (10-0). CITIZEN I Public hearing before Planning Commission February 4, 1999, PARTICIPATION Town Hall meetings May 31, 1997 and July 1998 and Survey on issues since 1998. BACKGROUND In the spring of 1997, Housing and Neighborhood Programs as well as Planning and Development Staff met with the East of Broadway and Downtown Neighborhood Associations about starting a plan in their areas. A neighborhood "Town Hall" meeting was held on May 31, 1997. This meeting provided area residents with the opportunity to contribute ideas on issues of importance for the Plan. The major "stake holders" in the neighborhood were invited and many presented their plans at this meeting. The residents broke into topic groups to develop issues for the Plan. After several hours of work issues had been developed and a steering or planning committee was formed. The planning committee met monthly after forming subcommittees to work on different topic areas. Each topic subcommittee worked with government officials and other interest groups to develop their goals and action statements. BACKGROUND I Real estate, religious and business leaders were asked to CONTINUED participate. Representations went to some groups, such as the South Main Business Owners to discuss issues. After a year developing a draft plan, a second town hall meeting was held in July of 1998 to get comment. Even though there was support shown for the plan, the committee developed a survey to get residents' reaction to the major points of the plan. During August of 1998 surveys were mailed to all addresses in the area and were distributed at area school registrations. The survey response showed general support for the plan. However some of the specifics such as a tax for CATA and increased regulations of signs or new development did have opposition of approximately 20 percent of the respondents. The committee has taken these comments to heart and reduced their importance. The draft plan has now been circulated through the neighborhood and been taken to any organization mentioned in the plan. (If the organization was opposed, they were removed.) After a year and a half of work, the neighborhood committee believes they had developed a good conscious document to guide future decision making in the neighborhood. In addition to the Plan, the neighborhood will present several Land Use Plan amendments and rezonings. At this time the neighborhood committee hopes the City via the Little Rock Planning Commission and Board of Directors will accept the neighborhood plan and help the neighborhood work toward the goals presented in the plan. NAME: Downtown Neighborhoods Plan STAFF REPORT: In the spring of 1997, Housing and Neighborhood Programs as well as Planning and Development Staff met with the East of Broadway and Downtown Neighborhood Associations about starting a plan in their areas. A neighborhood "Town Hall" meeting was held on May 31, 1997. This meeting provided area residents with the opportunity to contribute ideas on issues of importance for the Plan. The major "stake holders" in the neighborhood were invited and many presented their plans at this meeting. The residents broke into topic groups to develop issues for the Plan. After several hours of work issues had been developed and a steering or planning committee was formed. The planning committee met monthly after forming subcommittees to work on different topic areas. Each topic subcommittee worked with government officials and other interest groups to develop their goals and action statements. Real estate, religious and business leaders were asked to participate. Representations went to some groups, such as the South Main Business Owners to discuss issues. After a year developing a draft plan, a second town hall meeting was held in July of 1998 to get comment. Even though there was support shown for the plan, the committee developed a survey to get residents, reaction to the major points of the plan. During August of 1998 surveys were mailed to all addresses in the area and were distributed at area school registrations. The survey response showed general support for the plan. However some of the specifics such as a tax for CATA and increased regulations of signs or new development did have opposition of approximately 20 percent of the respondents. The committee has taken these comments to heart and reduced their importance. The draft plan has now been circulated through the neighborhood and been taken to any organization mentioned in the plan. (If the organization was opposed, they were removed.) After a year and a half of work, the neighborhood committee believes they had developed a good conscious document to guide future decision making in the neighborhood. In addition to the Plan, the neighborhood will present several Land Use Plan amendments and rezonings. At this time the neighborhood committee hopes the City via the Little Rock Planning Commission and Board of Directors will accept the neighborhood plan and help the neighborhood work toward the goals presented in the plan. DOWNTOWN NEIGHB RHOOD PLAN Cant. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTIO : (FEBRUARY 4, 1999) Walter Malone, Planning Manager open the item by providing some information on the process used. The process started in the spring of 1997 with a Town Hall meeting May 31°`. The committee was formed at this meeting. Over the summer and fall of 1997 subcommittees were formed to work on topic areas. By the summer of 1998 a draft was ready for review. A neighborhood meeting was held and a survey on the plan's "issues" was distributed to present the plan to the neighborhood. The plan was finalized over the fall with neighborhood based groups and businesses asked to comment. Mr. Malone directed the Commission to the last section of the report which has several letters in general support of the plan. Kathy Wells, chair of Plan Committee began the committee's presentation. Ms. Wells thanked staff for their assistance and then noted a map which had been left out of the appendix. From the existing condition section statistics on population and demographic make-up of the neighborhood were reviewed, Ms. Wells directed the Commission to page 5 of the Plan and reviewed the priorities for the neighborhood. After reading page 5 she directed attention to the cover which is the design to be used for neighborhood street pennants. Ms. Wells indicated the area has a diversity which they are proud of and played a tape which is the "anthem" of the neighborhood. Ms. Susan Branch, committee member spoke next. Ms. Branch restated her experience which lead to locating in the area and presented a newspaper article about her efforts to revitalize the area/repair her home. Ms. Cheri Nichols, committee member spoke next. Ms. Nichols directed the Commission's attention to the "Land Use and Zoning section" and particularly the draft "overlay." With reconstruction after the tornado, this is more important today. while some of the area has protections (Governor Mansion area and MacArthur Park) others need protection to maintain the character of the area. The area needs some "broad" design concepts put in place to protect this special neighborhood. We will need the City's help and cooperation with this effort to rebuild our neighborhood. Chairman Earnest commended the group's effort. He raised his concerns about the lack of response to the survey (need to find other ways) and the lack of information about the rental inspection program. Commissioner Rahman indicated he had read the Plan and commended the effort. The Plan does speak to the issues in the neighborhood. He reminded those present that there are two commissioners who live in this neighborhood. E DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN (Cont. Commissioner Berry indicated this Plan was the most broad based and desired recognition. He noted the comment on page 10 indicating a need for 7,000 new residents. For redevelopment we must have residential. He hoped the Committee was thinking about infill in tornado damaged areas. Ms. Wells indicated they were "on it." Mr. Berry indicated he had two concerns the need to include the Downtown Businesses (including Central Business District). Mr. Malone indicated the neighborhood had wanted to include more; however, staff had not included that area. The second issue is the need to set priorities in each goal and how the goal (or action) will be achieved - what first. The response was design guidelines first. Commissioner Faust indicated the Plan was a good effort and timing was important. The committee needs to "stay on" the overlay issue. Commissioner Downing asked about the resolution before the Commission. Mr. Malone indicated staff believed it meets commission's desires based on the Rock Creek Plan discussion. Mr. Downing agreed. Commissioner Faust moved the resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Muse. By a vote of 10 for 0 against the resolution was approved. RESOLUTION NO. 123 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS IN SUPPORT OF THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. WHEREAS, the area Residents and Neighborhood Associations formed a Planning Committee to develop a Neighborhood Plan; and WHEREAS, the residents and other "stakeholders" in the area participated in a Town Hall meeting to set a vision and identify issues to include in plan; and WHEREAS, after several months of work by the Planning Committee, a set of goals and objectives were developed and presented to the neighborhood at several meetings and were distributed to various groups and individuals in the neighborhood; and WHEREAS, the Committee developed and conducted a survey to determine the neighborhoods reaction to the issues raised in the Draft Plan; and, WHEREAS, this Plan (Goals, Objectives and Action Statements) provides a way for both neighborhood based groups and others working in and around the neighborhood to advance the desires and meet the needs of the residents; and, WHEREAS, the Plan Committee has received over a dozen letters of support from various organizations and businesses within the area. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Little Rock does support the vision and goals as expressed in the Downtown Neighborhoods Plan for the future. ADOPTED: February 4, 1999 - 41 t t W, t -4i CHAI RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS IN SUPPORT OF THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. WHEREAS, the area Residents and Neighborhood Associations formed a Planning Committee to develop a Neighborhood Plan; and WHEREAS, the residents and other -stakeholders- in the area participated in a Town Hall meeting to set a vision and identify issues to include in plan; and WHEREAS, after several months of work by the Planning Committee, a set of goals and objectives were developed and presented to the neighborhood at several meetings and were distributed to various groups and individuals in the neighborhood; and WHEREAS, the Committee developed and conducted a survey to determine the neighborhoods reaction to the issues raised in the Draft Plan; and, WHEREAS, this Plan (Goals, Objectives and Action Statements) provides a way for both neighborhood based groups and others working in and around the neighborhood to advance the desires and meet the needs of the residents; and, WHEREAS, the Plan Committee has received over a dozen letters of support from various organizations and businesses within the area. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Little Rock does support the vision and goals as expressed in the Downtown Neighborhoods Plan for the future. PASSED: ATTEST: CITY CLERK MAYOR