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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOD PackageOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION MARCH 2, 1999 AGENDA Subject Amendment to City Land Use Plan in the Central City District Action Required 40rdinance Resolution Approval Information Report Submitted By Cy Carney City Manager SYNOPSIS Change an area between 16 and I-630 Streets, along Scott from Commercial, Public Institutional and Low Density Residential to Mixed Use. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends resolution. Planning Commission recommends approval (10-0). CITIZEN Public hearing before Planning Commission on February 4, PARTICIPATION 1999 and discussion with Neighborhood Plan Committee. BACKGROUND As part of the Downtown Neighborhoods Plan effort, the future land use plan was examined. The committee generally felt comfortable with the recommended development pattern. The major concern was how the area would develop. The design, massing etc. is considered to be very important. The Committee wishes to assure that any new development is designed and sited so as to complement and fit the existing neighborhood. The Committee did have two land use concerns. The first is that existing single family areas not be converted to multifamily. (This does not mean that some densification would be inappropriate.) Addition of accessory residential units and some conversion is considered appropriate. However, the conversion of a city block from single family to high density multifamily is not appropriate. The other land use concern is the desire to allow residents to start businesses in their homes whether home occupations or "cottage industry" types of use. Flexibility and allowing maximum use of current and future technology advances should be encouraged. BACKGROUND CONTINUED The area west of Scott is general vacant or nonresidential. There are two multifamily structures and one single family home. However, a block and a half is vacant and the block containing residential is half nonresidential. The blocks east of Scott contain an abandon junior high (Eastside) and a nursing home. The Land Use Plan generally slows areas zoned "N" as Mixed Use. The residentially zoned areas are large structures, an old school and nursing home. If new uses are to be found, alternatives must be allowed. Mixed Use does this but uses a PZD to allow review for compatibility. FILE NO.: LU99-08-04 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment - Central City District Location: Scott from I-630 to 16th Street Request_: Commercial Public Institutional and Low Density Residential to Mixed Use Source: Downtown Neighborhood Plan PROPOSAL / REQUEST: Land Use Plan amendment in the Central City District from Commercial, Public Institutional and Low Density Residential to Mixed Use. Mixed Use allows for residential, office and commercial uses to occur with a Planned Zone District if the use is not residential. RECENT AMENDMENTS: Single Family to Mixed Use (August 18, 1998) in the area along Commerce from 19th to 21st Streets Single Family to Mixed Use (May 21, 1996) in the area south of Roosevelt Road from Cumberland to I-30 Single Family to Mixed Use (March 5, 1996) in the area west of Bragg from 23rd to 24th Streets Single Family to Public Institutional (February 20, 1996) in the area between Marshall and Battery from 13th to 14th Streets Single Family to Mixed Use (January 16, 1996) in the area west of I-30 from 18th to 19th Streets Single Family to Public Institutional (January 16, 1996) around the 14th Street and Park intersection MASTER STREET PLAN: Scott Street is a collector from 14th Street to I-630 and 14th Street is classified as a collector. All other streets are classified as local by the Master Street Plan. CURRENT ZONING: The areas west of Scott are zoned "N" Neighborhood Residential and Commercial -- Capitol Zoning. The area east of Scott are zoned MR, Medium Density Residential and R-5 Urban Residential. FILE NO.: LU99-08-04 (Cont. STAFF REPORT: As part of the Downtown Neighborhoods Plan effort, the future land use plan was examined. The committee generally felt comfortable with the recommended development pattern. The major concern was how the area would develop. The design, massing etc. is considered to be very important. The Committee wishes to assure that any new development is designed and sited so as to complement and fit the existing neighborhood. The Committee did have two land use concerns. The first is that existing single family areas not be converted to multifamily. (This does not mean that some densification would be inappropriate.) Addition of accessory residential units and some conversion is considered appropriate. However, the conversion of a city block from single family to high density multifamily is not appropriate. The other land use concern is the desire to allow residents to start businesses in their homes whether home occupations or "cottage industry" types of use. Flexibility and allowing maximum use of current and future technology advances should be encouraged. The area west of Scott is general vacant or nonresidential. There are two multifamily structures and one single family home. However, a block and a half is vacant and the block containing residential is half nonresidential. The blocks east of Scott contain an abandon junior high (Eastside) and a nursing home. The Land Use Plan generally slows areas zoned "N" as Mixed Use. The residentially zoned areas are large structures, an old school and nursing home. If new uses are to be found, alternatives must be allowed. Mixed Use does this but uses a PZD to allow review for compatibility. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 4, 1999) The item was placed on Consent Agenda for approval. By unanimous vote (10-0, Nunnley absent) the item was approved. 2 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND, THE LAND USE PLAN (16,222) IN THE CENTRAL CITY DISTRICT FROM COMMERCIAL, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL AND LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO MIXED USE BETWEEN 14TH STREET AND I-630, ALONG SCOTT STREET, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, the Planning Department and Commission recommend the change; and, WHEREAS, the area was reviewed as part of a "Neighborhood Plan" process. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. An area of proposed Commercial use is changed to Mixed use between 14th Street and I-630, west of Scott Street. SECTION 2. An area of proposed Public Institution use is changed to Mixed use between 14th and 15th Streets, east of Scott. SECTION 3. An area of proposed Low Density Residential is changed to Mixed use between 15th and 16th Streets, Main and Cumberland. SECTION 4. The Land Use Plan map is changed as shown on the attached map. PASSED: ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor