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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Director itemsOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION OCTOBER 20, 2009 AGENDA Subject I Action Required � Approved By Land Use Plan Amendment — gOrdinance Ellis Mountain Planning Resolution District — LU09-18-01 at the Approval northwest corner of Kanis and Information Report Atkins Roads Submitted by: Planning and Development Bruce Moore SYNOPSIS A Land Use Plan amendment in the Ellis Mountain Planning District from Residential Medium Density to Suburban Office for future development. FISCAL IMPACT N/A RECOMMENDATION Planning Staff recommends approval. The Planning Commission reviewed this issue at its September 17, 2009 meeting and recommended approval (10 in favor, 0 against). There were no objectors present. CITIZEN All residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the PARTICIPATION Gibraltar Heights Pointe West Timber Ridge POA were notified of the public hearing. BACKGROUND The Land Use Plan along Kanis Road has been the subject of extensive study. This area of Kanis is on the edge of development in the City of Little Rock. The last major changes to take place along the Kanis corridor were the result of Ordinance 17,951 in 1999. This Ordinance changed most of the corridor to the categories that are now shown. It has taken time, but these land use categories are beginning to be utilized with the development of small offices and new residences. The Kanis area has emphasized that lower intensity uses are the BACKGROUND CONTINUED most desirable for the region. The Rock Creek Neighborhood Action Plan specifically requested that the Future Land Use Plan be adhered to more closely with very limited amendments. This area has been growing almost continually over the past twenty years. The changes made by Ordinance 17,951 have been in place for eight years. A change in conditions should be identified for further modification of the plan. The application area was changed under this ordinance from Transition and Neighborhood Commercial to Residential Medium Density. Throughout this period of time, the use has remained mostly single family with several Planned Office Developments for this section of Kanis. A pattern of residential mixed with office uses is developing along Kanis. These land use categories need to be used as a guide for the future development of the Kanis corridor. The development pattern to the north and west is predominately single family detached houses. Most of the houses are of similar size and lot size, with a mix of large lot single family and smaller lot subdivisions. To the east is planned for Suburban Office. There are currently single family houses and single family houses that have been converted to offices in this area. These buildings and any future Suburban Office or Single Family buildings would all be on a similar scale. There has not been much development along this stretch of Kanis Road. The newest addition is the Crackerbox convenience store west of this amendment site. 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAND USE PLAN (16,222) IN THE ELLIS MOUNTAIN PLANNING DISTRICT (LU09-18-01) FROM RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY TO SUBURBAN OFFICE; 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 Residential Medium Density at the northwest corner Kanis and Atkins Roads be amended to Suburban Office. SECTION 2. That the ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. SECTION 3. Severability. In the event any portion of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance, which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of this ordinance. SECTION 4. Repealer. All ordinances and resolutions, and parts thereof, which are in conflict with any provision of this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. PASSED: ATTEST: APPROVED: Susan Langley, Acting City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Thomas M. Carpenter, City Attorney Mark Stodola, Mayor Vicinity Map Land Use Amendment Case: LU09-18-01 N Location: the northwest corner of Atkins and Kanis Roads RMD to SO Ward: 5 PD: 18 0 50 100 200 Feet CT: 42.10 TRS: TIN R13W5 Area, Vicinity Map Gulllll Case: LU09-18-01 N Location: the northwest corner of Atkins and Kanis Roads RMD to SO Ward: 5 PD: 18 0 50 100 200 Feet CT: 42.10 TRS: TIN R13W5 FILE NO.: LU09-18-01 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment — Ellis Mountain Planning District Location: Northwest corner Kanis and Atkins Roads Request: Residential Medium Density to Suburban Office Source: Rick Threadgill PROPOSAL/REQUEST: A Land Use Plan amendment in the Ellis Mountain Planning District from Residential Medium Density to Suburban Office. Suburban Office provides for low intensity development of office uses in close proximity to residential areas. A Planned Zoning District is required to ensure compatibility. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: The property is currently zoned R-2 and is about 3 acres ± in size. The site is undeveloped and is wooded. An area east and adjacent to this application is zoned 0-1 Quiet Office and is vacant, cleared and undeveloped. To the west, northeast and north of this site is all zoned R-2 Single Family and is partially developed with single family residences. There is also a significant portion of this area that is still wooded and undeveloped. Immediately west on the R-2 zoned land is a VFW post at the corner of Gamble and Kanis Roads. To the south of this amendment site is zoned 0-1 and 0-3, but it is all either single family residences or vacant land. Southeast of this site is zoned C-3 Commercial and is wooded and vacant. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: The application area and the surrounding areas to the west are currently planned for Residential Medium Density. Beyond the Residential Medium Density to the north is Residential Low Density. To the east and south is planned for Suburban Office. Neighborhood Commercial is shown to the southeast. These areas were all amended in 1999 under Ordinance 17,951 in an effort to update the Kanis Corridor. There have been no amendments in this area since that time. MASTER STREET PLAN: Kanis Road is shown as a Minor Arterial on the plan. 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. Atkins Road is a Local Street. 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 FILE NO.: LU09-18-01 (Cont.) zoning than duplexes are considered as "Commercial Streets". These streets have a design standard the same as a Collector. These streets may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. BICYCLE PLAN: There are no bike routes in the immediate vicinity- According to the Master Parks Plan, the application area is within eight blocks of a park or open space. This park area is along Rock Creek, which runs between the lanes of Chenal Parkway. HISTORIC DISTRICTS: There are no city recognized historic districts that would be affected by this amendment. CITY RECOGNIZED NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN: The property under review is covered under the Rock Creek Neighborhood Action Plan. The Plan's Office and Commercial goal states: "Adopt a policy of adhering to the Land Use Plan. Amendments should be made very rarely, only with neighborhood input, and only when it can be clearly demonstrated that the amendment will enhance the quality of life in the Rock Creek Neighborhood." ANALYSIS: The Land Use Plan along Kanis Road has been the subject of extensive study. This area of Kanis is on the edge of development in the City of Little Rock. The last major changes to take place along the Kanis corridor were the result of Ordinance 17,951 in 1999. This Ordinance changed most of the corridor to the categories that are now shown. It has taken time, but these land use categories are beginning to be utilized with the development of small offices and new residences. The Kanis area has emphasized that lower intensity uses are the most desirable for the region. The Rock Creek Neighborhood Action Plan specifically requested that the Future Land Use Plan be adhered to more closely with very limited amendments. This area has been growing almost continually over the past twenty years. The changes made by Ordinance 17,951 have been in place for eight years. A change in conditions should be identified for further modification of the plan. The application area was changed under this ordinance from Transition and Neighborhood Commercial to Residential Medium Density. Throughout this 2 FILE NO.: LU09-18-01 (Cont. period of time, the use has remained mostly single family with several Planned Office Developments for this section of Kanis. A pattern of residential mixed with office uses is developing along Kanis. These land use categories need to be used as a guide for the future development of the Kanis corridor. The development pattern to the north and west is predominately single family detached houses. Most of the houses are of similar size and lot size, with a mix of large lot single family and smaller lot subdivisions. To the east is planned for Suburban Office. There are currently single family houses and single family houses that have been converted to offices in this area. These buildings and any future Suburban Office or Single Family buildings would all be on a similar scale. There has not been much development along this stretch of Kanis Road. The newest addition is the Crackerbox convenience store west of this amendment site. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: Notices were sent to the Gibraltar Heights Pointe West Timber Ridge POA. Staff has received one informational call from an area resident. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is appropriate. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEPTEMBER 17, 2009) The item was placed on consent agenda for approval. By a vote of 10 for and 0 against the consent agenda was approved. M