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HomeMy WebLinkAboutboard of directors itemsOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 AGENDA Subject. Land Use Plan Amendment — Geyer Springs West Planning District — LU11-15-01 at 9321 Interstate 30 Submitted by: Planning and Development SYNOPSIS FISCAL IMPACT RECOMMENDATION CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Action Required I Approved By Ordinance Resolution Approval Information Report Bruce Moore A Land Use Plan amendment in the Geyer Springs West Planning District from Commercial to Industrial for future development. I N/A Planning Staff recommends approval. The Planning Commission reviewed this issue at its August 11, 2011 meeting and recommended approval (8 in favor, 0 against, and 1 recuse). There were no objectors present. All residents within 300 feet who could be identified, the Chicot Neighborhood Association, West Baseline Neighborhood Association, Cloverdale Neighborhood Association and Southwest Little Rock UPS were notified of the public hearing. BACKGROUND The amendment area is located along the west side of Chicot Road and is just south of the Frontage Road at Interstate 30, It is currently shown as Commercial on the Future Land Use Plan and has been shown as this category for more than 20 years. The property owner recently razed an old motel on this site, and the surrounding area has become more industrialized over the years. Industrial is typically located near an interstate because the traffic created in industrial areas is mostly made up of large trucks. This is very different than the typical traffic created by a retail use, which is reason to keep the industrial and commercial areas separate. The area immediately south of the interstate at Chicot Road is mostly industrial uses with Riggs Tractor Company being one of the primary stakeholders for the area. To the east of the amendment area is planned for Industrial and is almost completely developed by J.A. Riggs. Riggs has been a large property owner in this area for some time, and this proposal is to allow them to expand to the west side of Chicot Road. West of the amendment area is also planned for Light Industrial and has been developed for many years. Just west of this amendment area is comprised of generally small warehouse use and heavy commercial uses appropriate in more industrial areas and close to major freeways. With the change in access roads to one-way along Interstate 30, there has been location change in desirability and the amount of commercial use needed along the freeway. The ownership of the southwest corner of Interstate 30 and Chicot has changed hands, with an adjacent heavy commercial to industrial use wanting to expand into this location. The amount of industrial land in this area has become limited. 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 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAND USE PLAN (16,222) IN THE GEYER SPRINGS WEST PLANNING DISTRICT (LU11-15-01) FROM COMMERCIAL TO INDUSTRIAL; 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 Commercial at 9321 Interstate 30 be amended to Industrial. 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 H APPROVED: Mayor [Page 1 of 11 FILE NO.: LU11-15-01 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment — Geyer Springs West Planning District Location: 9321 Interstate 30 Request: Commercial to Industrial Source: Alex Smith, For Riggs Tractor Company PROPOSAL/REQUEST: A Land Use Plan amendment in the Geyer Springs West Planning District from Commercial to Industrial. The Industrial category encompasses a wide variety of manufacturing, warehousing research and development, processing and industry related office and service activities. Industrial development typically occurs on an individual tract basis rather than according to an overall development plan. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: The property is vacant after commercial buildings were razed. It is currently zoned R-2 Single Family District and is about five acres in size plus the adjacent right of way. Immediately north of this amendment is Interstate 30. All of the land to the west, south and east of this area is already zoned 1-2 Light Industrial District, which is what the present rezoning application is for this property. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: The amendment site is shown as Commercial. It is bounded on the north by the Interstate. Immediately west and south of this area is shown as Park/Open Space, which represents floodplain. East of this area is all shown as Industrial. LU07-15-01 changed a large area located approximately half a mile east of this amendment at 8911 Interstate 30 from Multi Family to Light Industrial (Ordinance 19796). LU09-15-01 changed an area southeast of this amendment site from Single Family to Office and Park/Open Space along Baseline Road (Ordinance 20090). MASTER STREET PLAN: Interstate 30 is a Freeway. Freeways are not controlled by the City of Little Rock. Chicot Road is a Collector. The primary function of a Collector Street is to provide a connection from Local Streets to Arterials. These streets may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. FILE NO.: LU11-15-01(Cont.) BICYCLE PLAN: A Class III is shown along Chicot Road. 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, this area is within eight blocks of a park. Ottenheimer Park is located southeast of this amendment site. HISTORIC DISTRICTS: There are no city recognized historic districts that would be affected by this amendment. ANALYSIS The amendment area is located along the west side of Chicot Road and is just south of the Frontage Road at Interstate 30. It is currently shown as Commercial on the Future Land Use Plan and has been shown as this category for more than 20 years. The property owner recently razed an old motel on this site, and the surrounding area has become more industrialized over the years. Industrial is typically located near an interstate because the traffic created in industrial areas is mostly made up of large trucks. This is very different than the typical traffic created by a retail use, which is reason to keep the industrial and commercial areas separate. The area immediately south of the interstate at Chicot Road is mostly industrial uses with Riggs Tractor Company being one of the primary stakeholders for the area. To the east of the amendment area is planned for Industrial and is almost completely developed by J.A. Riggs. Riggs has been a large property owner in this area for some time, and this proposal is to allow them to expand to the west side of Chicot Road. West of the amendment area is also planned for Light Industrial and has been developed for many years. Just west of this amendment area is comprised of generally small warehouse use and heavy commercial uses appropriate in more industrial areas and close to major freeways. With the change in access roads to one-way along Interstate 30, there has been location change in desirability and the amount of commercial use needed along the freeway. The ownership of the southwest corner of Interstate 30 and Chicot has changed hands, with an adjacent heavy commercial to industrial use wanting to expand into this location. The amount of industrial land in this area has become limited. 2 FILE NO.: LU11-15-01 Cont. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS.- Notices OMMENTS: Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: Chicot, West Baseline, Cloverdale and Southwest Little Rock UPS. Staff has received no comments from area residents. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is appropriate. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (AUGUST 11, 2011) The item was placed on the consent agenda for approval. By a vote of 8 for, 0 against, 1 recuse the item was approved. G