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Home My WebLink Aboutboard of directors itemsOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION JANUARY 2, 2008 AGENDA Subject I Action Required I Approved By Land Use Plan Amendment — Ordinance East Geyer Springs Planning Resolution District — LU07-14-01 at Approval 3200 Baseline Road Information Report Submitted by: Planning and Development Bruce Moore SYNOPSIS Land Use Plan amendments in the East Geyer Springs Planning District from Mixed Office Commercial to Commercial for future development. FISCAL IMPACT N/A RECOMMENDATION Planning Staff recommends denial. The Planning Commission reviewed this issue at its November 11, 2007 meeting and failed to recommend approval (0 in favor, 11 against). There were eight objectors present. CITIZEN All residents within 300 feet who could be identified, PARTICIPATION Southwest Little Rock United for Progress and the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association were notified of the public hearing. BACKGROUND This area is currently shown on the Future Land Use Plan as Mixed Office Commercial. It is surrounded to the east by [lie Little Fourche floodplain. To the north and south are both single family and multi family housing. This part of the city was annexed in 1985 by a general election and is within half a mile of the city limits. This area of Baseline is zoned R-2 Single Family and is surrounded by non -conforming uses: an engine -rebuild shop, a daycare, multi family apartments, etc. BACKGROUND CONTINUED These non -conforming uses were grandfathered -in in the 1985 annexation. The applicant has requested a change from Mixed Office Commercial to Commercial for a proposed skating rink on this site. A change to Commercial on the plan would open the door to any type of commercial re -zoning, whereas Mixed Office Commercial requires a Planned Zoning Development to help ensure a compatible use for the surrounding areas. It would be more logical to have the Commercial area shown at the intersection of Baseline and Scott Hamilton across from the other Commercial areas. This would enhance the node of Commercial with the PZD required MOC being across from the Multi family and the single family. Another commercial development would not be totally out of character with this portion of Baseline Road, but Staff feels the Planned Zoning Development process should be utilized to guide proper development for this region. 2 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAND USE PLAN (16,222) IN THE EAST GEYER SPRINGS PLANNING DISTRICT (LU07-14-01) FROM MIXED OFFICE COMMERCIAL TO COMMERCIAL; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. That Mixed Office Commercial at 3200 Baseline Road be amended to Commercial. 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 APPROVED: Mayor 0 up NFJ z C j a C Q 71 - IOU" ---------- C�OFFER W Vicinity Map E�) Rfl am M aj Plan Amendment PK/OS PK/OS Case: LU07-14-01 Location: 3200 Baseline Rd. MOC to C Ward: 2 PD: 14 CT: 41.07 TRS: TINR12W32 I N A 0 200 400 Feet MENOMINIEK:::= - - - - - - - - - - - - C; Q3 LU IN Elm E"m rr-j Qv Em on vv O - t-A 1!5 C!n +� WCOFFRU 14 go -a, E— r-N 0 Area, Vicinity Map Ujung Casc: LU07-14-01 Location: 3200 Baseline Rd. MOC to C Ward: 2 PD: 14 CT 41.07 TRS: TINR12W32 N A 0 200 400 Feet ImmmmmmmI:::zz = FILE NO.: LU07- Name: Land Use Plan Amendment - Geyer Springs East Planning District Location: 3200 Baseline Road Request: Mixed Office Commercial to Commercial Source: James Gilliam PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Land Use Plan amendment in the Geyer Springs East Planning District from Mixed Office Commercial to Commercial. Commercial includes a broad range of retail and services, varying in size and type. The proposed use of the property is a skating rink. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: The amendment area is currently zoned R-2 Single Family and is vacant and wooded. North, south and east of the amendment area is also zoned R-2 Single Family and is mostly undeveloped because of the large floodplain of Little Fourche Creek to the east. There are single family houses to the northwest and apartments to the southwest. To the west of the amendment area along Baseline Road are several nonconforming uses in R-2 Single Family zoning: an engine rebuilding shop, a tire store, a day care, a Laundromat and a donut shop. There is also a vacant Planned Commercial Development. The southeast corner of the intersection of Hilaro Springs and Baseline is zoned C-2 Shopping Center District and has a retail store called Denim and Diamonds in what used to be a Dollar General store. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: The amendment area is currently shown as Mixed Office Commercial and Park/Open Space on the future land use plan. The Mixed Office Commercial extends west along the north side of Baseline to Scott Hamilton Drive. North of that is a strip of Park/Open Space and then Single Family. South of the amendment area is shown as Multi Family and Park/Open Space. Ordinance 19669 amended the land use plan on January 2, 2007 west of the Baseline/Scott Hamilton intersection. The Low Density Residential on the south side of Baseline between Hilaro Springs and Reck Road was amended to Suburban Office for future development. Ordinance 19532 amended the land use plan on May 16, 2006 in several areas near this location. City staff initiated this amendment to recognize current and future uses. FILE NO.: LU07-14-01 (Cont.) - MASTER STREET PLAN: Baseline Road is shown as a Principal Arterial on the Master Street Plan with reduced standards. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians since this is a Principal Arterial. These streets may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. BICYCLE PLAN: A Class I bike route is shown proposed on the eastern edge of this property in the Little Fourche Creek floodway. A Class I bikeway is built separate from or alongside a road. Additional paving and right of way may be required. PARKS: According to the Master Parks Plan, the amendment location is within eight blocks of a park or open space. Immediately east of the amendment area is the Little Fourche Creek floodplain, which is open space. HISTORIC DISTRICTS: There are no city recognized historic districts that would be affected by this amendment. CITY RECOGNIZED NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN: The applicant's property lies in the area covered by the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Action Plan. The Neighborhood and Housing Revitalization goal states: "Encourage commercial zoning on main arterials -- Baseline, Geyer Springs, Scott Hamilton, Hilaro Springs Road." ANALYSIS: This area is currently shown on the Future Land Use Plan as Mixed Office Commercial. It is surrounded to the east by the Little Fourche floodplain. To the north and south are both single family and multi family housing. This part of the city was annexed in 1985 by a general election and is within half a mile of the city limits. This area of Baseline is zoned R-2 Single Family and is surrounded by non -conforming uses: an engine -rebuild shop, a daycare, multi family apartments, etc. These non -conforming uses were grandfathered -in in the 1985 annexation. The applicant has requested a change from Mixed Office Commercial to Commercial for a proposed skating rink on this site. A change to Commercial on the plan would open the door to any type of commercial re -zoning, whereas Mixed Office Commercial requires a Planned Zoning Development to help ensure a compatible use for the 2 FILE NO.: LU07-14-01 Cont.) surrounding areas. It would be more logical to have the Commercial area shown at the intersection of Baseline and Scott Hamilton across from the other Commercial areas. This would enhance the node of Commercial with the PZD required MOC being across from the Multi family and the single family. Another commercial development would not be totally out of character with this portion of Baseline Road, but Staff feels the Planned Zoning Development process should be utilized to guide proper development for this region. EIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association and Southwest Little Rock United for Progress. Staff has received no comments from area residents. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is not appropriate. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEPTEMBER 27, 2007) The item was placed on the consent agenda for deferral to the November 11, 2007 agenda. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda and was approved with a vote of 9 ayes, 1 absent and 1 open position. STAFF UPDATE: There have been no changes made to the application. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (NOVEMBER 8, 2007) Walter Malone, Planning Staff review the Land Use Plan in the vicinity as well as the exiting use pattern. Much of this area was developed prior to annexation and is zoned be R-2 Single Family with non -conforming non-residential uses. The concern is allowing commercial so far from a major intersection, could lead to strip commercial of both sides of Baseline Road. Staff would like to keep the possibility of Office use with any Commercial use reviewed using the PZD to control access and design. Donna James of Planning Staff reviewed the related Planned Zoning District for this site. Several interest citizens spoke on the proposed changes (the PZD). See Item F.1, Z-8258 for a complete review of the minutes. By a vote of 0 for, 11 against the item failed. 3