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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes july 23 planning commissionSTAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is appropriate. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION (JULY 23, 1998) Brian Minyard of Staff presented the item and stated the Staff felt that the change of the Land Use Plan was appropriate. Maurey Mitchell of Rector Phillips Morse, representative for the Marcie Reichstadt, presented the case for change and gave the Commission handouts. He stated that the proposed zoning of MF -18 would allow 168 units and that their proposed development was 144 units, with building coverage of about 23% with security on site and further spoke of amenities. Muskie Harris, of Sober Living, located at 4201 John Barrow, spoke in favor of the amendment and improvements in the community. Dana Carney of Staff asked of the commission if the discussion was to be separated between Land Use and Zoning issues. Chairman Lichty responded that the discussion would be limited to Land Use during this item. Commissioner Adcock asked Mr. Harris when the last neighborhood meeting was and where he was located in relation to the site. Mr. Chip Tripplet, the developer, spoke in reference to the meeting with the John Barrow Neighborhood Association. He stated that a major topic of the meeting was traffic generation. In opposition to the change, Carol Rudd, the vice president of the John Barrow Neighborhood Association, spoke. She stated that the traffic was a concern of the neighborhood association. She further stated that the neighborhood association had desired that development be Multi (Mixed) Office Commercial. There is abundant multi family in the area. Chairman Lichty asked of staff to explain what would be allowed in MOC. Jim Lawson clarified that the if the plan would be changed, it would not be contingent on this particular development. We would not go back and change it to MOC if this development does not go through. Walter Malone explained that any use that would be in O-1, 0-2 or 0-3 would be allowable by right in the MOC. Any development that had commercial uses with the office would go though a Planned Development. This development could be one large office building with no site plan review. If there were a mix of commercial, there would be Site Plan Review. Chairman Lichty stated that an office or commercial or a mix of the two could produce more traffic than the Multi -family. Mr. George Brown, of the John Barrow Association and member of the Plan committee, restated that the neighborhood did not want any more apartments. He spoke of the traffic concerns in and around Labette Drive. Mr. Bob Minick stated that he was representing his father and neighbors. His father lives in one of the houses that are across the street in the 2600 block. He spoke in opposition to the plan as a landowner and a realtor. Commissioner Adcock asked Staff if the Land Use Plan and the Neighborhood Action Plan shows Mixed Office Commercial. Mr. Lawson stated that it was correct. Commissioner Adcock continued to ask if someone could explain the rationale of office creating more traffic that multi- family? Bob Turner, of Public Works, stated that there was uncertainty because of unknown factors of the mixed office commercial. Commercial has the potential to generate traffic throughout the day. Typically, multi -family generates traffic at a morning and evening rush with a lull in the mid day. This would be two different types of traffic. She then asked Mr. Tripplet, if he was the developer or owner. She asked for his Little Rock address, if the was going to be an absentee landowner and his schedule to visit the property. Commissioner Muse asked Carol Rudd to approach the podium. He restated the staff write-up concerning housing. He asked of Ms. Rudd the status of forming a CDC. She stated that the CDC has not been formed at this time. She is not opposed to all multi -family and spoke of additional land available that is already zoned for multi -family. Commissioner Earnest spoke of the directive by the Board of Directors to uphold the neighborhood plans. Jim Lawson spoke concerning the adaptability of a plan. Discussion followed concerning neighborhood plans, the history of the John Barrow Plan and uses allowable in MOC. Chip Tripplet stated that he started working with Rector Phillips Morse two years ago and looked at sites already zoned Multi -family. The first site they found was in Sherwood and has started construction on -it. The site at Leander is full of rocks and cost will be prohibitive to develop it. Commissioner Downing spoke about duties of the Commission. Maury Mitchell spoke of the meetings with the neighborhood and of previous plans. Commissioner Muse asked Mr. Tripplet if the units were going to be fair market price. Mr. Tripplet responded that they are going to be tax credit properties, 10% below market price. Commissioner Muse then asked Ms. Rudd if she had comments. She stated that she does have one hundred Section 8 units and did not feel that additional units in her area were competition to her. She continued to state that the vote was close and that there was standing opposition to this since it was started. The deferral was a result of the opposition. Commissioner Berry spoke of polices of the Board concerning housing. Commissioner Downing spoke concerning the directives of the Board concerning neighborhood plans. Commissioner Hawn made the motion to approve the motion as filed. Motion was seconded. Motion failed with a vote of 4 ayes, 7 nays and 0 absent.