HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutesJune 7, 2007
ITEM NO.: G FILE NO.: LU07-11-01
Name: Land Use Plan Amendment - 1-430 Planning District
Location: The west side of John Barrow, south of Tanya Drive
Request: Low Density Residential to Single Family and Neighborhood Commercial
Source: Wes Lowder, The Mehlburger Firm, PLLC
PROPOSAL / REQUEST:
A Land Use Plan amendment in the 1-430 Planning District from Low Density Residential to
Single Family and Neighborhood Commercial. Single Family provides for single family
homes at densities not to exceed 6 dwelling units per acre. Neighborhood Commercial
includes limited small-scale commercial development in close proximity to a neighborhood,
providing goods and services for that neighborhood market area. The applicant has applied
for a rezoning to Planned Commercial Development to allow the development of a single-
family subdivision with 60 residential lots and a commercial strip center fronting John Barrow
Road.
EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING:
The application site is wooded and undeveloped. It is currently zoned MF -12 and is 34 acres
± in size. North of this site is zoned R-4 for duplexes on Tanya Drive and MF -18 for Parkview
Rehabilitation Center, which is a residential center for the elderly. Parkview Rehabilitation
Center is directly across John Barrow Road from Parkview High School. The high school is
zoned R-2 Single Family District. West of this area is zoned R-2 Single Family and is
densely developed with single family homes. To the east of this area is also zoned R-2
Single Family District, but that area has not all been platted. To the south of the application
area is zoned Planned Residential Development for three new duplexes and MF -24 for River
City Contractors, which is a nonconforming use. The remaining area south of the application
is zoned R-3 Single Family and is mostly developed with single-family houses.
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS:
This property is currently shown on the Future Land Use Plan as Low Density Residential.
The property fronting John Barrow directly south of this area is planned for Neighborhood
Commercial. This area is surrounded by Single Family to the west, south and east. Low
Density Residential and Multi Family are planned for the area north of this application.
Ordinance 19,562 was passed on July 18, 2006. This ordinance changed an area along the
east side of John Barrow Road from 31St to 32nd Street from Single Family to Mixed Use.
This change was accompanied by a Planned Zoning District application for a car wash. This
ordinance also changed the area along the west side of John Barrow Road from 31St to 32nd
Street from Single Family to Public Institutional. The change to Public Institutional was added
by staff to recognize existing uses.
June 7, 2007
ITEM NO.: G (Cont.
FILE NO.: LU07-11-01
Ordinance 18,768 was passed on November 4, 2002. This ordinance changed an area of
Single Family along Lehigh Court to Low Density Residential. This amendment was made to
recognize the residential along Lehigh Court as over six units per acre, which also includes
townhouses.
Ordinance 18,558 was passed on September 4, 2001 to change a portion of the Park/Open
Space at 24th and Junior Deputy Roads bounded by Romine Road be amended to Low
Density Residential. This amendment was made for a possible expansion of the Good
Shepard Ecumenical Retirement Center.
MASTER STREET PLAN:
John Barrow Road is shown as a Minor Arterial on the Master Street Plan. This street may
require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements. 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. Entrances and exits should be limited to
minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on John Barrow since it is a Minor
Arterial.
BICYCLE PLAN:
A Class II bike route is shown on Tanya Drive. A Class II bikeway is located on the street as
either a 5' shoulder or six foot marked bike lane. Additional paving and right of way may be
required.
PARKS:
According to the Master Parks Plan, this area is located within eight blocks of a park or 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 John Barrow Neighborhood Action
Plan. The Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization goal states: "Encourage the
development of additional affordable housing in the John Barrow Neighborhood Area."
ANALYSIS:
This application is a request to change this area from Low Density Residential to Single
Family and Neighborhood Commercial. The Neighborhood Commercial would front John
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June 7, 2007
ITEM NO.: G Cont. FILE NO.: LU07-11-01
Barrow Road and would extend north from the existing Neighborhood Commercial that is
already shown on the Future Land Use Plan.
The rest of the application area would be dedicated to Single Family housing.
Since January 2007, there have only been four permits issued for commercial development in
this general area, and these were all for the Shackleford Crossings development. This is a
proposed regional commercial center a mile to the west as the 'crow flies' along interstate
430. There have been very few permits issued for commercial development in this area in
the past few years, which shows minimal demand for commercial. Also, there are still several
sites shown on the Land Use Plan and zoned for commercial uses along John Barrow Road,
at the intersection of West 36th Street and John Barrow, and along Kanis Road just east of
John Barrow Road. Most of this have been on the Plan for decades and are not yet fully
developed.
This location is very close to Parkview High School and the City of Little Rock has historically
been opposed to commercial use next to a high school. Over the years commercial zoning
has been moving north along John Barrow Road from 36th Street. This is creating a 'strip
commercial' pattern along John Barrow Road. The City land use policy is not to allow 'strip
commercial' along arterials, but rather to encourage commercial in nodes, generally at or
near major intersections. Staff wishes to discourage the further commercialization of lands
lining John Barrow Road in keeping with the City land use policy.
The application site is a large vacant area of Low Density Residential and has been
undeveloped for some time. There appears to be a demand for single family construction;
permit data shows 34 single family permits issued between January and May 2007. While
there is not much Low Density Residential in the vicinity, this site remains undeveloped,
although several duplexes were recently built on Ludwig in Single Family with the Conditional
Use Permit process. Another large tract of Low Density Residential is vacant to the west of
the application area near Aldersgate Road, which Good Shepard owns and plans to develop
as part of a retirement community. Depending on the development pattern Low Density
Residential can either be grouped together in a large area or scattered throughout a
neighborhood. The type of development being constructed in the John Barrow area has
been duplex or triplex development. This type of development can be more aesthetically
appealing when it is scattered throughout a single family area rather than all grouped
together. In addition with this 'scattered' development pattern some of the negative impacts
residents are concerned about with 'multi -family' development is less likely.
The John Barrow Neighborhood Action Plan has many housing and neighborhood
revitalization goals. It states a need to improve overall appearance of the neighborhood with
an objective of reviewing design standards for new construction of residential units. There is
also an action statement stating that the design of new residential units should be compatible
with existing architecture in the area. The application area is surrounded by single-family
homes, and area residents have indicated a preference for more single family developed in
the area.
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June 7, 2007
ITEM NO.: G (Cont.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMME
FILE NO.: LU07-11-01
Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations Campus Place POA, Twin
Lakes A POA, Twin Lakes B POA, John Barrow Neighborhood Association, Kennsington
Place POA, and Brownwood Terrace POA. Staff has not received any comments from area
residents.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
While Staff does not support a change to Neighborhood Commercial, staff believes the
change to Single Family is appropriate.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(MAY 24, 2007)
Due to having only seven Commissioners present the applicant choose to defer this item to
the June 7, 2007 meeting of the Planning Commission. By a vote of 6 for, 0 against, four
absent and one vacancy the item was deferred.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 7, 2007)
Walter Malone, Planning Staff reviewed the existing use pattern in the immediate area.
Mr. Malone noted that there was some commercial and office use areas still to be developed
at the Kanis and 36th Street intersections with John Barrow, though most of the intersection at
Kanis has been developed. Over the last few years there has been some development of
new single-family and duplexes in John Barrow. However there has really not been any new
commercial development. The most recent in the general area has been at 1-630 and
Shackleford which is really designed to be regional retail.
Staff is concerned about strip development along John Barrow and commercial close to a
school. This development would triple the amount of commercial at a secondary intersection
(281h and John Barrow). Staff would recommend the commercial be kept at the Kanis and
36th Street intersections with John Barrow. Staff does support the residential part of the
application but not the commercial part. Donna James of the Planning Staff reviewed the
Planned Zoning District application related to this Land Use amendment.
The Chairman asked the applicant if he would like to speak or to hear the opposition first.
He elected to allow the opposition to speak first. Ruth Bell, League of Women Voters,
addressed the commission and stated that the League supported the node concept to
cluster commercial at major intersections and not to have 'strip commercial' along arterials.
She reviewed the use pattern to the north, including a library, high school, church, offices
and a nursing facility. She asked that the Commission turn down this application.
Wes Lowder, representative of the applicant, reviewed the John Barrow Neighborhood's Plan
recommendation for housing. This development will address that need. Mr. Lowder
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June 7, 2007
ITEM NO.: G (Cont.
FILE NO.: LU07-11-01
reviewed the costs of developing the southeast corner — moving a sewer and creek. The
group did look at a total single-family development but could not make that work. The costs
of development require a small amount of commercial (4 plus acres). Staff has stated that
there are several commercial areas available, which have not developed. This developer will
provide the commercial that the neighborhood has said they want. Mr. Lowder also
described the large open space areas and buffers.
Ruth Bell returned to the podium. If the reason for the Commercial is cost of development for
the southeast corner, why not move the large open space area to this location and develop
the area proposed for open space with homes? Ms. Bell reminded the Commission they are
no responsible for making a development financial viable.
Commissioner Meyer stated he did not agree with Staff and Ms. Bell. He felt that there was a
need for a lot of neighborhood commercial in walking distance, like in the neighborhood he
lived. He does not have a problem with commercial on John Barrow and people will not want
single family on John Barrow Road.
In the discussion it was noted that the uses would be `C-1' Neighborhood Commercial and
limited to closing time of 10 PM. Some possible uses were discussed and a partial list of `C-
1' uses was provided by Staff.
A motion was made to approve the Land Use Plan Amendment as filed. By a vote of 3 for,
5 against, 1 recusal, 1 absent and 1 vacancy the item failed.
5
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Plan Amendment
Case: LU07-11-01
Location: W. Side of John Barrow,
N
S. of Tanya Dr.
LDR to SF & NC
Ward: 6
PD: 11
CT: 24.04 0 435
870 Feet
TRS: TIN R13WI l