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Home My WebLink Aboutboard of directors itemsOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 AGENDA Subject I Action Required I Approved By Land Use Plan Amendment — Ordinance I-630 Planning District — Resolution LU09-09-01 at the northeast Approval corner of West 10`h Street and Information Report Jonesboro Street Submitted by: Planning and Development Bruce Moore SYNOPSIS A Land Use Plan amendment in the I-630 Planning District from Residential Low Density and Park/Open Space to Public Institutional for future development. FISCAL IMPACT N/A RECOMMENDATION Planning Staff recommends approval. The Planning Commission reviewed this issue at its August 6, 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, Forest PARTICIPATION Hills Neighborhood Association, Hope Neighborhood Association, War Memorial Neighborhood Association, Oak Forest Neighborhood Association, Fair Park Residents Association, and the University District were notified of the public hearing. BACKGROUND The original request for this amendment site was from Residential Low Density and Park/Open Space to Office to go along with a rezoning to 0-1 Quiet Office. The applicant has since agreed that the 0-1 zoning would be limited to library uses only and requested that the land use request be a change to Public Institutional to represent the library use. Staff was agreeable to this change in the application because Public BACKGROUND CONTINUED Institutional is a much more suitable category to be shown so close to an existing neighborhood. This area is being studied by the 12th Street Corridor Plan with the goal of revitalizing the neighborhoods in the community. The existing neighborhood where this amendment is being proposed has seen many changes over the years. The blocks between I-630 and 12th Street are still predominately residential. While there are some vacant lots in this area, there are many well-maintained, structurally sound residences and this neighborhood is fairly stable. There has recently been a reinvestment in the area, shown by the new Madison Heights residential development at the intersection of Jonesboro and 12th Street. The 12th Street Corridor Plan addresses future residential infill for this neighborhood in an effort to not only encourage new residential units but to keep them in character with the existing neighborhood housing stock. Since 2007, the Central Arkansas Library has expressed interest in building a new children's library in this area of the city. The original idea was to locate the library near War Memorial Park in the hope that it would help link the communities on the north and south sides of the interstate. This site was then designated as a potential site for a library in the 12th Street Corridor Plan. The 12th Street Corridor Plan is nearing completion and is an effort to revitalize the neighborhood areas surrounding 12`h Street (Interstate 630 on the north, Woodrow Street on the east, 16th Street on the south and University Avenue on the west). The 12th Street Plan also sites the need for better connectivity to War Memorial Park to the north of this site. Jonesboro Drive has an overpass across Interstate 630 and can serve as a secondary gateway to the 12th Street Corridor area, so a library at this site could bring more of a tie-in to the existing park areas to the north of the interstate. The Plan specifically calls for this area to be used as a future library site and the Central Arkansas Library System has stated that they intend to have this library also serve as a children's museum. This would put a facility for children within walking distance of many homes. This amendment site has been used for single family residences for several decades. While Staff typically tries to buffer residential areas from more intense uses, Public Institutional is seen as an appropriate category to mesh with an existing neighborhood. A library can provide services directly to the area residents. 2 1 2 3 4 5 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 I-630 PLANNING DISTRICT (LU09-09-01) FROM RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY AND PARK/OPEN SPACE TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL; 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 Low Density and Park/Open Space at the northeast corner of West 10`h Street and Jonesboro Street be amended to Public Institutional. Section 2. That the ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. PASSED: ATTEST: APPROVED: Susan Langley, Acting City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Thomas M. Carpenter, City Attorney // Mark Stodola, Mayor [PAGE 1 OF 11 A o o O O �e InzrT ❑ E ® • ■■ ❑ * PK/W •Ui NR ■P L RRYLwt `fw■ IF come r' A M vv -i �sr'FBI Vicinity Map P9 wil; kAl Laws-,= THMI, 1�lrtk^;O 4,0, T 000,1 I0' � ! I I F� ror, 'Jv ' ' %�li � POOJ� I'�F I J/0 �j 1 , a. i 7 Future Land Use Case: LU09-09-01 N Location: NE corner of W. 10th St. and Jonesboro RL and PK/OS to PI Ward: 2 PD: 9 0 135 270 540 Feet CT: 18 TRS: TIN R12W6 000 0 ILI ■ m s z o I now o t P9 ■ RI 71 00 0 10 10 1 I 0 0/ 0� � 9 fl • .� 1" 1,4 u I • Wo.iwU —� i Ag 7. Area Vicinity Map EU11111 Case: LU09-09-01 N Location: NE comer of W. 10th St. and Jonesboro RL and PK/OS to PI Ward: 2 Ward: 0 135 270 540 Feet PD:CT: 18 TRS: TIN R12W6 Name: Land Use Plan Amendment —1-630 Planning District Location: the northeast corner of West 10th Street and Jonesboro Street Request: Residential Low and Park/Open Space to Public Institutional Source: Joe White, White Daters and Associates, Inc. PROPOSAL / REQUEST: A Land Use Plan amendment in the 1-630 Planning District from Residential Low and Park/Open Space to Public Institutional. The applicant originally asked for a change to Office, but the applicant has since agreed to limit the 0-1 zoning to library uses only. Public Institutional would more accurately represent a library use within a neighborhood, so the applicant has amended their request. Public Institutional represents public and quasi -public facilities that provide a variety of services to the community such as schools, libraries, fire stations, etc. The applicant has also applied for a rezoning from R-3 and R-4 to 0-1. EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING: This area is zoned R-3 and R-4. It is currently being used for single family residences with some vacant lots. Immediately north of this area is Interstate 630, which is not zoned. East and south of this amendment site is more R-3 and R-4 zoning for single family residences. West of this site is zoned PR for open space along Jonesboro Drive. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS: There have been no land use plan amendments in this area for more than ten years. The area is currently shown as Residential Low Density on the eastern half and Park/Open Space on the western half. The Park/Open Space (PK/OS) extends west, north and south to represent the green space along Jonesboro Drive and War Memorial Park on the north side of Interstate 630. The Residential Low Density (RLD) extends south to West 11 th Street and east for eight blocks. RLD is also shown on the west side of the PK/OS along Jonesboro Drive. MASTER STREET PLAN: Jonesboro Drive is shown as a Collector. The primary function of a Collector Street is to provide a connection from Local Streets to Arterials. South Monroe Street, West 10k" Street and Madison Street are all shown as Local Streets. 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 : LU09-09-01 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 shown in the immediate vicinity. A Class III is shown along West 12th Street, which is located south of this application. 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 or open space. Just north of this area is the Little Rock Zoo and War Memorial Park. 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 located in the Stephens Neighborhood Action Plan area. Their Neighborhood Revitalization goal states: "provide more facilities for the residents and visitors of the Stephens area to utilize." ANALYSIS: The original request for this amendment site was from Residential Low Density and Park/Open Space to Office to go along with a rezoning to 0-1 Quiet Office. The applicant has since agreed that the 0-1 zoning would be limited to library uses only and requested that the land use request be a change to Public Institutional to represent the library use. Staff was agreeable to this change in the application because Public Institutional is a much more suitable category to be shown so close to an existing neighborhood. The definition of the Public Institutional category states: "this category includes public and quasi -public facilities that provide a variety of services to the community such as schools, libraries, fire stations, churches, utility substations, and hospitals." This area is being studied by the 12th Street Corridor Plan with the goal of revitalizing the neighborhoods in the community. The existing neighborhood 2 FILE NO.: LU09-09-01 where this amendment is being proposed has seen many changes over the years. The blocks between 1-630 and 12th Street are still predominately residential. While there are some vacant lots in this area, there are many well- maintained, structurally sound residences and this neighborhood is fairly stable. There has recently been a reinvestment in the area, shown by the new Madison Heights residential development at the intersection of Jonesboro and 12th Street. The 12th Street Corridor Plan addresses future residential infill for this neighborhood in an effort to not only encourage new residential units but to keep them in character with the existing neighborhood housing stock. Since 2007, the Central Arkansas Library has expressed interest in building a new children's library in this area of the city. The original idea was to locate the library near War Memorial Park in the hope that it would help link the communities on the north and south sides of the interstate. This site was then designated as a potential site for a library in the 12th Street Corridor Plan. The 12th Street Corridor Plan is nearing completion and is an effort to revitalize the neighborhood areas surrounding 12th Street (Interstate 630 on the north, Woodrow Street on the east, 16th Street on the south and University Avenue on the west). The 12th Street Plan also sites the need for better connectivity to War Memorial Park to the north of this site. Jonesboro Drive has an overpass across Interstate 630 and can serve as a secondary gateway to the 12th Street Corridor area, so a library at this site could bring more of a tie-in to the existing park areas to the north of the interstate. The Plan specifically calls for this area to be used as a future library site and the Central Arkansas Library System has stated that they intend to have this library also serve as a children's museum. This would put a facility for children within walking distance of many homes. This amendment site has been used for single family residences for several decades. While Staff typically tries to buffer residential areas from more intense uses, Public Institutional is seen as an appropriate category to mesh with an existing neighborhood. A library can provide services directly to the area residents. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: Forest Hills, Hope, War Memorial, Oak Forest, Fair Park Residents Association, and the University District. Staff has received no comments from area residents. AFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff believes the change is appropriate. 3 FILE NO.: LU09-09-01 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (AUGUST 6, 2009) The item was placed on consent agenda for approval. By a vote of 10 for and 0 against the consent agenda was approved. 4