HomeMy WebLinkAboutboard of directors itemsOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION
OCTOBER 4, 2005 AGENDA
Subject
LU05-08-02 Land Use
Plan Amendments in the
Central High and Wright
Avenue Areas
Submitted by:
Planning & Development
SYNOPSIS
FISCAL IMPACT
RECOMMENDATION
CITIZEN
PARTICIPATION
BACKGROUND
Action Required I Approved By
Ordinance
Resolution
Approval
Information Report
Bruce Moore
City Maiiager
A package of amendments to `clean-up' and update the
Land Use Plan in the Central High area, to more accurately
represent the short and mid-term future development
patterns in the area.
Planning Commission by a vote of 10 for and 0 against
recommends approval (September 1, 2005). Planning Staff
recommends approval.
Various mailings and contacts with the Central High,
Capital Hill and Wright Avenue Neighborhood
Associations over the last year. Contacts with major
institutions in the area -- Arkansas Baptist College,
Children's Hospital and LRSD to name three, over the last
year and mailings to surrounding residents and the affected
property owners.
A rezoning request was made in mid -2004 to reclassify an
existing apartment building on Battery using the Planned
Zoning District process. In the review, staff noted the
Land Use Plan showed Single Family for the property as
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
well as several other properties currently occupied by
and/or zoned for multifamily use. Since the Land Use Plan
had not been reviewed in over a decade for this sub -area of
Little Rock, Staff undertook a review of the Land Use Plan
in August 2004. The first step of this review was to
contact the three neighborhood associations in the area as
well as the major institutions. This contact was made in
September 2004. Each group was asked for
recommendations, which they might have to change or
update the Plan. By mid-October 2004 none of the groups
had contacted Staff with any suggestions for changes to the
Land Use Plan.
Staff continued to review the area and identified several
changes thought to be mostly `clean-up'. In a few cases
Staff identified a change meant to encourage a use change
where physical changes had occurred, in an attempt to
create a better use mix in the general area. These changes
were mapped and a second letter with the changes was sent
to the same groups in mid-November 2004. In addition the
owners of property directly affected by the proposed
changes were sent letters on December 1, 2004. Staff
received comments through mid-January 2005.
The Central High Neighborhood Association asked Staff to
come to their January meeting (January 11, 2005). At this
meeting staff reviewed the proposed changes and there was
some discussion about two of the changes as well as the
process. The group asked for and was granted two
additional months to review the documents and make
comments. This time was given to the other groups via
mailed correspondence. After almost two months, by
phone, Central High Neighborhood Association asked for
two additional months to get comments in. This request
was granted.
During this review time additional comments and
suggestions were received from other individuals. These
included two additional areas for changes: one on Bishop
between Daisy Gatson Bates Drive and 15"' Street from
Single Family to Commercial; and the other on 23`d Street
between Wolfe and Bishop from Single Family to Public
Institutional. Three areas were requested to be removed
from consideration for a change. These are: east of Jones
between 16th and 17`h Streets, a change from Industrial to
Mixed Use; Daisy Gatson Bates Drive from Marshall to
Bishop Streets, a change from Public Institutional to Mixed
2
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
Office Commercial; and the southeast corner of I 11h and
Bishop Streets, a change from Mixed Office and
Commercial to Public Institutional.
Staff reviewed the areas considering the information
provided. From this analysis the three areas requesting no
change were reviewed. However Staff could not justify
adding the new change areas to the package. The Bishop
site is mid -block surrounded by single-family and no
traditional commercial structures located along this locate
residential street. The 23`d Street site is also mid -block.
While the church is across the street on the south side of
the street there are existing homes either side of requested
ownership change. A change of one vacant lot surrounded
by homes seems premature -- a specific development in
the future may warrant a change but not a small unknown
possible development adjacent to these existing homes.
A revised package of changes was developed in May of
2005. Staff did remove and alter several of the proposed
changes due to comments and suggestions received. The
Central High Neighborhood Association invited Staff to
their June meeting (Junel4, 2005). There was discussion
again about the changes, but no agreement or disagreement
with the proposal. The final package was developed for
the Commission's review. Most of the changes are those
which staff believes are clean-up (to more accurately
reflect existing land use, zoning and mostly future use of
the land). These are as follows:
The area along the east side of the railroad tracks from 7th
to 10th Streets is currently zoned I-2, with several small
warehouses, a salvage yard and vacant land. Single Family
homes are to the east and the State Complex is to the
northeast. With the existing street pattern, traffic can flow
to either 7th or 12th Streets, however the access to
Woodrow has been removed. The current Plan had shown
this area for Industrial. Industrial could result in
manufacturing and distribution uses which would result in
large and more truck traffic through the area. With the
existing use and zoning pattern, together with impacts on
the surrounding neighborhood a more realistic and
desirable future use pattern is Light Industrial for this land.
The area along 12th Street from Dennison to Park is already
zoned Commercial (C-3) and Industrial (I-2), with
commercial uses. The current use of the land is a strip
3
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
center, a commercial building with a `bike' club and other
retail uses and a parking lot. The Plan had shown this area
for Single Family use. With the existing use and zoning
pattern a more realistic future use pattern is Mixed Use for
this land.
Bishop Street from 12th to 13th Streets is land owned by
Arkansas Children's Hospital and currently used by the
hospital and zoned for office use, 0-3. The hospital's
future plans show the land to be used for medical and
research uses by the hospital. Thus while Mixed Office
Commercial may be the general use pattern Public
Institutional would be more informative for those who
might use the Plan to make decisions about other
properties. This change is intended to reflect the long-
range plan for the hospital property.
The area between Daisy Gatson Bates Drive and 13th Street
from Wolfe to Battery Streets is currently more dense than
Single Family. It is primarily duplexes and buildings with
four to six units. The zoning ranges from R-3 to R-5, with
most of the area zoned for more than single units. Based
on the existing use and zoning pattern, the current Plan
showing Single Family for this area miss -represents the
current and likely future development pattern of the area.
A change to Low Density Residential is more
representative of both the existing conditions and likely
future development of the area.
The intersections of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive with
both Daisy Gatson Bates Drive and 16th Street are currently
zoned C-3 General Commercial with existing small retail
businesses. The current Plan shows Mixed Use. However
with the existing zoning and use pattern it is not likely that
residential use would be introduced while office use is
possible, it is more likely that the intersections will
continue to be commercial in nature. Thus a change to
Neighborhood Commercial is more reflective of the
existing and likely future development pattern of both of
these intersections.
The area along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between these
two intersections consists of single-family homes, zoned
R-4 and R-3. The homes are in good condition and there is
no reason why they should not continue to be single-family
homes. A change from Mixed Use to Single Family would
help re -enforce the current conditions and discourage
stripping of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
4
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
A lot at the northeast corner of Martin Luther King Jr.
Drive and 17th Street is the former President's home for
Arkansas Baptist College. The building is now used for
college related office space. A change in the Plan from
Single Family to Public Institutional would be more
representative of the current and likely future use of the
land.
The properties along the west side of Battery from 15th
Street south of 16`h Street are Multifamily in design and
use, except for two. One of these is zoned R-5
(Multifamily) but used for a single-family home, the other
is a funeral home. Based on the existing uses and zoning
pattern it is unlikely that these properties will become
single family. A change to Multifamily would be more
reflective of the current and likely future development
pattern of these tracts.
The area between 13th Street and Daisy Gatson Bates Drive
east of the railroad .tracks has one business (an auto repair
business) with the remaining land vacant. The area is
zoned I-2 and shown as Industrial on the Plan. The
surrounding area is single family. The current business is
commercial not industrial and a designation of Mixed Use
might encourage the vacant area to be more compatible
with the neighborhood than a true industrial use would be.
This change both reflects the less intense current use and is
trying to encourage any new development to be more
`neighborhood friendly'.
The eastern end of the Mixed Use area along Wright
Avenue at Summit is actually single-family houses. The
homes are oriented to the side street. Since the area is used
and zoned for residential, a change to Single Family from
Mixed Use would better reflect the current and likely
future development pattern of the land.
A stretch of Mixed Use along Wright Avenue from Wolfe
to Marshall is actually zoned C-3 and used for businesses.
There is a mosque in a former movie theater in the stretch
as well. Based on the current use and zoning pattern, it is
unlikely that residential will be introduced on this stretch
of Wright Avenue. A more likely future development
pattern is a continuation of commercial uses.
5
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
Along the north side of Roosevelt Road from Battery to
Wolfe Streets there is an existing Church. A change to
Public Institutional from Single Family would better reflect
the current and likely future development pattern of this
land.
The remaining change in the package is not designed to
reflect the current use and zoning pattern. It is intended to
try to encourage future development pattern, which might
be more compatible with the neighborhood than what the
existing Land Use Plan would allow. This change is in the
Capitol Hill Addition area. It is south of 10'h Street
beyond 1 i'h Street and east of the railroad. With the
removal of access across the railroad at 10th Street, this
area is not as desirable for industrial uses. The zoning is
mostly I-2 and R-4. The Mixed Use designation would
allow for office, commercial, residential or a mix of any or
all of these uses. The Planned Development process would
have to be used. This would help assure that any new
development was compatible with the neighborhood to the
east and south.
2
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02
Name: Land Use Plan Amendment — Central City Planning District
Location: Between 1-630 and Roosevelt Rd., from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. and Woodrow
Request: Single Family, Mixed Office Commercial, Mixed Use, Commercial,
and Industrial to Single Family, Low Density Residential,
Multifamily, Mixed Use, Public Institutional, Neighborhood
Commercial, Commercial, and Light Industrial.
Source: Staff
PROPOSAL/ REQUEST AND EXISTING CONDITIONS:
A rezoning request was made just east of Centennial Park, which was in conflict
with the Plan in mid -2004. Staff, when reviewing the request, noted that the
Central High/Wright Avenue area had not had a Land Use Plan Review in over a
decade. Therefore, staff under took a clean-up review of the area. The following
Plan changes are the result of this review with the Neighborhood Associations
and Major Institutions in the area contacted throughout the process for
suggestions and comment. All the proposed changes are in the Central City
Planning District.
In the Capitol Hill Addition/Central High School section of the study area there
are four changes. The first is north of 10th Street and east of the railroad from
Industrial to Light Industrial. Light Industrial classification represents light
warehousing, distribution and storage uses or other industrial uses in a well-
designed `park like' setting. The existing uses in this area are warehousing, with
a 'salvage yard' and church. The zoning is primarily 'I-2' Light Industrial. The
current Land Use Plan recognizes the 1-2 zoning with an Industrial designation.
The use and zoning to the east and southeast is single-family. To the north is
the State Capitol complex shown Public Institutional.
The second area is a change from Industrial, Open Space and Single Family to
Mixed Use, south of 10th Street along the east side of the railroad. The Mixed
Use classification represents a mixture of residential, Office and Commercial
uses with a Planned Zoning District required if it is not totally residential. The
existing uses in the area are vacant land and single-family homes. The primary
zoning is 1-2 and 'R-4' two family residential with some 'R-3' single-family. The
current Land Use Plan recognizes most of the 1-2 as Industrial with an Open
Space Strip to buffer and stop the industrial from the single family to the east. To
the east is single-family use and zoning; to the north is industrial zoning and
primarily light industrial use; to the south is commercial zoning and use.
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02(Cont,)
The third area is also along the east side of the railroad between 13th Street and
Daisy Gatson Bates Drive. The proposal is to change from Industrial to Mixed
Use. The Mixed Use classification represents a mixture of Residential, Office
and Commercial uses with a Planned Zoning District required if it is not totally
residential. The existing use is vacant and an auto repair business, with a zoning
of 1-2. The current Land Use Plan designation is Industrial. To the east, north,
and south are single-family areas -- zoning, land use and planned.
The fourth area is along the south side of 12th Street from Park east of Dennison
Street. This change is from Single Family to Mixed Use. The Mixed Use
classification represents a mixture of Residential, Office and Commercial uses
with a Planned Zoning District required if it is not totally residential. The existing
use is commercial businesses and a vacant lot. The area is zoned 1-2, C-3'
General Commercial and R-4. The current Land Use Plan designation is Single
Family. The use in all directions is single-family with most of the area zoned R-3.
In the Centennial Addition/Children's Hospital section of the study area there are
seven chanes. The first area is along the west side of Summit from 15th Street
south of 16t Street. The change is from Single Family to Multifamily Residential.
The Multifamily classification represents residential development of ten to thirty-
six dwelling units per acre. The existing uses are multifamily structures, with one
single-family structure and a funeral home. The current zoning pattern is `R-5'
Urban Residential, `0-3' General Office, R-3, and `PDR' Planned Development
Resident. The current Land Use Plan designation is Single Family. The uses to
the north, south, and west are single family with most of the area zoned R-3. To
the east is a city park zoned `PR' Park Recreation.
The second area is generally between Daisy Gatson Bates Drive and 13th Street,
from Wolfe to Battery. The change is from Single Family to Low Density
Residential. The Low Density Residential classification represents a broad range
of housing types from single family to attached housing to multifamily with a
density of 6 to 10 units. The existing use is a mix of duplexes, four to six unit
apartments, single-family and vacant lots. The predominate zoning is R-4 with
some R-5, R-3 and PDR zoning. The current Land Use Plan designation is
Single Family. The uses to the south and west are single-family with a zoning
generally of R-3. To the north is land owned by Arkansas Children's Hospital
and zoned C-3. To the east is land zoned `PDO' Planned Development Office
and PRD for apartments and offices in the former Westside Junior High school
building.
The third area is along the east side of Bishop between 10th and 11 th Streets.
The change is from Mixed Office Commercial to Public Institutional. The Public
Institutional classification represents public or quasi -public facilities such as
schools and hospitals. The existing uses are offices related to Arkansas
Children's Hospital with a zoning of 0-3. Uses to the north and west are
Arkansas Children's Hospital related and are zoned `0-2' Office and Institutional.
Uses to the east and south are a mix of office and commercial with zoning of C-3
and O-3.
2
FILE NO.: _LU05-08-02 (Cont.)
The fourth area is the intersection of Daisy Gatson Bates and Martin Luther King
Jr. Drives. The change is from Mixed Use to Neighborhood Commercial. The
Neighborhood Commercial classification represents limited small-scale
commercial developments in close proximity to a neighborhood, providing service
and goods to that neighborhood. The existing uses in the area are small retail
businesses and a vacant lot. The current zoning is C-3. The uses to the
southeast, southwest, and northeast are primarily single family with zoning to the
northeast and southeast R-4 and southwest R-3. To the northeast is the
Children's Hospital ownership zoned 0-2 and 0-3.
The fifth change is either side of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between Daisy
Gatson Bates Drive and 16th Street. The change is from Mixed Use to Single
Family. Single Family Use designation represents single-family homes at
densities not to exceed six dwelling units per acre. The existing uses in the
change area are single family with a zoning of either R-4 or R-3. The uses to the
east and west are single family with R-4 zoning to the east and R-3 zoning to the
west. To both the north and south at the intersections are commercial
businesses with a zoning of C-3.
The sixth change is the northeast, northwest and southeast corners of the Martin
Luther King Jr. Drive — 16th Street intersection. The change is from Mixed Use to
Neighborhood Commercial. The Neighborhood Commercial classification
represents limited small-scale commercial developments in close proximity to a
neighborhood, providing service and goods to that neighborhood. The existing
uses in the change area are small retail businesses zoned C-3 and R-3. Uses to
the east, north, southeast and northwest are single-family with zoning of R-4 to
the east and R-3 to the west. To the southwest is the Arkansas Baptist College
campus with a zoning of R-4.
The seventh change is the northeast corner of the 1 nth Street -Martin Luther King
Jr. Drive intersection. The change is from Mixed Use to Public Institutional. The
Public Institutional classification represents public or quasi -public facilities such
as schools and hospitals. The existing use in the change area is college offices
with a zoning of R-4. The uses to the east and south are single-family with a
zoning of R-4. The uses to the west are the college campus zoned R-4. To the
north are retail uses zoned C-3.
The final area of changes is in the area South of Wright Avenue and consists of
three changes. The first change is along Wright Avenue at Summit. The
proposal is to change an area of Mixed Use to Single Family use. Single Family
use designation represents single-family homes at densities not to exceed six
dwelling units per acre. The existing use is single family and the zoning is R-4.
The uses to the north and south are single-family with R-4 zoning. To the west is
also single-family with both R-3 and R-4 zoning. To the east of the area is zoned
C-3 and the use is small retail businesses.
3
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02 (Cont.
The second change area is either side of Wright Avenue from Marshall to Wolfe.
The proposed change is from Mixed Use to Commercial. The Commercial
classification represents a broad range of retail and wholesale sales of products,
personal and professional service and general business activities. The existing
uses in the area are commercial business and a mosque, with a zoning of C-3.
To the north and south are single-family use areas with a zoning of R-4 and R-3.
Both to the east and west are retail businesses zoned C-3.
The third change area is along Roosevelt Road between Battery and Wolfe. The
proposal is to change an area of Single Family to Public Institutional. The Public
Institutional classification represents public or quasi -public facilities such as
schools and hospitals. The existing use of the area is a church with a zoning of
R-4. To the east and south are single-family use areas zoned R-4. To the west
is a school zoned R-4 and to the north is a daycare center zoned `PCD' Planned
Commercial Development.
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND RECENT AMENDMENTS:
On January 4, 2000, a change was made from Single Family to Mixed Use at
2311 Spring Street over half a mile to the east of the study area to accommodate
proposed development.
MASTER STREET PLAN:
In the area Roosevelt Road is shown as a Principal Arterial with a special design
standard on the Plan. Principal Arterial primary function is to move vehicles and
goods through the area connecting major generators and activity centers within
the urban area. Roosevelt is proposed to have a 70 -foot right-of-way with a
four -lane section and five lanes at major intersections with an additional right-of-
way of 80 feet.
Wright Avenue is shown as a Minor Arterial with a special design standard on the
plan. Minor Arterial primary function is to move vehicles in and around an urban
area. Wright Avenue is proposed to have a 60 -foot right-of-way with a three -lane
section and additional requirements at major intersections.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Daiy Gatson Bates Drive, Battery (from 1-630 to
Daisy Gatson Bates Drive) and 12t Street from Battery west are shown on the
Plan as Collectors. Collector's primary function is to move vehicles from Local
Street to the Arterial system. Their secondary function is to provide access to
adjacent property. Additional right-of-way may be required on some or all of
these roads.
BICYCLE PLAN:
The plan shows Class I and II Routes through the area of the Land Use Plan
changes. A Class III Route uses the existing roadway with the bicycle sharing
0
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02
the road with automobiles. A Class II Route uses the existing roadway with a
portion of the road exclusively for bicycles. In both cases no additional right-of-
way or paving should be required.
PARKS:
The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Plan of 2001 shows that this area means
the 8 -Block standard for recreational opportunities — park and open space.
Centennial, Ninth Street and Barton Parks provide recreation opportunities in the
study area along with school sites and private facilities.
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 not located in an area covered by a City of Little
Rock recognized neighborhood action plan.
ANALYSIS:
A rezoning request was made in mid -2004 to reclassify an existing apartment
building on Battery using the Planned Zoning District process. In the review, staff
noted the Land Use Plan showed Single Family for the property as well as
several other properties currently occupied by and/or zoned for multifamily use.
Since the Land Use Plan had not been reviewed in over a decade for this sub-
area of Little Rock, Staff undertook a review of the Land Use Plan in August
2004. The first step of this review was to contact the three neighborhood
associations in the area as well as the major institutions. This contact was made
in September 2004. Each group was asked for recommendations, which they
might have to change or update the Plan. By mid-October 2004 none of the
groups had contacted Staff with any suggestions for changes to the Land Use
Plan.
Staff continued to review the area and identified several changes thought to be
mostly 'clean-up'. In a few cases Staff identified a change meant to encourage a
use change where physical changes had occurred, in an attempt to create a
better use mix in the general area. These changes were mapped and a second
letter with the changes was sent to the same groups in mid-November 2004. In
addition the owners of property directly affected by the proposed changes were
sent letters on December 1, 2004. Staff received comments through mid-
January 2005.
The Central High Neighborhood Association asked Staff to come to their January
meeting (January 11, 2005). At this meeting staff reviewed the proposed
y
u
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02
changes and there was some discussion about two of the changes as well as the
process. The group asked for and was granted two additional months to review
the documents and make comments. This time was given to the other groups via
mailed correspondence. After almost two months, by phone, Central High
Neighborhood Association asked for two additional months to get comments in.
This request was granted.
During this review time additional comments and suggestions were received from
other individuals. These included two additional areas for changes: one on
Bishop between Daisy Gatson Bates Drive and 15th Street from Single Family to
Commercial; and the other on 23rd Street between Wolfe and Bishop from Single
Family to Public Institutional. Three areas were requested to be removed from
consideration for a change. These are: east of Jones between 16th and 17th
Streets, a change from Industrial to Mixed Use; Daisy Gatson Bates Drive from
Marshall to Bishop Streets, a change from Public Institutional to Mixed Office
Commercial; and the southeast corner of 11th and Bishop Streets, a change from
Mixed Office and Commercial to Public Institutional.
Staff reviewed the areas considering the information provided. From this
analysis the three areas requesting no change were reviewed. However Staff
could not justify adding the new change areas to the package. The Bishop site is
mid -block surrounded by single-family and no traditional commercial structures
located along this locate residential street. The 23rd Street site is also mid -block.
While the church is across the street on the south side of the street there are
existing homes either side of requested ownership change. A change of one
vacant lot surrounded by homes seems premature -- a specific development in
the future may warrant a change but not a small unknown possible development
adjacent to these existing homes.
A revised package of changes was developed in May of 2005. Staff did remove
and alter several of the proposed changes due to comments and suggestions
received. The Central High Neighborhood Association invited Staff to their June
meeting (June14, 2005). There was discussion again about the changes, but no
agreement or disagreement with the proposal. The final package was developed
for the Commission's review. Most of the changes are those which staff believes
are clean-up (to more accurately reflect existing land use, zoning and mostly
future use of the land). These are as follows:
The area along the east side of the railroad tracks from 7th to 10th Streets is
currently zoned 1-2, with several small warehouses, a salvage yard and vacant
land. Single Family homes are to the east and the State Complex is to the
northeast. With the existing street pattern, traffic can flow to either 7th or 12th
Streets, however the access to Woodrow has been removed. The current Plan
had shown this area for Industrial. Industrial could result in manufacturing and
distribution uses which would result in large and more truck traffic through the
area. With the existing use and zoning pattern, together with impacts on the
surrounding neighborhood a more realistic and desirable future use pattern is
Light Industrial for this land.
C�
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02 (Co
The area along 12th Street from Dennison to Park is already zoned Commercial
(C-3) and Industrial (1-2), with commercial uses. The current use of the land is a
strip center, a commercial building with a `bike' club and other retail uses and a
parking lot. The Plan had shown this area for Single Family use. With the
existing use and zoning pattern a more realistic future use pattern is Mixed Use
for this land.
Bishop Street from 12th to 13th Streets is land owned by Arkansas Children's
Hospital and currently used by the hospital and zoned for office use, 0-3. The
hospital's future plans show the land to be used for medical and research uses
by the hospital. Thus while Mixed Office Commercial may be the general use
pattern Public Institutional would be more informative for those who might use
the Plan to make decisions about other properties. This change is intended to
reflect the long-range plan for the hospital property.
The area between Daisy Gatson Bates Drive and 13th Street from Wolfe to
Battery Streets is currently more dense than Single Family. It is primarily
duplexes and buildings with four to six units. The zoning ranges from R-3 to R-5,
with most of the area zoned for more than single units. Based on the existing
,use and zoning pattern, the current Plan showing Single Family for this area
miss -represents the current and likely future development pattern of the area. A
change to Low Density Residential is more representative of both the existing
conditions and likely future development of the area.
The intersections of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive with both Daisy Gatson Bates
Drive and 16th Street are currently zoned C-3 General Commercial with existing
small retail businesses. The current Plan shows Mixed Use. However with the
existing zoning and use pattern it is not likely that residential use would be
introduced while office use is possible, it is more likely that the intersections will
continue to be commercial in nature. Thus a change to Neighborhood
Commercial is more reflective of the existing and likely future development
pattern of both of these intersections.
The area along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between these two intersections
consists of single-family homes, zoned R-4 and R-3. The homes are in good
condition and there is no reason why they should not continue to be single-family
homes. A change from Mixed Use to Single Family would help re -enforce the
current conditions and discourage stripping of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
A lot at the northeast corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and 17th Street is the
former President's home for Arkansas Baptist College. The building is now used
for college related office space. A change in the Plan from Single Family to
Public Institutional would be more representative of the current and likely future
use of the land.
The properties along the west side of Battery from 15th Street south of 16th Street
are Multifamily in design and use, except for two. One of these is zoned R-5
7
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02 Cont.
(Multifamily) but used for a single-family home, the other is a funeral home.
Based on the existing uses and zoning pattern it is unlikely that these properties
will become single family. A change to Multifamily would be more reflective of
the current and likely future development pattern of these tracts.
The area between 13th Street and Daisy Gatson Bates Drive east of the railroad
tracks has one business (an auto repair business) with the remaining land
vacant. The area is zoned 1-2 and shown as Industrial on the Plan. The
surrounding area is single family. The current business is commercial not
industrial and a designation of Mixed Use might encourage the vacant area to be
more compatible with the neighborhood than a true industrial use would be. This
change both reflects the less intense current use and is trying to encourage any
new development to be more `neighborhood friendly'.
The eastern end of the Mixed Use area along Wright Avenue at Summit is
actually single-family houses. The homes are oriented to the side street. Since
the area is used and zoned for residential, a change to Single Family from Mixed
Use would better reflect the current and likely future development pattern of the
land.
A stretch of Mixed Use along Wright Avenue from Wolfe to Marshall is actually
zoned C-3 and used for businesses. There is a mosque in a former movie
theater in the stretch as well. Based on the current use and zoning pattern, it is
unlikely that residential will be introduced on this stretch of Wright Avenue. A
more likely future development pattern is a continuation of commercial uses.
Along the north side of Roosevelt Road from Battery to Wolfe Streets there is an
existing Church. A change to Public Institutional from Single Family would better
reflect the current and likely future development pattern of this land.
The remaining change in the package is not designed to reflect the current use
and zoning pattern. It is intended to try to encourage future development pattern,
which might be more compatible with the neighborhood than what the existing
Land Use Plan would allow, This change is in the Capitol Hill Addition area. It is
south of 10th Street beyond 11th Street and east of the railroad. With the removal
of access across the railroad at 10th Street, this area is not as desirable for
industrial uses. The zoning is mostly 1-2 and R-4. The Mixed Use designation
would allow for office, commercial, residential or a mix of any or all of these uses.
The Planned Development process would have to be used. This would help
assure that any new development was compatible with the neighborhood to the
east and south.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: Capitol Hill,
Central High and Wright Avenue Neighborhood Associations. In addition notices
were sent to over one hundred owners of property included as part of this
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02 (Cont.)
request. Staff has received four comments from area residents, and all were
neutral.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff believes the changes better reflect the likely future development pattern of
the area.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(JULY 21, 2005)
The item was placed on consent agenda for deferral to September 1, 2005 in
order to allow for the legal advertisement of two additional changes. The two
changes are, Single Family to Commercial along Bishop and Single Family to
Public Institutional along 23rd Street. By a vote of 11 yes and 0 no the consent
agenda was approved.
STAFF UPDATE:
There are two changes added to the Staff generated package previously
prepared for review. These had been made by property owners and originally
not included by staff as noted in the analysis section above. At the request of the
Commission these two changes have now been advertised so that the
Commission may decide if they are appropriate. Staff received both requests in
January.
The Greater Archview Baptist Church at 1720 West 23rd Street requested that a
lot they own on the south side of 23rd Street be changed to Public Institutional
indicating the Church's use. Lot 3 Block 16 of Fleming and Bradford Subdivision
is mid -block and currently vacant. The Church is located along the north side of
23rd Street from Wolfe to Marshall. It is shown on the Plan as Public Institutional.
The Church and all the surrounding lots are currently zoned 'R-4', Duplex.
Along the south side of 23rd there are three homes and three vacant lots. The lot
in question is mid -block with homes to the west and adjacent to the east. The
Church will not be able to develop the site in question without rezoning the lot in
question. The City of Little Rock rarely shows proposed church sites on the Land
Use Plan and often does not recognized churches smaller than a half block on
the Land Use Plan.
In Staff's previous review and decision not to include this site all these issues
were factored in. This is one 5000 square foot lot mid -block and not developed.
Religious institutions are appropriate in neighborhoods to serve them. But until
the exact nature of the development where its impacts on existing homes to the
east and west can be determined, Staff has felt a change would be premature.
The second change was made by Mr. Charles Hicks and consists of three lots
mid -block along Bishop between Daisy Gatson Bates Drive and 15th Street. The
E
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02(Cont.)
request is one vacant lot on the west side of Bishop and one singe -family house
and a vacant lot on the east side of Bishop. The change is from Single -Family to
Commercial. Most of the block is zoning 'R-3', Single Family with one lot zoned
POD at Daisy Gatson Bates and one lot zoned `R-4', Duplex at 15th Street.
There are existing single-family homes on seven of the twelve lots, four vacant
lots and a house converted to include a bail bond office. A community garden is
also in the area.
As noted in the original analysis section, there is no existing commercial zoning
or uses on this block. The zoning of the lots in question will remain 'R-3' Single
Family.
Most of the commercial uses and zoning is along Martin Luther King at Daisy
Bates and 16th Streets. Both of these areas were in the package to change to
Neighborhood Commercial. This is a developed residential street. A change to
Commercial would open the possibility for a wide variety of commercial uses with
a rezoning. Since the lots in question are mid -block further requests for
commercial would likely follow.
Staff recommends the approval of the original package and the denial of the two
requested additions.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEPTEMBER 1, 2005)
Walter Malone, Planning Staff, presented the item to the Commission. After
review of the basic amendment package and process used, Mr. Malone reviewed
the two amendments added at the request of property owners — one on 23rd
Street and one on Bishop. Staff has received a petition opposed to the Bishop
change and one call against the 23`d Street change. The Staff recommendation
is approval to the package but denial of the two additional changes. Staff would
like three votes on this item one for each additional area and one for the
package. There was some discussion about the process used for amendment
packages generated by Staff.
Obray Nunnley, representative for the two additional areas was recognized.
Mr. Nunnley indicated at first he too could not see the appropriateness of the
change in the 1400 block of Bishop. But the proposal is to build a Banquet and
community facility with a residential architecture. This land backs -up to
commercial uses. Unless one were to go into the facility, one would not know
that it was not residential. Mr. Nunnley passed around a drawing of a proposed
development. Several Commissioners expressed concern about changing the
Land Use Plan based on these drawings; maybe a change was 'premature'. It
was expressed that the basic Land Use Classification was not seen as a positive
change, but a specific use might be acceptable to the Commission.
Mr. Nunnley next presented the 23rd Street change request. This request has
been made so that at such time as the church is ready to use the land, the
10
FILE NO.: LU05-08-02 (Cont.
Classification will already be in place. Mr. Nunnley described the surrounding
uses. Again several on the Commission expressed concern about making the
change with out a specific use in mind.
Mr. Eddie Wren, resident, spoke against the proposed change in the 1400 Block
of Bishop. He indicated this was a `tight' neighborhood and that the proposed
change would not be good. It would not fit with the neighborhood.
After some additional discussion Commissioner Rector moved the approval of
the 23rd Street change (SF to PI). By a vote of 0 for, 10 against and one absent
(Floyd), the motion failed. Next Commissioner Rector moved the approval of the
change in the 1400 Block of Bishop (SF to C). By a vote of 0 for, 10 against and
one absent (Floyd), the motion failed. Next Commissioner Rector moved the
approval of the Base Amendment Package. By a vote of 10 for, 0 against and
one absent (Floyd), the motion was approved.
11
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAND USE PLAN (16,222)
IN THE CENTRAL CITY PLANNING DISTRICT FROM
SINGLE FAMILY, MIXED OFFICE COMMERCIAL, MIXED
USE, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL TO SINGLE
FAMILY, LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, MULTIFAMILY,
MIXED USE, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL, NEIGHBORHOOD
COMMERCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL;
AND FOR OTHER MATTERS.
WHEREAS, Planning Staff conducted a year long review of the area with input
from area institutions and neighborhoods.
WHEREAS, the Little Rock Planning Commission after review at a public
hearing believes the changes proposed are appropriate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1. An area of Industrial is changed to Light Industrial generally
between 7th and 10th Streets, East of the railroad to Rice.
SECTION 2. An area of Industrial, Single Family and Park/Open Space is
changcd to Mixed Use generally East of the railroad and South of 10th Street, West of
Rice and North of 12th Street.
SECTION 3. An area of Industrial is changed to Mixed Use generally between
13th Street and Daisy Gatson Bates Drive, East of the railroad.
SECTION 4. An area of Single Family is changed to Mixed Use generally South
of 12th Street either side of Dennison.
SECTION 5. An area of Single Family is changed to Low Density Residential
generally between 131h Street and Daisy Gatson Bates Drive from Wolfe to Summit.
SECTION 6. An area of Single Family is changed to Multifamily generally West
of Battery between 15th and 16th Streets.
SECTION 7. An area of Mixed Office Commercial is changed to Public
Institutional generally East of Bishop between 12th and 13th Streets.
SECTION 8. An area of Mixed Use is changed to Neighborhood Commercial
generally around the Daisy Gatson Bates — Dr. Martin Luther King Intersection.
SECTION g. An area of Mixed Use is changed to Single Family generally either
site of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, either side of 15th Street.
SECTIN 10. An area of Mixed Use is changed to Neighborhood Commercial
generally around the 16th Street — Dr. Martin Luther King Drive Intersection.
SECTION 11. An area of Mixed Use is changed to Public Institutional at the
Northeast corner of 17th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.
SECTION 12. An area of Mixed Use is changed to Single Family at the
Southeast corner of Summit and Wright Avenue.
SECTION 13. An area of Mixed Use is changed to Commercial generally either
side of Wright Avenue between Wolfe and Marshall.
SECTION 14. An area of Single Family is changed to Public Institutional
generally North of Roosevelt Road between Battery and Wolfe.
PASSED:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED:
Mayor
2
PI
FROM i
TO U
mommum
FROM SF
TO MX
FROM SF
TO LD
C
Vicinity Map
LANDUSE
N
Case: LU05-08-02
Location: Central High Area
Ward: 1
PD: 8 0 310 620 1,240 Feet
CT: 10&11
TRS: T1NR12W4 &
T1N12W9
ma
rx
Nut
Iz
TO P1
.11
FROM MX
TO SF
Vicinity Map
LANDUSE
N
Case: LU05-08-02
Location: Central High Area
Ward: 1
PD: 8 0 310 620 1,240 Feet
CT: 10&11
TRS: T1NR12W4 &
T1N12W9
RY NO FROM I AND SF
z TO MX
0
0
Z
O 17 H 1S H
FROM 1
TO MX
®' •
FROM SF
TO PI
AREA ZONING
C07 22N
ac
23RD
N
Case: LU05-08-02
Location: Central High Area
Ward: 1
PD: 8 0 265 530 1,060 Feet
CT: 10 & 11
TRS: T1NR12W4 &
T1N12W9
FROM
TO
WN
.
�
m1%
M—Wo
: 0
yr
_OM SF
Mock—
TO LOR
An nil:
FROM MX
■
��
NC
man
W'q,
Nib
ME
l
FROM
TO PI
�������,!'��
iii■
yip
�
•TO.
FROM
FROM SF
TO PI
AREA ZONING
C07 22N
ac
23RD
N
Case: LU05-08-02
Location: Central High Area
Ward: 1
PD: 8 0 265 530 1,060 Feet
CT: 10 & 11
TRS: T1NR12W4 &
T1N12W9