HomeMy WebLinkAboutboard of directors items augOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION
AUGUST 4, 2008 AGENDA
Subject
Master Street Plan
Amendment modification
of ROW for University
Avenue
Submitted By:
Planning & Development
Action Required I Approved By
� Ordinance
Resolution
Approval
Information Report
Bruce Moore
SYNOPSIS
A Master Street Plan Amendment to modify the Right -of -
Way for University from Markham to Cantrell, changing to
100 feet from 110 feet.
FISCAL IMPACT
None Determined
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends approval. By a vote of 8 for 0 against
the Planning Commission recommends approval.
CITIZEN
The Midtown Redevelopment Advisory Board reviewed
PARTICIPATION
the proposal. Property Owners along University Avenue
as well as the Evergreen, Hillcrest, Normandy -Shannon
and South Normandy neighborhood associations were
notified by letter. The Planning Commission held a public
hearing on the issue at their July 10, 2008 meeting.
BACKGROUND
Generally every three to four miles or every third Arterial
is either a Principal Arterial or higher classification
(Expressway or Freeway). University Avenue is one of the
few north -south roads, which extend through the City of
Little Rock. To the east the next road to do this is
Broadway and to the west I-430 is the next through north -
south roadway. Both of these roadways are more than
three miles away from University Avenue. All the
remaining north -south Arterials in Little Rock traverse
only portions of the City.
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
The high design standard for Principal Arterials is in part
due to the expected high traffic volume since they move
vehicles not only within the urban area but also through it.
The surrounding use pattern and connectivity to other
streets all will have impacts of the traffic demands and thus
the need for travel lanes on the street. The design standard
for Arterials is general at least four -lanes.
The design standard for University Avenue from Markham
to Lee Avenue has already been modified to a right-of-way
of 100 feet. This was done late 1990 with Ordinance
15,964. In the review of University Avenue north of
Markham, traffic counts from 1996 through 2008 were
reviewed and MetroPlan rerun the transportation model
with the new 2008 counts. From these figures for volumes
on the road new 2030 projections were generated.
The volumes south of H Street have risen from 17,000 to
18,000 up to 20,000 to 21,000 with projections of volumes
in 2030 from 30,000 to 36,000. While north of H Street
the volumes have risen from around 14,000 up to 17,000 to
19,000, with projected volumes from 26,000 to 28,000 in
2030. Based on this City Staff believes the long-term
6 -lane road must remain in the Master Street Plan.
Staff does recognize the constraints of this part of Little
Rock. And with a reduction of the area for a median from
14 feet to 4 feet, a right-of-way of 100 feet would be
appropriate for the road. This is consistent with the
existing situation along University Avenue.
2
FILE NO.: MSP07-04
Name: Master Street Plan Amendment University Avenue Design Standard
Location: University Avenue from Markham to Cantrell Road
Request: Alternate Design Standards
Source: Staff
PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Master Street Plan Amendment for University Avenue adopting an alternate
design standard north of Markham to Cantrell Road. An Alternate Design
Standard is shown on the plan when a different design section from the'norm' has
been determined to be appropriate. The variation proposed is to reduce the
required right-of-way from 110 to 100 feet (note this does not change the
requirements for additional right-of-way at intersections).
The proposed design section for University Avenue from Markham to Cantrell
Road is a 100 -foot right-of-way.
CURRENT MASTER STREET PLAN:
University Avenue is shown as a Principal Arterial on the plan. The design
standard is: 110 feet of right-of-way with three travel lanes in both directions and
a 14 median in the center. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve
through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within
urbanized areas. Access points (entrances and exits) should be limited to
minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on a Principal Arterial.
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN:
The Land Use Plan shows the intensity of use lessening as one moves to the
north from Markham. Along University Avenue from Markham to Lee Avenue the
uses are more commercial and retail with Community Shopping and Mixed Use
classifications. There is a small amount of Office use near Lee Avenue. The
middle segment of University Avenue is predominantly Public Institutional and
Office with schools and medical offices. A small amount of Residential use is
located in the segment with both Multifamily and Single Family classifications
along the western side. The northern segment is totally Single Family on the
western side, with Office and Low Density Residential uses along the eastern
side.
HISTORIC DISTRICTS:
There are no historic districts that would be affected by this amendment.
FILE NO.: MSP07-04 (Cont.
CITY RECOGNIZED NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN:
This road is the boundary of three neighborhood Plan areas—the Hillcrest
Neighborhood Plan, Heights Neighborhood Action Plan and Midtown
Neighborhoods Plan. None of the neighborhood plans address University
Avenue's design or the need for changes to the current design of University
Avenue.
ANALYSIS:
University Avenue is shown as a Principal Arterial with a design standard of 110
feet of right-of-way with three travel lanes in both directions and a 14 median in
the center. The Arterial street system is a network of streets, which have a
primary purpose to move vehicles and goods in and through the City. Arterials
are generally at a spacing of one -mile, both in a north -south and east -west grid
pattern. The Principal Arterials are part of this network. Generally these roads
provide service through the area and help connect it to other surrounding areas
of the region and state.
Generally every three to four miles or every third Arterial is either a Principal
Arterial or higher classification (Expressway or Freeway). University Avenue is
one of the few north -south roads, which extend through the City of Little Rock.
To the east the next road to do this is Broadway and to the west 1-430 is the next
through north -south roadway. Both of these roadways are more than three miles
away from University Avenue. All the remaining north -south Arterials in Little
Rock traverse only portions of the City.
University Avenue is a major north -south route connecting the east -west routes
of Cantrell Road (Highway 10) to 1-630, Asher Avenue -Colonel Glenn Road
(Highway 300), 1-30 and Baseline Road (Highway 338). Each of these roads are
Principal Arterials or higher classifications and are state or federal highways.
Even University Avenue south of Asher -Colonel Glenn is a state highway. In
addition various collectors connect the neighborhoods of Little Rock to University
Avenue and other streets of the Arterial Network.
The high design standard for Principal Arterials is in part due to the expected
high traffic volume since they move vehicles not only within the urban area but
also through it. The surrounding use pattern and connectivity to other streets all
will have impacts of the traffic demands and thus the need for travel lanes on the
street. The design standard for Arterials is general at least four -lanes.
The design standard for University Avenue from Markham to Lee Avenue has
already been modified to a right-of-way of 100 feet. This was done late 1990
with Ordinance 15,964. In the review of University Avenue north of Markham,
traffic counts from 1996 through 2008 were reviewed and MetroPlan rerun the
transportation model with the new 2008 counts. From these figures for volumes
on the road new 2030 projections were generated.
2
FILE NO.: MSP07-04 (Cont.
The volumes south of H Street have risen from 17,000 to 18,000 up to 20,000 to
21,000 with projections of volumes in 2030 from 30,000 to 36,000. While north of
H Street the volumes have risen from around 14,000 up to 17,000 to 19,000, with
projected volumes from 26,000 to 28,000 in 2030. Based on this City Staff
believes the long-term 6 -lane road must remain in the Master Street Plan.
Staff does recognize the constraints of this part of Little Rock. And with a
reduction of the area for a median from 14 feet to 4 feet, a right-of-way of 100
feet would be appropriate for the road. This is consistent with the existing
situation along University Avenue.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
All property owners (sixty) abutting the section of road were notified via certified
mail of the proposed changes. Notices were sent to the following neighborhood
associations: Evergreen, Hillcrest, Normandy -Shannon, and South Normandy.
As of this printing, Staff has received eight informational calls/emails or visits
from property owners.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (DECEMBER 6, 2007)
The applicant requested the item be deferred to January 17, 2008. The item was
placed on consent agenda for deferral. By a vote of 11 for, 0 against the consent
agenda was approved.
STAFF UPDATE:
The applicant requested that the item be deferred to February 28, 2008 hearing
of the Little Rock Planning Commission.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(JANUARY 17, 2008)
The item was placed on consent agenda for deferral to April 10, 2008. By a vote
of 10 for, 0 against the consent agenda was approved.
STAFF UPDATE:
The applicant requested that the item be deferred to May 22, 2008, hearing of
the Little Rock Planning Commission.
3
FILE NO.: MSP07-04
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (APRIL 10, 2008)
At the request of Staff in order to further review the item, it was placed on the
consent agenda for deferral to May 22, 2008. By a vote of 11 for and 0 against
the consent agenda was approved.
STAFF UPDATE:
Staff and the Midtown Redevelopment Advisory Board have reviewed traffic
information and expect to have an amendment to present at the July 10, 2008
hearing.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(MAY 22, 2008)
The item was placed on consent agenda for deferral to July 10, 2008. By a vote
of 10 for and 0 against the consent agenda was approved.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approval of R.O.W. change.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(JULY 10, 2008)
The item was placed on consent agenda for approval. By a vote of 8 for and
0 against the consent agenda was approved.
LI
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MASTER STREET
PLAN (19,152) MODIFYING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY
REQUIREMENT FOR UNIVERSITY AVENUE
NORTH OF MARKHAM (MSP07-04); 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. The right-of-way for University Avenue north of Markham is
changed from 110 feet to 100 feet with the reduction coming from the median standard
(14 to 4 feet).
SECTION 2. In `Section 4: Special Design Standards' of the Master Street Plan
text, Subsection `A) Arterials/Principal' a note is added such the University Avenue from
Markham to Cantrell shall have a right-of-way of 100 feet with a median of 4 feet.
SECTION 3. The Master Street Plan Map is hereby changed to reflect the Special
Design designation for this segment of University Avenue.
SECTION 4. That the ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and
after its passage and approval.
PASSED:
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
City of Little Rock Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
Vicinity Map
Master Street Plan Admendment
Case: MSP07-04 N
Location: University Ave R -O -W Reduce
(110' to 100') From Cantrell to Lee
Ward: 3
PD: 3
CT: 22.03
TRS: T2N R13W36
0 175350 700 Feet