HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes oct 1995 midtownOctober 17, 1995
Planning Hearing
ITEM NO.: A
NAME:
LOCATION:
REQUEST:
SOURCE:
STAFF REPORT•
Amend the City Master Street
Plan
Arkansas River to I-30 along
MoPac rail line
Remove from Midtown from the
Plan
Owner
A property owner on the south side of Cantrell Road, whose
property would be needed to construct the proposed MIDTOWN has
asked that the road be removed. The Public Works and Planning
Departments met to discuss the request.
The regional plan, draft, for 2020 does not show MIDTOWN and the
executive summary states "the proposed MIDTOWN Expressway
connecting I-40 from the Levy exit to I-30 at the Scott Hamilton
exit has been dropped from the plan. It appears that the
proposal has become obsolete." The MPO staff and Highway
Department staff confirm that the MIDTOWN is not on the Plan and
will not recommend that the City keep the proposed road on the
Master Street Plan.
One should note that the regional plan is a 25 -year plan
constrained to available public dollars, while the local plan is
unconstrained and has no target date. However since MIDTOWN has
always been a regional road to meet regional needs - not
necessary Little Rock needs, and since the regional planning
agencies will not recommend the retention of MIDTOWN, City Staff
cannot recommend leaving the road on the local plan.
Removal of MIDTOWN has additional affects on Scott Hamilton Road
and Woodrow. Scott Hamilton north of I-30 should be changed from
an expressway to a minor arterial (65th to I-30) and collector
(north of 65th Street). Woodrow from I-630 to Wright Avenue
should be changed back to a minor arterial.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the amendment
October 17, 1995
Planning --Hearing
ITEM NO.: A (Cont.)
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 25, 1995)
Staff reviewed the issue and presented some background on the
Midtown. Staff reported that there was no regional or local
need for the Midtown Expressway and the draft 2020 Plan does not
show the Midtown.
After some additional discussion, a motion was made to approve
the Master Street Plan amendment to remove the Midtown Expressway
and reclassify several other streets. The vote was 5 ayes,
2 nays and 4 absent. Because the motion failed to receive
6 votes, the item was deferred to the September 5, 1995 hearing.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEPTEMBER 5, 1995)
Walter Malone, Planner II, reviewed the request to remove
MIDTOWN. There was discussion about a bridge over the Arkansas
River and Fourche Bottoms. These make the road a regional road.
The revised 2020 plan for the region will not include the
MIDTOWN. Since there is not a regional need, the City Staff
cannot justify the road.
Chairman Walker indicated a desire to keep a downgraded roadway
south of Cantrell passed Interstate I-630. Because only 6
members were present and Chairman Walker expressed concerns the
issue was deferred by unanimous vote 6-0 to October 17th.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (OCTOBER 17, 1995)
Staff reviewed the item and reported that contact had been made
with the developers of the land to the south of Dillard's
headquarters about incorporating a downgraded Midtown into the
development plans. The partnership developing the property
indicated that the proposal would be too costly and the project
was too far along to permit a major change. Therefore, they were
not interested in making any significant modifications.
John Schlereth, representing Baird, Inc., spoke in support of
removing the Midtown Expressway from the Master Street Plan.
Mr. Schlereth described how the Expressway would impact a parcel
of land because the Expressway right-of-way would take a majority
of the property. Mr. Schlereth said that leaving the Midtown on
the plan burdens the property and cause problems for the owner,
Baird, Inc.
There were other comments made and Commissioner Walker asked the
staff to look at other options for the Midtown.
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October 17, 1995
Planning Hearing
ITEM NO.: A (Cont.)
The Commission then voted to recommend removing the Midtown
Expressway from the Master Street Plan. The vote was 9 ayes,
0 nays, 1 absent and 1 abstention (H. Walker) to remove the
Expressway.
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