HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutesNovember 5, 2015
ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: MSP15-02
number will increase as more land is developed west of Little Rock. Staff is concerned
that the current reduced standard for Kanis Road will be insufficient in the future.
The current City of Little Rock 'Minor Residential Street' design consisting of 2 — 11 foot
lanes is the narrowest street section at 24 feet total width. The service volume on a
Minor Residential Street is 400 vehicle trips per day. With the proposed Master Street
Plan amendment, Kanis Road with its current traffic volume is proposed with a street
section that is narrower than a Minor Residential Street. This section of Kanis Road will
operate at a level of service E (LOS -E) at the best. Street section designs found in the
Master Street Plan are for a LOS C or better based on the expected traffic volume.
Streets with 10 -foot lanes and no shoulders are less safe than wider streets with
shoulders. The typical lane width of a street is 11 feet. The minimum allowed street
width per the latest version of the International Fire Code is 20 feet.
Shoulders are constructed for drivers to safely find refuge during times of crisis and not
obstruct the travel lanes. Kanis Road is on the Master Bike Plan as a Class 2 Bike
Path. A Bike Path along a shoulder road is typically the paved shoulder.
Pulaski County Planning has informed the City that they have classified this road - the
Kanis Road Scenic Corridor. The standard they would recommend is two (20) 10 foot
lands with two five foot shoulders (which could be used as bike lanes) within a 60 -foot
right-of-way with no sidewalks. They do not recommend any further design reductions
for the corridor.
Both the City and County regulations require a 30 -foot wide road consisting of two -travel
lanes and two shoulders. Both staffs recommend no further reduction to the design
standard.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
The applicant notified 16 adjacent property owners. Staff has received 17 emails and
1 phone in support and one against the amendment as of this writing.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff believes the change is not appropriate and recommends denial.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (NOVEMBER 5, 2015)
Walter Malone, Planning Staff presented the item to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Malone reminded the Commission that the City in 2001 approved a standard of
2 11 -foot lanes with 4 -foot shoulders for Kanis Road from Burlingame Road to Stuart
Road. The proposed amendment would change that to two lanes (10.5 foot lanes) with
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November 5, 2015
ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.
FILE NO.: MSP15-02
no shoulders. Staff believes that shoulders should not be removed from the standard
for this over 2 -mile stretch of road from safety reasons — assure there is a place to get
out of traffic (pull over). The standard proposed is about the same for a Minor
Residential Street in the Master Street Plan which is a loop or cul-de-sac street not a
through street like Kanis Road. Staff cannot support the proposed amendment.
Mr. Michael Mitchell, applicant, addressed the Commission. He indicated that he has
been involved with issues related to this road for 38 years and Fletcher Hollow for at
least 15 years. The request is for 2 -miles, to preserve the natural beauty and history
of the Hollow. This is a case for a 'rare exception'. Mr. Mitchell reviewed some of the
history related to Thomas Fletcher (Pulaski County and State). The Hollow and stream
are both named for him. There are steep ridges on both sides of Kanis Road, with
no utility lines or houses in this stretch (a couple of driveways and pull off stops only).
There is a natural beauty with the woods for each season which Mr. Mitchell reviewed.
There are seven places where one could pull over currently (in each direction).
Mr. Mitchell stated in the years he has traveled the corridor he has never seen a traffic
problem. Adding a four foot shoulder would have a greater impact than just four feet on
the trees due to topography. (There would have to be large cuts or fills that would affect
the trees in order to construct a four foot shoulder.) Please delay the possibility of any
changes to the canopy by making this change. If necessary, in the future, a change in
standard could always be made due to changed conditions.
Mr. Allan Finne, resident since the 1970s, spoke to the Commission. The topography
for the area does not allow for expansion of the road. We should not be trying to look at
this as a one size fits all.
Mr. Drew Kelso, Resident of Chenal Downs, asked for a show of hands of those for the
amendment, most of the audience raised their hands. He indicated he was part of the
Citizens of West Pulaski County with over 250 members. They wish to preserve the
character of the hollow. The group would be willing to talk about things that make
sense for the area. They have chosen to live in the area for the rural character — larger
lots, wooded areas, wild life. This area should be designated a scenic corridor as the
county has done with a lesser or reduced standard. If the canopy could not be
destroyed, some widening or shoulders might be appropriate. The addition of some
paved areas for pull offs might be appropriate. He called for the City to designate this a
scenic corridor and to protect the tree canopy in the hollow.
Cathy Morrison spoke to the Commission. Ms. Morrison indicated this was a beautiful
area. It is unique with its curves and hills and wooded surroundings. There are places
to pull off the road and in all the years she has traveled it she has seen only one
accident which was due to high speed. Even with shoulders access speed will be a
problem. There is not a safety need for the shoulders and it would be a shame to lose
the canopy. The best answer is to approve the amendment.
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November 5, 2015
ITEM NO.: 8
FILE NO.: MSP1
Lolly Honea, after saying she did not have anything further to add, asked the
Commissioners if they had not driven the corridor to please drive it prior to acting.
Judy Hampton stated that for 61 years she has driven through this area. There has only
been one accident and that has 50 years ago. Speaking for her family
(Miles'/Hampton's/Lester's) the amendment should be approved.
Gerry Shire, spoke to the Commission, She has lived on 12th and Kanis Street all her
life (she noted several different locations along the corridor). Ms. Shire noted the
problem of representation for those outside the City — no voice. She supports the desire
to preserve the history and natural beauty of the corridor. She noted how family
members had used the corridor to travel from points west to Little Rock via covered
wagon in the past.
Teri Drennan spoke to the Commission of her families' history in Ferndale and Fletcher
Hollow. She noted the damage caused by a tornado. But this would be man-made
destruction of trees that could not be replaced and asked that the amendment be
approved.
Wayne Richie, addressed the Commission. He is and has been a property owner in the
area for many years. Safety is important but keeping the tree canopy is also important.
He does not support the shoulder but did suggest paving some for the flat areas along
the road for pull-outs. There are six flat areas in the right-of-way on each side. They
are large enough for an SUV and could be paved. He offered to do this as part of his
development rather than construct the shoulders as proposed in the Master Street Plan.
Commissioner Bubbus asked about the idea of having pull overs rather than a shoulder
and impacts of widening. Mr. Bozynski, Planning Department, indicated that the County
had suggested use of the shoulders for other modes of transportation which could not
be done without a shoulder. Mr. Mike Hood, Public Works, did indicate that there would
have to be some cut and fill and that the stream would have to be moved in some
places, this would cause the loss of some trees in the corridor. The exact impacts are
unknown at this time. It was noted by Staff that the design is an ultimate design and
that at the time of development variances could be requested (such as the pull outs).
Any changes to Kanis Road would be done as part of a development along the road,
there are no moneys for any public projects at this time.
Commissioner May noted there will be subdivisions and changes in the area in the
future. Mr. May noted that tracts will be subdivided by heirs, so everyone is going to
have to be ready for some give and take. For now, he will vote to amend the Master
Street Plan.
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November 5, 2015
ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.
FILE NO.: MSP15-02
Commissioner Berry stated that the biggest benefit toward preserving the area was
done in 2001, when the City amended the standard from 4 -lanes to 2 lanes with
shoulders. He does not believe that the change requested tonight would be of a benefit
to justify the change.
A motion was made to approve the amendment as filed. By a vote of 7 for, and 4 against
the motion was approved.
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