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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard Comm for LU2021-14-01OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION AUGUST 17, 2021 AGENDA Subject Land Use Plan Amendment – Geyer Springs East Planning District – LU2021-14-01 Submitted By: Action Required √ Ordinance Resolution Approval Information Report Approved By Planning and Development Bruce Moore City Manager SYNOPSIS To approve Land Use Plan amendment in the Geyer Springs East Planning District from Residential Medium (RM) to Commercial (C) FISCAL IMPACT None RECOMMENDATION Staff recommended denial. The Little Rock Planning Commission by a vote of 7 for, 1 against, 2 absent, and 1 vacancy made recommendation to approve the change at the July 8, 2021 Hearing. BACKGROUND Applicant requests a Land Use Plan amendment from Residential Medium (RM) to Commercial (C) on an approximate 0.7-acre unplatted parcel located on the east side of Scott Hamilton Drive approximately 0.25 miles north of Baseline Road in the Geyer Springs East Planning District. BACKGROUND CONTINUED The subject site is located in an area of the City that was largely developed prior to being annexed into the City of Little Rock. Many of the commercial areas within the Geyer Springs East Planning District are composed of numerous curb cuts and uneven setbacks cause visual problems and create traffic hazards. The Land Use Map attempts to discourage further strip commercial development along major roads by showing Commercial at the major intersections and in areas of concentrated commercial use along the arterials. Along 2 most of Baseline Road in areas of little to no existing commercialization the Plan shows Office (O) as the future development pattern. To the east (rear) of the lot, there is a land locked residential parcel. This residential parcel has a twenty (20) foot ingress/egress easement across the subject site. If a zoning change and a commercial development at this site were to occur, the twenty (20) foot ingress/egress easement would have to be maintained. One of the prime purposes of the Land Use Plan is to protect and stabilize existing neighborhoods. The change of land use, and a subsequent zoning change at this site to a Commercial zoning designation would directly impact the adjacent lot and neighborhood at large, increasing the encroachment of Commercial uses. Many of the Commercial uses near the site are legal non- conforming. Their use was grandfathered when they came into the City. Non-conforming uses are not allowed to expand without obtaining a zoning change that would bring their use into compliance. A change in land use at the site to a Commercial land use appears to conflict with the City’s long-term goals. Notices were sent to the following neighborhood associations: Upper Baseline Windemere. Staff has received no comments from area residents or from Neighborhood Associations.