HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9531 - Minute Record - Approved 090920
September 3, 2020
ITEM NO.: 1
File No.: Z-9531
Owner: Lorax, LLC
Applicant: Mike Orndorff
Address: 2013 S. Commerce Street
Legal Description: South 65 feet of Lot 1, Block 404, Lincoln & Zimmerman
Addition
Zoned: R-4
Present Use: Single-family Residence
Proposed Use: Single-family Residence
Variance(s) Requested: Request from the area provisions of Sec. 36-256(d) (1) to
allow a reduced front yard setback in an R-4 District;
Request from the area provisions of Sec. 36-256(d) (3) to
allow a reduced rear yard setback in an R-4 District.
Justification: Presented in letter dated July 28, 2020 (attached.)
STAFF REPORT
A. Engineering Issues:
No comments.
B. Landscaping Issues:
No comments.
C. Building Codes Issues:
No comments.
D. Staff Analysis:
The R-4 zoned property located at 2013 S. Commerce Street allows single-family
and two-family (duplex) uses. The subject site is vacant, with an existing driveway
remaining from a former residential structure razed in approximately 2010.
September 3, 2020
ITEM NO.: 1 (CON’T.) Z-9531
2
The property is a “non-conforming” lot, 65-foot wide and 50-foot deep, with records
reflecting its establishment some time prior to 1913. Deficient in area by
contemporary development standards, the 3,250 square-foot subject tract is
nevertheless regarded as a legal lot of record.
The 0.35-acre property immediately south is zoned C-3 (General Commercial,) is
owned by the City of Little Rock and contains the East Little Rock Neighborhood
Resource Center building.
Surrounding properties to the north, east and west are also zoned R-4 and contain
single-family structures; four of the five neighboring homes lie upon
non-conforming lots generally similar to the subject in size. All existing buildings in
the 2000 block of S. Commerce St. feature reduced front yard setbacks ranging in
depth from approximately 10 to 15 feet.
The applicant proposes to construct a one-story 1,500 square-foot single-family
home with an attached one-car garage and driveway. To accomplish this, the
applicant requests a reduction in the front and rear yards from 25 feet each (which
would leave no buildable area on the 50-foot-deep lot) to 10 feet each, allowing
construction of a 30-foot-deep home.
Section 36-256(d) (1) states, “There shall be a front yard having a depth of not less
than twenty-five (25) feet.” Section 36-256(d) (3) states, “There shall be a rear yard
having a depth of not less than twenty-five (25) feet.” Section 36-155 states
[in order to be granted a variance,] “The property owner must show to the Board
of Adjustment the subject property is so restricted that the buildable area is not
sufficient for reasonable construction.”
The July 28, 2020 applicant letter states, “Without the grant of a variance the parcel
is rendered nearly undevelopable.” Staff agrees; strict application of the Code will
render the subject lot undevelopable as a residential site.
Based the analysis above, staff believes the subject proposal is in keeping with the
character and scale of the neighborhood and views the variance requests as
reasonable.
As of this writing, no inquiries have been received by the Planning and
Development Office concerning any aspect of this application.
E. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested front and rear setbacks, per the
submitted site plan dated April 28, 2020.
September 3, 2020
ITEM NO.: 1 (CON’T.) Z-9531
3
Board of Adjustment (September 3, 2020)
The applicant was present. Ms. Deidre Simmons participated via WebEx in support of
the proposal. Staff presented the item and recommendations of approval as outlined in
the “Staff Recommendations” above. There was a motion to approve the application.
The motion was seconded. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. The application
was approved.