HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of Intent 121520
Jeremy Brasher
521 Appianway St.
Little Rock, Ar 72205
(501)425-7865
Jeremywbrasher@gmail.com
14th December 2020
Board of Adjustment
Planning and Development Department
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Dear Members of the Board,
The lot at 515 Rice street measures approximately 17000 square feet and is
zoned I-2 light industrial. It is currently vacant. We propose to build a 2400
square foot metal shop as allowed under the I-2 terms of use. The metal
building roof and walls will be clad with metal siding similar to the duplexes at
501 and 505 Rice, creating a harmony of design with the nearby structures.
We would also like to take advantage of existing property features such as the
5400 square foot concrete slab remaining from a previous building to be
repurposed as parking. (Fig 1 - Aerial View, Fig 2 - 515 Rice Proposal Technical)
In 2014 the nearby Rose Creek Trail was built along the power line easement
from Rice to Dennison streets. (Fig 3 - Rose Creek Trail) We have no issue with
this and we support the continuing construction of the trail, however the
drainage diversion created by the trail project has resulted in a substantial
construction hardship in the form of stormwater runoff from three areas:
1. The culvert created on the East side of Rice Street to run water underneath
the trail dumps this runoff onto the lot at 515 Rice. (Fig 4 - Culvert Rice St.)
2. There is a PVC french drainage structure noted in the photo that runs on
the north side length of the trail and it empties into the culvert ditch as well.
3. Finally, the rain off the concrete from the trail itself as well as street runoff.
As a result of these factors and the natural slope of the Rice St. hill, heavy
rainfall accumulates in a powerful force capable of flooding, eroding, and
washing out construction. We are seeking a setback variance in order to move
the building site out of the existing drainage channel. (Fig 5 - Existing Drainage
Path)
This setback variance would be to create a 35' front yard setback off of the
western property line (from 50') and a 10' yard setback on the south of the
property line (from 15'). These changes would be primarily to preserve the
existing stormwater drainage path off of Rice Street but it would also function
to preserve other natural features of the lot including three large Sycamore
trees as found on the nearby Capitol grounds.. Without this variance,
substantial earthwork and drainage rerouting would be necessary as well as
the removal of seven trees critical to mitigating the erosion created by the
slope runoff. (Fig 6 - Proposed 35' and 10' Setbacks With Drainage Path)
This setback variance would not encroach upon the property to the north, nor
the property to the east, or the railroad to the south as it's operation is not
hindered. There are several other instances of nearby buildings standing even
closer to the railroad than what we propose: Kaufman Lumber at 2500 7th
Street and Mini Labels Inc. at 2600 10th Street, (Fig 7 - Nearby Setback
Exceptions, outlined in orange) both of which are located less than 1500 feet
away from the proposed construction. Furthermore this variance would be in
keeping with other building allowances for drainage paths in the area along
the Rose Creek, such as the Arkansas Childrens Hospital building at 2325
West 7th. (outlined in blue)
Thank you for your consideration,
Jeremy Brasher