HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9579 4907 Crestwood Dr - Staff RptMay 20, 2021
ITEM NO. 3 Z-9579
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File No.: Z-9579
Owners: Brandon Baldwin
Applicant: Brandon Baldwin
Address: 4907 Crestwood Dr.
Legal Description: Lot 94, Cliffwood Addition to the City of Little Rock, Pulaski
County, Arkansas
Zoned: R-2 (Single-Family District)
Present Use: Single-family Residence
Proposed Use: Single-family Residence
Variance(s) Requested: Request from the area provisions of Section 36-156 to permit
more than 30% coverage of the rear yard for an accessory
building and to permit an accessory structure with a reduced
side yard setback.
Justification: The applicant’s justification is presented as per the attached
letter dated March 18, 2021.
STAFF REPORT
A. Planning and Development Civil Engineering:
No Comments.
B. Landscape and Buffers:
In October 2020 the City adopted the “Heights Landscape Design Overlay District,”
requiring installation of one tree per 40 linear feet of street frontage within the
Heights District Boundary, applicable to [among other types] residential
construction in excess of 600 square feet.
C. Building Codes:
The required fire separation distance (building to property line) prescribed by the
building code terminates at five (5) feet. Buildings are allowed to be closer than
five (5) feet if they have properly constructed fire walls which provide the requisite
one (1) hour fire resistance rating. When buildings are five (5) feet or more from
May 20, 2021
ITEM NO. 3 Z-9579
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the property line, the requirement no longer applies to the wall itself, only the
projections such as eaves or overhangs.
Openings such as doors and windows are limited when the exterior wall is three (3)
feet from the property line and are prohibited when the exterior wall is less than
three (3) feet from the line. There is no restriction on openings when the exterior
wall is more than three (3) feet from the property line.
Contact the City of Little Rock Building Codes at (501)371-4832 for additional
details.
D. Staff Analysis:
The R-2 zoned property located in the Heights Overlay District at 4907 Crestwood
Street is occupied by a two-story single-family masonry home. An existing drive
apron connects to the street along the east side of the property. The survey indicates
that the rear yard is mostly unoccupied except for a concrete and partially dirt and
gravel drive connecting the rear of the property to the street. The adjacent and
surrounding properties are also predominantly single-family residences.
The applicant is proposing to construct a three-car garage, behind the primary
dwelling in the rear of the property. The new structure will be located 1-foot, 6-inches
to approximately 3-feet from the east property line. A 6-feet easement is located
adjacent to the south property line and the south wall of the proposed building is
shown to be located just north of the easement. The rear and west side yard
setbacks will comply with code requirements for accessory buildings.
Sec. 36-156(a)(2)f states, “Accessory buildings shall maintain at least a three-foot
setback from any side or rear yard property line except where said rear yard abuts
on a dedicated alley. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the
proposed accessory structure with a reduced setback from the east side of the
property line.
The rear yard for this property is approximately 1140 square feet. The new garage
is indicated to be 794 square feet with an approximate 646 square feet located within
the 25-foot rear yard setback. The new building is proposed to cover approximately
56% of the rear yard exceeding the maximum coverage requirements by 26%.
Sec. 36-156(a)(2)c states, “Accessory buildings or structures in the R-1 through R-
4A districts… may not occupy more than thirty (30) percent of the required rear
yard area...”
This proposal is similar to other neighborhood installations. In Staff's opinion, the
proposed rear yard coverage variance will pose no negative effect upon the health,
safety, or welfare of the general public, and will not detract from the value or
aesthetic of the neighborhood or surrounding properties.
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ITEM NO. 3 Z-9579
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E. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested coverage variance per the attached
site plan subject to the following conditions:
1. A building permit being obtained for all construction
2. Install any required trees in accordance with the Heights Landscape Design
Overlay District