HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9676 - 6 Greathouse Bend Drive - BOA Staff RptAPRIL 21, 2022
ITEM NO. 3 Z-9676
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File No.: Z-9676
Owners: Thomas R. Winans
Applicant: Yeary Lindsey Architects
Address: 6 Greathouse Bend Drive
Legal Description: Lot 3, Greathouse Bend Addition to the City of Little Rock,
Pulaski County Arkansas
Zoned: R-2
Present Use: Single-family Residence
Proposed Use: Single-family Residence
Variance(s) Requested: A variance is requested from the area regulations of
Sec. 36-254 to allow a reduced side yard setback in the R-2
district.
Justification: The applicant’s justification is presented as per the attached
letter dated February 15, 2022.
STAFF REPORT
A. Planning and Development Civil Engineering Comments:
No Comments.
B. Buffering and Landscape Comments:
No Comments.
C. Building Codes Comments:
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 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.
APRIL 21, 2022
ITEM NO. 3 Z-9676
2
Contact the City of Little Rock Building Codes at 371-4832 for additional details.
D. Staff Analysis:
The R-2 zoned property is located south of Rebsamen Park Rd and southeast of the
intersection of Overlook Drive and Greathouse Bend Drive. Greathouse Bend Drive
runs (east/west) parallel with Rebsamen and is characterized by minor streets/drives
of the same name leading to buildable lots. The subject property is located on one
of these secondary streets at the west end of this arterial and shares the street/drive
with three other homes. The terrain steeply slopes to the northeast with the existing
homes located on the east side of the street The subject property is occupied by a
one-story single-family frame home that was built in 1996.
The applicant is proposing to extend the south end of the home to enlarge an existing
master suite. It has been has stated that due to the homeowners limited mobility the
addition will allow for increased accessibility of the existing space to accommodate
the physical limitations of the resident.
The survey indicates an 8-foot side yard setback. As constructed the house is
located 4-feet, 9-inches from this setback. The sketch provided by the applicant
shows the house addition will be 30-feet, 10-inches in length, just short of the 31-
feet 7-inches of the existing structure. The width of the addition will be 7-feet, 6-
inches, encroaching on the side yard 2-feet, 9-inches. When completed the new
south wall of the home will be located 5-feet 3-inches from the property line.
Section 36-254(d)(2) states “Side yard. There shall be a side yard set-back on each
side of the building having a width of not less than ten (10) percent of the average
width of the lot, not to exceed eight (8) feet.” The applicant requests a variance to
allow an encroachment into the south side-yard setback 2-feet, 9-inches.
In Staff' s opinion, the existing conditions and the proposed addition will pose no
negative effect upon the health, safety, or welfare of the public, and will not detract
from the value or aesthetic of the neighborhood or surrounding properties. Staff finds
the request to generally be in conformance with the development pattern in the
neighborhood. Based on the above assessment and analysis, Staff finds the
requested variances to be reasonable.
E. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested side yard setback to 5-feet 3-inches
and as per the above analysis submitted survey/ sketch.