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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-3442-F Staff AnalysisApril' 30, '1998 ITEM NO.: 26 NAME: LOCATION• OWNER/APPLICANT: PROPOSAL: ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location: FILE NO.: Z -3442-F Wal-Mart - Revised Conditional Use Permit 8801 Baseline Road Wal-Mart Stores, Inc./ CEI Engineering Associates Wal-Mart is requesting a revised conditional use permit to allow for a 78,846 square feet expansion of this existing retail store, including expansion of the garden center on west side and the main store on the east side. The property is zoned I-2 and C-3. The Wal-Mart is located on the south side of Baseline, east of the intersection of Baseline and I-30. 2. Compatibility with Neighborhood: This mixed zone I-2 and C-3 property is bordered on the east and south by residential zoning, and the west by C-3 commercial zoning. Immediately west the C-3 area is vacant. To the northwest is a strip type shopping center. There is a six foot wood privacy fence and green buffer wooded area between this facility and all the residential area to the east and south. A 40 to 50 foot OS zoned strip exists along the east side of this property which should prevent any additional impact on the residential area from this expansion. The West Baseline and Mavis Circle Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. 3. On -Site Drives and Parkin : Access to the property is gained by utilizing two (2) existing driveways from Baseline Road. A total of 333 parking spaces is required by ordinance for the existing retail use. A total of 543 will be required April' 30, '1998 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -3442-F with the additional proposed square footage. There are 867 existing spaces with 31 taken up part of the time by seasonal outdoor display. That still leaves more than adequate parking. 4. Screening and Buffers: Areas set aside for buffers and landscaping meet with ordinance requirements. Since 50 feet of the property immediately east of the building is zoned "OS", it will be necessary to not intrude into this area. Provide the method to be employed to protect this area from intrusion. 5. Public Works Comments: 1. Grading permit will be required on this new development if it disturbs more than one acre. 2. Provide paved area at southwest corner of lot for tractor -trailers to reduce traffic congestion. 3. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 4. Property frontage needs to have the sidewalks and ramps brought up to the current ADA standards. 5. Stormwater detention ordinance applies to this property. 6. utility and Fire Department Comments: Water: The Little Rock Fire Department needs to review these plans to determine whether additional fire protection will be required. Contact the Water Works regarding procedure for modification of the existing fire protection facilities. Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Southwestern Hell: Approved as submitted. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. Fa April 30, 1998 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -3442-F CATA: The site is located on a bus route. 7. Staff Analysis: Wal-Mart is requesting a revised conditional use permit to increase their total square footage by 78,846 and make this store at 8801 Baseline into a supercenter with a grocery store. The expanded store will have a total area of 201,172 square feet. The property is zoned I-2 and has a conditional use permit for the retail use which was approved in February 1992. This expansion will bring the building within 9.5 feet of the OS zoned 50 foot buffer on the east. The rear southern building setback will decrease from 108 feet to 71.8 feet. The new rear paved area will not be any closer to the rear property line than existing paving. The west side setback will not change since the existing auto center will still be the closest part of the building to the west property line. Most of the addition (72,902 square feet) will be on the east side. The garden center on the west side is increasing by 4,950 square feet. The outside garden fenced in area is moving 15 feet to the west, but with no infringement on the existing driveway. Also, a small vestibule (994 square feet) is being added to the front. The retail operation is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No additional signage or lighting is requested. On site parking and landscape areas exceed ordinance requirements. 8. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the revised conditional use permit subject to compliance with Public Works Comments and the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinance. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (APRIL 9, 1998) Tim Martin of CEI Engineering Associates was present representing the applicant. Staff gave a brief description of the proposal. Staff responded no to a written question from Entergy asking if they could bury their underground cable in the OS area. That area must remain undisturbed. Staff also emphasized 3 April 30, 1998 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -3442-F the need for that area to be fenced and protected during construction. Public Works emphasized that attention be given to prevent drainage problems caused by the expansion and runoff. There being no further issues, the Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission for final resolution. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (APRIL 30, 1998) Tim Martin of CEI Engineering Associates was present representing the applicant. Staff gave a description of the proposal and a recommendation of approval. Staff noted that Public Works had revised their comments by withdrawing comment #2 regarding adding paving at the southwest corner of the property for tractor -trailers. Staff also mentioned they had received a letter of support from the neighborhood association noting in it two items agreed to by Wal-Mart which addressed two areas of concern by the neighbors. There was one objector present. Tim Martin briefly addressed the Commission restating their request and his belief that they had taken into consideration neighborhood concerns and agree to address them in the conditional use permit. Jim Kester, president of West Baseline Neighborhood Association, addressed the Commission stating their endorsement of the proposal. Troy Laha, chairperson of Southwest Little Rock United for Progress, addressed the Commission. He stated that their concerns had also been addressed and he wanted to make sure that certain items were included in the record: 1. That Wal-Mart would install a wrought iron fence along the east property line all the way up to Baseline Road. 2. That Wal-Mart do 100% of funding for construction of a signal light at the east entrance to their property, and 3. That Wal-Mart do lighting on the rear of their building shining down and not out into the neighborhood. Mr. Martin said he concurred with Mr. Laha's requirements and that they would meet them. 4 April' 30, '1998 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -3442-F Mr. Kester asked that the neighborhood association letter and the CEI letter of agreement be made part of the conditional use requirements. Chairman Lichty agreed they would. Commissioner Berry stated that Wal-Mart is to be commended for working with the neighborhood and investing in this part of Little Rock. He also asked if there weren't some things that could be done to make it safer for pedestrians walking the 600 feet through the parking lot to the store. Mr. Martin stated that they had designed the parking according to city requirements and included a 30 foot wide marked crosswalk at the front of the store with yield symbols on the pavement and crosswalk signs installed to cover the most congested area right at the entrance to the store. He added that the total parking spaces are actually less than what Wal-Mart would like to have, but they reduced it to meet city requirements for landscaping, etc. Commissioner Berry added that new designs in parking areas do more to provide safer pedestrian areas more easily distinguishable in parking areas and that Wal-Mart as a large progressive store should consider those measures in their design. Commissioner Nunnley asked if enough handicapped parking was included in Wal -Mart's parking, and could they consider providing more. Mr. Martin commented that they are meeting the ADA standard of 2%, but they could look into providing more spaces on the end of rows near the store. Commissioner Adcock asked if CEI planned to put in the trees that were on the drawing shown at the neighborhood association meeting. Mr. Martin said they would meet city ordinance requirements and he believed those shown on the drawing would be put in to meet the ordinance. A motion was made to approve the application as submitted including staff comments, Mr. Laha's three points, the West Baseline Neighborhood Association letter, and the CEI letter of agreement. The motion was approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 1 noe and 1 absent. 5