Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-3454-A Staff AnalysisFebruary 21, 1995 ITEM NO_: 8 FILE NO.: Z -3454-A NAME: Wakefield Missionary Baptist Church - Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 16100 Otter Creek Parkway OWNER/APPLICANT: Wakefield Missionary Baptist Church by Thomas Hodges of the Otter Creek Land Company PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow construction of a church on this MF -6 zoned, 2.5± acre site. The sanctuary will have a seating capacity of 291 people, including the choir. No day-care or private school programs are proposed. ORDINANCE DESIGN _STANDARDS: 1. Site Location The proposed church site is located on the west side of Otter Creek Parkway, between Fawn Tree Drive and Wimbledon Loop; in the Otter Creek Community. 2. Compatibility with Neighborhood This MF -6 zoned, 2.5 acre site is located in the heart of Otter Creek, a large, single family residential neighborhood. The property fronts on a collector street and is located directly across from an elementary school. A 100 foot wide AP&L easement is located north of the site and the 150 foot wide Callagahan Creek easement is adjacent to the south. The two, large easements separate the proposed church site from the single family residential properties. No ancillary uses such as a day-care program and private school are proposed. The proposed use of this property as a church should be compatible with the neighborhood. 3. On -Site Drives and Parkincr The proposed church will have a sanctuary capacity of 291 persons, including the choir. Based on a requirement of one space for every 4 seats, the site requires 72 parking spaces. The applicant proposes to provide 104 on-site L ity of Little Rock13 mepartent of Neighborhoods and Planning 723 West Markham - Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 (501) 371-4790 February 24, 1995 Thomas Hodges Otter Creek Land Company 14,000 Otter Creek Parkway Little Rock, AR 72209 RE: WAKEFIELD MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH C.U.P. (Z -3454-A) Dear Mr. Hodges: Planning Zoning and Subdivision At its February 21, 1995 meeting, the Little Rock Planning Commission approved your application for a conditional use permit to allow for the construction of a church on the MF -6 zoned property located at 16,100 Otter Creek Parkway. This approval was granted subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the City Engineer's Comments 2. Compliance with the Utility and Fire Department Comments 3. Compliance with the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinances with this exception. A reduced buffer of 5 feet was approved on the north and south perimeters. 4. Signage is to be limited to that allowed in office and institutional zones. - 5. Any parking lot lighting is to be low-level and directional, aimed away from adjacent properties. The Commission also approved a waiver of the screening requirement on the north and south perimeters due to the nature of the adjacent properties. Based on this approval and your compliance with the conditions noted above, you may obtain a building permit. Please be advised that there is a 30 day appeal period and any permits obtained or construction performed is at the applicant's own risk. If you have any questions, please call me at 371-6817. Sinyerely, 61 Dana Carney, Planner I cc: File No. Z -3454-A February 21, 1995 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-3454_ -A parking spaces, four of which are designated for handicap use. 4. Screeninc and Buffers Compliance with the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinances is required. The land use buffers on the north and south perimeters should be 6 feet in width and should contain opaque screening. Due to the nature of the abutting properties, the 100 foot AP&L easement and the 150 foot Callagahan Creek easement, the screening may not be necessary. The applicant is requesting a reduction in the buffer width to 5 feet. The reduced buffer will be landscaped as the Landscape Ordinance requires. 5. City Engineer Comments Sidewalks per the Master Street Plan are required on the Otter Creek Parkway frontage. Stormwater detention is required. A sketch grading and drainage plan meeting the requirements of Sec. 29-186 are required before construction. A grading permit is required. A development permit is required for the flood hazard area. A 25 foot setback adjacent to the floodway of Callagahan Branch is required. 6. utility and Fire Department Comments The driveway between the building and the south property line must be 20 feet in width. Fire lanes must be marked with City regulation no parking/two zone signs. Additional public and/or private fire hydrants may be needed. 7. Analysis The applicant requests a conditional use permit to allow for the construction of a church on this MF -6 zoned, 2.5± acre site. Construction will consist of a single building containing worship and educational space as well as space for associated activities such as a fellowship hall and office areas. No day-care center or private school activities are proposed. Future expansion of the educational space is shown on the site plan. Worship services would be conducted on Sunday and mid -week, using a normal church schedule. The property is located on a collector street and is separated from adjacent residences by a 100 foot AP&L easement and a 150 foot creek easement. On-site parking, exceeding ordinance requirements, is provided. Staff believes the proposed church to be a reasonable use of this property and is supportive of the request. 2 February 21, 1995 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) _ FILE NO.: Z -3454-A 8. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit to construct a church on this MF -6 zoned site subject to: 1. Compliance with the City Engineer's Comments 2. Compliance with the Utility and Fire Department Comments 3. Compliance with the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinances with this exception. Staff recommends approval of the reduced 5 foot buffer on the north and south perimeters as shown on the proposed site plan. Staff also recommends approval of a waiver of the screening requirement on the north and south perimeters due to the nature of the adjacent properties. Landscaping on these perimeters will be installed in compliance with the City's Landscape Ordinance. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 2, 1995) The applicant, Thomas Hodges, was present. Staff presented the item and outlined the landscaping, City Engineer, Utility and Fire Department Comments noted above. It was determined that a reduction in the buffer and screening requirements on the north and south perimeters may be appropriate considering the use on the adjacent properties. In response to a question from staff, Mr. Hodges stated that the building would not exceed 35 feet in height. He stated that an ornamental feature, such as a cross, may extend above the building. Mr. Hodges was directed to provide details on signage and parking lot lighting. He was advised that any parking lot lighting must be low-level and directional, aimed away from adjacent properties. After a discussion of proposed landscaping, Mr. Hodges was urged to provide more interior landscaping in the front parking lot to break up the large, paved area. Mr. Hodges stated that the building could be shifted to provide the required 25 foot setback from Callagahan Branch and the required 20 foot wide driveway. 3 February 21, 1995 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -3454 - Staff advised Mr. Hodges to provide a revised site plan incorporating the required changes and providing the requested details on signage and lighting. The Committee determined that there were no other outstanding issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 21, 1995) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and informed the Commission that a revised site plan had been submitted which addressed staff's concerns and that there were no other outstanding issues. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the City Engineer's Comments 2. Compliance with the Utility and Fire Department Comments 3. Compliance with the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinances with this exception. A reduced buffer of 5 feet was approved on the north and south perimeters. 4. Signage is to be limited to that allowed in office and institutional zones. 5. Any parking lot lighting is to be low-level and directional, aimed away from adjacent properties. The Commission also approved a waiver of the screening requirement on the north and south perimeters due to the nature of the adjacent properties. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. 4