HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-3459-D Staff AnalysisJanuary 27, 2003
ITEM NO.: 1
File No.: Z -3459-D
Owner: Twin City Bank
Address: 10400 Mabelvale Plaza
Description: South side of Interstate 30, approximately
800 feet west of Baseline Road
Zoned: C -3/C-4
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the buffer
requirements of Section 36-522 to allow a
reduced interstate buffer.
Justification:
Present Use of Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
With Buildina Permit:
The applicant's justification is presented in
an attached letter.
Undeveloped
Bank
1. Construct road frontage improvements to match adjacent development
on the 1-30 frontage.
2. Sidewalks with appropriate handicap ramps are required in
accordance with Sec. 31-175 of the Little Rock Code and the Master
Street Plan.
3. On-site stormwater detention is required unless it can be
demonstrated that the developer is to provide area -wide facilities.
4. Provide the direction of flow and all stormwater flows (2) entering and
leaving the property.
5. All driveways shall be concrete aprons per City Ordinance. Provide
drainage break at apron.
January 27, 2003
Item No.: 1 (C
B. Landscape and Buffer Issues:
Areas set aside for buffers and landscaping meet with ordinance
requirements with the exception of the proposed buffer along Interstate
30. The zoning and landscape ordinances both require a thirty (30) foot
wide on-site landscape buffer when abutting an expressway. Therefore, a
variance from the City Beautiful Commission will also be required in this
regard.
The impact of the reduced buffer landscape width along Interstate 30
could be lessened with the use of berming and additional evergreen trees
and shrubs.
C. Staff Analysis:
The C -3/C-4 zoned property located on the south side of Interstate 30,
approximately 800 feet west of Baseline Road, is currently undeveloped
and partially wooded. The majority of the property is zoned C-3, with a
small sliver of C-4 along the west property line. The property is part of the
Mabelvale Plaza commercial development. The property owner, Twin City
Bank, is proposing to construct a branch bank facility on this site. The
proposed development will consist of a 3,700 square foot branch bank
building with drive-thru, and associated drives and parking. One (1)
access point from the 1-30 service road is proposed.
Section 36-522(a)(3) of the City's Zoning Ordinance requires a minimum
30 foot street (interstate) landscape buffer for this site. The proposed site
plan provides a 12 foot buffer along the majority of the north (interstate)
property line. Therefore, the property owner is requesting a variance from
this ordinance standard.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance. The proposed street buffer
is very close in width to the buffers provided with the newer commercial
developments to the east (Pizza Hut, branch bank, Sonic). The proposed
buffer should align nicely with these sites, which were developed prior to
the current street (interstate) buffer requirement. Additionally, the
applicant has submitted a landscape plan which shows a berm and
additional landscape plantings within the proposed buffer area to help
lessen the impact of the reduced buffer width. The reduced buffer width
should have no negative impact on the general area. As noted in
paragraph B. of this report, the property owner will also need to request a
variance from the City Beautiful Commission.
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January 27, 2003
Item No.: 1 Cont.
D. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance for reduced buffer
width subject to the following conditions:
1. Compliance with the Public Works requirements as noted in paragraph
A. of this report.
2. Approval must also be obtained from the City Beautiful Commission.
3. Provide berming and additional evergreen landscape plantings within
the street buffer area.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JANUARY 27, 2003)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by
staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
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