HomeMy WebLinkAboutLA-2022-01 14524 Hwy. 10 Adv. Grading Var PC WriteUp 10-19-2022 ITEM NO.: FILE NO.: LA-2022-01
NAME: 14524 Hwy. 10 Advanced Grading Variance
LOCATION: Near 14524 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR
APPLICANT: John A. Rees
APPLICANT’S REPRESENTATIVE: Jess Griffin
AREA: Approximately 10.67 acres
CURRENT ZONING: R2
VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: A variance from the Land Alteration Regulations to advance grade by clearing and filling approximately 2.96 acres.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Applicant is requesting an extension to the previously expired variance from the Land Alteration Regulations to advance grade by clearing and filling approximately 2.76 acres of a 10.67
acre property on the northside of Cantrell Road just north of the existing commercial developments at 14524 through 14810 Cantrell Road. The variance would allow staff to re-issue
a grading permit for the advance grading activities without imminent construction. Fill material is proposed to be hauled to this site from a nearby lot located at 15122 Cantrell Road.
The filled area will slope to the natural grade at no steeper than 2:1. The applicant proposes to clear and fill only the portion of the property identified on the plan which part
of the fill is located within the 100-year floodplain and determined to not be within a wetland. The applicant’s intention is to maintain the same undisturbed buffers, diversion ditches,
etc.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The property is currently undeveloped and partially tree covered. Some site work has taken place with fill material being placed on site.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
XXX
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS:
A grading permit must be obtained prior to initiation of work. Grading permits are issued by the Planning and Development Dept. at 723 West Markham Street
after approval of sediment and erosion control plans, grading and drainage plans, land survey, drainage study, and soil loss calculations per City’s stormwater management and drainage
manual. Contact Planning and Development Dept., Engineering Division at 501-371-4817 or at 501-918-5348 or Permits@littlerock.gov to schedule an appointment for issuance or to answer
any questions. Permit cost is based on total project area at $100.00 for the less than ½ acre, $200.00 for ½ to 1 acre, and $200.00 for the first acre and $100.00 for each additional
acre for project greater than 1 acre.
Any work involving one (1) or more acres of disturbed area requires a State of Arkansas NPDES permit. Contact the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, NPDES branch at 501-682-0744
for applications and information about General Stormwater Discharge Construction Permit #ARR150000.
All grading and land alteration activities shall comply with all requirements and regulations as outlined in City Code Sec. 29-196 and Sec. 29-197.
The site should be signed with a Land Alteration Variance sign obtained from Department of Planning and Development.
The Department requires three (3) phase sediment and erosion control (SEC) plans to be submitted for all construction projects showing best management practices (BMPs) for mitigating
sediment runoff and erosion along with vegetation specifications for temporary and permanent soil stabilization. Phase 1 SEC plans shall show SEC BMPs during the stripping, clearing,
grubbing, and rough grading of the site. Phase 2 SEC plans shall show SEC BMPs during construction of utilities, buildings, roadway infrastructure and drainage infrastructure. Phase
3 SEC Plans shall show SEC BMPs for final grading, seeding, and landscaping of the site.
Sediment and Erosion Control plans shall also show the pertinent information as outlined in ADEQ ARR150000 Permit Part II section A-4-H (1-14) and Part II section A-4-I-2 (A-B).
Development or fill within the floodway is prohibited. In accordance with Section 31-176, floodway areas must be shown as floodway easements or be dedicated to the City of Little Rock.
In addition, a 25 ft access and maintenance easement is required adjacent to the floodway boundary.
A Special Flood Hazard Development Permit is required to be obtained to prior to beginning construction. The Special Flood Hazard Development Permit application can be found a thttps://www.littlerock
.gov/city-administration/city-departments/public-works/ . Special Flood Hazard Development Permits are issued by the Public Works Department at 701 West Markham Street and no fee collected
for issuance. Contact Planning and Development Dept. Engineering Division at 501-371-4817 or 501-918-5348 or CEPermits@littlerock.gov to schedule an appointment for issuance or to answer
any questions.
Will the advance grading operation be complete in 1 year?
No fill shall be place within a wetlands area without providing proof of approval from the US Corps of Engineers.
E. PLANNING STAFF COMMENTS:
XXX
F. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE:
XXX
G. ANALYSIS:
The applicant proposes to fill the dense tree covered 2.96 acres of the approximate 10.67 acre property. Part of the property is located within the 100-year floodplain with regulatory
floodway located in the northeast portion of the property to be disturbed. Access is proposed from an existing private street off Cantrell Road to the south of the subject property
that cuts through the existing commercial development.
The applicant has indicated on the grading and land alteration permit application that grading and land alteration will be completed, and the site will be stabilized within 1 year of
the issuance of the grading permit. The applicant has provided an erosion control plan showing silt fence, diversion ditches, and rock check dams, and other erosion controls. The
grading plan shows the 2.96 acres of the total 10.67 acres to be filled approximately 15 ft in elevation with 2:1 slopes to transition to the existing grades. The applicant proposes
to maintain the existing buffers, diversion ditches, etc. on the property.
Mud, dirt or any debris tracked on paved surfaces must be periodically removed. The property will be graded to sheet flow stormwater and not pond on the property. The sheet flow stormwater
will then run off the 2:1 slopes into diversion ditches that all drain and discharge to Ison Creek at the northwest corner of the proposed disturbed 2.96 acres site. Maintenance of
erosion controls, detention facilities, and construction entrances will occur as needed during the grading period. Within 14 days of completion of the final grading, the disturbed
area will be graded with 6 inches of top soil and seeded and vegetated with native grasses. When vegetation is established, the erosion control devices can then be removed.
H. RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends denial of the requested extension of the advanced grading variance due to the applicant’s documented history of multiple violations of not
adhering to the City’s land alteration regulations and flood damage prevention regulations at this site.
I. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (May 14, 2020)
XXX