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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4028-C Staff AnalysisOctober 31, 2002 ITEM NO.: 8 FILE NO.: Z-4 NAME: Arkansas Baptist College — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 1621 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive OWNER/APPLICANT: Arkansas Baptist College/ Thomas J. Scott, Vice President PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for conversion of the former, college president's house, located on the R-4 zoned property at 1621 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, into the college president's executive office suite. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located at the northeast corner of West 17th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site is located in an area of mixed uses and zoning. The college campus occupies 2+ blocks of R-4 zoned properties across MLK, to the west. The C-3 zoned properties adjacent to the north contain two duplexes, a vacant commercial building and a restaurant. The surrounding neighborhood is primarily zoned R-3 and R-4 and contains a variety of residential uses, from single family to duplexes and multifamily. No changes are proposed to this property. It will continue to appear as a single family residence and, as such, should be compatible with the neighborhood. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Central High, Downtown and Wright Avenue Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site contains a circular driveway, from West 17th Street to M. L. King. Utilizing the driveway and the two parking spaces at the garage, there is room on the site for 4-5 vehicles. This 2,500± square foot office use requires 6 on-site parking spaces. The College President, a secretary and two additional staff members will utilize the office. Meetings or events of 8 October 31, 2002 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z -4028-C or more persons will be held on the main campus, across the street. In an effort to maintain the residential character of the site, staff supports a parking variance so no additional paving of the site will be required. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments. 6. UTILITY. FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: No Comments received. Reliant: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water regarding requirements for water service. Fire Department: No Comments received. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: Site is on bus route #11 and has no effect on a bus radius, turnout and route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (OCTOBER 10, 2002) The applicant was not present. Staff presented the item and noted that information was needed regarding days and hours of use and signage. Staff noted that there was little outstanding since no changes were proposed to the site. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. Staff stated they would meet with the applicant to obtain the needed information. 2 October 31, 2002 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -4028-C STAFF ANALYSIS: The R-4 zoned property located at 1621 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive is occupied by a one-story, brick and frame, single family residence. The property has been owned by Arkansas Baptist College for over 30 years and has, until recently, been used as the college president's residence. The college campus occupies 2+ blocks located directly west of the site. The college proposes to utilize this residential structure as the president's executive office suite. No "site plan" changes, exterior changes or alterations to the building or landscaping will be made. The building will be used as office space for the president, a secretary and two additional staff members. Meetings or events of 8 or more persons will routinely be held on the maim campus. Typical days and hours of operation are expected to be Monday -Friday, 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m., with occasional meetings and activities after hours and on weekends. Signage will consist of a single, ground -mounted sign identifying the site. The sign will be limited to office and institutional standards; 6 feet in height and 64 square feet in area. A 2,500 square foot office typically requires 6 on-site parking spaces. The site will accommodate 4-5 vehicles. In an effort to maintain the structure's residential character and to limit the need for any additional paving on the site, staff supports a variance to allow reduced on-site parking. The main campus is located directly across the street and adequate parking is available on or near the campus. Staff did speak with the applicant subsequent to the Subdivision Committee meeting and received responses to the issues raised at the meeting and reflected in the analysis above. To staffs knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the approved site plan. 2. Signage is to consist solely of one ground -mounted sign not to exceed 6 feet in height and 64 square feet in area. 3. Any new site lighting is to be low-level and directional, aimed into the site. Staff recommends approval of a variance to allow a reduction in required on-site parking. 3 October 31, 2002 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 FILE NO.: Z -4028-C PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (OCTOBER 31, 2002) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the "Staff Recommendation" above. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. 2