HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4160 Staff AnalysisJanuary 17, 1984
Item No. 2 - Z-4160
Owner: The Arkansas Children's Hospital
Address: 1914 and 1918 West 9th Street and
807 Summit Street
Description: Part of the West 1/2 of Block 4,
Marshall and Wolfe's Addition
Zoned: "R-4" Two Family District and "0-3"
General Office District
Request: Permission under provisions of
Section 8-101 of the Zoning Ordinance to
permit use of the subject property as an
unimproved parking lot.
JUSTIFICATION
The Master Plan for the Children's Hospital expansion
includes additional buildings on this block within two to
three years. However, a need exists for additional parking
at this time to handle overflow. Additional lots or parking
structure will be constructed at the time of erection of new
buildings.
Present Use
of the Property: Vacant, Parking and Office
Proposed Use of
the Property: Temporary Parking Lot with Gravel Base
Only
STAFF REPORT
A. Enqineering Issues
The closures of access to West 9th Street and Summit
Street are necessary for the near future due to 9th
Street traffic flows and Summit Street having no north
outlet. Also, the Screening and Landscape Ordinance
must be dealt with. The dead-end parking areas on the
south and west should be provided with controlled back
out space.
B. Staff Analysis
The proposal as filed seems reasonable. We find no
problem with the proposal if certain steps are taken to
provide visual separation from the residences closely
abutting. Such a screening fence alongside the houses
is necessary due to after hours use of these lots and
headlights cast upon these structures. We are not
January
January 17, 1984
Item No. 2 - Continued
suggesting an opaque barrier along the entire property
line as that might create a security problem. It would
be appropriate for a variety of reasons to place wheel
stops along the fences. There is an additional point
we would make, that is the Master Plan on record should
be submitted for further review and to keep staff
updated if the plan is in any way altered by this
proposal.
C. Staff Recommendation
Approval of the request subject to a commitment by the
hospital to return to this Board or the Planning
Commission for further review if the parking lot
requires use beyond two years from this date or,
structural involvement requires modification of the use
area or access.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ACTION:
The hospital was represented by Messrs. Bill Ruck and
Bill Vogel. Mr. Ruck presented additional commentary and
supporting information in conjunction with the request.
There were in attendance three (3) persons objecting to the
proposal at hand. Two of these persons addressed the Board.
They were Vernon Stidham and Olivie Horner. Both objectors
addressed the issue of the activity level generated by a
commercial parking lot adjacent to their residential
properties. Additionally, they had concerns about
destruction of certain elements of their private property by
all of the vehicle movement adjacent to their property lines
and the reduction in property value. A lengthy discussion
of the proposal then followed involving all of the
participants. The discussion resulted in a motion to
approve the request as filed, subject to those points raised
in the staff recommendation and suggestion that the staff
monitor for a period of two years the operation of the lot
to determine if dust becomes a problem and how the problem
should be resolved. The motion passed by a vote of 6 ayes,
0 noes, 2 absent and 1 open position.