HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4175-A Staff Analysis1
FILE NO.: Z -4175-A
NAME: HOSPICE HOME CARE, INC. -- SHORT -FORM PLANNED OFFICE
DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION: North of and beyond the present end of Dover Dr.,
approximately 700 feet north of W. 36th. St. and 0.30 mile east
of Shackleford Rd.
DEVELOPER•
ENGINEER:
Michael Aureli Frank Riggins
HOSPICE HOME CARE FOUNDATION THE MEHLBURGER FIRM
1501 N. University Ave. P. O. Box 3837
Little Rock, AR 172207 Little Rock, AR 72203
666-9697 375-5331
AREA: 9,691 ACRES NUMBER OF LOTS: 3 FT. NEW STREET: 100
ZONING: MF -18 PROPOSED USES:
PLANNING DISTRICT: 11
CENSUS TRACT: 24.04
VARIANCES REQUESTED: None
STATEMENT OF PROPOSAL:
General Offices &
Hospice Residential Care
The applicant proposes a planned development for the Hospice Home
Care Foundation, involving construction of an office building for
the Hospice Home Care, Inc., two hospice residential care
buildings for the Hospice Home Care Foundation, and retention of
a 5.5 acre lot for future development.
The office building for Hospice Home Care, Inc. is to be the
first phase of the project, and is to be built as soon as funds
are raised. This building is planned to be a 5,000± square foot
building per floor, with, possibly, two floors. The hospice
residential care facility is proposed to consist of two
buildings, with the first of these being built as funding becomes
available, and the second being built as both funding and the
occupancy rate can justify its being built. Each of these two
residential buildings is to be single -story, and each are planned
to have a maximum of 10,000± square feet of floor area. Parking
for 58 vehicles is proposed to be provided on site. The cul-de-
sac to be built at the end of Dover Dr. is proposed to be built
to residential cul-de-sac standards.
The applicant states that a hospice residential care facility is
one where terminally ill persons are cared for. The Hospice Home
Care Foundation's goal is to care for the terminally ill person
FILE O.• Z-417 -A(Cont.)
in as much of a home -like setting as possible. The site,
therefore, is proposed to retain as much of a peaceful, park -like
setting as possible, and as much of the natural environment of
the site is proposed to be retained as possible, especially to
the south and east overlooking the lake in the abutting
residential subdivision. The architecture of the buildings will
be residential in character and materials. Driveways and parking
areas are proposed to be asphalt, but with no curb and gutter.
Drainage is proposed to be directed towards detention storage
facilities on site thorough a system of swales and underground
drainage pipes. Lighting on-site is to be provided by low
intensity fixtures on twelve to fifteen foot poles, located in
the parking and driveway areas. Signage will consist of a
monument -type sign at the entrance to the property, with on-site
directional signs being eye level. The site features are to
include a gazebo and, possibly a small chapel. Hours of
operation for the office building are normal business hours. The
hospice residential care facility, however, will be staffed
around the clock, and family members may arrive at any time of
the day or night.
The applicant explains that the Hospice Home Care Foundation, a
non-profit corporation, is the "umbrella" corporate entity which
is buying the land and is the developer. A subsidiary corporate
entity, Hospice Home Care, Inc., a "for profit" corporate entity,
will then develop the proposed office building on Lot 3 of the
subdivision. The foundation will develop the hospice residential
care facility on Lot 2, and will retain Lot 1 for future
development. Because of the corporate structural needs, the
development under the auspices of the foundation and the
development by the "for profit" corporation need to be on
different lots. The proposed development, however, will act as a
single site, with cross -access to the Lot 2 area to be provided
by a private driveway. The applicant explains that extending
Dover Dr. as a public street into the tract to abut Lot 2, or
constructing a private "street" (to street standards) to Lot 2
would not be in keeping with the character of a singular campus,
park -like atmosphere which they are trying to create, and a
waiver of this requirement is being sought as part of the
preliminary plat approval. Likewise, the residential standard
cul-de-sac is, the applicant, feels completely adequate for their
own needs and the needs of existing and future development along
Dover Dr. A variance from the requirement to construct a
commercial standard cul-de-sac is being sought, also, as part of
the preliminary plat approval.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Review by the Planning Commission and approval by the Board
of Directors is requested a planned development for
development of a 9.691 acre site to include construction of
an office building, two hospice residential care buildings,
and retention of a 5.50 acre lot for future development.
2
FILE NO.: Z -4175-A (Cont.)
B. E3CI,
5TING CONDTTIONS:
The site is undeveloped, and is heavily wooded. There is a
40 foot ground elevation differential across the site, with
the slope of the ground generally falling from the northwest
corner of the site to the southeast corner. There is a
small lake off-site to the east, over which Lots 2 and 3
look.
The existing zoning of the tract is MF -18. There is an
extension of the MF -18 zoning to the west, where the "Our
Way" development is located. To the north is a large MF -12
tract, which is part of the "ERC" (Ecumenical Retirement
Center) grounds, and which is being retained for future
development by ERC. To the east is a large R-2 area, and,
to the south is R-2 zoned land, with a church facility
located in this area. At the southwest corner of the tract
is a PCD in which the United Cerebral Palsy offices are
located.
C. ENGINEERING/UTILITY COMMENTS:
The Public Works staff comments that:
1) It is recommended that the access easement be increased
to accommodate a private street in the easement that
extends from the Dover Dr. cul-de-sac to provide the
required access for Lot 2. This private street should
conform to City standards, and driveways abutting this
private street should conform to the ordinance. A
sidewalk will be required to be constructed on each
side of the private street. A 27 foot wide street is
acceptable; however, a turn -around devise at the north
end of the private street is required, unless a waiver
is sought. A concrete apron will be required at the
cul-de-sac for this private street.
2) Right-of-way for the cul-de-sac must be dedicated, and
a Master Street Plan improvements must be constructed
for -the cul-de-sac. The cul-de-sac right of way should
be a minimum of 100 feet, with 130 feet recommended.
The pavement diameter should be a minimum of 90 feet,
with 100 feet recommended. A sidewalk is required
adjacent to the cul-de-sac frontage. A maintenance
bond must be posted prior to final platting of the
property.
3) A grading permit and NPDES NOI is required before any
construction may begin.
4) Stormwater detention is required for the development.
Open ditches are generally not permitted by the
Stormwater Management and Drainage Manual. If ditches
are planned, they must be shown on the preliminary plat
3
FzTF NO.; Z -4175-A (Cont.)
and be approved by the City Engineer. Show water
courses entering the property and the planned exist
point for drainage. Easements off-site for this
drainage may be required. Evaluation of the off-site
drainage systems capacity will be required.
Water Works comments that on-site fire protection will be
required.
Wastewater Utility comments that a sewer main extension,
with easements, will be required. A capacity contribution
analysis may be required.
Arkansas Louisiana Gas Co. approved the submittal without
comment.
Southwestern Hell Telephone Co. will require easements.
Their drawing proposes a 7.5' easement at the perimeter of
the lot.
The Fire Department comments that all interior driveways are
to be a minimum of 20 feet. Fire hydrants shown may need to
be moved to facilitate any sprinkler connections.
D. ISS❑ES/LEGAL/TECHNICAL LDESIGN:
The Neighborhoods and Planning Site Plan Review Specialist
comments that the areas set aside for buffers and
landscaping meet ordinance requirements. A portion of the
street buffer drops below the full requirement of 20 feet,
but exceeds the requirement of a 20 foot average. Provision
for buffering of the site from abutting residential zoning
districts must be made.
The Planning staff reports that the site is in the I-430
Planning District, and that the adopted Land Use Plan
recommends single-family use for the area. The proposed use
is more.institutional and/or low density multi -family in
reality. Since currently two large churches are located on
either side of W. 36th. St. at Dover Dr., and there are
other institutional uses on abutting properties, staff
proposed to recognize these churches and the other
institutional uses, and include the hospice site as a public
institutional use in a land use plan amendment. The
request, therefore, would then be in conformance with the
plan.
As pointed out in the preliminary plat "write-up", the
provision of access to the otherwise "land -locked" Lot 2 by
way of a driveway in an access easement can be supported by
the Planning staff, as long as there is the legal
relationship between the Hospice Home Care Foundation and
Hospice Home Care, Inc. which has been explained by the
applicant. If, in the future, this legal relationship
4
FILE Z-417 -A(Cont.)
changes, or Lots 2 or 3 are sold to another entity, or there
is a re -subdivision of Lot 1, then the access issue of Lot 2
needs to be reviewed. It might be necessary, in such an
eventuality, that proper access to Lot 2 be provided by a
public or private street, as approved by the Planning
Commission.
E. ANALYSIS•
There are no deficiencies in the planned development site
plan, and, subject to the approval of the preliminary plat
and the waiver and variance being requested in the
application for preliminary plat approval, there are no
remaining issues to be resolved.
In the approval of the planned development, the requirement
noted above involving review of the access issue for Lot 2
if conditions change should be addressed.
F. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the planned development,
subject to the preliminary plat being approved, including
the waiver and variance requested, and subject to access to
Lot 2 being re -reviewed if the legal status of the ownership
of Lots 1, 2, or 3 of the subdivision changes.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT:
(JUNE 8, 1995)
Mr. Michael Aureli, representing the applicant, and Mr. Frank
Riggins, with the Mehlburger Firm, the project engineering firm,
were present. Staff outlined the proposed development, and the
Committee members reviewed with Misters Aureli and Riggins the
comments contained in the discussion outline. Mr. Aureli
explained the nature of the proposed development and the reasons
for their need to have two separate lots for the two developments
to be undertaken by the two corporate entities involved; the fact
that the non-profit foundation will be purchasing the property,
retaining the Lot 1 area for future development, and developing a
hospice care facility on Lot 2, then, selling Lot 3 to its "for
profit" subsidiary for development of an office building. He
explained that it is important to retain as much of a
residential/non-commercial "look" as possible, and that they want
only a driveway_ access to the Hospice Care facility to be located
on Lot 2, not a street. Mr. Riggins explained the rationale for
the residential standard cul-de-sac design, and indicated that a
variance from the requirement to construct the cul-de-sac to
commercial street standards will be pursued. The Committee then
forwarded the item to the full Commission for the public hearing.
5
FILE NO. Z -4175-A (CQnt.)
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(JIINE 27, 1995)
The Chairman asked Bobby Sims, of the Planning Staff, to present
this item for public hearing and offer a staff recommendation.
Sims responded by saying that Item Nos. 1 and 2 should be heard
together since they are the same property. Item No. 1 is a
preliminary plat and Item No. 2 is the planned office district
application. Sims then offered a lengthy explanation of the
background of this property. He identified this application as
being somewhat different because the typical planned unit
development for single use development incorporates the plat in
the planned unit development hearing process.
In this instance, the total ownership is some 10 acres in area.
The proposed development for Hospice Care occupies two lots in
one corner of this tract with the rest remaining undeveloped or
without a proposal at this time thereby requiring a separate
preliminary plat. Sims also pointed out that this PUD
application will classify all of the 10 acres as a planned
development. This will eliminate the potential for MF -18 zoning
developing on a portion of the property and taking access from
the cul-de-sac.
Sims stated that he had received no negative comments from the
neighborhood about this application. He stated that the staff
would have placed this application on Consent Agenda, except that
there was some change made in the proposal. That is, the
applicant will submit a revised application incorporating the
entire area.
Staff responded to a question from Chairman Walker by saying,
that, at this point, the Staff and the applicant are in consensus
on the application.
Chairman Walker then recognized Frank Riggins, of the Mehlburger
Engineering Firm. Mr. Riggins came forward to make the
presentation for the application. Mr. Riggins introduced Michael
Railey, the director of Hospice Home Care, as well as Charles
Witsell, with the architectural firm. Mr. Riggins offered a
lengthy presentation involving a discussion of the patients and
the type of care that is offered both on the premises and at the
patient's residence. He described the office operation as being
a base for the employees working off-site. He stated that the
developers of this site see their operation expanding in
in-patient care, thereby, producing a need for additional
structures at some point in the future.
Mr. Riggins stated this is a site that they were looking for to
fulfill their need for a quiet forested area away from noise and
disturbance. The additional land area is without proposed
structure, and at this time it allows the developer flexibility
for making those additions or modifications in the future.
6
FILE NO.: Z -4175-A (Cont.
Mr. Riggins then asked Mr. Witsell to come forward and present
his part of the presentation.
Mr. Witsell offered some graphics in presenting the site plan.
He offered comments on the adjacent land uses, their type and
proximity to this project. He then described the topography of
this site as one containing a significant fall from a hill mass
on the west to a lake front lying along the east perimeter of
the property. He described the property as being wooded.
Mr. Witsell stated the cul-de-sac that would be produced at the
end of Dover Drive would then be followed by a gate. The gate
would provide security at the entrance to the private drive and
the drive would serve the second lot in the project.
Mr. Witsell then moved to a discussion of the type of business
activity carried on off-site, which is the care of persons that
are dying. He stated the developers are moving to a second level
of activity which will be the in-house care of patients;
therefore, requiring a second type of structural involvement on
this property and the second lot. This structure would be
in-patient and would be the first one in the state. Mr. Witsell
described the first building as basically an office for employees
that work off-site. The building also will warehouse the
equipment and supplies that they utilize, such as oxygen
equipment and hospital beds.
He then discussed the layout of the parking and pointed to those
areas devoted to employee parking as well as the driveways and
circulation. In the second development on the second lot, Mr.
Witsell described it as being occupied by 12 to 20 beds as
individual rooms for patients. He described the environment that
would be retained about this structure to enhance the living
environment for those persons who are terminal. Mr. Witsell said
that if the plan is successful in the future, then the plan would
be expanded to incorporate additional structures on other areas
of the site. He concluded his remarks.
Chairman Walker then asked if Public Works Department wished to
address the matter. David Scherer, of Public Works Engineering
Design section, came forward and offered general comments on the
review by his department, the various concerns they had raised
and position on several waivers. Scherer offered specific
comments on the cul-de-sac which he feels should be constructed
to a collector street standard since it is the terminus of a 36
foot collector street.
He then moved to a discussion of private streets and the
relationship of the lot in this development which will be served
by an easement through a driveway. It is a concern the tie to
the potential for future expansion of this project and service of
additional buildings by this driveway and easement relationship.
The ordinance clearly requires that the drive be constructed in
the same standards as a public street.
7
FILE NO.: Z -4175-A (Con
Scherer then raised the subject of sidewalk which had not been
addressed by the applicant in their presentation. There is a
sidewalk required on at least one side around the cul-de-sac. He
pointed out that the plan apparently is supposed to replace the
sidewalk with private residential walking trails. In a
discussion with Bobby Sims, of the Planning Staff, it was
determined that a waiver had not been requested for the sidewalk
and it was noted that it would be required. Scherer then
commented that the interior circulation street does have a lot of
head -in parking which backs or maneuvers into this drive area.
He stated that this relationship would need to be reviewed
further if the project expanded because there are some blind
spots and dangerous traffic relationships created.
Scherer stated that the Traffic Engineering Office would like
some right of refusal in this design at some point in the future
to deal with these issues. Commissioner Woods posed a question
as to why this street standard was required to go to commercial.
He asked if it was because this is office. The current street
was constructed as a residential collector. Scherer indicated
that the ordinance requires a commercial standard because this is
a business activity.
A discussion then followed involving Commissioner Woods and David
Scherer about the need of sidewalks and where they would go and
who they would serve. It was agreed that the sidewalk currently
runs down the east side of the street, running to this site from
36th Street. But, that possibly in -lieu of a sidewalk an
internal circulation plan needs to be devised that would tie to
the existing sidewalk.
Commissioner Woods then posed a question, What is the anticipated
traffic count? Mr. Frank Riggins, of the Mehlburger Firm,
approached the lectern and discussed with Bobby Sims the issues
that had been presented by David Scherer. Mr. Riggins indicated
to staff that he thought he had included the subject of sidewalks
in previous discussion and written material submitted. He said
there would be an internalized circulation plan for pedestrians.
In response to one of David Scherer's comments about emergency
vehicles, Mr. Riggins stated that they wanted to preserve the
private residential low-key activity of environment.
In order to do this, some of the conventional kinds of
landclearing and wide thoroughfares would not be compatible. He
stated the architecture would be residential in character. Mr.
Riggins then asked the director of the facility to come forward
and offer comments on the development proposal.
Mr. Witsell stated that this land was being purchased from the
ecumenical retirement center which owns properties to the north
and west. He described the composition of the employees and how
many of them come to the office at given times, the hours of
operation and days per week at the visited site. He stated that
the frequency of these employees visiting the site would be low
8
FILE NO.: Z -4175-A (Con
with little traffic generation at a given time. Mr. Witsell
stated there would be 7 to 10 people on staff that would work
there each day. These people are recordkeepers and
administrative staff.
Mr. Witsell commented on the traffic generation from the
in-patient care facility as being quite low because these persons
would not be having automobiles and driving. The only persons
that would come to this structure would perhaps be family members
or medical personnel. He stated that this would perhaps be only
8 to 10 cars per day.
Mr. Riggins returned to the lectern and offered that there was an
additional variance which he would like to enter into the record.
The variance include a fence along the lake side of the property.
The developers felt like this fence of the height required would
be obstructive to their development and would eliminate part of
the environment they were seeking. Mr. Riggins stated that this
site was selected because of the view of the lake through the
trees and the fence would eliminate this. (Staff Note: This
fence was not required in a manner that the City Board of
Directors will have to deal with a variance. It will be a site
plan variance only.)
Chairman Walker asked Mr. Riggins to describe the ownership -
relationship around the lake. Mr. Riggins pointed out there was
a property owners association controlling the land area around
the lake.
There was a brief discussion about this ownership -relationship as
to whether or not there were other parties permitted to utilize
the facilities around the lake. Mr. Riggins stated he was not
aware that there was a relationship between the MF -18 site and
the property owners association that require the payment of dues.
Mr. Riggins then moved to his commentary to the subject of a
neighborhood meeting which was held approximately two weeks ago.
There was an -invitation extended to the residential area adjacent
and there were several representatives of the association and
residential area present at that meeting. In response to a
question from the Chairman, Mr. Riggins stated the neighborhood
did not respond to the fence issue. It was not discussed.
Bobby Sims, of the Planning Staff, pointed out that staff did
attend that neighborhood meeting and there were no objectors in
attendance at that time. Sims then offered a brief comment
describing the basis for the approach chosen with the private
drive and the isolated lot. This had to do with the mortgage
relationship and separate titles dealing with the inpatient
versus outpatient business activity. He also stated the
developers' intent to obtain the waiver on the residential versus
the commercial cul-de-sac dimension. The Chairman injected a
thought at this point that Public Works did not apparently
support the variance on the cul-de-sac dimension. Sims then
FILE Z-417 -A n
pointed to the sidewalk around the cul-de-sac as being a second
issue for a waiver or a variance.
A brief discussion between the Chairman and Bobby Sims determined
that during a commercial review for site plan, that the internal
circulation system was such that it required a waiver from the
City Board, unlike that in a residential design where there was
some flexibility.
At the request of the Chairman, David Scherer came to the lectern
and pointed out that his department would perhaps support the
circulation system once reviewed as in -lieu of the sidewalk
around the cul-de-sac.
Commissioner Woods then offered commentary about the sidewalk and
the residential street standard. He preferred that it not be
upgraded to commercial standards because of children playing in
the area. He stated that at this time Dover Drive was a
residential street and it was platted as residential for some 750
feet with sidewalk on the east side. In a brief exchange between
the Chairman and Commissioner Woods, it was understood that he
being a resident of that street as well as a commissioner did not
want to see the expansion of the street to commercial standards
because it might encourage commercial activity.
The Chairman then stated that the discussion was apparently
complete and presentations are complete. He pointed out there
was a notice issue that has been cured by time. The notices
mailed to the neighborhood identified the meeting as starting at
12:30 when it began at 9:00 a.m. He stated for the record that
he did not feel it would be required that they have a motion and
waive the bylaws.
The Chairman then placed the item before the Commission for a
vote also stating the specific variances or waivers that were
requested. The first of these to be included is the private
street or the lot platting without public street frontage. The
second being an on-site internal circulation plan in -lieu of
sidewalks, thereby waiving sidewalks around the cul-de-sac. The
third as being a variance to reduce the cul-de-sac diameter from
commercial to residential standard that is 90 to 80 feet or to a
diameter that is agreed upon by Public Works. He pointed out the
fence along the east property line as a requested waiver although
not required action by the City Board of Directors.
Chairman Walker then asked for a vote on Item Nos. 1 and 2 as
presented. The item produced a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and
2 absent. The application for preliminary plat and planned
office development is approved, with the variances forwarded to
the Board of Directors for final action.
10
NAME: City Land Use Plan Amendment -
I-430 District
LOCATION: Either side of West 36th
Street at Dover
REQUEST: Single Family to Public
Institutional
SOURCE: Staff - Z -4175-A
STAFF REPORT•
There is a request to develop institutional residential use at
the northern end of Dover. Currently, there is a large
institutional residential area to the west of the proposed site.
In addition, there is a church to the south. The intensity of
the residential is low (though greater than single family).
Because of the similar uses in the area and proposed location,
this is a logical expansion of institution housing.
In order to reflect existing conditions, the Public Institutional
area should be extended east to Dover and south of 36th Street
from Dover west some 400 feet.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approval
DAME: HOSPICE HOME CARE, INC. -- SHORT -FORM PLANNED OFFICE
DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION: North of and beyond the present end of Dover Dr.,
approximately 700 feet north of W. 36th. St. and 0.30 mile east
of Shackleford Rd.
DEVELOPER:
ENGINEER:
Michael Aureli Frank Riggins
HOSPICE HOME CARE FOUNDATION THE MEHLBURGER FIRM
1501 N. University Ave. P. O. Box 3837
Little Rock, AR 172207 Little Rock, AR 72203
666-9697 375-5331
AREA: 9,691 ACRES NUMBER OF LOTS: 3 FT. NEW STREET: 100
ZONING: MF -18 PROPOSED USES:
PLANNING DISTRICT: 11
CE_"US _TRACT: 24.04
VARIANCES -REQUESTED: None
STATEMENT OF PROPOSAL:
General Offices &
Hospice Residential Care
The applicant proposes a planned development for the Hospice Home
Care Foundation, involving construction of an office building for
the Hospice Home Care, Inc., two hospice residential care
buildings for the Hospice Home Care Foundation, and retention of
a 5.5 acre lot for future development.
The office building for Hospice Home Care, Inc. is to be the
first phase of the project, and is to be built as soon as funds
are raised. This building is planned to be a 5,000± square foot
building per floor, with, possibly, two floors. The hospice
residential care facility is proposed to consist of two
buildings, with the first of these being built as funding becomes
available, and the second being built as both funding and the
occupancy rate can justify its being built. Each of these two
residential buildings is to be single -story, and each are planned
to have a maximum of 10,000± square feet of floor area. Parking
for 58 vehicles is proposed to be provided on site. The cul-de-
sac to be built at the end of Dover Dr. is proposed to be built
to residential cul-de-sac standards.
The applicant states that a hospice residential care facility is
one where terminally ill persons are cared for. The Hospice Home
Care Foundation's goal is to care for the terminally ill person
TLE NO.: Z -4175-A __(Con
in as much of a home -like setting as possible. The site,
therefore, is proposed to retain as much of a peaceful, park -like
setting as possible, and as much of the natural environment of
the site is proposed to be retained as possible, especially to
the south and east overlooking the lake in the abutting
residential subdivision. The architecture of the buildings will
be residential in character and materials. Driveways and parking
areas are proposed to be asphalt, but with no curb and gutter.
Drainage is proposed to be directed towards detention storage
facilities on site thorough a system of swales and underground
drainage pipes. Lighting on-site is to be provided by low
intensity fixtures on twelve to fifteen foot poles, located in
the parking and driveway areas. Signage will consist of a
monument -type sign at the entrance to the property, with on-site
directional signs being eye level. The site features are to
include a gazebo and, possibly a small chapel. Hours of
operation for the office building are normal business hours. The
hospice residential care facility, however, will be staffed
around the clock, and family members may arrive at any time of
the day or night.
The applicant explains that the Hospice Home Care Foundation, a
non-profit corporation, is the "umbrella" corporate entity which
is buying the land and is the developer. A subsidiary corporate
entity, Hospice Home Care, Inc., a "for profit" corporate entity,
will then develop the proposed office building on Lot 3 of the
subdivision. The foundation will develop the hospice residential
care facility on Lot 2, and will retain Lot 1 for future
development. Because of the corporate structural needs, the
development under the auspices of the foundation and the
development by the "for profit" corporation need to be on
different lots. The proposed development, however, will act as a
single site, with cross -access to the Lot 2 area to be provided
by a private driveway. The applicant explains that extending
Dover Dr. as a public street into the tract to abut Lot 2, or
constructing a private "street" (to street standards) to Lot 2
would not be in keeping with the character of a singular campus,
park -like atmosphere which they are trying to create, and a
waiver of this requirement is being sought as part of the
preliminary plat approval. Likewise, the residential standard
cul-de-sac is, the applicant, feels completely adequate for their
own needs and the needs of existing and future development along
Dover Dr. A variance from the requirement to construct a
commercial standard cul-de-sac is being sought, also, as part of
the preliminary plat approval.
A. PR0P0SAL/REQUEST:
Review by the Planning Commission and approval by the Board
of Directors is requested a planned development for
development of a 9.691 acre site to include construction of
an office building, two hospice residential care buildings,
and retention of a 5.50 acre lot for future development.
K
FILE NO.: Z-417 5= A (Cont.)
B. EXTSTING CONDITIONS:
The site is undeveloped, and is heavily wooded. There is a
40 foot ground elevation differential across the site, with
the slope of the ground generally falling from the northwest
corner of the site to the southeast corner. There is a
small lake off-site to the east, over which Lots 2 and 3
look.
The existing zoning of the tract is MF -18. There is an
extension of the MF -18 zoning to the west, where the "Our
Way" development is located. To the north is a large MF -12
tract, which is part of the "ERC" (Ecumenical Retirement
Center) grounds, and which is being retained for future
development by ERC. To the east is a large R-2 area, and,
to the south is R-2 zoned land, with a church facility
located in this area. At the southwest corner of the tract
is a PCD in which the United Cerebral Palsy offices are
located.
C. ENGINEERING UTILITY COMMENTS:
The Public Works staff comments that:
1) It is recommended that the access easement be increased
to accommodate a private street in the easement that
extends from the Dover Dr. cul-de-sac to provide the
required access for Lot 2. This private street should
conform to City standards, and driveways abutting this
private street should conform to the ordinance. A
sidewalk will be required to be constructed on each
side of the private street. A 27 foot wide street is
acceptable; however, a turn -around devise at the north
end of the private street is required, unless a waiver
is sought. A concrete apron will be required at the
cul-de-sac for this private street.
2) Right-of-way for the cul-de-sac must be dedicated, and
a Master Street Plan improvements must be constructed
for the cul-de-sac. The cul-de-sac right of way should
be a minimum of 100 feet, with 130 feet recommended.
The pavement diameter should be a minimum of 90 feet,
with 100 feet recommended. A sidewalk is required
adjacent to the cul-de-sac frontage. A maintenance
bond must be posted prior to final platting of the
property.
3) A grading permit and NPDES NOI is required before any
construction may begin.
4) Stormwater detention is required for the development.
Open ditches are generally not permitted by the
Stormwater Management and Drainage Manual. If ditches
are planned, they must be shown on the preliminary plat
3
L Z-417 -A(Cont.)
and be approved by the City Engineer. Show water
courses entering the property and the planned exist
point for drainage. Easements off-site for this
drainage may be required. Evaluation of the off-site
drainage systems capacity will be required.
Water Works comments that on-site fire protection will be
required.
Wastewater Utility comments that a sewer main extension,
with easements, will be required. A capacity contribution
analysis may be required.
Arkansas Louisiana Gas Co. approved the submittal without
comment.
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. will require easements.
Their drawing proposes a 7.5' easement at the perimeter of
the lot.
The Fire Department comments that all interior driveways are
to be a minimum of 20 feet. Fire hydrants shown may need to
be moved to facilitate any sprinkler connections.
D. ISSUES/LEGAL/TECHNICAL/DESIGN:
The Neighborhoods and Planning Site Plan Review Specialist
comments that the areas set aside for buffers and
landscaping meet ordinance requirements. A portion of the
street buffer drops below the full requirement of 20 feet,
but exceeds the requirement of a 20 foot average. Provision
for buffering of the site from abutting residential zoning
districts must be made.
The Planning staff reports that the site is in the I-430
Planning District, and that the adopted Land Use Plan
recommends single-family use for the area. The proposed use
is more.institutional and/or low density multi -family in
reality.- Since currently two large churches are located on
either side of W. 36th. St. at Dover Dr., and there are
other institutional uses on abutting properties, staff
proposed to recognize these churches and the other
institutional uses, and include the hospice site as a public
institutional use in a land use plan amendment. The
request, therefore, would then be in conformance with the
plan.
As pointed out in the preliminary plat "write-up", the
provision of access to the otherwise "land -locked" Lot 2 by
way of a driveway in an access easement can be supported by
the Planning staff, as long as there is the legal
relationship between the Hospice Home Care Foundation and
Hospice Home Care, Inc. which has been explained by the
applicant. If, in the future, this legal relationship
4
FILE NO.: Z-4 7 -A n
changes, or Lots 2 or 3 are sold to another entity, or there
is a re -subdivision of Lot 1, then the access issue of Lot 2
needs to be reviewed. It might be necessary, in such an
eventuality, that proper access to Lot 2 be provided by a
public or private street, as approved by the Planning
Commission.
E. ANALYSIS•
There are no deficiencies in the planned development site
plan, and, subject to the approval of the preliminary plat
and the waiver and variance being requested in the
application for preliminary plat approval, there are no
remaining issues to be resolved.
In the approval of the planned development, the requirement
noted above involving review of the access issue for Lot 2
if conditions change should be addressed.
F. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the planned development,
subject to the preliminary plat being approved, including
the waiver and variance requested, and subject to access to
Lot 2 being re -reviewed if the legal status of the ownership
of Lots 1, 2, or 3 of the subdivision changes.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JUNE 81 1995)
Mr. Michael Aureli, representing the applicant, and Mr. Frank
Riggins, with the Mehlburger Firm, the project engineering firm,
were present. Staff outlined the proposed development, and the
Committee members reviewed with Misters Aureli and Riggins the
comments contained in the discussion outline. Mr. Aureli
explained the nature of the proposed development and the reasons
for their need to have two separate lots for the two developments
to be undertaken by the two corporate entities involved; the fact
that the non-profit foundation will be purchasing the property,
retaining the Lot 1 area for future development, and developing a
hospice care facility on Lot 2, then, selling Lot 3 to its "for
profit" subsidiary for development of an office building. He
explained that it is important to retain as much of a
residential/non-commercial "look" as possible, and that they want
only a driveway access to the Hospice Care facility to be located
on Lot 2, not a street. Mr. Riggins explained the rationale for
the residential standard cul-de-sac design, and indicated that a
variance from the requirement to construct the cul-de-sac to
commercial street standards will be pursued. The Committee then
forwarded the item to the full Commission for the public hearing.
5
FILE Z-417 -A(Cont,)
(JUNE 27, 1995)
The Chairman asked Bobby Sims, of the Planning Staff, to present
this item for public hearing and offer a staff recommendation.
Sims responded by saying that Item Nos. 1 and 2 should be heard
together since they are the same property. Item No. 1 is a
preliminary plat and Item No. 2 is the planned office district
application. Sims then offered a lengthy explanation of the
background of this property. He identified this application as
being somewhat different because the typical planned unit
development for single use development incorporates the plat in
the planned unit development hearing process.
In this instance, the total ownership is some 10 acres in area.
The proposed development for Hospice Care occupies two lots in
one corner of this tract with the rest remaining undeveloped or
without a proposal at this time thereby requiring a separate
preliminary plat. Sims also pointed out that this PUD
application will classify all of the 10 acres as a planned
development. This will eliminate the potential for MF -18 zoning
developing on a portion of the property and taking access from
the cul-de-sac.
Sims stated that he had received no negative comments from the
neighborhood about this application. He stated that the staff
would have placed this application on Consent Agenda, except that
there was some change made in the proposal. That is, the
applicant will submit a revised application incorporating the
entire area.
Staff responded to a question from Chairman Walker by saying,
that, at this point, the Staff and the applicant are in consensus
on the application.
Chairman Walker then recognized Frank Riggins, of the Mehlburger
Engineering Firm. Mr. Riggins came forward to make the
presentation for the application. Mr. Riggins introduced Michael
Railey, the director of Hospice Home Care, as well as Charles
Witsell, with the architectural firm. Mr. Riggins offered a
lengthy presentation involving a discussion of the patients and
the type of care that is offered both on the premises and at the
patient's residence. He described the office operation as being
a base for the employees working off-site. He stated that the
developers of this site see their operation expanding in
in-patient care, thereby, producing a need for additional
structures at some point in the future.
Mr. Riggins stated this is a site that they were looking for to
fulfill their need for a quiet forested area away from noise and
disturbance. The additional land area is without proposed
structure, and at this time it allows the developer flexibility
for making those additions or modifications in the future.
6
FILE NO.: Z -4175-A. (Cont.)
Mr. Riggins then asked Mr. Witsell to come forward and present
his part of the presentation.
Mr. Witsell offered some graphics in presenting the site plan.
He offered comments on the adjacent land uses, their type and
proximity to this project. He then described the topography of
this site as one containing a significant fall from a hill mass
on the west to a lake front lying along the east perimeter of
the property. He described the property as being wooded.
Mr. Witsell stated the cul-de-sac that would be produced at the
end of Dover Drive would then be followed by a gate. The gate
would provide security at the entrance to the private drive and
the drive would serve the second lot in the project.
Mr. Witsell then moved to a discussion of the type of business
activity carried on off-site, which is the care of persons that
are dying. He stated the developers are moving to a second level
of activity which will be the in-house care of patients;
therefore, requiring a second type of structural involvement on
this property and the second lot. This structure would be
in-patient and would be the first one in the state. Mr. Witsell
described the first building as basically an office for employees
that work off-site. The building also will warehouse the
equipment and supplies that they utilize, such as oxygen
equipment and hospital beds.
He then discussed the layout of the parking and pointed to those
areas devoted to employee parking as well as the driveways and
circulation. In the second development on the second lot, Mr.
Witsell described it as being occupied by 12 to 20 beds as
individual rooms for patients. He described the environment that
would be retained about this structure to enhance the living
environment for those persons who are terminal. Mr. Witsell said
that if the plan is successful in the future, then the plan would
be expanded to incorporate additional structures on other areas
of the site. He concluded his remarks.
Chairman Walker then asked if Public Works Department wished to
address the matter. David Scherer, of Public Works Engineering
Design section; came forward and offered general comments on the
review by his department, the various concerns they had raised
and position on several waivers. Scherer offered specific
comments on the cul-de-sac which he feels should be constructed
to a collector street standard since it is the terminus of a 36
foot collector street.
He then moved to a discussion of private streets and the
relationship of the lot in this development which will be served
by an easement through a driveway. It is a concern the tie to
the potential for future expansion of this project and service of
additional buildings by this driveway and easement relationship.
The ordinance clearly requires that the drive be constructed in
the same standards as a public street.
7
FILE NO.: Z -4175-A (Con
Scherer then raised the subject of sidewalk which had not been
addressed by the applicant in their presentation. There is a
sidewalk required on at least one side around the cul-de-sac. He
pointed out that the plan apparently is supposed to replace the
sidewalk with private residential walking trails. In a
discussion with Bobby Sims, of the Planning Staff, it was
determined that a waiver had not been requested for the sidewalk
and it was noted that it would be required. Scherer then
commented that the interior circulation street does have a lot of
head -in parking which backs or maneuvers into this drive area.
He stated that this relationship would need to be reviewed
further if the project expanded because there are some blind
spots and dangerous traffic relationships created.
Scherer stated that the Traffic Engineering Office would like
some right of refusal in this design at some point in the future
to deal with these issues. Commissioner Woods posed a question
as to why this street standard was required to go to commercial.
He asked if it was because this is office. The current street
was constructed as a residential collector. Scherer indicated
that the ordinance requires a commercial standard because this is
a business activity.
A discussion then followed involving Commissioner Woods and David
Scherer about the need of sidewalks and where they would go and
who they would serve. It was agreed that the sidewalk currently
runs down the east side of the street, running to this site from
36th Street. But, that possibly in -lieu of a sidewalk an
internal circulation plan needs to be devised that would tie to
the existing sidewalk.
Commissioner Woods then posed a question, what is the anticipated
traffic count? Mr. Frank Riggins, of the Mehlburger Firm,
approached the lectern and discussed with Bobby Sims the issues
that had been presented by David Scherer. Mr. Riggins indicated
to staff that he thought he had included the subject of sidewalks
in previous discussion and written material submitted. He said
there would be an internalized circulation plan for pedestrians.
In response to one of David Scherer's comments about emergency
vehicles, Mr. Riggins stated that they wanted to preserve the
private residential low-key activity of environment.
In order to do this, some of the conventional kinds of
landclearing and wide thoroughfares would not be compatible. He
stated the architecture would be residential in character. Mr.
Riggins then asked the director of the facility to come forward
and offer comments on the development proposal.
Mr. Witsell stated that this land was being purchased from the
ecumenical retirement center which owns properties to the north
and west. He described the composition of the employees and how
many of them come to the office at given times, the hours of
operation and days per week at the visited site. He stated that
the frequency of these employees visiting the site would be low
8
FILE NO.: Z -417$-A (Con
with little traffic generation at a given time. Mr. Witsell
stated there would be 7 to 10 people on staff that would work
there each day. These people are recordkeepers and
administrative staff.
Mr. Witsell commented on the traffic generation from the
in-patient care facility as being quite low because these persons
would not be having automobiles and driving. The only persons
that would come to this structure would perhaps be family members
or medical personnel. He stated that this would perhaps be only
8 to 10 cars per day.
Mr. Riggins returned to the lectern and offered that there was an
additional variance which he would like to enter into the record.
The variance include a fence along the lake side of the property.
The developers felt like this fence of the height required would
be obstructive to their development and would eliminate part of
the environment they were seeking. Mr. Riggins stated that this
site was selected because of the view of the lake through the
trees and the fence would eliminate this. (Staff Note: This
fence was not required in a manner that the City Board of
Directors will have to deal with a variance. It will be a site
plan variance only.)
Chairman Walker asked Mr. Riggins to describe the ownership -
relationship around the lake. Mr. Riggins pointed out there was
a property owners association controlling the land area around
the lake.
There was a brief discussion about this ownership -relationship as
to whether or not there were other parties permitted to utilize
the facilities around the lake. Mr. Riggins stated he was not
aware that there was a relationship between the MF -18 site and
the property owners association that require the payment of dues.
Mr. Riggins then moved to his commentary to the subject of a
neighborhood meeting which was held approximately two weeks ago.
There was an invitation extended to the residential area adjacent
and there were several representatives of the association and
residential area present at that meeting. In response to a
question from the Chairman, Mr. Riggins stated the neighborhood
did not respond to the fence issue. It was not discussed.
Bobby Sims, of the Planning Staff, pointed out that staff did
attend that neighborhood meeting and there were no objectors in
attendance at that time. Sims then offered a brief comment
describing the basis for the approach chosen with the private
drive and the isolated lot. This had to do with the mortgage
relationship and separate titles dealing with the inpatient
versus outpatient business activity. He also stated the
developers' intent to obtain the waiver on the residential versus
the commercial cul-de-sac dimension. The Chairman injected a
thought at this point that Public Works did not apparently
support the variance on the cul-de-sac dimension. Sims then
9
FILE NQ.=_;. Z-417 -A n
pointed to the sidewalk around the cul-de-sac as being a second
issue for a waiver or a variance.
A brief discussion between the Chairman and Bobby Sims determined
that during a commercial review for site plan, that the internal
circulation system was such that it required a waiver from the
City Board, unlike that in a residential design where there was
some flexibility.
At the request of the Chairman, David Scherer came to the lectern
and pointed out that his department would perhaps support the
circulation system once reviewed as in -lieu of the sidewalk
around the cul-de-sac.
Commissioner Woods then offered commentary about the sidewalk and
the residential street standard. He preferred that it not be
upgraded to commercial standards because of children playing in
the area. He stated that at this time Dover Drive was a
residential street and it was platted as residential for some 750
feet with sidewalk on the east side. In a brief exchange between
the Chairman and Commissioner Woods, it was understood that he
being a resident of that street as well as a commissioner did not
want to see the expansion of the street to commercial standards
because it might encourage commercial activity.
The Chairman then stated that the discussion was apparently
complete and presentations are complete. He pointed out there
was a notice issue that has been cured by time. The notices
mailed to the neighborhood identified the meeting as starting at
12:30 when it began at 9:00 a.m. He stated for the record that
he did not feel it would be required that they have a motion and
waive the bylaws.
The Chairman then placed the item before the Commission for a
vote also stating the specific variances or waivers that were
requested. The first of these to be included is the private
street or the lot platting without public street frontage. The
second being.an on-site internal circulation plan in -lieu of
sidewalks, thereby waiving sidewalks around the cul-de-sac. The
third as being a variance to reduce the cul-de-sac diameter from
commercial to residential standard that is 90 to 80 feet or to a
diameter that is agreed upon'by Public Works. He pointed out the
fence along the east property line as a requested waiver although
not required action by the City Board of Directors.
Chairman Walker then asked for a vote on Item Nos. 1 and 2 as
presented. The item produced a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and
2 absent. The application for preliminary plat and planned
office development is approved, with the variances forwarded to
the Board of Directors for final action.
10