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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4336-Z Staff AnalysisJanuary 18, 2007 ITEM NO.- 7 FILE NO.: Z -4336-Z NAME: Arkansas Children's Hospital Zoning Site Plan Review, located between Martin Luther King Boulevard and Bishop Street LOCATION: South of Maryland Avenue and North of 10th Street DEVELOPER: Arkansas Children's Hospital Attn: Mr. Scott Gordon, COO 800 Marshal Street Little Rock, AR 72202 ENGINEER. Cromwell Architects and Engineers Attn: Kent Taylor 101 South Spring Street Little Rock, AR 72201 AREA: 1.64 acres CURRENT ZONING: PLANNING DISTRICT: CENSUS TRACT NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 zoning lot FT. NEW STREET: 0 C-3,1-2, 0-3 and 0-2 (See Item #10 File No. Z -4336 -BB — A request to rezone from various classifications to 0-2) 8 —Central City 10 VARIANCESANAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested. A. PROPOSAUREQUEST: The applicant is requesting a site plan review and rezoning of a parcel of land located between Martin Luther King Boulevard and Bishop Street and between Maryland Avenue and 10th Street. The scope of work includes the demolition of an existing one- story building and construction of a new parking lot, to include perimeter fencing to match Arkansas Children's Hospital standard, and site lighting that is "Dark Sky" compliant. The rezoning request (Item #10 File No. Z -4336 -BB) includes the rezoning of parcels of lands within this block from C-3, 1-2, and 0-3 to 0-2. January 18, 2007 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: FILE NO.: Z -4336-Z The building was recently removed from the site. There are buildings located along the southeastern portion of the property and a portion of the site is covered with asphalt parking. The area to the west of the site is the Arkansas Children's Hospital Campus. The area to the east of the site includes a number of uses including a school, workforce training center and further east a City park_ C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has received several informational phone calls from area residents. All property owners located within 200 -feet of the site and the Downtown Neighborhood Association, the Central High Neighborhood Association, the Wright Avenue Neighborhood Association and the Capitol Hill Neighborhood Association were notified of the public hearing. D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS: 1. A 20 foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at all intersections. 2. Close all old curb cuts. 3. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 4. Due to the closure of Marshall Street and Maryland Avenue, l0t" Street was required to be improved to the commercial street standard (36 -feet of pavement) including widening, curb, gutter, drainage improvements and street lights. 5. As shown on the plan, improve the intersection radiuses at 10th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Maryland Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. -Drive, and Maryland Avenue and Bishop Street to at least a 20 foot radius. 6. Handicap ramps should be reinstalled at all intersections. 7. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. Obtain barricade permit prior to doing any work in the right-of-way from Traffic Engineering at (501) 379-1817 (Derrick Bergfield). 8. If disturbed area is one (1) or more acres, obtain a NPDES storm water permit from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality prior to the start of construction. E- UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPAR-FMENT/COUNTY PLANNING: Wastewater: Existing sewer main on the site. Care should be taken during construction not to damage existing sewer main. Contact Little Rock Wastewater Utility at 688-1414 for additional information. Entergy: No comment received. Center -Point Energy: No comment received. 2 January 18, 2007 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont. F G AT & T: No comment received. FILE NO.: Z -4336-Z Central Arkansas Water: All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met. Contact Central Arkansas Water regarding the size and location of the water meter. Fire De artment: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is located on CATA Bus Routes #11 and #3. The Martin Luther King Jr. and the Baptist Medical Center Bus Routes. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN: Planning Division: No comment. Landscape: 1. Site plan must comply with the City's minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. 2. Areas set aside appear to meet with the City's minimum landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. 3. An automatic irrigation system to water landscaped areas will be required. 4. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, it will be necessary to provide an approved landscape plan stamped with the seal of a Registered Landscape Architect. 5. The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving as many existing trees as feasible. Credit toward fulfilling Landscape Ordinance requirements can be given when preserving trees of six (6) inch caliper or larger. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (December 28, 2006) The applicant was present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the proposed development stating there were few outstanding issues associated with the request. Staff requested the applicant clearly identify the boundary of the project. Public Works comments were addressed. Staff stated a 20 -foot radial dedication would be required at the intersections. Staff also stated all plans for work in the right of way would require approval prior to construction. Landscaping comments were addressed. Staff stated the areas set aside for landscaping appeared to meet minimum ordinance standard with regard to the landscape and buffer ordinances. Staff stated prior to the issuance of a building 3 January 18, 2007 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z -4336-Z permit a landscape plan stamped with the seal of a registered landscape architect would be required. Staff noted comments from suggesting the applicant clarification. There was nc forwarded the item to the full H. ANALYSIS: the various other reporting departments and agencies contact them directly for additional information and ) further discussion of the item. The Committee then Commission for final action. The applicant submitted a revised site plan to staff addressing most of the Issues raised at the December 28, 2006, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant has indicated the project boundary on the proposed site plan. The applicant has also indicated a 20 -foot radial dedication of two of the three intersections. Staff recommends the radial dedication and street construction also be completed to the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and West 10th Street. The applicant has indicated the placement of landscaping and landscape islands within the parking area. The indicated landscaping appears to meet the typical minimum ordinance requirements of the landscape and buffer ordinances. The applicant has indicated a landscape plan wiil be submitted at the time of building permit request. The site plan indicates the placement of a six foot iron fence along the perimeters of the site. The site plan does not include the placement of gates. The fencing is proposed to match existing fencing located on the campus. Fencing is allowed in office zones between the required building setback line and the street right of way with a maximum height of six feet. The fencing will not be placed in areas which will cause any obstruction of views for motorists. The site plan indicates the placement of an alternative location for the placement of the ground mounted identification sign. The desired sign location is located on the southwest corner of West 8 i Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive within excess right of way owned by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Should an agreement with the Highway Department not be reached, the applicant has indicated an alternative location for the sign placement. Alternatively, the sign is proposed at the southwest corner of the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Should the sign be located at this alternative location, four of the proposed parking spaces will be removed. For details of the proposed sign height, area and design please see Item No. 8 — File No. Z -4336 -AA. Staff is supportive of the development of the site as a parking lot to serve Arkansas Children's Hospital. The site plan indicates the placement of buffering and landscaping within the proposed parking lot adequate to meet the typical minimum requirements of the landscape and buffer ordinance. To staffs knowledge there are no remaining outstanding issues associated with the request. n January 18, 2007 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7(Cont.)FILE NG.: Z -4336-Z I. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff recommends the applicant provide a 20 -foot radial dedication and the required street construction for the intersection of West 10th and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive per the Master Street Plan. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 18, 2007) The applicant was present. There were registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Mr. Paul Dodd addressed the Commission in opposition of the request. He stated he was opposed to the development practices of the hospital. He stated the minimum requirements allowed the developers to place a six foot chain link fence with razor wire along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive which was once a thriving commercial street. He stated the lighting used by the hospital took away from the neighborhood. He stated he drove by the area daily and felt the hospital could do a better job in embracing the neighborhood and presenting a connectivity to the area. Mr. Kent Taylor addressed the Commission on behalf of the applicant. He stated the hospital was following their master plan which the Commission had reviewed and embraced. He stated with the construction of new buildings and the removal of parking for the building construction new parking areas had to be added. He stated there were 300 in -patients at any given time and a number of out-patients. He stated the parking had to support the growth of the facility. He stated fencing would be arched iron fencing. He stated the parking lot would be landscaped in excess of the minimum ordinance standards. He stated lighting was important because it was important for visitors to feel secure when visiting the facility. Commissioner Williams questioned the neighborhood involvement in the process. Mr. Taylor stated the neighborhood had been presented the master plan. Commissioner Williams suggested the applicant provide letters of support for future projects. Commissioner Yates questioned the placement of sidewalks. Mr. Taylor stated the hospital was located in an urban setting not unlike downtown. Commissioner Yates suggested the sidewalk be relocated to the back of the right of way. Mr. Taylor stated that was not possible along Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive without the loss of parking. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for approval of the item. The motion carried by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. 5 ITEM NO.: 7. Z -4336-Z NAME: Arkansas Children's Hospital Zoning Site Plan Review, located between Martin Luther King Boulevard and Bishop Street LOCATION: South of Maryland Avenue and North of 10th Street Planning Staff Comments: 1. Provide notification of all property owners located within 200 -feet of the site, complete with the certified abstract list, notice form with affidavit executed and proof of mailing. The notice must be mailed no later than January 3, 2007. The Office of Planning and Development must receive the proof of notice no later than January 12, 2007. 2. Clearly identify the project boundary. 3. Are any gates proposed with the development of the parking lot? If so provide the location of the gates. Variance/Waivers: Public Works Conditions: 1. A 20 foot radial dedication of right-of-way is required at all intersections. 2. Close all old curb cuts. or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right - 3. Repair or replace any curb and gutter 4. Due to prior closure of Marshall Street and Maryland Avenue,l0th Street was required to be improved to the commercial street standard (36 -feet of pavement) including widening, curb, gutter, drainage improvements and street lights. to 5. As shown on the plan, improve the intersection radiuses Luther 1 th S ret ande rtin Luther King Jr. Drive, Maryland Avenue andMartin nd Maryland Avenue and Bishop Street to at least a 20 foot radius. 6. Handicap ramps should be reinstalled at all intersections. raval prior to start of work. 7. Plans of all work in rig ht -of -way shall be submitted for app Obtain barricade permit prior to doing any work in the right-of-way from Traffic Engineering at (501) 379-1817 (Derrick Bergfield). 8. If disturbed area is one (1) or more acres, obtain a NPDES storm water permit from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality prior to the start of construction. Utilities and Fire Departr-inent/County Planning: Wastewater: Existing sewer main on the site. Care should be taken during construction not to damage existing sewer main. Contact Little Rock Wastewater Utility at 688-1414 for additional information. Item # 7