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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4373-A Staff AnalysisFebruary 26, 1985 Item No. A - Z -4373-A Owner: Applicant: Location: Request: Purpose: Size: Existing Use: Jesse Smith Same 1518 Wright Avenue Rezone from "R-4" to "C-1, Neighborhood Commercial Parking area 5,700 square feet + Vacant SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING: North - Single Family, Zoned "R_411 South - Vacant. Zoned "R-6" East - Single Family, Zoned "R-4" West - Vacant, Single Family, Zoned "R-4" STAFF REPORT This issue is on the Planning Commission agenda at the request of the Board of Directors. In December 1984, the Planning Commission denied a rezoning to "C-1" for the property at 1520 Wright Avenue. At the Planning Commission's Public Hearing, a number of residents spoke in opposition to the request and voiced concerns with parking and traffic. The owner, Jesse Smith, appealed the Planning Commission's decision to the Board of Directors in February Of this year. The Board of Directors deferred action on the "'C-1" rezoning at 1520 Wright Avenue {Z-4373} to allow the owner to try to resolve the parking issue. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the owner, Jesse Smith, filed a rezoning application for the lot at 1518 Wright Avenue. Mr. Smith owns both lots at 1518 and 1520 Wright Avenue. The Board of Directors suggested this approach because they thought that the additional lot could provide a solution to the parking problem and that the Planning Commission could address the request as a package because of adequate land area for a commercial use. Some of the Board members were also concerned about another structure, 1520 Wright Avenue, remaining vacant in the neighborhood. February 26, 1985 Item No. A - Continued Staff supported the "C-1" rezoning for 1520 Wright Avenue and supports the current request for 1518 Wright Avenue. A "C-1" reclassification is appropriate for this location on Wright, a minor arterial, and also because of the zoning and land use patterns in the area. Additionally, 11C-1" neighborhood commercial district should be more compatible with a residential neighborhood. A two -lot "C-1" site fronting on Wright Avenue should have a minimal impact on the single family neighborhood to the north. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the "C-1" request for 1518 Wright Avenue and still supports the "C-1" reclassification for 1520 Wright Avenue. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (Note: Items A and A-1, Z-4373, were discussed at the same time.) The applicant,•Jesse Smith, was present. There were seven to eight objectors in attendance. Staff informed the Planning Commission that a petition with 25 signatures was submitted prior to the Public Hearing. James Isum, representing the neighborhood, spoke in opposition to the request. Mr. Isum said that the residents were opposed to "C-1" for both lots at 1518 a;nd 1520 Wright Avenue. He said that the rezoning would have a severe impact on the neighborhood, and parking would still create a problem, even with the additional lot. Mr. Isum went on to say that the proposed parking lot could add to the problems in the area and the commercial rezoning would increase traffic. This was a major concern to the neighborhood, because Bishop Street is used by children for some of their activities. Mr. Isum pointed out that the location was a high crime area and that there was a need to protect the corner and keep commercial encroachment from turning north on Bishop. Thomas Brodneck, a representative of Arkansas Baptist College, spoke in opposition to the request. He expressed the same concerns as Mr. Isum and stated that the neighborhood needed to remain residential. Mr. L. Carson spoke for Mr. Smith. He said that the property was listed for at least two years and that it was unsuitable for residential use. Mr. Carson said that the commercial rezoning would enhance the area. Jesse Smith then spoke briefly and submitted a proposed parking scheme. Mrs. V. Isum spoke against the rezoning and disagreed with Mr. Carson. She said that a commercial use would create many problems for the neighborhood and that there was a need February 26, 1985 Item No. A - Continued to maintain the residential character. There was some discussion about an "0-1" or "0-3" compromise and filing a conditional use permit for the beauty shop. Mr. Isum again expressed concerns about the parking lot. Another person voiced their thoughts about the parking and traffic problems. Mr. Carson spoke briefly about some of the issues. After additional comments, the Planning Commission voted on the "C-1" rezoning as filed. The vote: 0 ayes, 9 noes and 2 absent. The request was denied. February 26, 1985 Item No. A - Z -4373-A Owner: Applicant: Location: Request: Purpose: Size: Existing Use: Jesse Smith Same 1518 Wright Avenue Rezone from "R-4" to "C-1, Neighborhood Commercial Parking area 5,700 square feet + Vacant SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING: North - Single Family, Zoned "R-4" South - Vacant, Zoned "R-6" East - Single Family, Zoned "R-4" West - Vacant, Single Family, Zoned "R-4" STAFF REPORT This issue is on the Planning Commission agenda at the request of the Board of Directors. In December 1984, the Planning Commission denied a rezoning to "C-1" for the property at 1520 Wright Avenue. At the Planning Commission's Public Hearing, a number of residents spoke in opposition to the request and voiced concerns with parking and traffic. The owner, Jesse Smith, appealed the Planning Commission's decision to the Board of Directors in February of this year. The Board of Directors deferred action on the "C-1" rezoning at 1520 Wright Avenue (Z-4373) to allow the owner to try to resolve the parking issue. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the owner, Jesse Smith, filed a rezoning application for the lot at 1518 Wright Avenue. Mr. Smith owns both lots at 1518 and 1520 Wright Avenue. The Board of Directors suggested this approach because they thought that the additional lot could provide a solution to the parking problem and that the Planning Commission could address the request as a package because of adequate land area for a commercial use. Some of the Board members were also concerned about another structure, 1520 Wright Avenue, remaining vacant in the neighborhood. February 26, 1985 Item No. A - Continued Staff supported the "C-1" rezoning for 1520 Wright Avenue and supports the current request for 1518 Wright Avenue. A "C-1" reclassification is appropriate for this location on Wright, a minor arterial, and also because of the zoning and land use patterns in the area. Additionally, "C-1" neighborhood commercial district should be more compatible with a residential neighborhood. A two -lot "C-1" site fronting on Wright Avenue should have a minimal impact on the single family neighborhood to the north. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the "C-1" request for 1518 Wright Avenue and still supports the "C-1" reclassification for 1520 Wright Avenue. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (Note: Items A and A-1, Z-4373, were discussed at the same time.) The applicant, Jesse Smith, was present. There were seven to eight objectors in attendance. Staff informed the Planning Commission that a petition with 25 signatures was submitted prior to the Public Hearing. James Isum, representing the neighborhood, spoke in opposition to the request. Mr. Isum said that the residents were opposed to "C-1" for both lots at 1518 and 1520 Wright Avenue. He said that the rezoning would have a severe impact on the neighborhood, and parking would still create a problem, even with the additional lot. Mr. Isum went on to say that the proposed parking lot could add to the problems in the area and the commercial rezoning would increase traffic. This was a major concern to the neighborhood, because Bishop Street is used by children for some of their activities. Mr. Isum pointed out that the location was a high crime area and that there was a need to protect the corner and keep commercial encroachment from turning north on Bishop. Thomas Brodneck, a representative of Arkansas Baptist College, spoke in opposition to the request. He expressed the same concerns as Mr. Isum and stated that the neighborhood needed to remain residential. Mr. L. Carson spoke for Mr. Smith. He said that the property was listed for at least two years and that it was unsuitable for residential use. Mr. Carson said that the commercial rezoning would enhance the area. Jesse Smith then spoke briefly and submitted a proposed parking scheme. Mrs. V. Isum spoke against the rezoning and disagreed with Mr. Carson. she said that a commercial use would create many problems for the neighborhood and that there was a need February 26, 1985 Item No. A - Continued to maintain the residential character. There was some discussion about an "O-1" or "0-3" compromise and filing a conditional use permit for the beauty shop. Mr. Isum again expressed concerns about the parking lot. Another person voiced their thoughts about the parking and traffic problems. Mr. Carson spoke briefly about some of the issues. After additional comments, the Planning Commission voted on the "C-1" rezoning as filed. The vote: 0 ayes, 9 noes and 2 absent. The request was denied.