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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4464-A Staff AnalysisMay 8, 1990 ITEM NO. 1 - Z -4464-A Owner: Applicant: Location: Request Purpose: Size: Existing Use: Joe D. White, et. al. Joe D. White Northwest Corner of Chenal Parkway and Autumn Road Rezone from "R-2" to "C-3" Commercial 2.37 Acres Vacant SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING: North - Vacant and Single Family, zoned "R-2" South - Vacant, zoned "R-2" East - Vacant, zoned "C-3" West - Vacant, zoned "R-2" STAFF ANALYSIS• The property in question is located at the Northwest corner of the Chenal Parkway and Autumn Road, and the request is to rezone the 2.4 acres from "R-2" to "C-311. No specific use has been identified at this time other than some type of retail or commercial use. The site is vacant, but at one time there was a residential structure on a portion of it. Zoning in the general vicinity is "R-211, 110-2111 "C-3" and "O -S". Land use is primarily single family with very little nonresidential development. There is a church to the east of Autumn Road (C.U.P. Z-4652) and a medical facility is planned for the southeast corner of Autumn Road and Chenal Parkway. Some of the land is still vacant, including the 110-2" and "C-3" at the northeast corner of Chenal Parkway and Autumn Road. At this point, some additional commentary is in order about the existing zoning at Chenal Parkway and Autumn Road intersection because of its history. The "C-3" land at the southeast and northeast corners of the intersection 1 May 8, 1990 ITEM NO. 1 - Z -4464-A (Continued was accomplished by a court decree as part of an annexation lawsuit. The court action occurred in 1984 and reclassified approximately 12 to 13 acres (a total of 5 lots) at the intersection. The rezoning was in direct conflict with the adopted plan and done without input from the staff or the Planning Commission. The "C-3" (Z-4421) directly to the east was rezoned in 1985. Staff did not support the request, however, the "C-3" was endorsed by the Planning Commission because of the proposed Parkway and its impact on the "C-3" tract to the south and plans to combine the two parcels. The I-430 District Plan does not identify the site for commercial use and staff does not support the proposed "C- 311" request. The Plan does recognize the existing "C-3" at the intersection, but the reminder of the land north of the Parkway and adjacent to Autumn Road is shown for office use; the recommended office area also extends to Bowman Road. Several years ago, a plan amendment was approved that established the office area north of the Parkway with a mixed residential area to the south and west of Autumn Road. From Shackleford Road to Autumn Road, the Plan recommends a combination of office and commercial uses. Staff views the Parkway as an office corridor from the Financial Centre area to Bowman Road and the requested commercial reclassification conflicts with the desired development pattern and the adopted plan. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: None reported. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommend denial of the "C-3" rezoning request. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (May 8, 1990) The applicant, Joe White, was present. There were no objectors. Mr. White spoke and discussed the area zoning and existing land use. He said that there was commercial zoning on two corners and a street was not the proper place to stop zoning. Mr. White informed the Commission that the City of Little Rock owned the property directly to the West and then proceeded to discuss the I-430 District Plan. He said Chenal Parkway was a major arterial that will carry a heavy traffic load and the Autumn Road intersection was a reasonable location for a mixture of office and 2 May 8, 1990 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 1 -- Z -4464-A Continued commercial uses. He also reminded the Commission that there was no opposition from the neighborhood nor any of the property owners. Comments were then offered by various individuals including several Commissioners. Mr. White said that the City's long range plan was good and there was existing node at the intersection. Jim Lawson, Planning Director, discussed the area and office zoning versus commercial zoning. Mr. White indicated that there was no definite use for the property and then amended the request to 11C-211. A motion was then offered by Commissioner McDaniel to recommend approval of 11C-2" as amended. Prior to the vote on the motion, there was some additional discussion. Commissioners McDaniel and Walker provided justification for their support of the commercial reclassification. Commissioner McDaniel said the site was at a node and there was 11C-3" zoning directly across the street. Commissioner Walker stated that it was more desirable to have changes in zoning districts at lot lines and not at streets. Jim Lawson encouraged the Commission to consider a "PUD" for the property because design was a critical element. He then talked about his concerns with 11C-2" and 11C-311. Mr. Lawson reviewed the history of the area and the most recent plan amendment for the intersection. Commissioner McDaniel said jobs were important and development was good. Commissioner Oleson then discussed the Birchwood neighborhood and its future. Joe White reminded the Commission that there was no user and that he was not receptive to "PUD". Mr. White said a "PUD" was beneficial when there was a real use for the property. Commissioner Collins then read the list of permitted uses in the 11C-2" district. A vote was taken on the 11C-2" rezoning as amended. The vote was 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 absent and 4 abstentions (Rose Collins, Jerilyn Nicholson, Connie Whitfield and Walter Riddick III). 3 May 8, 1990 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 1 - Z -4464-A (Continued) A second motion was made to recommend a plan amendment for the northwest corner of the Chenal Parkway and Autumn Road from office to commercial. The motion passed by a vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays and 0 absent. 4