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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4758-A Staff AnalysisApril 11, 2002 ITEM NO.: 5 FILE NO.: Z -4758-A NAME: Metropolitan Vocational and Technical School Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 7701 Scott Hamilton Drive OWNER/APPLICANT: Little Rock School District/The Borne Firm Architects PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for the expansion and remodeling of this existing school. The property is zoned R-2, Single Family. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located at the southeast corner of Scott Hamilton Drive and I-30. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: This vocational and technical school is located in an area that is primarily industrial in nature. Surrounding uses, including those across I-30, are almost exclusively warehousing, wholesaling and manufacturing. A pocket of C-3 and C-4 zoned properties containing 3 hotels, a convenience store and a restaurant is located across Scott Hamilton, to the west. A small cemetery is located on R-2 zoned property to the northeast. The proposed expansion and remodeling of this school will not affect its continued compatibility with the neighborhood. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Upper Baseline and SWLRUP Neighborhood Associations were notified of this proposal. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The school currently has 46 classrooms. The expansion and remodeling will result in 6 additional classrooms and a distance learning center. A 52 classroom secondary school requires 312 on-site parking spaces (6 April 11, 2002 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z -4758-A per classroom). The site will have 332 parking spaces, once the expansion is completed. The site is served by one access drive onto Scott Hamilton. A little -used, secondary drive takes access from Stenger Road, behind the school. No new parking will be created. The existing paved -parking will be improved, including striping and landscaping. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: New areas set aside for landscaping comply with landscape ordinance upgrade requirements. Irrigation to water new landscaped areas will be required. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Scott Hamilton is classified on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial. A dedication of right-of- way 40 feet from centerline will be required. 2. A 20 feet radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of Scott Hamilton and I-30 Service Road. With Building Permit: 3. Construct sidewalks on Scott Hamilton in accordance with Sec. 31-175. 4. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 5. Appropriate handicap ramps will be required per current ADA standards. 6. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. 7. Control erosion from the site into ROW on Stringer Road. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: No Comments received. Reliant: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. 2 April 11, 2002 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -4758-A Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. It appears that the building expansion will be over the water line going into the building. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Plannin : No Comments received. CATA: Site is located on bus route #15 and has no effect on bus radius, turnout and route. Planning Division: No issues. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MARCH 21, 2002) Doug Eaton and Robin Borne were present representing the application. Staff presented the item and noted that additional information was needed regarding the number of classrooms, existing and proposed; the height of the building, existing and proposed; signage; fencing; and dumpster location. Public Works Comments were presented and discussed. It was determined that there was already more right-of-way in place than required by the Master Street Plan. The applicant indicated the remainder of staff comments would be complied with. It was noted that the existing parking lots would be upgraded with landscaping. The applicant was advised to respond to staff comments by March 27, 2002. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: Metropolitan Vocational and Technical School, a campus of the Little Rock School District, occupies the R-2 zoned, 17.8± acre tract located at 7701 Scott Hamilton Drive. The school currently consists of a 76,932 square foot shop building, a 9,132 square foot library and computer building and an 18,520 square foot classroom building tied together by a covered walkway. Paved parking lots are located on the south, east and west sides of the buildings. There are a total of 46 classrooms in the school; 23 in the classroom building, 22 in the shop M April 11, 2002 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z -4758-A building and 1 in the library/computer building. The Little Rock School District proposes to remodel and expand the school by converting one of the shop bays in the shop building into 4 new, small classrooms and by constructing a new, 18,805 square foot computer technology building containing offices, two computer training classrooms and a distance learning center. The existing, asphalt paved parking lots located on the south and west sides of the school will be upgraded; including new striping and landscaping. The dumpster is located on the back side (east) of the site and will be brought into compliance with the screening requirement. The site is enclosed by the existing, 6 -foot tall, chain link fence. The main entry drive accesses the site from Scott Hamilton. A secondary drive provides access from Stenger Road to the rear. There will be no changes to the fencing or driveways. One new wall sign will be added to the west fagade of the new addition. Staff is supportive of the proposed conditional use permit. The Vo -Tech School has been a part of this industrial neighborhood for many years. The proposed addition assures the long-term continued occupancy of the site by the school. The upgraded landscaping, screening and parking lots will improve the visual appearance of the site which is a positive consequence of the development. On March 22, 2002, the applicant submitted a revised site plan and cover letter in response to questions raised at the Subdivision Committee meeting. All issues have been addressed to staff's satisfaction. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit subject to compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of this report. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (APRIL 11, 2002) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. A letter of support had been received from Janet Berry, president of SWLR United for Progress. Staff presented the 4 April 11, 2002 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -4758-A item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the "Staff Recommendation" above. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. 5 SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS MARCH 21, 2002 ITEM 5 METROPOLITAN VO -TECH — C.U.P. Z -4758-A) Plannins Staff Comments: Provide total number of classrooms on site; existing and proposed. Provide height of existing building and proposed addition. Indicate location and size of all existing and proposed signage. Indicate height of existing fence. Indicate dumpster location with required screening. Southern and western parking lots will be upgraded with curb, gutter, striping and landscape islands. 332 parking spaces proposed; parking requirement for secondary school is 6 spaces per classroom. Variance/Waivers Public Works: None requested. Scott Hamilton is classified on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial. A dedication of right-ofway 40 feet from centerline will be required. A 20 feet radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of Scott Hamilton and I30 Service Road. With Building Permit: 3. Construct sidewalks on Scott Hamilton in accordance with Sec. 31-175. 4. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 5. Appropriate handicap ramps will be required per current ADA standards. 6. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. 7. Control erosion from the site into ROW on Stringer Road. Utilities and Fire De artment/Coun Planning: Wastewater: Sewer service not available for this property. Sewer main extension required with easements if service is required. Entergy: No Comments received. Reliant: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. It appears that the building expansion will be over the water line going into the building. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments received. CATA: Site is located on bus route #15 and has no effect on bus radius, turnout and route. Planning Division: No issues. Z 5 METROPOLITAN V0= Landscape: — C.U.P. New areas set aside for landscaping comply with landscape ordinance upgrade requirements. Irrigation to water new landscaped areas will be required. Revised Site Plan: Three (3) copies of revised site plan and responses to issues raised by staff must be submitted no later than Wednesday March 27, 2002. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS MARCH 21, 2002 ITEM 5 METROPOLITAN VO -TECH — C.U.P. 7 -4758 - Planning Staff Comments: 1. Provide total number of classrooms on site, existing and proposed. 2. Provide height of existing building and proposed addition. 3. Indicate location and size of all existing and proposed signage. 4. Indicate height of existing fence. 5. Indicate dumpster location with required screening. 6. Southern and western parking lots will be upgraded with curb, gutter, striping and landscape islands. 7. 332 parking spaces proposed; parking requirement for secondary school is 6 spaces per classroom. Variance/Waivers: None requested. Public Works: 1. Scott Hamilton is classified on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial. A dedication of right-o€way 40 feet from centerline will be required. 2. A 20 feet radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the intersection of Scott Hamilton and I30 Service Road. With Building, Permit: 3. Construct sidewalks on Scott Hamilton in accordance with Sec. 31-175. 4. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 5. Appropriate handicap ramps will be required per current ADA standards. 6. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. 7. Control erosion from the site into ROW on Stringer Road. Utilities and Fire D Dartment/County Planning: Wastewater: Sewer service not available for this property. Sewer main extension required with easements if service is required. Entergy: No Comments received. Reliant: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. It appears that the building expansion will be over the water line going into the building. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. Coun PIannin : No Comments received. CATA: Site is located on bus route 415 and has no effect on bus radius, turnout and route. Planning Division: No issues. ITEM 5 METROPOLITAN VO -TECH — C.U.P. Z -4758-A Cont.) Landscape: New areas set aside for landscaping comply with landscape ordinance upgrade requirements. Irrigation to water new landscaped areas will be required. Revised Site Plan: Three (3) copies of revised site plan and responses to issues raised by staff must be submitted no later than Wednesday March 27, 2002.