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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5157 Staff AnalysisMarch 7, 1989 Item No. 7 - Z-5157 Owner: Applicant: Location: Request: Purpose: Size: Existing Use: Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission Gary Shipley/Garver & Garver Little Rock Airport (new runway area) Rezone from 11R-2" to 111-2" Airport 540 acres Airport SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING: North - Vacant, industrial and Arkansas River, zoned "R-2" aid "1-2" South - Vacant, single amily and industrial, zoned "R-2," "I -l" and "OS" East - Vacant, single family and industrial, - zoned "R-2," "I-1" and "OS" West - Vacant, sewer treatment facility and airport, zoned 11R-2" and "1-2" STAFF ANALYSIS: This request was filed by the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission to rezone 540 acres from "R-2" to "1-2." The land is adjacent to the new runway which is located east of the existing airport terminal. The runway is near completion and extends from Roosevelt Road (the portion that was relocated) on the south to Gates Island on the north. Gates Island is a large body of land that 'is between the Arkansas River and some wetlands referred to as the "backwater of Arkansas River." The 111-2" reclassification is for the entire acreage which includes Gates Islanl�- Land use in the general area is made up of single family, some minor commercial uses, and industrial. In addition to the airport, there is another public use, a sewer treatment plant, located to the north of some of the land being considered for rezoning. The industrial operations include the new U.P.S. distribution facility and a construction company. Throughout the area there are still a number of parcels that are undeveloped. March 7, 1989 Item No. 7 - Z-5157 (Continued) The existing zoning is "R-2," "1-11" 111-2" and "OS." The most recent rezoning in the vicinity involved land to the east, the U.P.S. site, and the property was reclassified to "I-1" and "OS." (The southern portion of the "I-1" tract is vacant at this time.) "OS" areas were included in the rezoning action on the north and south sides to help buffer the established residential neighborhoods. The "OS" strip on the north is 100 feet and 180 feet along the south property line. Staff agrees with the basic concept of rezoning the land because an industrial classification is needed for an airport or landing field. "I-1" allows the use as a conditional use and an airport is permitted by right in the 111-2" and "1-3" districts. After carefully reviewing the proposal, Staff cannot support "1-2" for the entire 540 acres as filed and feels that some modifications are needed because of the residential areas. Recommended changes are as follows: "I-1" for the parcel between the old and new portions of Roosevelt Road "I-1" for an area east of the new runway and south of the U.P.S. property line extended west to the runway 111-1" for the area between Fourche Dam Pike, Kellett Road and the airport's east property line A 100 foot "OS" strip adjacent to the east property line between Kellett Road and Fourche Dam Pike A 100 foot "OS" area north of Kellett Road for a distance of approximately 500 feet An "OS" area in the southeast corner of the property that would conform to the existing 180 foot "OS" strip and extend to Fourche Dam Pike on the west and to Roosevelt Road on the south. For the remaining areas, including Gates Island, Staff endorses the "1-2" rezoning as requested. The suggested zoning pattern should accommodate the airport's needs and, at the same time, help minimize any potential impacts on the residential neighborhoods. (A graphic representing the proposed zoning classifications will be presented at the public hearing.) March 7, 1989 Item No. 7 - Z-5157 (Continued). ENGINEERING COMMENTS: The new alignment of Fourche Dam Pike needs to be dedicated to the public and the abandoned portion of Roosevelt Road officially closed. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of "I-1," "I-2" and "OS" as proposed in the analysis. (The "OS" areas are supposed to be left undisturbed but, in this situation, the City will allow the Airport Commission to maintain and cut the grass.) PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (March 7, 1989) The Little Rock Airport Commission was represented by James Rodgers, Airport Manager. There were no objectors in attendance. Mr. Rodgers reviewed the request and saw no problems with the proposed rezonings as suggested by the Staff. He then made other comments about the area and Gates Island. Several Commissioners expressed concern about rezoning all of Gates Island to "1-2," including the floodway areas. Jerry Gardner of the City Engineering Staff said Gates Island was in the floodway of the Arkansas River so it was under different controls and there would be no harm in rezoning the island to "1-2." Mr. Rodgers said the airport acquired Gates Island to be used in the future for related uses. There were a number of comments made about the rezoning and the "1-2" reclassification of Gates Island possibly violating the City's floodway policy. A motion was made to recommend approval of "1-1," 111-2" and "OS" as amended, including "1-2" for Gates Island. The motion was approved by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays and 3 absent. The Commission then stated for the record that they were very concerned that the City might violate their own policy regarding rezoning floodway areas and offered the following reasons for supporting "1-2" for Gates Island: 1. The Army Corps of Engineers will not allow any uses on Gates Island because of the floodway involvement. 2. An "OS" rezoning could create a possible safety hazard because it does allow certain uses, like a park. March 7, 1989 Item No. 7 - Z-5157 (Continued) 3. The airport will have to control the vegetation on the island, and an "OS" area is to be left in its natural state and undisturbed.