HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5224 Staff AnalysisDecember 13, 1988
Item No. F - Northwest Area Land Use Plan
Name:
Northwest Extraterritorial Area
Land Use Plan
Location: Generally north of Kanis/Denny
Road to the Arkansas River and
west of the city limits to
Ferndale
STAFF REPORT:
At the October 18, 1988 Planning Hearing the proposed land
use map was discussed. A copy of the plan was distributed
for the Commission to review at that time.
This is the first of the land use plans leading to the
zoning of the extraterritorial area. This plan generally
reflects the Highway 10 and Extraterritorial Plans. Much of
the area is currently zoned (Chenal Valley and the 2 -Mile,
5 -Mile River Zoning Area) or will be zoned with Deltic's
north slope proposal. The only area of additional
commercial shown on the Plan is on Highway 300 where a
collector is to connect. This is an existing condition. If
the Commission and Board approve the proposed Land Use Plan,
then the Staff will begin the zoning process. All areas
will be zoned "R-2" unless the property owner requests a
more intense zoning which complies with the plan, and the
owner provides a current survey. Areas which do not comply
with the plan must follow the normal rezoning process.
Two areas are called out for future study. These areas are
outside the current zoning area, at the intersection of what
are proposed to be major roads, and are likely to be
developed eventually at a higher density. These areas are
outside the expected fifteen year urbanization area. As the
western portion of the county urbanizes, a more accurate
determination can be made as to the development of these
areas. Notices have been posted and published to publicize
the hearing on the proposed Northwest Extraterritorial Land
Use Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approval.
December 13, 1988
Item No. F (Continued)
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (November 29, 1988)
Jim Lawson of the Planning Staff reviewed the plan and a
problem area west of Glenn Johnson Ranch Road_ He
recommended that the area at Highway 10 and the multifamily
area to the south of Highway 10 just west of Glenn Johnson
Road be deferred to December 13th. A question about the
floodway locations was asked, and Mr. Lawson stated he felt
they were the approximate locations shown on the floodway
maps.
Brian Morrison of the Johnson Ranch Homeowners Association
stated they met with Deltic representatives but wanted the
two areas deferred for now as outlined by Staff.
Betty Saugey stated she owned a small business on
Highway 300 shown as commercial on the pian and wanted to
know if her fee would be waived. Also, would she have to
dedicate right-of-way. The answer to both was "yes".
Mrs. McCaleb stated some people who were here earlier did
not understand this plan would come up today and asked for a
deferral.
Mr. Longley stated we need more businesses for more tax
revenues and jobs. Further, that we should let everyone
work.
A motion to defer was made by Stephen Leek (no second).
Jack Castin, representing Deltic, was asked if a deferral
would impact Deltic. He stated Deltic wanted the plan
approved with the agreed to areas deferred. A motion to
recommend approval of the plan, subject to deferral of the
two designated areas to December 13, was made and seconded.
The motion passed by a vote of 7 ayes, 1 no and 3
abstentions.
AMENDED STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the shift of the southern
multifamily area to the western side of the arterial leading
to Glenn Johnson Ranch, in accordance with the agreement
worked out between Deltic Timber, neighboring property
owners, and the City. Staff recommends that the area around
the arterial intersection with Highway 10 be deferred to
April 4, 1989 to allow for further study and opportunity to
work with property owners in the area. In the meantime, the
existing plan for the area, which calls for a commercial
node, will remain in effect for that section.
December 13, 1988
.I .. .t..em No..,F (Continued)
PLANNI.NG_COMMISSI.ON.ACTION: (December 13, 1988)
There were several interested persons in attendance but no
objectors, and the item was placed on the consent agenda. A
motion was made to recommend approval of the land use plan
except for the area around the proposed north/south arterial
and the Highway 10 intersection (a commercial node) which
was recommended for deferral to the April 4, 1989 Planning
commission meeting. The motion passed by a vote of 10 ayes,
0 noes and 1 absent.
(_Cont inuedl_
A motion was made for staff to look at PUD ordinance
language so that a PUD could be used for the existing
conditions. This was approved by a vote of 9 for, 1
abstention and 1 absent.
A motion was made by Bill Rector listing the concerns of the
Planning Commission. This resolution would be presented to
the Board of Directors. This motion was approved by a vote
of 9 for, 1 abstention and 1 absent.
Another motion was made, this one stating that all property
owners of any business property becoming nonconforming with
the action of the Board as of the date of the action of the
Board would have six months in which to file an application.
In this time, all fees would be waived. The Planning
Commission approved this motion on a vote of 6 for,
4 against and 1 absent.
STAFF UPDATE:
(December 14, 1989)
The Board of Directors has sent this item back to the
Planning Commission to get your recommendations on whether
to amend the plan and, -if so, how.
At the request of the Board of Directors, the Planning staff
developed six options for the Stone's Market area. These
options are based on the -same discussion which the
Commission and staff have had to allow the existing
businesses to continue to operate. Staff is proposing that
if the Commission and/or Board wish to go with one of the -
options that a plan amendment be made and, to that end, a
second item (#9) is presented to the Commission.
Staff recommends that the zoning item be unchanged, i.e.,
all of the area be zoned 11R-211, Single Family Residential,
except for the three 11C-1" areas.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(January 2, 1990)
The Planning Commission, having adopted a land use plan
change showing an existing business node on the land use
plans, then proceeded to discuss what action should be taken
to the Zoning Ordinances for the Northwest Extraterritorial
Plan and the Highway 10 Plan areas. They generally agreed
that the Planning Commission would approve PCD's for the
site. However, there was some concern about not having
surveys present for the Commission to review. However,
since the PCD's would request only existing conditions, it
W
ontinued
was decided by the Commission to proceed to recommend that
those areas be granted their PCD status if they could submit
the needed materials in the allotted time, prior to Board
action.
An amendment to the zoning request was made to continue to
zone the bulk of the area "R-2" except for the existing
business nodes which would be granted PCD status if those
properties could present the needed surveys to designate the
areas for PCD, meeting the PCD short -form requirements. By
a vote of 6 for, 2 against and 2 abstentions, the motion was
approved.
19
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8
Owner: Various
Applicant: City of Little Rock
Location: West of the City Limits and north
of Denny Road
Request.: Rezone from unclassified to "R-2"
Purpose: Initiate land use regulation of
extraterritorial area
Size: Approximately 11 square miles
Existing Use: Various
...............
SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING:
North - Arkansas River, unclassified
South - Various, unclassified
East - Various, zoned "R-2"
West - Various, unclassified
-PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS:
1. The request is to rezone approximately 11 square miles
north of Denny Road and west of the City limits from
unclassified to "R-2", initiating land use regulations
of the area by the City of Little Rock. The area is
located west of the City limits, south of Natural
Steps, east of Ferndale Cutoff Road, and north of
Denny/Kanis. Predominate use in the area is single
family residential and largely vacant parcels. There
have previously been some zoning cases within this area
located at the intersection of Chenal Parkway and
Highway 10, and north of Shinall Mountain on the
proposed Chenal Parkway. The area along the river,
including much of Pinnacle State Park, has been zoned
"R-2" using the river zoning legislation in the late
1970's. The balance of the area is unclassified at
this time -because of its being outside the City limits.
1
January 2, 1990
I tem_,_No. 8 (Cont inued)
The most recent zoning activity in the area involved
zoning at the proposed nodes shown on the City Land Use
Plans. The zoning request before the Commission would
fill in the remaining area connecting the nodes to the
City. This application will complete the
extraterritorial zoning process for "Area 1" begun with
the Intent to Zone Resolution.
2. The area is occupied by various uses, but is
predominantly vacant/agricultural or single family
residential.
3. This zoning application conforms to the Northwest Land
Use Plan which was adopted for the sole purpose of
guiding the zoning of this area.
STAFF—RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of "R-2" rezoning of this
property.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (September 5, 1989)
Jim Lawson of the City Planning staff reviewed the history
of the zoning to date (of the Northwest -Land Use Plan) which
is presented today in map form, having been approved by the
Board and the Planning Commission. Staff proposes to zone
the areas in conformity with the plan; that is, all areas
currently not zoned will be zoned 11R-2" with those areas
shown on the plan for uses other than residential being
zoned to those zoning categories if the property owner
provides a legal description of the property. Mr. Lawson
went over the map and showed that large portions of the
Area #1, northwest of the extraterritorial area, had already
been zoned. Then he told the Commission that staff had met
with property owners the previous week at a church at
Highway 300/Highway 10 to explain the plan and zoning to the
area's residents.
Mr. Lawson stated that, at the meeting, additional
information was presented to staff about the area of
Highway 300 and Highway 10. As a result, an amendment to
allow a one -acre commercial site was being proposed to the
Planning Commission at this time. Originally, staff had
been concerned that by putting commercial at Highway 10 and
300, it would encourage strip development to the node at
Chenal Parkway and Highway 10. However, since the area on
2
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8 (Continued}
either side of the one -acre commercial property is currently
used for an office or public use and has deed restrictions
requiring that use, and since across the street on the
northwest corner of the intersection is the YMCA Day Camp
with the northeast corner a large Methodist church, staff
does not feel that strip zoning is a necessary result if -we
recognize the one -acre commercial use. Mr. Lawson went on
to say that staff has received the property surveys for
three parcels which staff would recommend zoning "C-1"; two
at Highway 300 and Pinnacle Lane, and one at Highway 10 and
Highway 300.
Following this, there was a general discussion among the
Planning Commission members and Mr. Lawson as to the
ownership pattern, parcel sizes and general history of the
property on the south side of Highway 10 at Highway 300 with
the Commission expressing some concern about the future
development of parcels between the node and the proposed
commercial zoning area at Highway 300.
Kenneth Moreland, property owner at Highway 300 and
Highway 10, presented a letter to the Commission expressing
his desire to have his property zoned "C-3". Mr. Moreland
said he was pleased that staff would recommend "C-1" and
that would, be okay. Mr. Moreland then proceeded to go over
the history of the property, commencing with the late
1940's, and to go into a detailed description of the
ownership, history and uses of the adjacent properties.
Next, Betty Saugey came before the Planning Commission.
Mrs. Saugey, who owns property at several locations in the
northwest area, thanked the Planning Staff for recommending
that some areas in the northwest area be zoned commercial to
begin with. She said she appreciated that the City would
recognize some of the existing uses since trying to rezone
anything is very time consuming and costly to small property
owners.
Next to speak to the Commission was Ruth Presley. Mrs.
Presley said that she owned property and represented other
properties along Highway 10. She asked that businesses
along Highway 10 get the zoning that would allow them to
continue, i.e., that all nonresidential property be zoned
with some nonresidential zoning district. Mrs. Presley went
on to state that, at a minimum, each property owner should
3
January 2, 1990
.I1em No, .8 I,Cont i_nued }
be notified that his/her property was becoming nonconforming
and exactly what that meant. She stated that she had
visited a couple of property owners the day of the meeting,
and that they did not understand what nonconforming would
mean.
Jim Lawson stated that the City's plan is based on a node
principal with commercial businesses being concentrated at
major intersections. He said that some of the businesses
currently in existence are in the middle of single family
areas. Mr. Lawson stated that at the meeting last week
staff had requested that some evidence of all of the
nonconforming uses be given to the City so that the City
would know that these were nonconforming (existing uses) and
could grant nonconforming status. Mr. Lawson went on to say
that he would be happy to write a letter informing all
property owners of their nonconforming use and have this
letter distributed.
Larry Mahar said that he has commercial property on
Highway 300 north of the new Chenal road which was not being
recognized by the plan as commercial property, and that he
did have some problems with his property becoming a
nonconforming use. He said that this would be a hardship on
him since he would not be able to expand the business space
that he rents out. Further, Mr. Mahar stated that
businesses which use his facility were small and many small
businesses tend to go out of business. He was concerned
that he would have problems re-leasing his property and
meeting the nonconforming requirements of not going to a
higher use.
Bart Moreland spoke to the Commission saying that he was not
speaking as a property owner since his property was outside
the area, but as a JP representative of the area. Mr.
Moreland stated that the first time he had come before the
Commission several months ago, he had expressed concerns
about how the residential areas would be treated. He stated
that they felt comfortable with the way the City was zoning
the residential areas, and that this had been properly
fixed. He said that he felt that the City had treated the
area fairly, but that the City should try to treat
commercial areas as fairly as the residential areas.
4
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8 (Continued)
Ruth Bell, League of Women Voters, stated that to this point
she really had no opinion one way or the other on the
zoning. However, she had several questions which she felt
needed to be answered. The first was: "If the area was
zoned and then the overlay principal was approved at some
later date, what would happen? Would the overlay make the
existing areas become nonconforming due to the lot size, or
the sites unusable?" Mr. Lawson, in answer to this
question, stated that the overlay would have no effect on
existing structures. The only effect would be if one of the
nonconforming, or existing structures, was demolished, in
which case anything which replaced said structure would have
to meet the new requirements.
The second question Mrs. Bell had was about having new
standards on the adjacent properties, and then coming along
the street to this existing, or older, business which would
not have to conform to the standards, and what effect that
would have to the overall visual impact along the road. In
response to this question, Mr. Riddick stated that in either
case, whether or not there is a nonconforming or existing
business zoned, there would be this problem, not only on
Highway 10, but any place where overlay zoning, or for that
matter, any regulations are put into place since the
existing structures would not have to conform to the new
-regulations.
The Planning Commission began to discuss the possibility of
changing regulations on expanding nonconforming uses, and
the general desire of the Commission that nonconforming uses
be allowed to have some expansion capability even though an
amendment ordinance had already been sent by the Commission
to the Board and the Board had refused to consider said
ordinance.
Additional questions were asked about overlay zoning and who
was involved in it up to this point. Mr. Lawson stated
that, to this point, the overlay zoning had been very
general and had not looked at any one specific street; that
only various interest groups have been involved to try to
determine whether or not the overlay concept should even be
tried at all. Mr. Lawson went on to state that, at such
time as specific regulations are designed for the overlay on
say Highway 10, the parcel sizes and other characteristics
along the road where the overlay would be implemented would
be looked at and the property owners along that road would
have an opportunity to make comment.
5
January 2, 1990
Item No.__8 (Continued)
There was some discussion on whether or not to defer the
vote in order to allow more time to contact commercial
properties which would be made nonconforming to inform them
of this and to inform them that they could come to speak
before the Commission. It was suggested that possibly the
areas which staff had already recommended be zoned could be
zoned, and those areas where nonconforming uses could be
noted (they would be dealt with at a later date). Since
there would be a minimum of eight such sites scattered
throughout the area, it was felt that it would be preferable
to have a clean, complete package before sending it to the
Board.
The Commission asked the property owners of the three sites
whether or not they would be opposed to a deferral. In
response to this, Mrs. Saugey stated that there were a lot
of small businesses in the area that would not meet the
requirements the City uses to determine appropriateness for
commercial zoning. They are not at intersections; they may
be part of a house; and there was no way that the City was
likely to actually zone these areas. However, she stated
there should be way for the businesses to continue to
operate and to expand. She stated that she herself had
several business locations in the northwest area to be zoned
today which were not shown for commercial zoning. She
stated that all areas where there is an existing business
deserved to be considered for nonresidential zoning. Mrs.
Saugey was not opposed to deferral since it was her
understanding that staff, the City Board, and the Planning
Commission, by approving the land use plan, felt that the
location of her business at Pinnacle Lane and H.ighway 300
was an appropriate site. She was confident that nothing
would happen in the intervening weeks to change that
opinion.
Kenneth Moreland, the only other property owner present who
would be granted zoning other than residential, stated that
he was not opposed to deferral.
The Commission moved to have a two-week deferral during
which time staff is to attempt to notify all business owners
and property owners of nonresidential uses (commercial)
which would become nonconforming. In addition, this
notification is to include information on what nonconforming
means. Also, there is to be a meeting on September 19, 1989
to discuss the zoning of the area. This motion was approved
by a vote of 10 for, 0 against, 1 absent.
0
January 2, 1990
_Item.No. 8 (Continued)
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (September 19, 1989)
Jim Lawson of the Planning staff stated that staff
recommended three areas be zoned 11C-1" with the remainder to
be zoned 11R-211. This was in conformance with the Northwest
Land Use Plan. The first area to be zoned "C-1" is an
amendment to the Northwest Land Use Plan at Highway 300 and
Highway 10 on the south side of the intersection as shown in
Graphic E-1. The remaining two parcels are located on
Highway 300 at Pinnacle Road. Mr. Lawson stated that the
Highway Department has informed the City that no additional
right-of-way would be needed since right-of-way has already
been acquired, or will be acquired, before final zoning by
the City.
Mrs. Betty Saugey of Saugey Antique's spoke in favor of the
proposed zoning and stated she had nothing to add over what
she had said two weeks before.
For those in opposition, the first to speak was Beverley
Ashcraft. She asked to be deferred to later.
The second to speak was Joanne Richardson Macnale. She
asked to pass at this time.
The next to speak was Richard Allen, owner of Stone's
Market. He stated that he requested "C-1" zoning as opposed
to "R-211, and that his business had been an established
concern for twenty years. Mr. Allen further stated that the
Highway Department had considered his property and the
property in the immediate vicinity as commercial when doing
the appraisals and had stated that commercial was the
highest and best use of the property. He further stated
that his business was one of a group of businesses located
within a few blocks of one another along Highway 10.
Next to speak was Tony Clay, business owner of a garage. He
stated that his business had been going since 1985 while the
business in front of his had been in existence some twenty
years. Mr. Clay stated that his business was located along
Biz Lane which is adjacent to Pinnacle Valley Pharmacy, his
business being behind the pharmacy which is across the
street from Stone's Market. Mr. Clay stated that his
business primarily did work on foreign made cars. He stated
that he was opposed to the zoning due to the problems it
would inflict on his business.
7
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8 Continued
Next to speak was Dorothy Linsley, owner of Turtle Creek
Pottery. Ms. Linsley stated that her business was located
behind Stone's Market and her major concerns were: (1) that
she would not be able to expand her business; and (2) that
if something happened to her business, she would not be able
to reconstruct it. She stated she had been in business
since 1974. She did state that there were numerous
residences near her business and that she lived in a home
adjacent to her business. She went on to state that she
felt it was a very narrow minded idea to limit commercial
uses just to major intersections and zone all other areas
"R-2".
Next to speak was Connie Wright speaking for Jim Wright
Welding. Mrs. Wright stated that her business had been in
place for 19 years. She expected to keep it growing and
expanding, and she felt it was appropriate to be zoned
commercial, stating that she wished "C-111. She further
stated that her business was located only one block west of
Stone's Market on the same side of Highway 10. She did note
that there were residential structures located behind her
establishment which all knew that she was an existing
business before moving in. Mrs. Wright further stated that
she lived on the property as well conducted her business
there.
The Planning staff responded that "C-1" would do Mrs. Wright
no more good than an 1IR-21'. Since she would still be
nonconforming, she would probably need "C-4" zoning.
The Planning Commission then brought up tha.t it was probably
inappropriate to get into specific zoning categories which
each property would need since the request was for "R-2" for
the entire area, and not rezoning needs of each of the
properties. Mr. Lawson stated that the Planning Department
would be recommending denial of all these requests since
they were all in conflict with the plan. However, each
property owner had the right to speak and the Commission
should hear them.
Commissioner Nicholson stated that staff should try to find
a creative alternative to address the problems and the
standard run-of-the-mill procedures which the City used did
not appear to be appropriate for these locations.
8
January 2, 1990
Item No...8 (Continued)
Mr. Lawson stated that it might be appropriate to have a
joint meeting with the Board of Directors to discuss the
concerns of the Planning Commission, and that this area was
just the first area to be rezoned since extraterritorial
resolution called for zoning all of the area south to the
Saline County line. He stated that similar problems were
likely to be uncovered in the area to the south.
Next to speak in opposition was Bob Thomason of First
Financial America, which is a computer business. Mr.
Thomason stated that his was primarily an office type use
and that his business was located in a building behind his
residence on Highway 10. He stated that the purpose of his
moving outside the City was so that he could have his home
and his business on the same property. Mr. Thomason went on
to state that the blanket zoning of the area as "R-2" was to
say that he could not grow or expand, and that if he burned
down, he couldn't rebuild. If the City blanket zoned, he
could not do anything with the back portion of his property.
Mr. Lawson stated for the record that he could not recall
any nonconforming business that had burned down and not been
allowed to be rebuilt, even though the Ordinance states that
this cannot be done. In the real world, it has and does
happen.
Mr. Thomason said that he had tried to purchase a building
near Financial II and that the owner could not sell it to
him because it would revert back to residential use. Staff
said that was not correct, that a nonconforming use would
continue. Mr. Thomason further stated that the information
the City was giving out to the local commercial property
owners stated that if it burned more than 75% that they
could not build back.
Next to speak was Rayburn Burris. 'Mr. Burris stated that he
has a service station where he currently sells used cars.
It was on the north side of Highway 10 west of Stone's
Market, or on the right side as you left town. He stated
that the business had been in place since 1960 and that he
was concerned about it being zoned "R-2" since it had been
used as a garage and the sale of used cars in the last few
years. In response to a question as to whether or not he
was currently using his property, he stated that he was
using it and that the utilities were connected but that he
could not lease it because of problems with the Highway
Department widening at this time.
0
January 2, 1990
I t em .No . B_LCon t i nued )
Next to speak was David Constien, property manager for
Thomas James, owner of Pinnacle Valley Pharmacy and Liquor.
Mr. Constien stated that his property owner had formerly
owned the pharmacy/liquor store and an auto service building
behind which Tony Clay now owned. He stated that there were
currently 110-4" type uses in operation in the area. He
requested that equal opportunity be given to the commercial
property owners along Highway 10, who were very numerous, as
had been given to a few property owners along Highway 300.
He stated that they are already having a problem with the
Highway Department taking a large percentage of the property
in the front which requires that any expansion be done to
the rear. Once zoning was in place, the property owners
would no longer be able to expand. Mr. Constien stated the
Highway Department in their appraisals of the property had
called it commercial for evaluation purposes, and he stated
that it was the highest and best use for the property. He
stated that all he was desiring was the same, or equal
opportunity, as those areas that were being proposed for
commercial zoning.
Mr. Lawson stated that no rezoning of any non-developed land
was part of this request, and that the three tracts of "C-1"
zoning were existing businesses which had been in place for
some time.
Commissioner Riddick stated that the Commission actually
does not zone property, but is only making a recommendation
on zoning to the City Board of Directors.
Mr. Allen stated that the properties being zoned on
Highway 300 and Pinnacle have been in place for a much
shorter period of time (two years in one case) than the
commercial properties on Highway 10, where some have been in
existence as real existing commercial business for over
25 years.
Mrs. Ashcraft was then asked if she wished to speak. She
stated that she was representing a blind and drapery company
which had been established three years ago and was located
adjacent to the pharmacy. Her main concern was that her
business would not be able to expand or grow, and they had
made a large investment with the idea that they would be
able to grow in the future. She further stated that she did
not know what zoning category would be appropriate, "C-111,
"C -21f, "C-3" or "C-4"; and, for that matter, there was a lot
of uncertainty among the property owners and that all should
know what was going on.
10
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8 (Continued)
There was some general discussion about zoning outside the
City limits to which Mr. Lawson stated that the original
zoning came from legislation in the late 1970's which
allowed zoning along navigable streams with a three-mile
zoning regulation being implemented by the legislature only
two years ago. To a question about if the City had ever
zoned without the property owner requesting it outside the
City limits, Mr. Lawson stated that there were two examples.
One was the river zoning along the Arkansas River north and
west of Little Rock and, the second, an area which is
currently within the City east of Little Rock.
Commissioner Schlereth stated that he really believed the
intent of the legislation was to allow property owners
outside the City to zone their property, but not to give the
City the right to zone it. He said he really had a problem
zoning any property outside the City limits. However, he
could support the three commercial zonings since the
property owners requested those.
Commissioner Jerilyn Nicholson asked if the zoning requests
today would make additional nonconforming uses, and she was
told it would. She stated that zoning was a double-edged
sword, that it did protect from obnoxious uses being put in
next door. She also did not want the City or "Commissioner
Nicholson" putting a business out -of business. She stated
again that the City needed to try to come up with some
creative ideas to try to handle these businesses and that
there should be some give and take with the property owners.
Commissioner Kathleen Oleson stated that she had some real
concern about why some properties were being given zoning
and some were not, and thus being made nonconforming. She
didn't really feel this was fair. Staff responded that this
was based on the adopted land use plan and that commercial
areas were only shown at intersections.
In response to Commissioner Schlereth's earlier statements,
Stephen Giles, City Attorney, stated that Act 56
specifically stated that the Planning Commission could
designate areas -outside the City limits and apply City
ordinances to them.
Bob Thomason of First Financial America stated that all the
properties in his area were nonresidential, and they were
adjacent to a large development (Glenn Johnson Ranch) which
was beginning to break ground with the only separation being
11
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8 Continued
a church (an 8 acre site which was really an office type
use). To the west of him were also located two business,
and he stated that this was just a fairness issue.
Commissioner Leek stated that this was the first time the
City was enacting its authority from the 1987 law, and that
it might not be fair to one particular individual property,
but it was hoped that it would be fair to the City and the
people as a whole. He then asked if other cities when doing
similar things had given a one-year notice or something
similar to that before actually doing the zoning. Mr.
Lawson stated that in essence the City had given the year
notice by expressing its intent to zone a year ago.
Jim Lawson also stated that the major property owners who
had gotten commercial and office zoning at the proposed
nodes were making improvements, not only to their property
but major investments off-site for road widening and new
road construction, which these property owners were not
making.
The Commission had a general discussion expressing concerns
about nonconforming uses. The general consensus was that
there should be an opportunity to sit down and work out
something between the property owners, staff, Commission,
and even the Board of Directors to talk about how
nonconforming could be made to work for these properties.
Commissioner McDaniel stated that he was in favor of the
idea of zoning and that he will vote for the proposal the
staff was making, but he could not vote for any "C-1" or
"C-4" zonings today. He stated that zoning was the best
idea for the future of the area and that the City was trying
to improve the area. However, the City should be willing to
make the role of the property owners which will be made
nonconforming easier. He stated that the Commission was
messing in other people's lives but that we couldn't just
blanket zone the property today.
Mr. Lawson suggested that the Commission approve the request
before them and dovetail, with that, a resolution expressing
their concerns about Highway 10 and existing businesses
which would be made nonconforming. He suggested that they
request a joint meeting with the Board of Directors to
discuss these concerns.
12
January 2, 1990
Item No.. 8. (Continued
There was some further discussion about the possibilities of
rebuilding after burning down. There was some concern
expressed that the City might allow a nonconforming use to
be rebuilt when, according to the ordinance, it should not
be rebuilt.
Commissioner Nicholson suggested that possibly the
Commission could approve the request today omitting those
areas which would be made nonconforming. Mr. Lawson stated
that this would not be a good idea since we did not have
legal descriptions of the nonconforming areas and thus could
not write the ordinance for it. Ms. Nicholson stated that
there was a need to work things out. Mr. Lawson said that
it probably could not be worked out 100% based on past
history.
Commissioner Miller stated that there really did need to be
a joint meeting between the Planning Commission and Board
because of the inflexibility that the current ordinances
have for nonconforming uses. She said that probably we
needed to defer this issue until after that joint meeting.
Commissioner Oleson suggested that possibly everything
should be zoned "R-2" and thus everyone would start from
ground zero. The three businesses would not, in essence,
get a head start with getting their zoning.
Beverley Ashcraft stated that several of the property owners
did have their surveys present. The Commission recommended
that those be given to staff.
It was stated that this was an unique situation, partly due
to the widening of Highway 10. The property owners needed
to be given leeway for rebuilding which would be caused by
the widening of Highway 10 and not just consideration of the
fire issue.
Commissioner Rose Collins stated that the Planning
Commission needed clearer direction from the Board of
Directors. She said that treating some property owners
differently just did not seem right to her; she had real
difficulty with this. She stated that she was having
serious problems and that there needed to be a sit-down
discussion between the Planning Commission and Board to
discuss the issue.
13
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8 (Continued)„
The question was called and by a vote of 4 against, 1 in
favor and 4 abstentions, the item was automatically deferred
for failure to get six votes. The Commission then voted by
voice vote to rehear the issue on October 17, 1989.
There was further discussion on whether or not to have a
joint meeting. A motion was made for the Chairman of the
Planning Commission to contact the Mayor to set up a joint
meeting between the Planning Commission and Board to address
possibility for nonconforming uses before October 17th.
This was approved unanimously by a voice vote.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (October 17, 1989)
Since the City Board of Directors and the Little Rock
Planning Commission had not been able to meet prior to this
date, the item was placed on the consent agenda for
deferral. The item was deferred to November 28, 1989 by a
vote of 7 for, 0 against, 1 absent and 1 open position.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (November 28, 1989)
Jim Lawson, Director of Planning, presented the staff
report. Mr. Lawson st-ated that Act 56 of 1987 gave the
authority necessary for the City to zone areas outside the
City limits. Mr. Lawson reminded the Commission that on
November 29, 1988, the Commission approved a resolution
expressing the intent to zone. This was done after two
public hearings before the Commission. The Board, likewise,
approved the resolution on June 20, 1989 after having two
public hearings before that body.
Mr. Lawson stated that this was only the zoning for Area #1
of that intention to zone resolution and that other areas
would be following. Mr. Lawson presented a slide show
showing those properties which would be made nonconforming
along Highway 10. The slides consisted of businesses and
the changes which had occurred to those businesses over the
last couple of weeks. Mr. Lawson stated that this was a
difficult issue. However, the commercial businesses were
not at a node as shown on the plan. He stated that staff
had recommended that the area be zoned "R-2" less and except
three areas, two of which were on either side of Highway 300
north of Pinnacle Lane and the third being south of Highway
10 at Highway 300, with all three being neighborhood
commercial.
14
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8 Continued
Mr. Lawson was asked if the City considered possibly
annexing the area. He stated that staff had not really
looked at this. However, there were two possible ways to
annex the area, one being by referendum and one being by
request or petition of the property owners. He went on to
state that most people living in the extraterritorial area
did not really want to be annexed at this time and were
actually comfortable with the knowledge that no additional
City regulations would be imposed upon them, only on land
use.
The Commission asked how the City would enforce the zoning.
Mr. Lawson stated that a location permit would have to be
granted that would check the zoning, setbacks, etc. and Code
Enforcement people responsible for those areas would have to
check on activity which might be occurring.
There were two speakers for the request, the first being
Mrs. Betty Saugey, property owner at Highway 300 and
Pinnacle Lane. She stated that she had a business at that
location for five years and a business of some sort had been
at that location for some 35 years. She did appreciate the
"C-1" designation for her site and she also spoke for the
property owner across the street, a grocery store, saying
that both of the uses were not residential and would not be
residential in the future. She further stated that she -
hoped that all areas not currently residential would be
considered for other zonings other than residential, and
that she appreciated that the City was not zoning everything
"R-2" as it did with annexed areas.
Next to speak was Ruth Bell of the League of Women Voters.
Mrs. Bell stated that the League did support the request as
it was consistent with other plans and the intent of the
City to zone the area. She went on to state the City will
quite often try to meet the needs of any nonconforming use.
In opposition, Mr. David Henry, an attorney representing
nine property owners off Highway 10, spoke. He stated that
they had a major concern that the property owners would not
be able to vote for the Board of Directors which had the
ultimate say in zoning issues. He felt, and the property
owners feel, that this was in violation of their rights to
representation. He further questioned how the City could
enforce any zoning regulations outside the City until
specific legislation stated how to enforce it.
15
January 2, 1990
Item No. 8 Cont i.nued
Commissioner Rector asked that Mr. Henry stay with land use
issues and other issues which the Planning Commission can
deal with, and that this was not a court of law. Mr. Henry
went on to state that at the time he was on the City staff,
the two-mile, three-mile Extraterritorial River Zoning was
passed by the legislature and at that time the City Attorney
had felt that was not constitutional but was a special
legislation and it denied the right to vote. However, there
was a new City Attorney who felt that it was constitutional
at this time. He went on to say that a West Memphis case
had shown that if there was substantial use of the land,
then the nonconformity could continue to exist.
Mr. Henry stated that the Highway 10 area is probably the
most studied corridor in the Little Rock area. He admitted
that it was difficult to plan this area since there were
existing uses and the topography was unique, but that this
was what should be done. Mr. Henry went on the say that by
zoning the properties for commercial development, this would
allow for redevelopment and better development along
Highway 10. There are really two different nonconforming
uses which would result from this action. One would be if
everything was zoned "R-211. In that case, there would be no
expansions allowed and loans would be hard to get from the
banks. The other nonconforming would occur if all the areas
were zoned "C-3" since few of the properties meet the Zoning
Code requirements. However, over the years, these buildings
could be brought into conformance with "C-311.
There was some discussion after this about the closeness of
the businesses to Highway 10 and that they were likely to be
closer to Highway 10 with the widening. Mr. Henry went on
to say that a problem of nonconformity really was trying to
get a loan to do any improvements to the property and that
these people were making their livelihood, and had made a
livelihood from these properties for many years. In
addition, thirty plus jobs could be traced to these
businesses and property taxes, etc. were generated by these
businesses. He pleaded with the Commission not to ignore
the reality of the area and further stated that even if the
property owners did wish to annex, they were not contiguous
to the City and could not annex to the City.
16
January 2, 1990
Item No._8 _(Cont inued) .
C.ommissioner Rector stated that the City objective for
Highway 10 was to have a scenic corridor, landscaping,
traffic control, setbacks, etc. to reduce signage and other
elements associated with a commercial strip corridor. To
this end, the City had adopted the Highway 10 Land Use Plan
and, more recently, the Interim Overlay Ordinance to address
these concerns. He further stated that this area would
likely be there forever, nonconforming uses usually do not
go away, and if you zone these areas commercial, additional
areas up and down Highway 10 are likely also to be zoned
commercial.
It was then stated that we already have nonconforming
businesses along Highway 10 within the City limits, and that
it could be considered unfair to treat those areas outside
the City differently from those areas inside the City. Mr.
Lawson asked the Commission if they wished to show the area
on the plan as a commercial area. He further stated that
there had been discussion about using a PUD and that, in the
future, office or commercial use with a PUD is likely to
happen.
Mr. Henry stated that nonconforming uses become less and
less of a positive influence on their surroundings since you
cannot put more money into a nonconforming use, i.e.,
sinking money into a bottomless pit. The Commission asked
Mr. Henry if his clients had any interest in trying to do a
PCD or PUD. He state that his clients were willing to
discuss this with the staff but he could not confirm one way
or another their final position.
There was some discussion over whether or not the issue was
the future value of the land, and whether or not to allow
the continued use of existing commercial establishments.
The Commission asked if the property owners had any other
proposals other than just being opposed to the "R-2". Mr.
Henry stated that the property owners came forth to oppose
the request before the Commission but they, at this time,
had no specific plan.
It was stated by the Commission that
go into effect for commercial zoning
three acre lots for all zoning except
a PCD would have to be used and that
properties could not meet this three
the "C-3" zoning would also be of no
have to be used for major expansions
17
the overlay which would
required a minimum of
for single family, or
all, or most of these,
acre minimum. Thus,
value and a PCD would
or redevelopment.
January 2, 1990
item No. 8 (Continued)
Mr. Henry stated that they were willing to work with" the
City on a PCD but the time frame which they had not dictated
was very limited. Further, he could not state that the
property owners would agree to any given PCD. However, they
would prefer to go from a "C-3" zoning to a PCD, rather than
from "R-2" to a PCD.
Mr. Rector stated that it was his feeling that there should
be some regulations put into effect on this portion of
Highway 10 to make it equivalent to regulations other
property owners up and down Highway 10 were having to meet.
Commissioner McDaniel stated that he did have compassion for
the people making these requests and that all of the
Commission had compassion for their problems. The
Commission continued to discuss the issue and the consensus
was raised that some position needed to be found that would
not place the businesses in a position of being forced out
of business. One possibility suggested was recommending
"R-2" zoning with a resolution passed expressing concerns in
the area of Stone's Market, which the Commission would
express a desire for a re -study of, and -request that the
Planning Commission and Board of Directors sit down to
discuss the issues.
Commissioner Schlereth stated that no matfer what the
Planning Commission did, the Board was not likely, at this
time, to approve any commercial zoning anywhere on
Highway 10.
Mr. Lawson made a suggestion that the Planning Commission
might approve a resolution stating that the area should be
zoned but that they could not agree on how it should be
rezoned and list the concerns the Commission has about the
area.
Mr. Henry stated he had a concern that if the Commission
approved the ordinance, then the Board would not take a very
close look at this area but rather say that the Planning
Commission had approved it and would then approve it.
There was some discussion among the Commissioners on the
exact method which should be used to advance this to the
Board since a split vote would also advance it with a
negative recommendation.
18
January 2, 1990
Item. No. ..8 (Continued)
Mr. Schlereth stated that he did not feel that the State Act
was done in order to allow a City to zone areas outside the
City limits but rather to allow property owners outside the
City limits to zone their property. He said he had similar
concerns about representation.
Commissioner Nicholson stated that she had several concerns
and there were four concerns she felt had been widely
expressed: (1) a lack of services provided to the area when
the zoning is put into place; (2) zoning without
representation; (3) further establishment of conforming use
and that these uses were not likely to go away; and (4) it
was not in the best interest of the City to lose its ability
to zone areas outside the City.
Mr. Henry suggested that the Commission send a resolution to
the Board of Directors stating that they were in favor of
planning for the area but could not support this
application. Mr. Lawson responded that he represented the
applicant, i.e., the City, and that the applicant requested
a vote on the issue.
The question was called and a vote taken, the vote being
6 for, 4 against and 1 absent.
Several Commissioners wished to go on record as to their
vote. Commissioner Oleson stated that she voted for this.
However, she felt the entire area should be zoned "R-2".
Several Commissioners stated that they would like to see a
specific plan come for this area (Stone's Market) to address
the concerns of the property owners and the City. With such
a plan, the Commission could feel more comfortable
considering Planned Unit zoning for these properties.
There was discussion of passing a resolution expressing
reservations the Commission had and that they would like to
look at the land use changes in the area along with the
design considerations that can be achieved and that further
deterioration of the area can be prevented.
A motion was made for staff to look
language so that a PUD could be used
conditions. This was approved by a
abstention and 1 absent.
19
at PUD ordinance
for the existing
vote of 9 for, 1
January 2, 1990
Item .No._.,_. 8 . (Conti nued )
A motion was made by Bill Rector listing the concerns of the
Planning Commission. This resolution would be presented to
the Board of Directors. This motion was approved by a vote
of 9 for, 1 abstention and 1 absent.
Another motion was made, this one stating that all property
owners of any business property becoming nonconforming with
the action of the Board as of the date of the action of the
Board would have six months in which to file an application.
In this time, all fees would be waived. The Planning
Commission approved this motion on a vote of 6 for,
4 against and 1 absent.
STAFF UPDATE:
(December 14, 1989)
The Board of Directors has sent this item back to the
Planning Commission to get your recommendations on whether
to amend the plan and, if so, how.
At the request of the Board of Directors, the Planning staff
developed six options for the Stone's Market area. These
options are based on the same discussion which the
Commission and staff have had to allow the existing
businesses to continue to operate. Staff is proposing that
if the Commission and/or Board wish to go with one of the
options that a plan amendment be made and, to that end, a
second item (#9) is presented to the Commission.
Staff recommends that the zoning item be unchanged, i.e.,
all of the area be zoned "R-2", Single Family Residential,
except for the three "C-1" areas.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (January 2, 1990)
The Planning Commission, having adopted a land use plan
change showing an existing business node on the land use
plans, then proceeded to discuss what action should be taken
to the Zoning Ordinances for the Northwest Extraterritorial
Plan and the Highway -10 Plan areas. They generally agreed
that the Planning Commission would approve PCD's for the
site. However, there was some concern about not having
surveys present for the Commission to review. However,
since the PCD's would request only existing conditions, it
was decided by the Commission to proceed to recommend that
those areas be granted their PCD status if they could submit
the needed materials in the allotted time, prior to Board
action.
20
January 2, 1990
I tem _No_ 8,LCon t i nued )
An amendment to the zoning request was made to continue to
zone the bulk of the area "R-2" except for the existing
business nodes which would be granted PCD status if those
properties could present the needed surveys to designate the
areas for PCD, meeting the PCD short -form requirements. By
a vote of 6 for, 2 against and 2 abstentions, the motion was
approved.
21
January 2, 1990
Item No. 9 - HiEYhway lOfNprthwest Plan Land Use Amendment
Source of Request: Area Business owners
....................................._.......... __..
Request: Change from single family to
commercial
Location: Generally, either side of Highway 10
west of Glenn Johnson Ranch
Development
STAFF REPORT:
This is an area of some ten businesses with residential units
mixed in with them. At least four of the businesses are in,
or on, the same parcel as a single family house and two of the
remaining businesses have no frontage on Highway 10. There
are several businesses which have been in place or have had a
commercial business on the site for several decades.
Unfortunately, many of the businesses do not, cannot and will
not meet the City's requirements even if zoned 11C-3" General
Commercial (some due to use; other due to setbacks, parking,
landscape, etc.).
Staff acknowledges the concerns of the business owners and the
Commission (and Board) about making these properties
residential. Staff also has concerns about zoning the area
commercial since other uses on Highway 10 have not been given
this treatment and the Board's directives have been toward use
of a PCD rather than commercial zoning on Highway 10.
With these items in mind, six options have been presented for
review. These options may meet one group or individual's
desires but not another. (They are not designed necessarily
to make everybody happy.)
The options show varying amounts of commercial for existing
business locations (with PCD required). One Option shows
office use on the north from Patrick County Road to North
Ridge Road. Two other options call for the area to be
Transition Zone in conformance with other parts of Highway 10.
One Option calls for moving an arterial and collector to make
a node at Stone's Market rather than where shown currently to
the east. One option calls for two nodes and a new arterial
to Highway 10. The remaining option calls for each of the
businesses identified to be commercial.
1
January 2, 1990
tem_No_._ 9 (Cont i nued)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Of the six options presented, Staff would recommend that
Option 3 be used if a plan amendment is approved. This
would be consistent with the City's previous actions of
making allowances for other uses of properties along
Cantrell (Highway 10). The Transition Zone was developed
for just this type of area.
2
January 2, 1990
I t.em_ No . 9 ( Cont inped )
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Of the six options presented, Staff would recommend that
Option 3 be used if a plan amendment is approved. This would
be consistent with the City's previous actions of making
allowances for other uses of properties along Cantrell
(Highway 10). The Transition Zone was developed for just this
type of area.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (January 2, 1990)
Jim Lawson, Planning Director, informed the Commission that
the Board of Directors understood that there was only one
unresolved area in the Northwest Extraterritorial zoning which
was the Stone's Market area. The Board had asked for some
alternatives to be developed and that these alternatives be
presented to the Planning Commission for comment and
recommendation to the Board.
Mr. Lawson presented an aerial to the Commission showing the
location of existing businesses and homes in the area due west
of Glenn Johnson Ranch, or the Stone's Market area. He also
presented a graphic showing a mile and one-half stretch of
Highway 10 in which there are located several nonconforming
uses, i.e., businesses which have already been zoned 11R-2" and
thus made nonconforming.
Mr. Lawson went on to present six possible options to leaving
the area 11R-211, Single Family. He stated that these were
proposed changes to the land use plans (Highway 10 and.
Northwest Plans) and could be used as a guide for zoning once
the plan was adopted. All of the six possible options
contemplated that zoning would be through PUD and not 11C-3" or
other commercial districts.
First, options 1 and 2 showed the PUD commercial use along
Highway 10 in the Stone's Market area for commercial with the
exception of the north side from the pharmacy to the Glenn
Johnson Ranch development which would be office in option 1.
Options 3 and 4 show a majority -of the area for transition
plan designation from the Glenn Johnson Ranch node, westward
to include a majority of commercial uses just past Stone's
Market in option 3, with option 4 continuing west to Jim-
Wright's Welding Services property. Option 5 called for
moving the commercial node from its current location west and
moving the arterials and collectors west to make a major
intersection on Highway 10 approximately at Stone's Market.
2
January 2, 1990
Item No. 9 (Cntinued}
..._........_
There is a problem with this alternative in that at least one
property owner has expressed opposition to this change (Deltic
Farm and Timber). Option 6 called for adding a collector or
arterial from the proposed north/south arterial through the
Stone's Market area and north. The only problem with this
alternative is uncertainty that the road could be built due to
existing ownership patterns. The road construction would
depend on the participation of owners not involved in this
process.
Mr. Lawson went on to state that the area, though having
numerous commercial uses, also has several homes and could be
accurately portrayed as a mixed land use area currently. In
response to a question, Mr. Lawson stated that in Option 1,
the reason for showing office for the church area was that
there was a large area of "0-2" zoning currently to the east
of this property which is the Glenn Johnson Ranch Development,
and the site west of the church is a mixed commercial/office
business.
In response to another Commission question, Mr. Lawson stated
that the Stone's Market area was grouped a little bit more
than the other nonconforming uses in the City along
Highway 10. However, he did have some concerns about zoning
this area and if that would be treating this area differently
from other areas on Highway 10 and other parts of the City.
He recommended trying to treat all areas similarly. He went
on to state that the Commission had the opportunity at this
time to adopt or recommend one of the six options; recommend
that the plan be changed to one of the options; and/or a plan
change and the zoning of the area be changed from 11R-2" to
some other classification.
Next to speak was Mr. David Henry, the attorney for several
property owners along Highway 10 in the Stone's Market area.
Mr. Henry stated that these proposals had been reviewed and
that the Board probably had requested these options be
developed in response to the Planning Commission's Resolution
of Concern about the Stone's Market area. He went on to say
that his clients, of course, would prefer Option 2 which shows
all their properties as commercial and would submit to the PCD
short -form requirement. He asked the Commission to vote to
make the land use plan change and zone the area. He stated
that not zoning the area, thus making it nonconforming, was a
hardship for his clients. He went on to state that if there
were other nonconforming uses along Highway 10 or other
locations which were good commercial sites, they possibly
should be rezoned to make them conforming. He further stated
that the City should zone these properties to the highest and
best use, which is commercial, and not use a broad brush
3
January 2, 1990
Item No. 9 Continued
. _._ ... �. �..-..__ --- .................._ �_..
approach of zoning the entire area 11R-211. By zoning this area
for commercial uses, it would help prevent the area from
running down and, for that matter, help improve the area as a
whole. Mr. Henry said that by zoning the area, then those
uses which do not now meet current zoning or overlay standards
could be combined and thus come up to meet City standards
which was the goal of the City in order to have quality
development in the area. This was in response to Commissioner
Oleson's question of, What was the intent of the property
owners - to just keep their development as is, or did they
want to get some future development potential from their
property? Mr. Henry went on to state that they did not want
Highway 10 to be a commercial strip from one end to the other.
He stated that their intentions were the same as those which
have been expressed by the City.
At this point, Mr. Lawson was asked about three paragraphs
entitled "Existing Business Nodes". Text as follows:
"The "existing business node" concept is a new idea
for land use plans in the City of Little Rock. This
business node is not based on the intersection of
major arterials as is the Highway 10 Land Use Plan,
but,is based on the existence of development at the
time it is zoned by the City. The mere existence of
commercial property prior to the zoning is not the
key to this concept but the existence of an unusual
concentration of these businesses is the reason for
the argument that a "node" does exist.
By identifying the business concentration as an
existing condition, the argument could be made that
the future redevelopment of the property could be
limited to the area that was defined as the
"existing business node" and would not create the
opportunity for widespread commercial development
beyond the node area.
The Highway 10 Plan was based on the theory that if
you did not tie commercial uses to the major
intersections, there were enough commercial existing
uses along the highway that the City would not be
able to prevent the commercial stripping of
Highway 10."
Mr. Lawson stated that the problem was that in the Highway 10
Plan, all commercial was concentrated at major intersections and
only Options 5 or 6 would meet this requirement. However, by
creating this new district of an existing commercial node, the
City could indicate this was a unique area which had been in
rd
January 2, 1990
Item N o .
.9._(.0 o n t n u ed..) -
place
d)_
place for many years, but that the parcels on either side of
this unique commercial or business area were not necessarily
entitled to be commercial just because the parcels within the
existing nodes were made commercial.
In response to another question about the 'INC" designation on
the graphic (NC standing for neighborhood commercial) and the
difference between that and the business node or commercial
zoning, Mr. Lawson stated that several of the uses in the
Stone's Market area could not meet the neighborhood commercial
requirement since they were higher or more intense uses and,
ideally, a neighborhood commercial area is 5 to 10 acres as
this area is around 20 acres. Mr. Lawson went on to state
that the staff felt that the transition zone was the best and
most consistent option based on the existing Highway 10 Plan.
Commissioner Schlereth agreed with the statement but suggested
that commercial should be included with office and residential
as options within the transition zone.
Ms. Ruth Bell, representing the League of Women Voters, spoke
next. She stated that the League had previously supported the
Highway 10 Plan for areas inside the City. She said that if
this alternative zone were rezoned along with the rest of the
area along Highway 10, and if this resulted in a de facto
zoning of all of Highway 10 to commercial, thus -changing the
intent of the Highway 10 Plan, then possibly the City should
more closely examine the proposal and possibly even restudy
the Highway 10 District Plan before taking action which could
completely change the Highway 10 Plan.
Mr. Lawson stated that there was another possibility which the
Commission might consider and that was to state that in all
areas of the City having overlay zones, if there were some
nonconforming use, i.e., business, in a transition zone, then
it would be allowable to physically remove this business or
demolish the structure, and rebuild on the site, or a combined
site, as long as the final result met the overlay
requirements. A site could be joined or combined with
adjacent land in order to help meet the requirement, but a new
parcel which was not nonconforming could not have a
nonconforming structure built on it, i.e., a site currently
conforming could not be made nonconforming.
Mr. Henry stated that he and his clients did not wish to see
Highway 10 stripped out, but they did feel that their location
was unique and should not be considered the same as the other
nonconforming uses along Highway 10 due to the concentration
of businesses. This area, the Stone's Market area, has been
5
January 2, 1990
1tem No. 9 (Cantinued)
and is considered a commercial area by the local people. He
went on to state that this could be a blueprint which could
potentially used for the Pankey Commercial area.
Mr. Lawson broke in and stated that he did not believe it was
the Board's intent necessarily to use anything that concerned
Stone's Market area as a blueprint for what could be done in
Pankey or any other location along Highway 10. He said that
the Board was only trying to address problems and concerns in
the Stone's Market area.
The Commission asked if there were other areas along
Highway 10 which should be included in the plan as existing
commercial nodes in addition to the Stone's Market area. Mr.
Lawson responded by saying that staff did not feel there were
any other significant concentrations of nonconforming
businesses on Highway 10 which should receive this
designation. There was further discussion about allowing
redevelopment of the nonconforming uses to meet the transition
zone and overlay zone requirements. However, there was great
concern that this could lead to stripping out Highway 10.
Commissioner McDaniel said that he supported option 2 and
wanted to know why this was not an appropriate option.
Commissioner Leek stated that he had a problem with option 2
because it left a gray area which could result in stripping
out commercial zoning along Highway 10. Options 5 and 6 were
probably the best as they showed nodes except for the Wright
Welding Service property.
Mr. Henry stated, in response to a question, that his clients
were willing to build the street shown on options 5 and 6
adjacent to their properties but could not at this time
guarantee the connection since he did not represent the
intervening property owners.
Mr. Lawson stated that if options 5 or 6 were recommended to
the Board, then a Master Street Plan amendment needed to be
developed and advertised for a later date. The commercial
properties would be submitted later as a PCD, with an existing
survey showing existing building footprints, before going on
to the Board with commercial PCD for the existing commercial
designations.
After some more discussion among the Planning Commissioners, a
motion was made to recommend that the Highway 10 and Northwest
Land Use Plans be amended in the Stone's Market area to
recognize the existing commercial node, absent the Wright
Welding Services shop, and that the verbiage in the three
6
January 2, 1990
Item. No. 9 Continued
paragraphs entitled "Existing Business Nodes" be incorporated
into the Highway 10 and Northwest Extraterritorial Plans.
Further, that the area be zoned PCD if surveys are provided to
the City staff in time before the Board hearing for PCD
requirement.
Following this, there was great discussion about the verbiage
within the "Existing Business Nodes" section being added to
the Plans and there was an amendment made to that section.
The last sentence of the first paragraph was amended to read
as follows:
"The mere existence of commercial property prior to
the zoning is not the key to this concept, but the
existence of a sufficient concentration of
businesses on both sides of the highway which are
contiguous, or in close proximity, is the reason for
the argument that a "node" does exist."
A motion was made to add the language as stated in the three
paragraphs of the Highway 10 Plan. By a vote of 9 for,
0 against, 1 abstention (Kathleen Oleson) and 1 absent, the
motion was approved.
A second motion was made to amend the Highway 10 Plan to
incorporate those areas shown in option 2 for commercial use
under the condition of the just adopted existing business node
verbiage with the exception of the Wright Welding Services
property. Mr. Henry stated that he had some concern that
since the group of property owners had come together and
worked together to try to get this area zoned to a proper
designation, they felt that all their properties should be
included since they met the contiguous requirement of the
verbiage.
Mrs. Wright was asked about the size of her property. She
stated that the welding shop was on a two -acre parcel and that
their home was located on the same property.
There was some discussion about the Turtle Creek Pottery Shop
which did not have access to Highway 10 but access via a
private easement and could also get access on the west via the
Stone's Market property. Since there was some problem about
both of these properties, the motion was amended to exclude
the Turtle Creek Pottery Shop as well as the Wright Welding
Service. By a vote of 9 for, 1 against and 1 absent, the
motion was approved.
7
January 2, 1990
Item_No. 9 (Continued)___
A motion was then made to recommend that the Welding Service
be included in the existing business node which had previously
been approved. Mrs. Wright then spoke and stated that Wright
Welding was being judged'based on welding shops which the
staff and Commission had seen in other areas, and that her
business was much higher quality in appearance, that the
buildings would be bricked, and there would be no outside
storage of material as can be seen at several other sites.
After some discussion among the Commission members, the motion
was denied by a vote of 3 in favor, 7 against, and 1 absent.
Subsequently, there was a motion made that the Highway 10 Plan
be amended to include the Turtle Creek Pottery Shop in the
existing business node previously approved. Mr. Henry stated
that Turtle Creek Pottery was both a business and a home, and
that the property owner did have concerns about becoming a
nonconforming use and the limitations that would put on their
property, and that a PCD would put a limit on the property ,
allow only the pottery shop, and that if some other use was
proposed, it would have to come back to the City for approval.
The Commission then voted 3 in favor and 7 against including
the pottery shop in the business node.
Mr. Henry was told that the Board
consider including both the Wright
Pottery in the commercial node if
wished at the time the rest of the
presented to them, most likely on
C�
would have an opportunity to
Welding and Turtle Creek
the Board of Directors so
commercial node was
January 16, 1990.
STONE'S MARKET AREA
There are basically two ways to deal with the Stone's Market
area through the extraterritorial zoning process. These
are:
1. Zone the property R-2 and establish the -businesses
as nonconforming uses. (The Highway 10 Plan would
continue to show residential or it could be amended to
show a transition zone.)
2. Zone the property PCD to legitimize the existing uses.
(The Highway 10 Plan would show an existing business
node.) The zoning would incorporate the existing
buildings, parking areas and access points. No future
expansions would be authorized by this action. When
future PCD zoning occurs on the property, all overlay
standards shall be met.
OPTION 1 ZONING R-2
Advantages
This option would be the easiest of the two options to
implement. No major changes would be made to the Highway 10
Plan and the property would not be dealt with any
differently than the other property in this 11 mile area.
This option is easily justified in that it is not a
departure from the Highway 10 Plan Map which shows most of
the commercial nodes at the major arterial intersections.
Disadvantaae
This option does not deal with the implementation of the
Highway 10 Plan objectives of:
1. Creation of Parkway Atmosphere
Setbacks
Landscaping
Tree Plantings
2. Minimizing Curb Cuts
3. Redevelopment Opportunities
4. Limit Small Lot Developments
More than likely this option will create permanent
nonconforming business locations. They will not want to
lose their nonconforming status because they would be zoned
R-2. Their market value would be somewhat limited due to
their status.
Most of these uses are located very close to Highway 10.
These uses would not meet the overlay standards, and would
not likely be redeveloped to fall within the overlay
standards. The only possible conversion would be to office
uses. However, the land owner would probably prefer to keep
a nonconforming commercial use rather than a zoned office
use with the increased land development costs incurred
through the overlay standards. Hence, it appears that the
City would have a substantial area in which the overlay
standards would not be met, taking away from the impact of
the Scenic Corridor development.
It is significant to note where this node is located. It is
just west of the Glen Johnson Ranch area which will be
redeveloped into a major office, commercial and residential
development. If redeveloped correctly, the Stone's area
could carry the standards set by the Johnson Ranch westward.
Its impact on the corridor between the ranch and the next
node at Chenal Parkway could be significant.
OPTION 2 ZONING TO PCD
Advantaaes
This option would allow the businesses to maintain their
current status without the fear of not being able to rebuild
if burned. It would make their existing business
legitimate.
It would provide the incentive for future redevelopment of
their property through the PCD process. (This option amends
the Highway 10 Plan to allow for future zoning.) The land
owners would be able to combine lots for larger tracts,
better setbacks, fewer curb cuts, burming, increased
landscaping and buffering between uses. None of these
standards are in the existing uses.
Disadvantages
The major disadvantage is that this is a new approach to
implementing the Highway 10 Plan. It needs to be carefully
looked at and implemented. It means that if the "Existing
Business Node" is shown on the Plan, the City will have to
stick to it and not allow future expansion of the node which
will lead to strip commercial. However, sticking to the
intent of the Highway 10 Plan has always been necessary to
prevent strip commercial.
STONE'S MARKET AREA
There are basically two ways to deal with the Stone's Market
area through the extraterritorial zoning process. These
are:
1. Zone the property R-2 and establish the businesses
as nonconforming uses. (The Highway 10 Plan would
continue to show residential or it could be amended to
show a transition zone.)
2. Zone the property PCD to legitimize the existing uses.
(The Highway 10 Plan would show an existing business
node.) The zoning would incorporate the existing
buildings, parking areas and access points. No future
expansions would be authorized by this action. When
future PCD zoning occurs on the property, all overlay
standards shall be met.
OPTION 1 ZONING R-2
Advantages
This option would be the easiest of the two options to
implement. No major changes would be made to the Highway 10
Plan and the property would not be dealt with any
differently than the other property in this 11 mile area.
This option is easily justified in that it is not a
departure from the Highway 10 Plan Map which shows most of
the commercial nodes at the major arterial intersections.
Disadvantages
This option does not deal with the implementation of the
Highway 10 Plan objectives of:
1. Creation of Parkway Atmosphere
Setbacks
Landscaping
Tree Plantings
2. Minimizing Curb Cuts
3. Redevelopment Opportunities
4. Limit Small Lot Developments
More than likely this option will create permanent
nonconforming business locations. They will not want to
lose their nonconforming status because they would be zoned
R-2. Their market value would be somewhat limited due to
their status.
Most of these uses are located very close to Highway 10.
These uses would not meet the overlay standards, and would
not likely be redeveloped to fall within the overlay
standards. The only possible conversion would be to office
uses. However, the land owner would probably prefer to keep
a nonconforming commercial use rather than a zoned office
use with the increased land development costs incurred
through the overlay standards. Hence, it appears that the
City would have a substantial area in which the overlay
standards would not be met, taking away from the impact of
the Scenic Corridor development.
It is significant to note where this node is located. It is
just west of the Glen Johnson Ranch area which will be
redeveloped into a major office, commercial and residential
development. If redeveloped correctly, the Stone's area
could carry the standards set by the Johnson Ranch westward.
Its impact on the corridor between the ranch and the next
node at Chenal Parkway could be significant.
OPTION 2 ZONING TO PCD
Advantaaes
This option would allow the businesses to maintain their
current status without the fear of not being able to rebuild
if burned. It would make their existing business
legitimate.
It would provide the incentive for future redevelopment of
their property through the PCD process. (This option amends
the Highway 10 Plan to allow for future zoning.) The land
owners would be able to combine lots for larger tracts,
better setbacks, fewer curb cuts, burming, increased
landscaping and buffering between uses. None of these
standards are in the existing uses.
Disadvantages
The major disadvantage is that this is a new approach to
implementing the Highway 10 Plan. It needs to be carefully
looked at and implemented. It means that if the "Existing
Business Node" is shown on the Plan, the City will have to
stick to it and not allow future expansion of the node which
will lead to strip commercial. However, sticking to the
intent of the Highway 10 Plan has always been necessary to
prevent strip commercial.
STONE'S MARKET AREA
There are basically two ways to deal with the Stone's Market
area through the extraterritorial zoning process. These
are:
1. Zone the property R-2 and establish the businesses
as nonconforming uses. (The Highway 10 Plan would
continue to show residential or it could be amended to
show a transition zone.)
2. Zone the property PCD to legitimize the existing uses.
(The Highway 10 Plan would show an existing business
node.) The zoning would incorporate the existing
buildings, parking areas and access points. No future
expansions would be authorized by this action. When
future PCD zoning occurs on the property, all overlay
standards shall be met.
OPTION 1 ZONING R-2
Advantages
This option would be the easiest of the two options to
implement. No major changes would be made to the Highway 10
Plan and the property would not be dealt with any
differently than the other property in this 11 mile area.
This option is easily justified in that it is not a
departure from the Highway 10 Plan Map which shows most of
the commercial nodes at the major arterial intersections.
Disadvantages
This option does not deal with the implementation of the
Highway 10 Plan objectives of:
1. Creation of Parkway Atmosphere
Setbacks
Landscaping
Tree Plantings
2. Minimizing Curb Cuts
3. Redevelopment Opportunities
4. Limit Small Lot Developments
More than likely this option will create permanent
nonconforming business locations. They will not want to
lose their nonconforming status because they would be zoned
R-2. Their market value would be somewhat limited due to
their status.
Most of these uses are located very close to Highway 10.
These uses would not meet the overlay standards, and would
not likely be redeveloped to fall within the overlay
standards. The only possible conversion would be to office
uses. However, the land owner would probably prefer to keep
a nonconforming commercial use rather than a zoned office
use with the increased land development costs incurred
through the overlay standards. Hence, it appears that the
City would have a substantial area in which the overlay
standards would not be met, taking away from the impact of
the Scenic Corridor development.
It is significant to note where this node is located. It is
just west of the Glen Johnson Ranch area which will be
redeveloped into a major office, commercial and residential
development. If redeveloped correctly, the Stone's area
could carry the standards set by the Johnson Ranch westward.
Its impact on the corridor between the ranch and the next
node at Chenal Parkway could be significant.
OPTION 2 ZONING TO PCD
Advantages
This option would allow the businesses to maintain their
current status without the fear of not being able to rebuild
if burned. It would make their existing business
legitimate.
It would provide the incentive for future redevelopment of
their property through the PCD process. (This option amends
the Highway 10 Plan to allow for future zoning.) The land
owners would be able to combine lots for larger tracts,
better setbacks, fewer curb cuts, burming, increased
landscaping and buffering between uses. None of these
standards are in the existing uses.
Disadvantages
The major disadvantage is that this is a new approach to
implementing the Highway 10 Plan. It needs to be carefully
looked at and implemented. It means that if the "Existing
Business Node" is shown on the Plan, the City will have to
stick to it and not allow future expansion of the node which
will lead to strip commercial. However, sticking to the
intent of the Highway 10 Plan has always been necessary to
prevent strip commercial.
Continued
A motion was made for staff to look at PUD ordinance
language so that a PUD could be used for the existing
conditions. This was approved by a vote of 9 for, 1
abstention and 1 absent.
A motion was made by Bill Rector listing the concerns of the
Planning Commission. This resolution would be presented to
the Board of Directors. This motion was approved by a vote
of 9 for, 1 abstention and 1 absent.
Another motion was made, this one stating that all property
owners of any business property becoming nonconforming with
the action of the Board as of the date of the action of the
Board would have six months in which to file an application.
In this time, all fees would be waived. The Planning
Commission approved this motion on a vote of 6 for,
4 against and 1 absent.
STAFF UPDATE:
(December 14, 1989)
The Board of Directors has sent this item back to the
Planning Commission to get your recommendations on whether
to amend the plan and, if so, how.
At the request of the Board of Directors, the Planning staff
developed six options for the Stone's Market area. These
options are based on the same discussion which the
Commission and staff have had to allow the existing
businesses to continue to operate. Staff is proposing that
if the Commission and/or Board wish to go with one of the -
options that a plan amendment be made and, to that end, a
second item (#9) is presented to the Commission.
Staff recommends that the zoning item be unchanged, i.e.,
all of the area be zoned 11R-211, Single Family Residential,
except for the three 11C-1" areas.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (January 2, 1990)
The Planning Commission, having adopted a land use plan
change showing an existing business node on the land use
plans, then proceeded to discuss what action should be taken
to the Zoning Ordinances for the Northwest Extraterritorial
Plan and the Highway 10 Plan areas. They generally agreed
that the Planning Commission would approve PCD's for the
site. However, there was some concern about not having
surveys present for the Commission to review. However,
since the PCD's would request only existing conditions, it
18
(Continued
was decided by the Commission to proceed to recommend that
those areas be granted their PCD status if they could submit
the needed materials in the allotted time, prior to Board
action.
An amendment to the zoning request was made to continue to
zone the bulk of the area "R-2" except for the existing
business nodes which would be granted PCD status if those
properties could present the needed surveys to designate the
areas for PCD, meeting the PCD short -form requirements. By
a vote of 6 for, 2 against and 2 abstentions, the motion was
approved.
19