HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5236-B Staff AnalysisMarch 15, 2007
ITEM NO.: 5 FILE NO.: Z -5236-B
NAME: Wakefield Elementary School — Revised Conditional
Use Permit
LOCATION: 75 Westminister Drive
OWNER/APPLICANT: Little Rock School District/Allison Architects
PROPOSAL: A revision to a previously approved conditional use
permit is requested to allow for construction of a
classroom addition. The property is zoned R-2.
SITE LOCATION:
The school is located on the southeast corner of Lancaster Road and
Westminister Drive, approximately'/ mile south of West 65th Street.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
A school has been a part of the neighborhood at this location for many
years. The school was rebuilt three years ago after a fire destroyed much
of the building. The proposed classroom addition onto the existing
building will not affect the school's continued compatibility with the
surrounding R-2 zoned, single family neighborhood.
All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents
within 300 feet of the site who could be identified and the SWLR United for
Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
The school currently has 28 classrooms and 50 employees; requiring 78
on-site parking spaces. There are 66 parking spaces and a separate bus
lane on site. A variance was granted with the 2003 C.U.P. approval. The
six classroom addition will require an additional 12 parking spaces. No
new spaces are proposed. Staff supports a continued variance to allow a
reduction in the number of required parking spaces for this neighborhood
school.
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
Compliance with the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinance is required.
A land use buffer averaging thirty-three (33) feet in width, with at least
seventy percent (70%) to remain undisturbed is required on the east
March 15, 2007
ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.
FILE NO.: Z -5236-B
perimeter where adjacent to residential property. Screening is required on
the east perimeter; either a six (6) foot wood fence or dense evergreen
plantings.
5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
1. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in
the public right-of-way prior to occupancy.
2. At the time of building permit, additional storm water detention will be
required to be provided.
6. UTILITY. FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
Wastewater: Sewer available to this property.
Entergy: Approved as submitted.
CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received.
AT&T (SBC): No Comments received.
Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water
meter(s) are needed. A Capital Investment Charge based on the size
of the meter connection(s) will apply to this project in addition to normal
charges for larger and additional meter(s).
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Planning: No Comments.
CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 22, 2007)
The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted little additional
information was needed. In response to a question, the applicant stated the
building addition would be constructed to match the existing building. Staff noted
buffer and screening would be required on the east side of the addition where the
site is adjacent to single family residences.
Public Works and Utility Comments were noted.
There was no further discussion and the Committee forwarded the item to the full
Commission.
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March 15, 2007
ITEM NO.: 5 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -5236-B
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Wakefield Elementary School is located on the 6± -acre, R-2 zoned tract at 75
Westminister Drive. In 2002, the previous elementary school was destroyed by
fire. In 2003, a C.U.P. was approved to allow for construction of a new school.
The existing school was completed in August 2004. The Little Rock School
District now proposes to construct a six room addition onto the existing 28
classroom school. The addition will be placed on the east end of the building and
will be constructed of materials to match the existing building. No other changes
are proposed to the site.
Staff is supportive of the request. The applicant has agreed to place screening in
the land use buffer east of the addition. To staff's knowledge, there are no
outstanding issues. This unplatted, acreage tract is not covered by a bill of
assurance.
At the time of the 2003 C.U.P. approval, the Commission granted a variance to
allow a reduction in the number of on-site parking spaces. Staff recommends
approval of a similar variance for this six room addition.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P subject to compliance with
the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff
report.
Staff recommends approval of a parking variance to allow a reduction in the
number of on site parking spaces.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(MARCH 15, 2007)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
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 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent.
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