HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5287-A Staff AnalysisMay 18, 1998
tem No.: 1
File No.: Z -5287-A
Owner: William T. Murry, III and
William T. Murry, Jr.
Address: 5922 S. University Avenue
Description: Part of Lot 5 of Subdivision of
South 1/2, NE 1/4, NE 1/4, Section
25, T -1-N, R -13-W
Zoned• C-4
Variance Requested:
A variance is requested from the
screening requirement of Section
36-302 to permit outside storage of
crated merchandise without
screening.
Justification:
Applicant's Statement: As a
regular part of business, we have
stored crated, yet assembled
motorcycles. ATVs and personal
watercraft on the surrounding
parking lots. In the early spring
there is a great number of crated
machines. This is the safest way
to store the vehicles keeping them
out of the weather and making them
more difficult to steal. These
machines are uncrated as needed and
the area once needed for crate
storage is needed for the display
of uncrated vehicles. Considering
the fluctuating need for the safe
storage of crated vehicles of code
36-302(b)(4) and let the dollars
that would be required to meet the
code be used for more productive
projects such as landscaping and
other improvements to strengthen
the South University Avenue
business district.
Present Use of Pro ert ;
Retail Sales of Motorcycles, ATV's
and Watercraft
Proposed Use of Property:
Retail Sales of Motorcycles, ATV's
and Watercraft
May 18, 1998
Item No.: 1 (Cont.
Staff _Re -Oirt :
A. Public Works Issues:
1. University Avenue is listed on the Master Street Plan
as a principal arterial, dedication of right-of-way to
55 feet from centerline will be required.
2. Mabelvale Pike is listed on the Master Street Plan as a
collector street. Dedicate right-of-way to 30 feet
from centerline.
H. Staff Analvsis:
The C-4 zoned property at 5922 S. University Avenue is
occupied by Kawasaki Sports Center, a business which
specializes in the sales of motorcycles, ATV's and personal
watercraft. Many such items are displayed for sale on the
lot. The display and sales of these items is a permitted
use in the C-4 district. The business also stores many
crates of merchandise on the property. The crated
merchandise is stored outside of the building and is visible
from both the University Avenue side and Mabelvale Pike side
of the property. Section 36-302(b)(4) states:
"No article or material stored or offered for
sale in connection with the permitted or
conditional uses listed herein shall be stored
or displayed outside the confines of a
building unless it is so screened by a
permanent opaque screening fence or wall so
that it cannot be seen from an adjoining lot.
The following screening and display criteria
shall apply to uses located in the C-4 open
display district:
a. Automobile, truck, tractor, mobile home,
boat or motorcycle sales areas are not
required to screen fully assembled
merchandise which is ready for sale."
It is staff's interpretation that the outdoor storage of the
crated merchandise should be screened. The applicant is
requesting a variance of that requirement.
It is the applicant's contention that opaque screening would
lead to theft since there is not enough room in the building
to place the crates. The storage/display area is enclosed
by a chain link fence which allows for observation of any
unauthorized activity on the site.
Staff is basically supportive of the request with one
modification. The site is located along the heavily
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May 18, 1998
Item No.: 1 (Cont.
commercial S. University Avenue. This area of S. University
is characterized by open display businesses including
automobile, boat and home sales. Allowing the crate storage
does not appear to negatively impact the University Avenue
visibility. However, the site also fronts onto Mabelvale
Pike and single family homes are located directly across the
street from the back of the Kawasaki dealership. It is the
visibility from this residential area which concerns staff.
If the site had been developed to conform to current code
standards, screening of the residential property would be
required. Since the applicant is now asking to store crated
material outside, staff believes it is reasonable to require
some screening of the rear of the site. This screening can
take the form of vegetation which would provide a visual
screen and would also be more aesthetically pleasing than a
solid board fence. There is a driveway access on the rear
which would still provide some visibility for security
purposes and there would be no screening to limit visibility
from the sides or the University Avenue frontage.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends denial of the application, as filed.
Staff recommends that screening be placed along the
Mabelvale Pike frontage to provide screening to those
residential properties located across the street.
HOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(MAY 18, 1998)
The applicant, Tom Murry, was present. There were no objectors
present. Staff presented the item and the recommendation noted
above. Staff suggested that the screening along the Mabelvale
Pike side could take the form of vegetation rather than a solid
wood fence.
Mr. Murry addressed the Board and stated that he agreed with
staff's recommendation. A discussion then followed regarding
what type of plantings would be appropriate along the Mabelvale
Pike perimeter. It was determined that shrubbery planted every 3
feet and trees every 40 feet would be appropriate. The shrubbery
is to be 3 feet tall (5 gal. size) at planting. Mr. Murry agreed
to this arrangement.
Tad Borkowski, of Public Works, stated that after conferring with
the City Attorney, it was determined that right-of-way dedication
would not be required as a result of this particular variance
issue.
A motion was made to grant a variance so that screening will not
be required on the University Avenue (east) side or the north and
south perimeters subject to screening being installed on the
Mabelvale Pike (west) perimeter. The screening on the Mabelvale
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May 18, 1998
Item No.:
Pike perimeter
discussed. The
and 0 absent.
Cont.
is to be in the form of the planting as was
motion was approved by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes
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