HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5706 Staff AnalysisJuly 27, 1993
ITEM Z - 57Q6
Owner:
Applicant:
Location:
Request:
Purpose:
Size:
Existing Use:
Abraham Carpenter
Abraham Carpenter
Wright Avenue and Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Drive
Rezone from R-4 to C-3
Commercial
0.46 acres
Vacant and Single -Family
North - Single -Family, zoned R-3
South - Single -Family and Commercial, zoned R-6 and C-3
East - Single -Family and Commercial, zoned R-3 and C-3
West - Vacant and Single -Family, zoned R-3 and 0-1
STAFF ANALYSIS
The request before the Commission involves three lots; one
on Wright Avenue and two on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Drive., and the proposal is to rezone all three lots to C-3
for future use. The owner of the lots under consideration
also owns the C-3 property right at the corner of the two
streets and his plans are to expand the existing development
on the C-3 lots, which is a single building and parking.
Two of the lots are occupied by single family residences and
the third lot, directly north of the C-3, has a drainage
ditch bisecting it.
The existing zoning is very mixed and is R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6,
0-1, 0-3 and C-3. At the intersection, three of the corners
are zoned C-3 and the remaining corner, the southeast, is
zoned R-6. The three lots in question abut 0-3 and 0-1
lots. The most recent zoning effort was initiated by a
neighborhood association and involved a number of lots that
were reclassified from R-4 to R-3. Land use is very similar
to the zoning and includes single family, multifamily,
churches, a funeral home, commercial, a car wash, and
Arkansas Baptist College. There are a number of vacant lots
and several abandoned buildings found throughout the
neighborhood.
In older neighborhoods, encouraging redevelopment and
private reinvestment must be viewed as a high priority, and
staff feels that the proposed reclassification is one method
July 27, 1993
ITEM O.: 3 Z-570 (ContJ
of achieving this goal. The owner has already made a
substantial commitment to the neighborhood through the
existing commercial investment; his long range plans and
continued involvement should be aided by the city through
the endorsement of this zoning request. It is the staff's
assessment that expanding the commercial node at the
intersection will not have adverse impact on the surrounding
properties, and could have a positive effect by helping to
stabilize the immediate area.
One possible drawback to this request is the loss of housing
units, if the owner's plans are carried through. Staff is
of an opinion that this is a minor issue because the city
has several programs which provide funds for developing or
rebuilding residences. Other than private investment, there
are very few sources available to assist an individual with
commercial redevelopment in a central core neighborhood.
Because of this factor, the possibility of new commercial
development needs to outweigh the removal of two residential
units.
LAND 2SE PLAN ELEMENT
The request is in the Central Little Rock District. The
adopted plan calls for commercial at the intersection with
mixed use to the west and single family to the north. The
request can be viewed as an expansion of the node and in
conformance. (The Commission may wish to consider whether
it would be appropriate to draw a line with this case along
Martin Luther King Drive to prevent commercial stripping of
that street.)
EMQINEERING COMMENT.$
There are none to be reported.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the requested C-3 rezoning for
all three lots.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
The applicant was present.
attendance. As part of the
voted to recommend approval
requested. The vote was 7
(JULY 27, 1993)
There were no objectors in
Consent Agenda, the Commission
of the C-3 rezoning as
ayes, 0 nays and 4 absent.
2