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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5737-B Staff AnalysisFebruary 17, 2000 ITEM NO.: 16 FILE NO.: Z -5737-B NAME: Faith Lutheran Church - Revised Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 7525 West Markham OWNER/APPLICANT: Faith Lutheran Church/Darrel Odom of Odom & Associates PROPOSAL: To amend an existing C.U.P. for a two story 5,664 square foot addition to the north side of the existing building, resulting in a new seating capacity of 235 people, on property zoned R-2, Single Family Residential, located at 7525 West Markham Street. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. SITE LOCATION: This site is located on the southeast corner of Mississippi Avenue and West Markham Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: This site is zoned R-2, Single Family Residential, and is surrounded by R-2 zoning and a well established neighborhood. No Parking would be added and the addition would be within existing church property and meet all setback requirements. The new building would be adjacent to, and quite visible from, Markham. Faith Lutheran has existed at this site since approximately 1973. Staff believes this church has been, and would continue to be compatible with the neighborhood. The Briarwood Neighborhood Association and the Apache Crime Watch were notified of the Public Hearing. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: There would be no changes to the existing access drives or parking. There exists one access from both Markham and Mississippi. The church already has 74 parking spaces February 17, 2000 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16 FILE NO.: Z -5737-B compared to a minimum ordinance requirement of 59 spaces for the proposed increased seating capacity of 235. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Complete the screening along the north half of the east property line. A 6 foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence'wi.th its face side directed outward, or dense evergreen planting would be required. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: a. Markham and Mississippi are listed on the Master Street Plan as minor arterials. A dedication of right-of-way to 40 feet from centerline is required on both. b. A 20 feet radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the corner of Markham and Mississippi. c. Provide design of streets conforming to "MSP" (Master Street Plan). Construct one-half street improvement to these streets including 5 -foot sidewalks with planned development. d. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. e. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. f. Prepare a letter of pending development addressing street lights as required by Section 31-403 of the Little Rock Code. All requests should be forwarded to Traffic Engineering. g. Markham has a 1996 average daily traffic count of 18,000. h. Mississippi has a 1996 average daily traffic count of 11,000. 6. UTILITY AND FIRE DEPT. COMMENTS: Water: Contact the Water Works if additional water service is required. Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Southwestern Bell: No comments received. 2 February 17, 2000 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16 FILE NO.: Z -5737-B AFd.KT.A, • Approved as submitted. Entergy: No comments received. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. LATA: No comments received. 7. STAFF ANALYSIS: The applicant has requested to amend an existing conditional use permit to add a 5,664 square foot, two story addition to the north side of the existing church, facing Markham. That would increase the sanctuary seating from 200 to 235. The property is zoned R-2, Single Family Residential. The original C.U.P. for the church was approved in October 1993 when they requested an increase in the parking area. The revised proposed plan would meet all setback and height, as well as parking ordinance requirements. The addition would include space for a nursery, youth area, choir room, library, offices, and a new sanctuary. The plan includes a 70 foot tall steeple, which is the maximum allowed height for a steeple in R-2. The current church does not have any steeple. The exterior of the addition would be different than now exists. It would have dryvit and split faced block wall exterior and a sloped shingle roof. Their intent is to make the structure look in their words, "more like a church ... rather than like an office building." The church has asked for a waiver to constructing street improvements to widen Mississippi. Their justification included referring to the fact that the City had already funded a project to do the work and then canceled it and released other people from these requirements, the lack of benefit to them as they see it, and the hardship caused since they feel the added cost would likely stop the project. 3 February 17, 2000 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16 FILE NO.: Z -5737-B Staff believes the church will remain compatible with the neighborhood even with a larger church, as long as proper screening is installed along the east property line. 8. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: a. Comply with the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinances. b. Comply with Public Works Comments. b. All exterior lighting must be low intensity and directed downward and inward to the property and not towards any residential zoned area. Staff supports the request for waiver of street improvements. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS: (JANUARY 27, 2000) No one was present representing the application. Staff gave a brief description of the proposal. There was a brief discussion with the Committee regarding the issue of street improvements and the original proposed height of the steeple. There being no further issues, proposal and forwarded the item action. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: the Committee accepted the to the full Commission for final (FEBRUARY 17, 2000) Darrel Odom was present representing the application. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation for approval subject to compliance with the conditions listed under "Staff Recommendation," paragraph 8 above. Staff also recommended approval of the requested waiver of street improvements. Mr. Bob Turner, interim Director of Public Works, explained their support of the waiver of street improvements was based on the fact that the Board of Directors 4 February 17, 2000 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16 FILE NO.: Z -5737-B had deleted the project to improve the intersection at Markham and Mississippi. Since the original project would not have required any of the abutting property owners to contribute to the project, and since the project had been canceled, it would make no sense to have Faith Lutheran widen only their side of the intersection now. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as submitted to include staff comments and recommendations. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. 5