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Home My WebLink AboutZ-5781-D Application0 EA � � � �' � � � � � �� ' _ i� � a' Ike :.• �� - R tD ! . •t .i'P $� ag :i axe � � � �' 9 �� r e.f >_, 1. r. 9� ..� 1 � Area Zoning Case: Z -5781-,K)*) N Lo tion: 300 Pleasant Valley Drive Ward: 4 PD: 2 CT: 22.04 0 175 350 700 Feet TRS: T2NR13W27 Page 2 of 3 intersection of Arkansas Valley and Pleasant Valley Drive. At a projected cost of over $300,000, these renovations may not even address the root cause of the school's traffic problems. Following are some of the thoughts I had after the meeting at Fulbright: . The new drive that is planned takes what appears to be one of the most invasive routes possible in terms of the number of trees and amount of acreage consumed. . It is my understanding that the design of the plaimed expansion of parking and traffic lanes is based on current traffic counts and/or future increases in enrollment. However, although enrollment will continue to increase for a few more years, it is expected to drop below current levels once a new school is built in western Little Rock. I assume this is why the enrollment increases have been met with the addition of portable buildings rather than permanent additions to the main structure. Spending in excess of $300,000 to handle current traffic levels does not seem prudent when district projections indicate that there will be a decline in enrollment from the current level within just a few years. . Connecting the new school drive to Pleasant Valley Drive at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Drive and Arkansas Valley will not only consume a considerable amount of land but may also exacerbate traffic problems. It seems to me that extended backups will be a daily occurrence as parents, one car at a time, try to navigate across all four lanes of Pleasant Valley. . There are just nine school busses at the school each morning and afternoon. The planned renovations call for reserving the original drive to just these nine busses. Why do nine school busses need a dedicated drive, and is it necessary to build a new drive to accomplish this? . The busses drop students off well before most parents arrive with their kids, and the busses are the first to leave, so they are not even there at peak rush times. . With only 125 or so Fulbright students riding busses, the bus option is underutilized. . There are approximately 100 parking spaces at the school, and the school has a total of sixty employees. Many more spaces are available across the street for use during special events, such as assemblies, registration, etc. ■ Money won't solve all congestion and traffic problems at schools during peak times, and that goes for public and private schools. As a member of the school board, please consider revisiting the planned renovations at Fulbright to explore whether or not better solutions to the traffic can be found. The answer could be as simple as changing pickup and drop-off procedures, using uniformed guards to enforce the procedures, extending the covered walkway so that more children can be loaded or unloaded at one time, or having teacher aides or other personnel escort Pre -K kids from cars to the classrooms. If significant renovations to the parking and traffic areas are required, perhaps they could be done in a way that preserves the neighborhood's character. Deputy Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh indicated last week that the district might be willing to participate in a meeting with representatives from the school, the parents, the district, and Pleasant Valley neighborhood for the purpose of determining whether a better solution to the traffic problems can be found. I would be willing to participate in such a meeting, as would a couple of my neighbors. In your role as the assistant city manager, I would appreciate it if you would take my concerns, and those of my neighbors in Pleasant Valley, into consideration during any relevant discussions with the school district. Jim Hoyt 501-954-9144 501-821-8104 7/3/2006 Page 1 of 3 Carney, Dana From: Day, Bryan Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 4:05 PM To: 'Jim Hoyt' Cc: Beverly.Griffin@lrsd.org; Bozynski, Tony; Carney, Dana; Haralson, Steve; Henry, Bill Subject: RE: Fulbright Elementary Thank you for your comments — I will share them with the LRSD and the City and I encourage you to stay on top of the issue. Nothing is decided yet, but it will be coming forward in the near future and the District and the City will listen to the citizens who have concerns — thanks again. Bryan From: Jim Hoyt [mailto:jhoyt@nuvell.com] Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 3:57 PM To: Day, Bryan Subject: Fulbright Elementary Mr. Day, I attended a meeting at Fulbright Elementary last week during which extensive and costly renovations to the traffic lanes and parking lot were discussed. As a resident of Pleasant Valley with a home in close proximity to Fulbright, I am very concerned that the planned modifications will negatively impact property values without resolving Fulbright's traffic problems. Matt Deluca suggested that I contact you since you serve on the school board and because of your position as the assistant city manager. Fulbright Elementary is surely a success story for the Little Rock School District. Enrollment is growing and parents are supportive of the school and are involved in school activities. Fulbright's reputation makes it the school of choice for many parents and, consequently, property values in the surrounding areas have benefited as families with children choose to buy homes within the school's boundaries. Increased enrollment, however, has led to aggravating traffic problems for parents that the Little Rock School District would like to resolve. I am writing this letter to express my concerns with the planned solution to the traffic problem and with the hope that we might work together to find a better solution that benefits everyone — parents, the school district, and neighbors alike. The Pleasant Valley neighborhood was originally designed with multiple common green spaces consisting of both heavily wooded areas and open areas planted with grass, trees and flowers. It is my understanding that the developers of Pleasant Valley donated the land on which Fulbright now sits. From the beginning, Fulbright Elementary was designed to fit into the character of the neighborhood, as evidenced by the fact that it sits back from the street and is surrounded by wooded areas that conceal it from view. The original drive connecting Fulbright to Pleasant Valley Drive was designed with a slight bend so as to further conceal the school from view. As I understand it, planned renovations call for expanding the upper parking lot to the west, and building a new drive that begins on the north side of the expanded parking area and then heads south along the western edge of the parking lot until it connects with Pleasant Valley Drive at Arkansas Valley. Far from maintaining the character of the neighborhood, I believe that such a plan would needlessly destroy a large wooded tract, significantly increase the visibility of the school along Pleasant Valley Drive and to the neighbors directly to the north and west, and create a new and intense traffic problem at the 7/3/2006 11 IFtCity of Little Rock Department of Planning and Development 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 or 371-6863 MEMORANDUM TO: Plans Examiner �. FROM: Dana Carney, Zoning and Subdivision Manager SUBJECT: Portable Classroom Placement at: Fulbright Elementary (Z -5781-D) DATE: May 31, 2006 Planning Zoning and Subdivision Placement of the proposed portable classroom building described in the attached application is approved subject to compliance with the following conditions: Assure all lighting is directed downward and into the school site • Comply with any spacing requirements of Little Rock Fire Department and Building Code Life Safety • Comply with building, plumbing and electrical codes as required All structures must be skirted and tied down • Provide hard surface walkway from each building to paved parking lot or to connecting sidewalks • Do not cut trees, if possible • Paint or improve the structures to be as compatible with the school building as possible ■ A setback of at least 25 feet must be maintained from all property lines ■ Placement of the buildings is approved until July 19, 2009 as per the sunset provision established in Section 36-203 of the Code of Ordinances If you have any questions, please call me at 371-6817. cc: James Taggart Little Rock School District Case File No. Z- APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY SCHOOL BUILDING SITE PERMIT �� at M. Application is hereby made to the Little Rock Planning Director Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 36 of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances, as amended, requesting a temporary School Building Site Permit on the following property: Address: 300 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72212 General Location: East and Southeast side of facility _ Legal Description: Lona -legal — No Survey Subject property is presently zoned: R-2 Residential A Temporary School Building Site Permit is requested to allow use of the property for: (building occupancy) 3 new doublewide portables, 6 classrooms, (24'x 64".ea. ) Applicant (owner or authorized agent): James Taggart Address: 3601 S. Brvant. L.R.. AR 72204 Planning Director approved: ].-Cz("o Conditions of Approval: C_ G, Appeals: Board of Adjustment approved: Conditions of Approval: Telephone: (501) 447-5337 Iced: _ C-0� 19 Denied 19 CITY OF LITTLE ROCK f DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT BUILDING CODES DIVISION 723 WEST MARKHAM, 2"d FLOOR LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 PH: 501.371-4826 FAX: 501.371-4546 OR 6863 OFFICIAL USE ONLY PERMIT NO.: DATE ISSUED. ISSUED BY. PLAN NO. APPLICATION FOR: BUILDING PERMIT **SUBDIVISION COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS NOTICE** The City gives permission for this project in accordance with local ordinances. However there may be subdivision covenants and restrictions that apply, and this permit DOES NOT void or nvPrricie those r nvPnants and rPstrir:tions PROJECT ADDRESS: 300 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock. AR 72212 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT BLOCK SUBDIVISION: OWNER/TENANT: Little Rock School District _ TELEPHONE: (501) 447-5250 ADDRESS: 3601 South Bryant, Little Rock, AR 72204 CONTRACTOR: Little Rock School District LICENSE NO.: ADDRESS: 3601 South Bryant Street, Little Rock, AR 72204 TELEPHONE: 501) 447-5337 ARCHITECT: None LICENSE NO.: ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: ENGINEER: None LICENSE NO. ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: CLASS OF WORK: ❑NEW ❑ ADDITION ❑ REPAIR ❑ ALTERATION ❑ MOVE ❑ DEMOLISH ❑ ACCESSORY ®TEMPORARY PROPOSED USE (OCCUPANCY): 6 classrooms 3 doublewide portables (24'x 64'en. SQUARE FEET: 4,608 VALUATION: $120, 000.00 NO. OF BUILDINGS: 3 NO. OF UNITS: 6 NO. FLOORS: DESCRIPTION OF WORK: 3 new doublewide portables. 6 classrooms, (24'x 64") at Fulbright Elementary School. NOTICE: SEPARATE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR ELECTRICAL, GAS, PLUMBING, AND MECHANICAL WORK. I hereby certify that the data submitted on or with this application is true and correct. 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