HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5786-C Staff AnalysisJanuary 9, 2003
ITEM NO.: 5 FILE NO.: Z -5786-C
NAME:
Southwest Christian Academy — Revised Conditional
Use Permit
LOCATION:
11301 Geyer Springs Road
OWNER/APPLICANT:
James and Sharon Stewart
PROPOSAL:
A revision to a previously approved conditional use
permit is requested to allow for placement of a
multisectional manufactured home on this R-2
zoned private school campus to serve as a
caretaker/security residence.
ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS:
SITE LOCATION:
The school is located on the east side of the south end of Geyer Springs
Road, near the city limits.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The proposed caretaker/security residence is to be located on the existing
school campus. Large tracts of undeveloped, wooded property are
located around the school site. With compliance with the siting standards
for such structures, the multisectional manufactured home should not
affect the school's continued compatibility with the surrounding
neighborhood.
All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents
within 300 feet who could be identified and the SWLR United for
Progress, O.U.R. and Santa Monica Neighborhood Associations were
notified of the request.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
Access to the proposed caretaker/security residence will be through the
school parking lot. A gravel driveway will be extended off of the paved
parking lot to the home. The gravel drive will be removed when phase II
and III parking lots are constructed. There is adequate parking available
on the site to accommodate the home.
January9, 2003
ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.)
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
FILE NO.: Z -5786-C
Since the proposed structure addition is less than ten (10) percent of
existing structures on this site, no additional landscaping upgrade is
required. Previous comments from past reviews would still apply.
5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
1. The applicant previously received a deferral of Master Street Plan
construction and right-of-way dedication through 2004.
6. UTILITY. FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected.
Entergy: Approved as submitted.
Reliant: No Comments received.
Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted.
Water: No objection. If a separate water meter is needed it would have
to be located next to the existing meter.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Planning: No Comments received.
CATA: No Comments received.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (DECEMBER 12, 2002)
James Stewart was present, representing the application. Staff briefly described
the Revised Conditional Use Permit, noting that additional details were needed
on the proposed manufactured home. Staff also noted that a letter giving the
current status of the previously approved phased development plan was needed.
Mr. Stewart stated that the letter and additional information would be provided.
The siting criteria for manufactured homes was briefly discussed. Mike Hood, of
Public Works, reminded the applicant that a deferral of right-of-way dedication
and street improvements expires in 2004. Bob Brown, of the Planning Staff,
noted that no additional landscaping would be required with this application.
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January 9, 2003
ITEM NO.:
FILE NO.: Z -5786-C
There being no further issues for discussion, the Committee forwarded the
application to the full Commission for final action.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Southwest Christian Academy, a private school with classes from preschool
through 12th grade, is located on the R-2 zoned, 12t acre tract at 11301 Geyer
Springs Road. On February 8, 1994, the Commission approved a conditional
use permit which allowed for the initial construction of the school. The school,
which had been operating in the adjacent church, was approved for an
enrollment of 240 students, ages infant through 9th grade. The initial
construction included one multipurpose building and three portable classrooms
on 3.5 acres. On April 25, 1996, the Commission approved a revision to the
conditional use permit, allowing enrollment to increase to 444 students, ages
infant through 12th grade. The 1996 revision included the construction of a new
classroom building, an addition to the previously approved building and a storage
building; all still on the original 3.5 acre tract. On March 30, 2000, the
Commission approved another revision to the conditional use permit allowing for
the phased expansion of the school onto an adjacent 8t acre tract and an
increase in enrollment to 700 students, ages infant through 12th grade.
The approved Master Plan consists of the following four phases:
Phase One: Construction of a new gymnasium, asphalt parking lots, curb cut
and access, and asphalt driveway connecting to the existing campus to the
north. Additionally, a new concrete driveway would be constructed off of Geyer
Springs Road connecting to the new parking lot near the gym. The height of the
gymnasium at its apex will be no greater than 40 feet. The construction of the
gym would be a metal building with a sloped roof. Curb and gutter would be
provided around the asphalt parking areas. Increase enrollment capacity from
444 to 500 students.
Phase Two: Construction of nine new classrooms attached to the gymnasium
discussed in Phase I above. The construction type for the classrooms would be
a metal building. Increase enrollment capacity to 700 students.
Phase Three: Construction of an additional 58 parking spaces in the parking
area east of the new building constructed in Phase I.
Phase Four: Construction of a football stadium complete with concession stand
and seating capacity of 1,500.
Phase I and a portion of the Phase II parking have been completed. The school
has an agreement to utilize the adjacent church parking lot, as needed. The
school is now requested permission to place a 52'X 28', multisectional
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January 9, 2003
ITEM NO.: 5
FILE NO.: Z -5786-C
manufactured home on the south side of the campus to serve as a
caretaker/security residence. The campus is fairly isolated and there have been
several instances of theft and vandalism over the past years. It is felt that having
an on-site caretaker will reduce such incidents. The proposed residence is a
2002 Fleetwood home. The exterior finish is white vinyl siding and trim. The
home has a pitched roof and will be sited to comply with city code. Access to the
home will be through the school campus. A gravel driveway will extend to the
home, from the existing driveway and parking lot. The home will have a setback
of 30 feet from the south property line. As was previously mentioned, the school
is fairly isolated. Other than for the church adjacent to the north, surrounding
properties are heavily wooded and undeveloped.
Staff is supportive of .the requested revision to the conditional use permit. On
December 18, 2002, the applicant submitted responses to issues raised at
Subdivision Committee. Those responses are reflected in the analysis above.
No other changes to the previously approved phasing plan or enrollment are
proposed. The proposed multisectional manufactured home is not out of
character with development in the area.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested revised conditional use permit
subject to compliance with the following conditions:
1. Compliance with the previously approved phasing plan.
2. Compliance with the staff comments and condition outlined in Sections 4,
5 and 6 of this report.
3. Placement of the home must comply with the following siting criteria of
Section 36-254(d)(5) of the Code:
a. A pitched roof of three (3) in twelve (12) or fourteen (14) degrees or
greater.
b. Removal of all transport elements.
c. Permanent foundation.
d. Exterior wall finished so as to be compatible with the neighborhood.
e. Orientation compatible with placement of adjacent structures.
f. Underpinning with permanent materials.
g. All homes shall be multisectional.
h. Off-street parking per single-family dwelling standard.
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January 9, 2003
ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -5786-C
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 9, 2003)
James Stewart was present, representing the application. There was one (1)
person present in opposition. Staff briefly described the revised conditional use
permit, with a recommendation of approval.
Janet Berry, of Southwest Little Rock United for Progress, addressed the
Commission in opposition to the revised conditional use permit, as filed. She
stated that her association could accept a manufactured home at this location
with the following two (2) conditions:
1. A three (3) year time limit on the placement of the manufactured home,
with Planning Staff and SWLR UP review to determine if the
security/caretaker aspect is working.
2. The manufactured home be placed in a location less visible from Geyer
Springs Road.
James Stewart addressed the Commission in support of the application. He
noted that the proposed home would not be visible by northbound traffic on
Geyer Springs Road, based on the fact that the property immediately south is
wooded and partially in the floodway. He noted that there would be a
considerable investment in the manufactured home and that a time limit would
not be acceptable. He stated that a six (6) foot tall wood fence could be placed
between Geyer Springs Road and the home to help screen it from the street. He
described the school campus, noting that he had experienced considerable theft
and vandalism in the past. He described the existing school security system.
Commissioner Floyd noted that it was not fair to place a time limit on the
structure if it was going to be placed on a permanent foundation as required. He
asked Mr. Stewart if he was amending the application to include the six (6) foot
wood fence, running north -south along the west side of the manufactured home.
Mr. Stewart stated that he would amend the application.
There was a motion to approve the revised conditional use permit as
recommended by staff and amended by the applicant. The motion passed by a
vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. The application as amended was
approved.
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