HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5934 Staff AnalysisDecember 27, 1994
Item No.: 9
File No
Owner:
Address:
Description:
Zoned:
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Present Use of Propertsr:
Proposed Use of Property:
Staff -Re port:
A. Engineering Issues:
Z-5934
Central Arkansas Library System -
City of Little Rock
324 East 2nd Street
Part of Block 36, Original City of
Little Rock and part of Block 8,
Pope's Addition
GB
A variance is requested from the
parking requirements of Section 36-
417 to permit a reduction in the
number of required on-site parking
spaces.
Due to the nature of the
development and the existing uses
in the area, there is no more land
available for parking at this time.
Vacant, warehouse building
New location of the Central
Arkansas Library System's main
branch.
No issues with Public Works, the planned construction will
be reviewed at the time of building permit.
B. Staff Analysi_s_:
The Central Arkansas Library System has proposed remodeling
the vacant Fones Warehouse building and converting it into
the library's main branch. This project is being viewed as
the initial building block in the revitalization of the East
Markham Street area as a tourism and entertainment district.
Other proposals include the relocation of the Arkansas
Museum of Science and History and the Farmer's Market into
this area.
It became immediately apparent that converting the 150,000
square foot Fones Warehouse building into a library would
December 27, 1994
Item No.: 9 (Cont.
drastically alter the building's parking requirement. As a
warehouse, the building requires 40 on-site parking spaces.
As a library that number swells to 353 spaces, a significant
increase.
Utilizing a surface parking lot planned across Rock Street
and a two-level parking structure at the corner of Rock and
East Markham Streets, only 96 parking spaces can be
provided.
Several circumstances mitigate the lack of on-site parking
spaces.
Present plans call for the library to occupy only 99,836
square feet of the building. This occupancy requires a
total of 250 parking spaces.
A large, public parking deck is located just over 1 block
west of the proposed library. This parking deck, at East
2nd and Scott Streets, is well within walking distance of
the library.
A large, surface parking lot, located just over 1 block
northwest of the library, is available for public use by the
hour or by the day.
There is a substantial amount of on -street parking available
on the streets east of the proposed library.
Finally, the Central Arkansas Library System is committed to
exploring the possibility of acquiring other properties in
the area which might be developed for parking.
Staff feels that the request is reasonable and supports the
requested variance.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested parking variance.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (DECEMBER 27, 1994)
David Sargent, of Witsell, Evans and Rasco, was present
representing the applicant. There were three persons present
desiring more information on the item. Staff presented the issue
and a recommendation of approval.
Mr. Sargent offered no additional comments at that time.
Hershall Bowman, owner of the property at 124 Commerce Street,
addressed the Board. He stated that the library had approached
him about acquiring his property for additional parking. Mr.
i�
December 27, 1994
.. 9 (Con
Bowman then asked if this parking variance would affect the
discussions concerning the value of his property.
Beth Blevins, of the City Attorney's Office, stated that such
discussions were not within the purview of the Board of
Adjustment.
At the Board's request, Mr. Sargent presented a plan showing the
proposed library development and the parking associated with it.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made to approve the
requested parking variance. The motion was approved by a vote of
7 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent and 1 open position.
3