HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6007-A Staff AnalysisMAY 21, 2020
ITEM NO_- 6
File No.: Z -6007-A
Owner: Delta Plastics of the South, LLC
Applicant: Thomas Pownall, Thomas Engineering Co.
Address: 8801 Frazier Pike
Description: Tract E-2, Area 103, Little Rock Port
Zoned: 1-3
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the height provisions of Section
36-321 and the parking provisions of Section 36-502 to allow
a building addition with increased height and a decreased
number of parking spaces.
Justification- The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Plastics Manufacturing
Proposed Use of Property: Plastics Manufacturing
STAFF REPORT
V'1
F
Public Works Issues:
No Comments
Landscape and Buffer Issues:
1. - Any new site development must comply with the City's minimal landscape and
buffer ordinance requirements.
2. Any existing landscape areas shall be protected as per City of Little Rock
Landscape Ordinance (Sec. 15-100). Any trees or vegetation located in close
proximity to construction shall have the area within the dripline fenced and
protected from development activities. Any exiting landscape or irrigation
disturbed by construction shall be repaired or replaced before completion and
final acceptance of the project.
3. Eight percent (8%) of the vehicular use area must be designated for green space;
this green space needs to be evenly distributed throughout the parking area(s).
The minimum size of an interior landscape area shall be one hundred fifty (150)
square feet for developments with one hundred fifty (150) or fewer parking
spaces.
MAY 21, 2020
ITEM NO.: 6 (CON'T.
NUA
Interior islands must be a minimum of seven and one half (7 1/2) feet in width. Trees
shall be included in the interior landscape areas at the rate of one (1) tree for every
twelve (12) parking spaces.
4. The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving as many existing trees
as feasible on this site. Credit toward fulfilling Landscape Ordinance
requirements can be given when preserving trees of six (6) inch caliper or larger.
C. Staff Analysis:
The 1-3 zoned property located at 8801 Frazier Pike is occupied by a multi -story
industrial building which houses Delta Plastics, a manufacturing use. The property
is located on the southwest corner of Frazier Pike and Slackwater Harbor Drive.
Driveways from both streets serve as access to the property. A paved parking lot
for employees is located at the northwest corner of the site. A smaller accessory
structure is located at the southwest corner of the property. Rail service is located
along the south and east sides of the building.
The applicant proposes to construct a 60,000 square foot addition to the south side
of the building to expand the plastics manufacturing facility. The proposed addition
will be located well over 100 feet from any property line. The majority of the building
will have a height of approximately 33 feet. Approximately 1,600 square feet of the
addition's footprint will include a taller portion which will have tower -like
manufacturing equipment inside. This portion of the building addition will be
approximately 80 feet by 80 feet, with a building height of 155 feet. As part of the
project, the existing employee parking area will be re -striped and enlarged from 85
spaces to 134 spaces (58% increase). The applicant is requesting two (2) variances
with the proposed building addition project.
The first variance is from the height provisions of Section 36-321(d) of the City's
Zoning Ordinance. This section allows a maximum building height of 60 feet in the
1-3 zoning district. A portion of the proposed building addition will have a height of
155 feet, with the majority of the addition having a height of 33 feet.
The second variance is from the parking provisions of Section 36-502(b)(4). This
section requires approximately 200 parking spaces for this industrial use, which has
a combination of manufacturing and warehouse/storage use. There are currently
85 paved parking spaces on the site. The existing parking area will be re -striped
and expanded, with the parking being increased to 134 spaces.
Staff is supportive of the requested building height and parking variances. Staff
views the request as reasonable. The property is located in the port industrial area,
with all surrounding properties being zoned 1-3, heavy industrial. There are other
structures throughout this area which have a height in excess of 60 feet, including
silo -type structures on this property and the property to the east. The proposed
increased building height for a portion of the addition will not be out of character with
the overall area. With respect to the parking variance, this type of industrial use only
needs enough parking to accommodate the number of employees which will report
0
MAY 21, 2020
ITEM NO,, 6 [CON'T.
W0411=11
to the facility. This type of facility has no other significant parking needs. While staff
knows of no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the general area by the
requested variance, approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shall be
required, due to proximity to the Municipal Airport.
D. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested building height and parking variances,
subject to the following conditions:
1. Compliance with the Landscape and Buffer requirements as noted in
paragraph B. of the staff report.
2. Applicant must complete and file FAA form 7460-1 and receive approval by
the Federal Aviation Administration prior to issuance of a building permit.
Board of Adjustment
(May 21, 2020)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
application with a recommendation of approval. There was no further discussion.
The item was placed on the consent agenda and approved, as recommended by staff.
The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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