HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6120-A Staff AnalysisNAME:
LOCATION:
REQUEST:
SOURCE:
STAFF REPORT:
Amendment to the City Land Use
Plan - Ellis Mountain District
West of Cooper Orbi, south of
Pride valley Road
Single Family to Low Density
Multifamily
Staff - Z -6120-A
As part of the staff review for a rezoning request, the City Land
Use Plan in the area was reviewed. The Plan recommends Single
Family for the area. The proposal is for some lower density
multifamily at the intersection, with single family surrounding
the area.
The developer is proposing to realign Cooper Orbit and extend a
new arterial to the west, through the proposed residential
development. At the intersection of the collector and minor
arterial, an area of MF -12 zoning is requested. Staff is willing
to consider a higher density of residential use near the
intersection. With the topography, MF -12 would allow for a
development to be built with the existing site. This development
will urbanize 190 acres with only about 30 acres not single
family. The request for Low Density Multifamily is appropriate.
STAFF REC MME ATION•
Amend Plan to Low Density Multifamily.
June 20„ 199,6
ITEM NO.: 5 Z -6120-A
Owner:
Applicant:
Location:
Request:
Purpose:
Size:
Existing Use:
John L. Burnette, Trustee
James E. Hathaway, Jr.
Cooper Orbit Road, north of
Spring Valley Manor
Rezone from R-2 to MF -12
Future development of
apartment project
42.58± acres
Vacant, wooded
SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING
North -
Vacant,
wooded;
zoned
R-2
South -
Vacant,
wooded;
zoned
R-2
East -
Vacant,
wooded;
zoned
R-2
West -
Vacant,
wooded;
zoned
R-2
ENGINEERING COMMENTS
See additional comments in File S-1100, Capitol Lakes
Estates preliminary plat. Dedicate right-of-way for Cooper
Orbit Road and unnamed minor arterial per Master Street
Plan.
LAND USE ELEMENT
The site is located in the Ellis Mountain District. The
adopted Plan recommends Single Family. Staff has agreed to
the addition of Low Density Multifamily in the area. This
is a reconfiguration and expansion of that use. Staff can
support moving the LMF from north to southeast of the
intersection, but cannot support expansion of the use area.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The request before the Commission is to rezone this 42.58±
acre tract from "R-2" Single Family to "MF -12" Multifamily.
The rezoning request is associated with Capitol Lakes
Estates preliminary plat, a 190+ acre development of which
these 42.58± acres are a part (5-1100). The property is
currently vacant and heavily wooded. The proposed
June 20„ 19§6
ITEM NO.: 5 Z -6120-A (Cont.)
Multifamily property is in two tracts lying on either side
of the proposed realignment of Cooper Orbit Road, south of a
proposed minor arterial street. This application is the
third version of proposed multifamily zoning associated with
Capitol Lakes Estates.
The first version consisted of a proposal to zone 31± acres
at the southeast corner of the Capitol Lakes Estates Plat
from R-2 to MF -18. Staff was not supportive of the proposed
density and the application drew opposition from the
residents of Spring Valley Manor Subdivision which is
adjacent to the south. This application was later withdrawn
at the Planning Commission by the applicant.
The second version consisted of a proposal to zone 33.8±
acres at the intersection of the realigned Cooper Orbit Road
and an as yet unnamed minor arterial street from R-2 to MF -
12. The proposed multifamily property was in two tracts, a
27± acre tract lying south of the arterial street and a 7±
acre tract lying north of the arterial. The multifamily
property was moved well north of the Spring Valley Manor
Subdivision and residents of that neighborhood supported
this version. Staff was also able to recommend approval of
the application. The density had been reduced from MF -18 to
MF -12. The proposed Multifamily property was basically
within the body of the Capitol Lakes Estates plat with only
a perimeter relationship to the Oasis Renewal Center on the
north. The property was located at the intersection of a
collector street and an arterial street. There was some
opposition to this proposal from the Oasis Renewal Center.
The Planning Commission voted to approve this application on
April 25, 1996. The applicant continued to work with
persons at the Oasis Renewal Center who were concerned about
locating the 7+ acres of multifamily property adjacent to
their site. After reaching a compromise with the Oasis
people, the applicant withdrew this second application from
the Board of Directors, agenda and filed the current (third)
application.
This third version now consists of a proposal to zone 42.58±
acres on either side of the proposed realignment of Cooper
Orbit Road from R-2 to MF -12. The proposed multifamily
property is in two tracts on either side of the new
alignment of Cooper Orbit Road, south of the proposed new
arterial street. The 27± acre tract lying south of the
arterial and west of proposed Cooper Orbit Road is the same
as in the second (approved) application. The 7± acres which
was approved on the north side of the arterial (adjacent to
the Oasis property) has now been moved to a point south of
the arterial, on the east side of the proposed alignment of
Cooper Orbit Road and increased to 14.81 acres. The 7±
acres on the north side of the arterial (adjacent to the
Oasis property) will remain zoned R-2 and is shown as a
"reserved" tract on the Capitol Lakes Estates preliminary
plat.
2
_11
June 201. 1995
ITEM NO.: 5 Z -6120-A Cont.)
This third proposal is basically a reconfiguration of the
multifamily zoning approved through the second application
and, as such, staff is able to support the application but
for one issue. Through each application, the area proposed
for multifamily has steadily increased from 31± acres to
33.8± acres to the current 42.58± acres. Staff can support
moving the smaller tract of multifamily from north of the
proposed arterial street to southeast of the intersection of
the arterial and realigned Cooper Orbit Road; however we
cannot support increasing the area of this tract from 7±
acres to 14.81 acres as is proposed.
The Ellis Mountain District Land Use Plan currently
recommends Single Family for this site. Staff has agreed to
the addition of Low Density Multifamily in the area and the
Commission voted to amend the Plan based on the previous
application. If the applicant were to reduce the acreage of
multifamily to that previously approved, staff could support
an amendment in the Plan this time as well.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends denial of the application, as filed. Staff
recommends that the 14.81 acres proposed for multifamily on the
east side of the proposed alignment of Cooper Orbit Road be
reduced to 7± acres, bring the total acreage proposed for
multifamily closer to the 34± acres as was previously approved
by the Commission on April 25, 1996. The applicant should also
amend the plat for Capitol Lakes Estates (S-1100) to reflect
single family development for the balance of the 14.81 acres.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 20, 1996)
Jeff Hathaway and William Dean were present representing the
application. There were two objectors present. Staff
presented the item and a recommendation of denial. Staff
also gave a brief history of the three different multifamily
zoning proposals related to the Capitol Lakes Estates
Development.
Commissioner Lichty asked why staff was opposed to the
increase in acreage proposed for multifamily zoning. Dana
Carney, of the Planning Staff, and Jim Lawson, Director of
the Department of Neighborhoods and Planning, responded.
They pointed out concerns about increased traffic,
inadequate streets accessing this area and the fact that
there was no specific development proposed which might
provide an opportunity to address questions about density.
Mr. Lawson also noted that the residents of Spring Valley
Manor had supported the previous application but were
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June 20, 199,5
ITEM NO.: 5 Z -6120-A (Cont.)
concerned about this most recent proposal which moved the
proposed multifamily property closer to their neighborhood.
Jeff Hathaway addressed the Commission in support of the
application. He presented a drawing and accompanying text
showing Capitol Lakes Estates and listing several reasons
for the Commission to approve the multifamily zoning. He
stated that this third proposal was an attempt to address
the concerns raised in the two previous applications by the
residents of Spring Valley Manor and persons representing
the Oasis Renewal Center. Mr. Hathaway stated that the 13±
acres on the east side of the proposed alignment of Cooper
Orbit Road was dictated by such things as topography, right-
of-way and stormwater detention. He then discussed the 8
points in the written text which he had presented to the
Commission.
In response to a question from the Commission, Mr. Hathaway
noted that a portion of the eastern tract would be a lake,
reducing the buildable acreage available. Commissioner
Putnam asked how much net -usable acreage was available in
the eastern tract, taking into account the right-of-way and
lake feature. Mr. Dean responded that the net -usable
acreage was less than the multifamily acreage which was
previously approved on the north side of the proposed
arterial street. Mr. Lawson noted that the entire 14.81±
acres was proposed for multifamily and that figure would be
used in computing the density of apartments to be developed
on the site. Mr. Lawson stated that staff and the Spring
Valley neighborhood were concerned about the number of units
to be developed on the site and what sort of traffic those
units would generate.
Commissioner Hawn asked why the plan had been changed from
that which had been previously approved by the Commission.
Mr. Hathaway responded that there was serious opposition
from the Oasis Renewal Center and the applicant chose to try
to accommodate them. Commissioner Hawn also noted that the
multifamily acreage had continued to grow.
Commissioner McCarthy complemented the applicant for working
with the Oasis Center and asked Mr. Hathaway to discuss the
proposed density of apartments on the site. Mr. Hathaway
responded that he could not provide numbers since the
project had not yet reached the design stage. Commissioner
McCarthy asked if it was the applicant's intention to use
the property to its maximum capability to provide for
development as apartments. Mr. Hathaway responded that the
physical limitations of the site would probably not allow
for development of the site at its full density.
Commissioner Putnam asked if the eastern site could be zoned
so as to have a density of 8 units per acre. Mr. Lawson
responded that it was up to the applicant to propose such a
condition.
4
June 20, 1915
ITEM NO.: 5 Z -6120-A (Cont.) '
Commissioner Lichty asked if someone could provide a figure
of the amount of buildable/usable acreage available in the
eastern tract. Mr. Hathaway responded that the gross
acreage was 14.81± acres; deducting the right-of-way leaves
13.4± acres. Mr. Hathaway estimated the lake feature to be
approximately 3 acres; bringing the net -buildable acreage
down to 10.4± acres. Commissioner Lichty noted that the
difference between this proposal and the previously approved
rezoning was approximately 3 acres, or 36 units at 12 units
per acre. Commissioner Hawn noted that the 3 acres
represented by the lake feature would be zoned MF -12 which
would add to the density of apartments which could be
developed on the remaining property.
Commissioner Lichty asked if the lake was an essential
element for stormwater detention purposes. David Scherer,
of the Public Works Department, stated that there were
several ways to address stormwater detention. He noted that
the issue before the Commission was not a Planned
Development or site plan which could assure that the lake
would be developed as shown by the applicant. Mr. Scherer
stated that he could not require the construction of a 3
acre lake at the time of development unless the applicant
committed to that through the rezoning.
Mr. Hathaway stated that he was willing to amend the
application so as to limit the number of units which could
be constructed on the eastern tract.
O. C. Sparks, representing the Spring Valley Manor Property
Owners Association, addressed the Commission. He presented
a map showing the larger area around the property in
question. He discussed the Master Street Plan and the
impact of the proposed roads on the area. Mr. Sparks spoke
in opposition to the proposed multifamily zoning. He stated
that the neighborhood was opposed to moving the multifamily
zoning closer to the Spring Valley Manor Subdivision.
In response to a statement from Chairman Woods, Mr. Sparks
stated that the neighborhood had suggested that the density
be reduced on the eastern tract. Mr. Sparks stated that the
location was not as significant as the density.
Mr. Hathaway then stated that the applicant was willing to
amend the application to reduce the density of the
development that would occur on the eastern tract. He
stated that the density would be reduced by 36 units, the
estimated number of units corresponding to the 3 acre water
feature, and in conjunction with that, the applicant would
designate 3 acres from within that tract (most likely in the
location where the water feature is shown) to be reserved as
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June 2 0., i5-96
ITEM NO.: 5 Z -6120-A (Cont._)
open space which would not be built upon. In addition,
Mr. Hathaway stated that the MF -12 calculation would be
based upon the acreage net of the right-of-way, 13.4± acres
instead of 14.81± acres. This would result, Mr. Hathaway
stated, in 52 units less than if the entire 14.81± acres
were developed at MF -12 density.
Mr. Lawson asked Mr. Hathaway if he could restate the
amendment to state that within the rezoning request, an "X"
number of units was being requested. Mr. Hathaway stated
that 14.81± acres zoned MF -12 would result in 177 units and
he was proposing to reduce that by 52 units, leaving 125
units.
In response to a question from the Commission, Mr. Hathaway
stated that the amended application included leaving 3 acres
as open space.
A motion was made to approve the application as amended to
include the conditions offered by the applicant that any
development on the eastern tract be limited to 125 units and
that 3 acres within the eastern tract be dedicated as open
space.
Assistant City Attorney Cindy Dawson stated that she was
uncomfortable with the amended application and suggested
that the item be deferred to allow the City Attorney's
Office an opportunity to review it. Mr. Lawson suggested
that the Commission vote on the item and that any questions
be resolved prior to the item being forwarded to the Board
of Directors.
In response to a question from Commissioner Daniel,
Mr. Sparks stated that the Spring Valley Manor neighborhood
could live with the amended application.
A vote was taken on the amended application. The vote was
8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent.
Mr. Lawson stated that staff would recommend approval of the
amended application to the Board of Directors.
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