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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOA Minute RecordDECEMBER 15, 2022 ITEM NO.: 3 File No.: Owners: Applicant: Address: Legal Description: Zoned: Z-9195-B Jeff Fuller Homes, LLC Jeff Fuller 2821 N. Pierce Street Lot 1 R, Replat of Lots 1, 2 & 3 Block 15 -W 195-B Variance(s) Requested: A variance is requested from the area provisions of 36-156 to allow a retaining wall (accessory structure) with reduced setbacks from side and rear yard property lines. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use: Single-family Residence Proposed Use: Single-family Residence STAFF REPORT: V 1-1 C IC Planning and Development Civil En ineerin Comments: No Comments. Landscape and Buffer Comments: In October 2020 the City adopted the "Heights Landscape Design Overlay District," requiring installation of one (1) tree per forty (40) linear feet of street frontage within the Heights District Boundary, applicable to [among other types] residential construction in excess of 600 square feet. Buildin Codes Comments: No comments required. Staff Analysis. The site was previously platted as Lots 1, 2, and 3, Block 15, Parkview Addition to the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County Arkansas These parcels were zoned R-3 and occupied by a single-family home that spanned over the three lots. In 2017 the owner of the properties petitioned the Little Rock Planning Commission to rezone the properties to PD-R to allow for the construction of a new home on each of the individual parcels. The original home was removed, and the owner constructed one 1 DECEMBER 15, 2022 ITEM NO.: 3 CON'T. Z-9195-B home on Lot 3 but did not develop the remaining two lots as planned. Lots 1 and 2 have since been sold and a new single-family home was constructed which currently occupy both Lots. The new residence contains a four (4) car driveway taking access from Ampersand Street. The applicant recently obtained a building permit to build a wall approximately three (3) feet from the rear (east) property line. The applicant now proposes to build and expand the retaining wall to sit on the property line. The applicant also proposes to extend the retaining wall to extend along the side (south) property line. The proposed retaining wall will have a setback of zero (0) feet from the rear and side property lines. Section 36-156(f) of the City's Zoning Ordinance states, "accessory buildings shall maintain at least a three (3) foot setback from any side or rear yard property line except where said rear yard abuts on a dedicated alley. No setbacks shall be required for an accessory building upon an alley." Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the retaining wall with reduced rear and side yard setbacks. Staff is supportive of the reduced side and rear yard setback variance. Staff views the request as reasonable. By building the retaining wall along the rear (east) property line and side (south) will allow the slope of the property to take advantage of the topography of the lot's natural drainage towards the southeast corner of the property and enable a resolution to divert the stormwater to Pierce Street via a drainage system to be installed by the contractor. This will allow the property owner to resolve all of the current stormwater issues instead of a partial fix. Staff views the variance as very minor in nature and feels the reduced side and rear yard setbacks will have no adverse impact on the surrounding properties. E. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested side and rear yard variance, subject to the descriptions and any conditions in the "staff analysis," and the following conditions: 1. A building permit being obtained for all construction. 2. Install trees, if deemed applicable at the time of building permit, in accordance with the Heights Design Overlay District requirements. Board of Adjustment (DECEMBER 15, 2022) The applicant was present. There were no persons present registered in opposition. Staff presented the application to the Commission and stated it recommended the rear and side yard setback variance be approved with conditions as per the staff report. There was a consent motion to approve the application. The application was approved on consent. The vote was 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. 2