HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6200-A Staff AnalysisFebruary 24, 2003
ITEM NO.: 1
File No.: Z -62007A
Owner: Walter Hussman and Moses Tucker
Investments
Address: 500 East 2 nd Street
Description: Northwest corner of East 2 nd and
Sherman Streets
Zoned: UU
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the
development provisions of Section 36-356
and the parking provisions of Section
36-511 to allow for the construction of a
parking deck.
Justification:
Present Use of Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
The applicant's justification is presented in
an attached letter.
Office and parking
Parking deck
1. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to
start of work. Obtain barricade permit prior to doing any work in the
right-of-way from Traffic Engineering at (501) 379-1817 (Derrick
Bergfield).
2. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in
the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. All construction in the right-
of-way must be ADA compliant.
B. Landscape and Buffer Issues:
Trees of at least three (3) inch caliper are required around the perimeter
of the site. Trees must be at least thirty (30) feet from intersecting streets.
February 24, 2003
Item No., 1 (Cont.
Refer to River Market DOD, Ordinance No. 17,240 for tree species, size
and spacing. Trees must be set back at least two (2) feet from street
curbing.
No on-site street buffering is allowed between the right-of-way of Second
Street and the proposed deck.
C. Staff Analysis:
The UU zoned property at 500 E. 2 nd Street is occupied by a one-story
brick office building within the east half of the half block. The remainder of
the half block is occupied by paved parking. The applicant, The City of
Little Rock, proposes to construct a seven (7) level parking deck on this
property. The parking deck will have a total of 646 parking spaces and a
drive-thru bank on the ground floor.
The parking deck will have a height of 75.5 feet at the crossover point of
Level 7, with corner columns which extend to 80 feet and roof level
equipment structure extending to 95 feet. Section 36-356(d)(1) of the
City's Zoning Ordinance (River Market Design Overlay District) allows a
maximum building height of four (4) stories or 48 feet. Therefore, the
applicant is requesting a variance from this ordinance standard.
As noted previously, the proposed parking deck will contain a total of 646
parking spaces. Approximately 265 of these spaces will be rented to
nearby owners, including the Central Arkansas Library, the Museum
Center and the proposed multi -use building (First Security Center) which
will be located immediately to the north and tie into the parking deck. The
remainder of the parking spaces will be for public parking. The majority of
the angled parking spaces within the deck have widths of 8.5 feet.
According to Section 36-511 (a) of the ordinance, the minimum width for
angled parking spaces is 9 feet. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a
variance from this ordinance requirement.
Staff is supportive of the variance requests. The River Market Design
Review Committee met on February 4, 2003 and reviewed the plans for
the parking deck. The Committee voted 5 ayes and 0 nays to approve the
building height and design. The proposed parking deck will provide much
needed parking for the River Market District. Increasing the parking stall
width from 8.5 feet to 9 feet would result in a loss of approximately 48
spaces. Staff feels that the proposed parking deck will have no adverse
impact on the River Market District, and concurs with the Design Review
Committee's assessment of the proposed construction.
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February 24, 2003
Item No.: 1
D. Staff Recommendation -
Staff recommends approval of the requested building height and parking
stall width variances, subject to compliance with the requirements as
noted in paragraphs A and B of this report.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (FEBRUARY 24, 2003)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval.
Chairman Ruck and Fred Gray made statements regarding the issue of
variances from the River Market Design Overlay District Ordinance.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by
staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
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