HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6219-C Staff AnalysisFILE NO.: Z -6219-C
NAME: Bella Rosa Revised Long -form PCD
LOCATION: On the Southwest corner of Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive
DEVELOPER:
HWY 107 Associates, LLC
3801 Woodland Heights
Little Rock, AR 72212
ENGINEER:
McGetrick and McGetrick Engineers
10 Otter Creek Court, Suite A
Little Rock, AR 72210
AREA: 7.5 Acres
CURRENT ZONING:
ALLOWED USES:
NUMBER OF LOTS: 1
PCD
FT. NEW STREET: 0
OfficeANarehouse — Mini -warehouse development
PROPOSED ZONING: Revised PCD
PROPOSED USE: Office/ShowroomJWarehouse — Mini -warehouse development
VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested.
BACKGROUND:
On November 21, 1996 the Planning Commission reviewed and denied a request to
rezone the site from R-2, Single-family to POD to allow the site to develop with limited
office space, conditioned storage and mini -storage. The proposal included the
placement of 102,775 square feet of improvements, containing approximately 18,000
square feet of office and office/warehouse space, including an on-site manager's office
and apartment comprising approximately 1,600 square feet. The balance of the project
was to be self -storage units.
On March 11,- 2064 ' the Little Rock Planning Commission made a recommendation of
approval of a request to redevelop this 7.5 -acre site located on the southwest corner of
Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive as a Planned Commercial Development. The
applicant intended to develop the site with a total of 82,800 square feet of office and
FILE NO.: Z-621
mini -warehouse buildings. The site was to contain a single building of office containing
a total of 29,000 square feet and an office/managers residence for the mini -warehouse
development. A second building would contain 28,000 square feet of conditioned
storage accessed from interior halls and three buildings of stand-alone mini -warehouse
buildings containing a total of 25,800 square feet of space. The total building coverage
proposed was 34.3 percent with 27 percent of the site designated as landscaped/green
space area. The approved site plan contained 117 parking spaces with 19 spaces
proposed for boat and RV storage. The days and hours of operation proposed were
from 7 am to 8 pm seven days per week. The mini -warehouse would have 24-hour
access. The previous approval allows 0-3 uses and an allowance for ten percent of the
gross floor area as 0-3 accessory uses. The Little Rock Board of Directors adopted
Ordinance No. 19,072 on April 6, 2004, establishing the Bella Rosa Long -form PCD as
presented to the Little Rock Planning Commission.
The Little Rock Planning Commission denied a request to revise the previously
approved Planned Commercial Development at their January 20, 2005, public hearing.
The request was to amend the previously approved PCD to add
office/showroom/wa rehouse as allowable activities for the site (currently allowable in
0-3 with a Conditional Use Permit). The request was not appeal to the Board of
Directors.
01
A
PROPOSAUREQUEST:
The applicant is now proposing a revision to the previously approved Planned
Commercial Development to allow additional uses to be considered as allowable
uses for the office building. The site has developed with a 29,000 square foot
office building and 58,300 square feet of mini -warehouse space. The current
allowable uses for the office building are 0-3, General Office District uses along
with ten (10) percent of the gross floor area to utilize the Accessory uses as listed
in the 0-3 General Office District zoning classification. The request is to revise
the approved allowable uses as indicated below:
1. to allow up to 60% of the 29,000 square foot building to be utilized as office,
showroom and warehouse space.
2. to allow a health studio or spa use.
There are no changes proposed to the previously approved site plan or the hours
of operation. The previously approved request to allow ten percent of the gross
floor area as listed in the Accessory use of the 0-3, General Office District zoning
classification remains as a part of the current request.
The proposed additional uses do not conflict with the approved Bill of Assurance
for the subdivision.
EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site has developed with an office development and a mini -warehouse facility.
The site is relatively flat with a creek running along the western and southern
2
FILE NO.: Z -6219-C
perimeters. The property to the east of the site (across Bella Rosa Drive) is
vacant and has been cleared. Further to the east is the Seven Acres Business
Park zoned POD and developed with a mix of commercial and office uses. To
the southeast are single-family homes adjoining the northern bank of the creek.
To the south of the site (across the creek) a single-family subdivision is currently
under construction and further south are single-family homes fronting Bella Rosa
Drive. To the west of the proposed site (west of the creek) are also vacant lands
fronting Cantrell Road. North of the site are single-family homes on acreage.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
As of this writing, staff has received one informational phone call from an area
resident. All property owners located within 200 -feet of the site along with the
Westchester and Johnson Ranch Neighborhood Associations were notified of the
Public Hearing.
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS:
Public Works Conditions:
1. No comment.
E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENTICOUNTY PLANNING:
Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected.
Enterg No comment.
Center -Point Ene[gy: No comment.
SBC: No comment.
Central Arkansas Water: No objection.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Planning: No comment.
CATA: The site is located on CATA Bus Route #25 —the Highway 10
Express Route.
F. ISSUES/TECHNICAUDESIGN:
Planninq Division: This request is located in the River Mountain Planning
District. The Land Use Plan shows Transition for this property. The applicant
has applied for a revision to a Planned Commercial District for a change of uses
for the property.
The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan.
RK
FILE NO.- Z -6219-C
Master Street Plan: Cantrell Road is shown as a Principal Arterial on the Master
Street Plan and Bella Rosa is shown as a local street. Both may require
dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements. The primary
function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major
traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas, not to provide access
to adjacent properties. Curb cuts should be limited to improve traffic flow.
The primary function of a Local Commercial Street is to provide access to
adjacent properties. Local Commercial Streets are built to Collector standards
because of adjacent commercial zoning.
Biocle Plan: There is a Class 1 bike route to the northeast along a creek on the
north side of Cantrell approximately 750 feet away.
Cily Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan: The property under review is not
located in an area covered by a City of Little Rock recognized neighborhood
action plan.
Landscape: No comment.
G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (December 8, 2005).
The applicant was not present representing the request. Staff presented the item
indicating there were few outstanding issues related to the request. Staff stated
the request was to change the use mix of the existing development. Staff stated
the Commission reviewed a request in January to allow the site to develop as an
office, showroom and warehouse development. Staff stated the current request
was different in that the request was to allow 60 percent of the site a's office,
showroom and warehouse uses.
There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the
item to the full Commission for final action.
H, ANALYSIS:
There were no outstanding issues associated with the request remaining from
the December 8, 2005, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant is
proposing to revise the previously approved PCD to add additional uses to the
site. The applicant's request is to add office, showroom and warehouse activities
to the site to allow flexibility in the marketing of the site. The current approved
plan for the office building includes 0-3, General Office uses, along with the ten
percent Accessory uses. The Zoning Ordinance defines Office, Showroom and
Warehouse as a facility for mixed use with the following characteristics: (1) A
showroom for display of product line which does not include items for user
purchase, expect within C-3 general commercial district; (2) A storage or
warehouse facility which occupies not more than sixty percent of the gross floor
areas of the structure; (3) The principal office of the business; (4) Sales to
contractors or other businesses installing or delivering to consumer and users.
4
FILE NO.: Z -6219 -
Staff is not supportive of the applicant's request. The development was
approved with five buildings totaling 82,800 square feet of office and
mini -warehouse. The approval included the placement of a 29,000 square foot
office building, which would utilize 10 percent of the gross floor areas with
Accessory uses as listed in the 0-3, General Office District zoning classification.
The second buildings was to contain 28,000 square feet of conditioned storage
access from interior halls and three stand alone mini -warehouse buildings
containing a total of 25,800 square feet of space. The proposed site plan
included the placement of 117 parking spaces with 19 spaces for boat and RV
storage.
The mini -warehouse square footage approved for the development on the site
totaled 53,800 square feet. This portion of the development is an intense
commercial activity allowable as a by right use in the C-4, Open Display District
zoning classification. The current approval allows sixty-five percent of the total
square footage to be developed with C-4, General Commercial District activities.
The indicated boat and RV storage is also a C-4, General Commercial District
use not included in the total overall percentage of commercial activity.
In addition, the accessory uses allowed in ' the 0-3, General Office District zoning
classification are for the most part commercial activities, which totals
2,900 square feet. When combining the two commercial aspects of the
development, sixty-nine percent of the total square footage allows commercial
type activities leaving only thirty-two percent as office uses.
The current request would potentially allow 17,400 square feet to be utilized as
office, showroom and warehouse space and commercial type use. This would
increase the allowable commercial activities on the site to a total of eighty-six
percent leaving only 10,800 square feet of office space.
Staff does not feel this location is appropriate for a "commercial development".
The original basis of staffs support of the proposed development was for the
development to appear office from the roadway, screening the intense aspect of
the development (the mini -warehouse). Staff felt if the development appeared as
an office development, limiting the uses as was previously approved, the
development would be appropriate for the site. The City's Future Land Use Plan
indicates the site as Transitional, which allows for office or residential
development. Staff feels allowing the addition of office, showroom and
warehouse activities to develop on the site changes the character of the
development and reinforces a commercial development. Staff feels the
development should utilize the uses as were previously approved; maintaining
the office uses along Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive and placing the intense
commercial activities within the site, screened from the adjoining roadways by
the office building.
5
FILE NO.: Z -6219-C (Cont.)
L STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends denial of the request.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 5, 2006)
The applicant was present representing the request. There were registered objectors
present. Staff stated they had received a formal request from the applicant for a
deferral. Staff stated the request was received on January 4, 2006, which was not
within the time frame required by the Planned Commission by-laws. Staff stated the
deferral would require a waiver of the by-laws to allow the deferral.
Mr. Stephen Giles addressed the Commission on the merits of the deferral request. He
stated he was recently retained as council by the developers and he needed additional
time to be brought up to speed. He stated with the additional time he would be able to
work with staff and the opposition to potentially resolve outstanding issues and
concerns.
Mr. Gene Pfeifer addressed the Commission in opposition of the proposed deferral. He
stated he felt the developers had ample time between filing the application and the
public hearing to retain council and meet with concerned neighbors. He stated he had
arranged to be in town specifically for this meeting and was opposed to any deferral.
He stated he felt it an imposition on the citizenry to allow a deferral at such a late date
when many had taken off work and come down for a public hearing.
Ms. Ruth Bell addressed the Commission in opposition of the deferral request. She
stated it was important to follow the rules of order and conduct meeting accordingly.
She stated allowing last minute deferrals strained the citizen input process and
discouraged citizens from participating in the public hearing process.
A motion was made to approve the deferral request. The motion failed by a vote,of
10 noes, 1 ayes and 0 absent.
Staff presented the requested rezoning with a recommendation of denial. Staff stated
the proposed development was considered by the Commission in January of 2005, and
the request was not a great deal different than the previous proposal.
Mr. Giles addressed the Commission on the merits of the request. He stated the
development would not be commercial. He stated the center would maintain the
existing look and continue to look and feel like an office development. He stated the
tenant mix would be such that the uses would be low impact uses such as a dental
supply company. He stated there were be no end user purchase from the site. He
stated with additional time he could work with staff to determine if enhanced screening
and additional landscaping would give the development a better feel and screen the
uses. He stated with additional time he could work with staff to determine if there was
an office mix that would be acceptable to staff.
�-9
FILE NO.: Z -6219-C (Cont
Mr. Gene Pfeifer addressed the Commission in opposition of the proposed request. He
stated the Commercial Nodes had been established along Highway 10 and Bella Rosa
and Highway 10 was not a commercial node intersection. He stated he did not feel
mini -warehouse was envisioned for Highway 10 when the Design Overlay District was
created. He stated the Highway 10 Plan did not allow for stripping out of Cantrell Road.
He stated the intent by the developers was to rezone the site to commercial to create a
commercial node at the intersection of the two roadways. He stated the development
was constructed as an office warehouse development. He questioned what office
would need an overhead door. Mr. Pfeifer stated the press releases indicated the site
with 29,000 square feet of commercial space. He stated the commercial space being
advertised was the office space the applicant's were now requesting for rezoning to
office showroom warehouse. He stated the restaurant had utilized all the available
commercial space within the development. He stated the applicant's had indicated
there were no additional changes to the development. He stated the restaurant was
staying open late and questioned if the hours of operation were approved as a closing
of 8:00 pm why the restaurant was not being required to adhere to the zoning.
Ms. Ruth Bell addressed the Commission in opposition of the proposed request. She
stated she did not feel the proposed request was consistent with the Transitional zone.
She stated the original intent was to screen the mini -warehouse with the office
development and she felt the office building did act as a screen. She ,stated with the
allowance of the commercial uses the character of the development would be changed.
She stated a commercial development was inconsistent with the City's Land Use Plan.
Mr. Giles stated he would like to address the concerns of the opposition. He stated the
development would not be a commercial development and would not create a
commercial node. He stated the proposed uses of the development were not high
volume traffic generators. He stated the request was not retail uses and not a shopping
center. He stated the restaurant was a neighborhood use.
Mr. Pete Hornibrook addressed the Commission on behalf of the owners. He stated he
was involved in the sale of the property and the development of the site. He stated the
site was constructed as a commerce center not a commercial center. He stated the
proposed uses of the site included uses for office, showroom and warehousing
activities. He stated there would be limited customer traffic to the site and there would
be no carrying of merchandise from the site.
There was a lengthy discussion from the Commission and staff concerning the definition
of and examples of office, showroom and warehousing activities. The Commission
questioned the location of a facility similar to the proposed development. Staff could not
give an example of a facility. Staff stated something similar would be a medical
supplies facility. Staff stated if the developer were proposing a catalogue sales
business then there would not be an issue. The Commission questioned if product
could be on display staff stated no product only catalogue sales.
Mr. Hornibrook stated the proposed use was an allowable use under the 0-3 zoning
district as a Conditional Use. He stated the developers were not requesting to change
7
FILE NO.: Z-621 9-C
the site to a commercial development. He stated the developers would be willing to limit
the development to no product carryout from the site. He stated he had met with two
neighborhood associations in the area and the immediate neighbors. He stated there
was little opposition to the proposed request.
A motion was made to approve the request as filed. The motion failed by a vote of
5 ayes, 5 noes and 1 absent.
January 5, 2006
ITEM NO.: 7
FILE NO.' Z -6219-C
NAME: Bella Rosa Revised Long -form PCD
LOCATION: On the Southwest corner of Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive
DEVELOPER:
HVVY 107 Associates, LLC
3801 Woodland Heights
Little Rock, AR 72212
ENGINEER-
McGetrick and McGetrick Engineers
10 Otter Creek Court, Suite A
Little Rock, AR 72210
AREA: 7.5 Acres
CURRENT ZONING
ALLOWED USES
NUMBER OF LOTS: 1
PCD
FT. NEW STREET- 0
OfficeMarehouse — Mini -warehouse development
PROPOSED ZONING: Revised PCD
PROPOSED USE: Office/Showroom/Wa rehouse — Mini -warehouse development
VARIAN CESMAIVE RS REQUESTED: None requested.
BACKGROUND:
On November 21, 1996 the Planning Commission reviewed and denied a request to
rezone the site from R-2, Single-family to POD to allow the site to develop with limited
office space, conditioned storage and mini -storage. The proposal included the
placement of 102,775 square feet of improvements, containing approximately 18,000
square feet of office and office/wa rehouse space, including an on-site manager's office
and apartment comprising approximately 1,600 square feet. The balance of the project
was to be self -storage units.
On March 11, 2004, the Little Rock Planning Commission made a recommendation of
approval of a request to redevelop this 7.5 -acre site located on the southwest corner of
Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive as a Planned Commercial Development. The
January 5, 2006
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-C
applicant intended to develop the site with a total of 82,800 square feet of office and
mini -warehouse buildings. The site was to contain a single building of office containing
a total of 29,000 square feet and an office/managers residence for the mini -warehouse
development. A second building would contain 28,000 square feet of conditioned
storage accessed from interior halls and three buildings of stand-alone mini -warehouse
buildings containing a total of 25,800 square feet of space. The total building coverage
proposed was 34.3 percent with 27 percent of the site designated as landscaped/green
space area. The approved site plan contained 117 parking spaces with 19 spaces
proposed for boat and RV storage. The days and hours of operation proposed were
from 7 am to 8 prn seven days per week. The mini -warehouse would have 24-hour
access. The previous approval allows 0-3 uses and an allowance for ten percent of the
gross floor area as 0-3 accessory uses. The Little Rock Board of Directors adopted
Ordinance No. 19,072 on April 6, 2004, establishing the Bella Rosa Long -form PCD as
presented to the Little Rock Planning Commission.
The Little Rock Planning Commission denied a request to revise the previously
approved Planned Commercial Development at their January 20, 2005, public hearing.
The request was to amend the previously approved PCD to add
office/showroom/warehouse as allowable activities for the site (currently allowable in
0-3 with a Conditional Use Permit). The request was not appeal to the Board of
Directors.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
The applicant is now proposing a revision to the previously approved Planned
Commercial Development to allow additional uses to be considered as allowable
uses for the office building. The site has developed with a 29,000 square foot
office building and 58,300 square feet of mini -warehouse space. The current
allowable uses for the office building are 0-3, General Office District uses along
with ten (10) percent of the gross floor area to utilize the Accessory uses as listed
in the 0-3 General Office District zoning classification. The request is to revise
the approved allowable uses as indicated below:
1. to allow up to 60% of the 29,000 square foot building to be utilized as
office, showroom and warehouse space.
2. to allow a health studio or spa use.
There are no changes proposed to the previously approved site plan or the hours
of operation. The previously approved request to allow ten percent of the gross
floor area as listed in the Accessory use of the 0-3, General Office District zoning
classification remains as a part of the current request.
The proposed additional uses do not conflict with the approved Bill of Assurance
for the subdivision.
2
January 5, 2006
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-C
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS -
The site has developed with an office development and a mini -warehouse facility.
The site is relatively flat with a creek running along the western and southern
perimeters. The property to the east of the site (across Bella Rosa Drive) is
vacant and has been cleared. Further to the east is the Seven Acres Business
Park zoned POD and developed with a mix of commercial and office uses. To
the southeast are single-family homes adjoining the northern bank of the creek.
To the south of the site (across the creek) a single-family subdivision is currently
under construction and further south are single-family homes fronting Bella Rosa
Drive. To the west of the proposed site (west of the creek) are also vacant lands
fronting Cantrell Road. North of the site are single-family homes on acreage.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
As of this wriiting, staff has received one informational phone call from an area
resident. All property owners located within 200 -feet of the site along with the
Westchester and Johnson Ranch Neighborhood Associations were notified of the
Public Hearing.
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS:
Public Works Conditions:
1. No comment.
E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING:
Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected.
Entergy: No comment.
Center -Point EneLgy: No comment.
SBC: No comment.
Central Arkansas Water: No objection.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Planninq: No comment.
CATA: The site is located on CATA Bus Route #25 —the Highway 10
Express Route.
K
January5,2006
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-C.
F
A]
ISSUES/TECHNICAUDESIGN:
Planning Division: This request is located in the River Mountain Planning
District. The Land Use Plan shows Transition for this property. The applicant
has applied for a revision to a Planned Commercial District for a change of uses
for the property.
The request does not require a change to the Land Use Plan.
Master Street Plan: Cantrell Road is shown as a Principal Arterial on the Master
Street Plan and Bella Rosa is shown as a local street. Both may require
dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements. The primary
function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major
traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas, not to provide access
to adjacent properties. Curb cuts should be limited to improve traffic flow.
The primary function of a Local Commercial Street is to provide access to
adjacent properties. Local Commercial Streets are built to Collector standards
because of adjacent commercial zoning.
Bicycle Plan: There is a Class 1 bike route to the northeast along a creek on the
north side of Cantrell approximately 750 feet away,
City Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan.- The property under review is not
located in an area covered by a City of Little Rock recognized neighborhood
action plan.
Landscape: No comment.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT:
(December 8, 2005)
The applicant was not present representing the request. Staff presented the item
indicating there were few outstanding issues related to the request. Staff stated
the request was to change the use mix of the existing development. Staff stated
the Commission reviewed a request in January to allow the site to develop as an
office, showroom and warehouse development. Staff stated the current request
was different in that the request was to allow 60 percent of the site as office,
showroom and warehouse uses.
There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the
item to the full Commission for final action.
4
January 5, 2006
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-C
H. ANALYSIS:
There were no outstanding issues associated with the request remaining from
the December 8, 2005, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant is
proposing to revise the previously approved PCD to add additional uses to the
site. The applicant's request is to add office, showroom and warehouse activities
to the site to allow flexibility in the marketing of the site. The current approved
plan for the office building includes 0-3, General Office uses, along with the ten
percent Accessory uses. The Zoning Ordinance defines Office, Showroom and
Warehouse as a facility for mixed use with the following characteristics: (1) A
showroom for display of product line which does not include items for user
purchase, expect within C-3 general commercial district; (2) A storage or
warehouse facility which occupies not more than sixty percent of the gross floor
areas of the structure; (3) The principal office of the business; (4) Sales to
contractors or other businesses installing or delivering to consumer and users.
Staff is not supportive of the applicant's request. The development was
approved with five buildings totaling 82,800 square feet of office and
mini -warehouse. The approval included the placement of a 29,000 square foot
office building, which would utilize 10 percent of the gross floor areas with
Accessory uses as listed in the 0-3, General Office District zoning classification.
The second buildings was to contain 28,000 square feet of conditioned storage
access from interior halls and three stand alone mini -warehouse buildings
containing a total of 25,800 square feet of space. The proposed site plan
included the placement of 117 parking spaces with 19 spaces for boat and RV
storage.
The mini -warehouse square footage approved for the development on the site
totaled 53,800 square feet. This portion of the development is an intense
commercial activity allowable as a by right use in the C-4, Open Display District
zoning classification. The current approval allows sixty-five percent of the total
square footage to be developed with C-4, General Commercial District activities.
The indicated boat and RV storage is also a C-4, General Commercial District
use not included in the total overall percentage of commercial activity.
In addition, the accessory uses allowed in the 0-3, General Office District zoning
classification are for the most part commercial activities, which totals
2,900 square feet. When combining the two commercial aspects of the
development, sixty-nine percent of the total square footage allows commercial
type activities leaving only thirty-two percent as office uses.
The current request would potentially allow 17,400 square feet to be utilized as
office, showroom and warehouse space and commercial type use. This would
increase the allowable commercial activities on the site to a total of eighty-six
percent leaving only 10,800 square feet of office space.
9
January 5, 2006
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-C
Staff does not feel this location is appropriate for a "commercial development".
The original basis of staffs support of the proposed development was for the
development to appear office from the roadway, screening the intense aspect of
the development (the mini -warehouse). Staff felt if the development appeared as
an office development, limiting the uses as was previously approved, the
development would be appropriate for the site. The City's Future Land Use Plan
indicates the site as Transitional, which allows for office or residential
development. Staff feels allowing the addition of office, showroom and
warehouse activities to develop on the site changes the character of the
development and reinforces a commercial development. Staff feels the
development should utilize the uses as were previously approved; maintaining
the office uses along Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive and placing the intense
commercial activities within the site, screened from the adjoining roadways by
the office building.
1. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends denial of the request.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 5, 2006)
The applicant was present representing the request. There were registered objectors
present. Staff stated they had received a formal request from the applicant for a
deferral. Staff stated the request was received on January 4, 2006,, which was not
within the time frame required by the Planned Commission by-laws. Staff stated the
deferral would require a waiver of the by-laws to allow the deferral.
Mr. Stephen Giles addressed the Commission on the merits of the deferral request. He
stated he was recently retained as council by the developers and he needed additional
time to be brought up to speed. He stated with the additional time he would be able to
work with staff and the opposition to potentially resolve outstanding issues and
concerns.
Mr. Gene Pfeifer addressed the Commission in opposition of the proposed deferral. He
stated he felt the developers had ample time between filing the application and the
public hearing to retain council and meet with concerned neighbors. He stated he had
arranged to be in town specifically for this meeting and was opposed to any deferral.
He stated he felt it an imposition on the citizenry to allow a deferral at such a late date
when many had taken off work and come down for a public hearing.
Ms. Ruth Bell addressed the Commission in opposition of the deferral request. She
stated it was important to follow the rules of order and conduct meeting accordingly.
January 5, 2006
SUBDIVISION
NO.: 7 (Cont.
FILE NO.: Z -6219-C
She stated allowing last minute deferrals strained the citizen input process and
discouraged citizens from participating in the public hearing process.
A motion was made to approve the deferral request. The motion failed by a vote of
10 noes, 1 ayes and 0 absent.
Staff presented the requested rezoning with a recommendation of denial. Staff stated
the proposed development was considered by the Commission in January of 2005, and
the request was not a great deal different than the previous proposal.
Mr. Giles addressed the Commission on the merits of the request. He stated the
development would not be commercial. He stated the center would maintain the
existing look and continue to look and feel like an office development. He stated the
tenant mix would be such that the uses would be low impact uses such as a dental
supply company. He stated there were be no end user purchase from the site. He
stated with additional time he could work with staff to determine if enhanced screening
and additional landscaping would give the development a better feel and screen the
uses. He stated with additional time he could work with staff to determine if there was
an office mix that would be acceptable to staff.
Mr. Gene Pfeifer addressed the Commission in opposition of the proposed request. He
stated the Commercial Nodes had been established along Highway 10 and Bella Rosa
and Highway 10 was not a commercial node intersection. He stated he did not feel
mini -warehouse was envisioned for Highway 10 when the Design Overlay District was
created. He stated the Highway 10 Plan did not allow for stripping out of Cantrell Road.
He stated the intent by the developers was to rezone the site to commercial to create a
commercial node at the intersection of the two roadways. He stated the development
was constructed as an office warehouse development. He questioned what office
would need an overhead door. Mr. Pfeifer stated the press releases indicated the site
with 29,000 square feet of commercial space. He stated the commercial space being
advertised was the office space the applicant's were now requesting for rezoning to
office showroom warehouse. He stated the restaurant had utilized all the available
commercial space within the development. He stated the applicant's had indicated
there were no additional changes to the development. He stated the restaurant was
staying open late and questioned if the hours of operation were approved as a closing
of 8:00 pm why the restaurant was not being required to adhere to the zoning.
Ms. Ruth Bell addressed the Commission in opposition of the proposed request. She
stated she did not feel the proposed request was consistent with the Transitional zone.
She stated the original intent was to screen the mini -warehouse with the office
development and she felt the office building did act as a screen. She stated with the
allowance of the commercial uses the character of the development would be changed.
She stated a commercial development was inconsistent with the City's Land Use Plan.
7
January 5, 2006
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-C
Mr. Giles stated he would like to address the concerns of the opposition. He stated the
development would not be a commercial development and would not create a
commercial node. He stated the proposed uses of the development were not high
volume traffic generators. He stated the request was not retail uses and not a shopping
center. He stated the restaurant was a neighborhood use.
Mr. Pete Hornibrook addressed the Commission on behalf of the owners. He stated he
was involved in the sale of the property and the development of the site. He stated the
site was constructed as a commerce center not a commercial center. He stated the
proposed uses of the site included uses for office, showroom and warehousing
activities. He stated there would be limited customer traffic to the site and there would
be no carrying of merchandise from the site.
There was a lengthy discussion from the Commission and staff concerning the definition
of and examples of office, showroom and warehousing activities. The� Commission
questioned the location of a facility similar to the proposed development. Staff could not
give an example of a facility. Staff stated something similar would be a medical
supplies facility. Staff stated if the developer were proposing a catalogue sales
business then there would not be an issue. The Commission questioned if product
could be on display staff stated no product only catalogue sales.
Mr. Hornibrook stated the proposed use was an allowable use under the 0-3 zoning
district as a Conditional Use. He stated the developers were not requesting to change
the site to a commercial development. He stated the developers would be willing to limit
the development to no product carryout from the site. He stated.1he had met with two
neighborhood associations in the area and the immediate neighbors. He stated there
was little opposition to the proposed request.
A motion was made to approve the request as filed. The motion failed by a vote -of
5 ayes, 5 noes and 1 absent.
ITEM NO.: 7
NAME: Bella Rosa Revised Long -form PCD
Z -6219-C
LOCATION: on the Southwest corner of Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive
Planning Staff Comments:
1. Provide notification of property owners located within 200 -feet of the site, complete
with the certified abstract list, notice form with affidavit executed and proof of
mailing.
2. The applicant is requesting to add the following uses as allowable uses to the site:
i. to allow up to 60% of the building to be utilized as office,
showroom/warehouse space
ii. to allow a health studio or spa use
Variance/Waivers: None requested.
Public Works Conditions:
1. No comment.
Utilities and Fire Department/County Planning:
Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected.
Ente[gV: No comment.
Center -Point Enerav: No comment.
SBC: No comment.
Central Arkansas Water: No objection.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Plannin : No comment.
CATA: The site is located on CATA Bus Route #25 — the Highway 10 Express Route.
Planning Division:
Landscape: No comment.
Revised plat/plan: Submit four (4) copies of a revised preliminary plan (to include the
additional information as noted above) to staff on Wednesday, December 14, 2005.