HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6219-E Staff AnalysisITEM NO.: 11.
NAME: Bella Rosa Revised Long -form PCD
Z -6219-E
LOCATION: located on the Southwest corner of Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive at
16055 Cantrell Road
Planninq Staff Comments,
1. Provide notification of abutting property owners of the site, complete with the
certified abstract list, notice form with affidavit executed and proof of mailing. The
notice must be mailed no later than June 20, 2007. The Office of Planning and
Development must receive the proof of notice no later than June 28, 2007.
Variance/Waivers: None requested.
Public Works Conditions: No comment.
Utilities and Fire Department/County Planning:
Wastewater: Sewer is available to this property.
Entergy: No comment received.
Center -Point Energy: Approved as submitted.
AT and T: No comment received -
Central Arkansas Water: No comment.
Fire Department: No comment.
County Planning: No comment.
CATA: The site is not located on a dedicated CATA Bus Route.
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 Development to revise hours of operation.
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 Rosas Drive is shown as a Local Street. The primary function of a
Item# 11
Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or
activity centers within urbanized areas. The primary function of a Local Street is to
provide access to adjacent properties. These streets may require dedication of right-of-
way and may require street improvements.
Bicycle Plari� Existing or proposed Class 1, 11, or III Bikeways are not in the immediate
vicinity of the development.
City Recognized Neiqhborhaod 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.
Revised plat/plan: Submit four (4) copies of a revised preliminary plat (to include the
additional information as noted above) to staff on Wednesday, June 20, 2007.
Item # 11
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
NAME: Bella Rosa Revised Long -form PCD
LOCATION: Located on the Southwest corner of Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive
at 16055 Cantrell Road
DEVELOPER:
Rector Phillips Morse, Inc
1501 N. University Avenue, Suite 800
P.O. Box 7300
Little Rock, AR 72217
AGENT:
Wdght, Lindsey and Jennings, LLP
200 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 230
Little Rock, AR 72201
ENGINEER:
McGetrick Engineers
10 Otter Court, Suite A
Little Rock, AR 72210
AREA: 7.5 Acres
CURRENT ZONING:
ALLOWED USES:
PROPOSED ZONING
PROPOSED USE:
NUMBER OF LOTS: 1
PCD
FT. NEW STREET: 0
Office/Wa rehouse — Mini -warehouse development
Revised PCD
Same — A revision to the hours of operation
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
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E (Cont.)
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, 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
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 pm seven days per week. The mini -warehouse would have 24-hour
access. The approval allows 0-3 uses and an allowance for ten percent of the gross
floor area as 0-3 accessory Uses with the 29,000 square foot office building. 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 appealed to the Board of
Directors.
On January 5, 2006, the Little Rock Planning Commission recommended denial of a
request to revise the previously approved PCD to allow additional uses to occupy the
site. The proposal included the allowance of up to 60% of the 29,000 square foot office
building to be utilized as office, showroom and warehouse space and to allow a health
studio or spa use. This recommendation was appealed to the Board of Directors but
was withdrawn by the applicant prior to the April 18, 2006, public hearing.
On May 11, 2006, the Little Rock Planning Commission approved a request to extend
the hours of operation for the restaurant portion of the site closing at 11:00 pm Monday
through Thursday, Midnight on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 pm on Sunday. The
hours of operation for the mini -warehouse facility established a closing time of 8:00 pm
and any potential office uses in the center would be limited to a 9:00 pm closing time.
The Board of Directors denied this request at their June 6, 2007, public hearing.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
The applicant is seeking an amendment to the previously approved Planned
Commercial Development to modify the current allowable hours of operation for
4
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E (Cont.)
A
C.
IC
E
the 10% accessory use in the Bella Rosa Property located at 16055 Cantrell
Road. The space is occupied by a restaurant, Jim's Razorback Pizza and at
present the hours of operation area from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday through
Saturday.
The applicant requests modification of the current hours of operation from the
10% accessory use by extending the closing hours to 10:00 pm Sunday through
Thursday and until 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. The date of the last Board
of Directors action on this 'item was June 6, 2006, The application is being filed
for the Planning Commission's meeting on July 5, 2007, which is more than one
year from the date of the last action.
EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site has developed with an office development and a mini -warehouse facility.
A creek runs along the western and southern perimeters. The property to the
east of the site (across Bella Rosa Drive) is vacant. 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-flamily 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.
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, all residents who
could be identified located within 300 -feet of the site along with the Westchester
and Johnson Ranch Neighborhood Associations were notified of the Public
Hearing.
ENGINEERING COMMENTS:
PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS:
No comment.
UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING:
Wastewater: Sewer is available to this property.
Enter-gy: No comment received.
Center -Point Ener_q : Approved as submitted.
AT and T: No comment received.
-C-1
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E (Cont.)
Central Arkansas Water: No comment.
Fire Department: No comment.
County Planning: No comment,
CATA: The site is not located on a dedicated CATA Bus Route.
F. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN:
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 Development to revise hours
of operation.
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 Rosas Drive is shown as a Local Street. The primary
function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major
traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. The primary function
of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. These streets may
require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements.
Bicycle Plan: Existing or proposed Class 1, 11, or III Bikeways are not in the
immediate vicinity of the development.
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.
Lag�! A�ae.- No comment.
G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (June 14, 2007)
The applicant was not present. Staff presented an overview of the proposed
development stating they would contact the applicant to resolve any questions
and concerns raised during the preliminary review process. 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 June 14, 2007, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant is proposing
to amend the previously approved PCD to allow a modification in the hours of
2
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
operation only. The sole purpose of the application is to revise the PCD to
specify that the hours of operation for the 10 percent accessory use. The
proposed hours would allow the existing restaurant use to operate from 7 am to
10 pm Sunday through Thursday and from 7 am to 11 pm on Friday and
Saturday. The modification to the hours would apply only to the 10 percent
accessory use and the remaining uses within the development, excluding the
mini -warehouse portion of the development, will continue with a closing time of
8 pm. The mini -warehouse portion will remain with 24-hour access as was
previously approved.
Staff previously supported an extension of the hours of operation as did the
Planning Commission. The Board of Directors, as the final decision makers,
denied this request. Within the area, nothing has changed from one year ago.
Staff believes, based on past history of this site and the Board of Directors
denying a similar request in June of last year, they cannot support allowing the
extension of the hours as proposed. By the Board of Directors' action they have
indicated they do not feel this is an appropriate location for a development which
operates within the hours as proposed. The building was approved for 0-3,
General Office District uses. Staff feels the hours of operation of the office
building should be in keeping with an office development and be limited to the
previously approved hours.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
Staff recommends denial of the request as filed.
PLANNING COMMISSIONACTION: (JULY 5, 2007)
The applicant was present. There were registered objectors and registered supporters
present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of denial.
Mr. Bill Spivey addressed the Commission on the merits of the request. He stated the
owners of the Bella Rosa Commerce Center were requesting a modest change to the
approved hours of operation. He stated the restaurant had established a presence in
the neighborhood as a family friendly restaurant. He stated the 8 pm closing had
created a hardship on the business but the owners were adhering to the approved
hours. He stated the request was to extend the hours beyond the current 8 pm closing
for the 10 percent accessory use only. He stated the Commission had reviewed several
requests for revisions to the approved PCD a number of which involved a change in
use. He stated this was not the case for this application request. He stated the only
change was to allow this modest extension for a closing time of 10 pm on week nights
and 11 pm on weekends. He stated the goal of the owners was to fill the center. He
stated staff had indicated there had been no change along Highway 10 in the previous
year. He stated this may be true at this location but a number of changes had taken
place along the corridor in the previous 12 months.
5
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E (Cont.)
Mr. Mike Arnold addressed the Commission. He stated he was the owner of Jim's
Razorback Pizza. He stated the business had been grown to a family oriented
business. He stated the development was not a sports bar as was previously portrayed.
He stated 80 percent of the sales was generated from food and 20 percent was
generated from alcohol sales. He stated the hours being requested were similar to
other uses along Highway 10. He stated without the extended hours it was difficult to
operate a profitable business. He provided the Commission with letter and petitions of
support of the restaurant and the requested hours of operation.
Mr. Tommy Williams addressed the Commission in support. He stated he lived in the
area and enjoyed taking his family to the restaurant. He stated the restaurant catered to
children with an area devoted to games for the children. He stated he worked
downtown and it was difficult to get home and out to eat before the 8 pm closing. He
stated his children enjoyed going for dinner at the pizza place and it was difficult for
them to understand when an establishment was closed.
Mr. Robert Schillinger addressed the Commission in support. He stated his family
enjoyed going for pie at this family restaurant. He stated the business was not a bar but
was a family oriented business, He stated he also worked downtown and it was a chore
to get home and back out to eat before the 8 pm closing.
Mr. Phil Kaplan addressed the Commission in opposition. He stated he was
representing Gene Pfeifer as well as himself in the opposition. He stated he had
presented to the Commission previously his opposition to the request to extend the
hours and he was once again. He stated he was not opposed to businesses being
open if the business was located in an area zoned for such hours. He stated this
development was approved for limited hours and the owners should have investigated
the hours prior to locating in the center. He stated the development had not adhered to
the approved hours of operation. He stated during the time the development was
presenting to the Commission and the Board of Directors for extended hours the
restaurant was continuing to operate past the 8 pm closing. He stated only when the
Judge ruled the City did have the power to impose limits on the hours of operation did
the restaurant begin closing at 8 pm. He stated the development was touted as a sports
bar. He stated on the walls were a number of television sets tuned to sporting events at
any given time. He stated given the history the Commission had an obligation to follow
the Board of Directors action of denial and not approve the extension of the hours of
operation.
Ms. Ruth Bell addressed the Commission in opposition. She questioned if the
modification was approved how long would it be before the applicant came back and
requested some other minor modification. She stated the development was originally
approved with a commercial component which was to compliment the office portion of
the development.
Mr. Spivey stated conversations were taking place to ensure the development would not
be returned to the Commission for a number of years. He stated these negotiations
were preliminary and at this point were not a point of discussion for the Commission.
R
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E (Cont-)
He stated the request was a modest revision to the hours of operation. He stated the
Planning Commission was the relief and the owners would like to have the Board of
Directors revisit the issue of the limited hours.
The Commission questioned if the developer was willing to limit the extended hours to
this restaurant use. He stated he was not willing to limit the hours to this specific user.
He stated the owner was willing to limit the hours for a use other than a restaurant to
10 pm.
Mr. Arnold stated he was willing to commit to not coming back to the Commission. He
stated his company had grown by opening three facilities in nine months four years ago.
He stated his desire was to operate additional restaurants in the City but prior to
purchasing or locating he would verify the zoning and ensure the hours were compatible
with the business.
Commissioner Adcock questioned why he had not relocated. He stated his company
had a great deal invested in the property which was not recoupable if he relocated. He
stated he felt he was a part of the community and wanted to stay in the area.
T here was no further discussion of the item. The Chair entertained a motion for
approval of the item. The motion carried by a vote of 7 ayes, 1 noes, 2 absent and
1 open position.
7
July 5, 2007
ITEM NO.: 11 FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
NAME: Bella Rosa Revised Long -form PCD
LOCATION: Located on the Southwest corner of Cantrell Road and Bella Rosa Drive
at 16055 Cantrell Road
DEVELOPER:
Rector Phillips Morse, Inc
1501 N. University Avenue, Suite 800
P.O. Box 7300
Little Rock, AR 72217
AGENT:
Wriight, Lindsey and Jennings, LLP
200 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 230
Little Rock, AR 72201
ENGINEER:
McGetrick Engineers
10 Otter Court, Suite A
Little Rock, AR 72210
AREA: 7.5 Acres
CURRENT ZONING:
ALLOWED USES:
PROPOSED ZONING:
NUMBER OF LOTS: 1
PCD
FT. NEW STREET: 0
Office/Warehouse — Mini -warehouse development
Revised PCD
PROPOSED USE: Same — A revision to the hours of operation
VARIAN CES/\NAIVERS 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
July 5, 2007
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
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, 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
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 pm seven days per week. The mini -warehouse would have 24-hour
access. The approval allows 0-3 uses and an allowance for ten percent of the gross
floor area as 0-3 accessory uses with the 219,000 square foot office building- 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 (Gurrently allowable in
0-3 with a Conditional Use Permit). The request was not appealed to the Board of
Directors.
On January 5, 2006, the Little Rock Planning Commission recommended denial of a
request to revise the previously approved PCD to allow additional uses to occupy the
site. The proposal included the allowance of up to 60% of the 29,000 square foot office
building to be utilized as office, showroom and warehouse space and to allow a health
studio or spa use. This recommendation was appealed to the Board of Directors but
was withdrawn by the applicant prior to the April 18, 2006, public hearing.
On May 11, 2006, the Little Rock Planning Commission approved a request to extend
the hours of operation for the restaurant portion of the site closing at 11:00 pm Monday
through Thursday, Midnight on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 pm on Sunday. The
hours of operation for the mini -warehouse facility established a closing time of 8:00 pm
and any potential office uses in the center would be limited to a 9:00 pm closing time.
The Board of Directors denied this request at their June 6, 2007, public hearing.
2
July 5, 2007
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
A. PROP OSAUREQ U EST:
The applicant is seeking an amendment to the previously approved Planned
Commercial Development to modify the current allowable hours of operation for
the 10% accessory use in the Bella Rosa Property located at 16055 Cantrell
Road. The space is occupied by a restaurant, Jim's Razorback Pizza and at
present the hours of operation area from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday through
Saturday.
The applicant requests modification of the current hours of operation from the
10% accessory use by extending the closing hours to 10:00 pm Sunday through
Thursday and until 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. The date of the last Board
of Directors action on this item was June 6, 2006. The application is being filed
for the Planning Commission's meeting on July 5, 2007, which is more than one
year from the date of the last action.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site has developed with an office development and a mini -warehouse facility.
A creek runs along the western and southern perimeters. The property to the
east of the site (across Bella Rosa Drive) is vacant, 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, all residents who
could be identified located within 300 -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:
No comment.
E_ UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING:
Wastewater: Sewer is available to this property.
3
July 5, 2007
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.
F.
9
EnterqV: No comment received.
Center -Point Energ : Approved as submitted.
AT and T: No comment received.
Central Arkansas Water: No comment.
Fire Der)artment: No comment.
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
County Planning: No comment.
CATA: The site is not located on a dedicated CATA Bus Route.
ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN:
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 Development to revise hours
of operation.
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 Rosas Drive is shown as a Local Street. The primary
function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major
traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. The primary function
of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. These streets may
require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements.
Bicycle Plan: Existing or proposed Class 1, 11, or III Bikeways are not in the
immediate vicinity of the development.
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:
(June 14, 2007)
The applicant was not present. Staff presented an overview of the proposed
development stating they would contact the applicant to resolve any questions
and concerns raised during the preliminary review process. There was no further
M
July 5, 2007
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
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 June 14, 2007, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant is proposing
to amend the previously approved PCD to allow a modification in the hours of
operation only. The sole purpose of the application is to revise the PCD to
specify that the hours of operation for the 10 percent accessory use. The
proposed hours would allow the existing restaurant use to operate from 7 am to
10 pm Sunday through Thursday and from 7 am to 11 pm on Friday and
Saturday. The modification to the hours would apply only to the 10 percent
accessory use and the remaining uses within the development, excluding the
mini -warehouse portion of the development, will continue with a closing time of
8 pm. The mini -warehouse portion will remain with 24-hour access as was
previously approved.
Staff previously supported an extension of the hours of operation as did the
Planning Commission. The Board of Directors, as the final decision makers,
denied this request. Within the area, nothing has changed from one year ago.
Staff believes, based on past history of this site and the Board of Directors
denying a similar request in June of last year, they cannot support allowing the
extension of the hours as proposed. By the Board of Directors' action they have
indicated they do not feel this is an appropriate location for a development which
operates within the hours as proposed. The building was approved for 0-3,
General Office District uses. Staff feels the hours of operation of the office
building should be in keeping with an office development and be limited to the
previously approved hours.
1. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends denial of the request as filed -
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 5, 2007)
The applicant was present. There were registered objectors and registered supporters
present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of denial.
Mr. Bill Spivey addressed the Commission on the merits of the request. He stated the
owners of the Bella Rosa Commerce Center were requesting a modest change to the
approved hours of operation. He stated the restaurant had established a presence in
the neighborhood as a family friendly restaurant. He stated the 8 pm closing had
created a hardship on the business but the owners were adhering to the approved
5
July 5, 2007
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO., 11 (Cont.
FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
hours. He stated the request was to extend the hours beyond the current 8 pm closing
for the 10 percent accessory use only. He stated the Commission had reviewed several
requests for revisions to the approved PCD a number of which involved a change in
use. He stated this was not the case for this application request. He stated the only
change was to allow this modest extension for a closing time of 10 pm on week nights
and 11 pm on weekends. He stated the goal of the owners was to fill the center. He
stated staff had indicated there had been no change along Highway 10 in the previous
year. He stated this may be true at this location but a number of changes had taken
place along the corridor in the previous 12 months.
Mr. Mike Arnold addressed the Commission. He stated he was the owner of Jim's
Razorback Pizza. He stated the business had been grown to a family oriented
business. He stated the development was not a sports bar as was previously portrayed.
He stated 80 percent of the sales was generated from food and 20 percent was
generated from alcohol sales. He stated the hours being requested were similar to
other uses along Highway 10. He stated without the extended hours it was difficult to
operate a profitable business. He provided the Commission with letter and petitions of
support of the restaurant and the requested hours of operation.
Mr. Tommy Williams addressed the Commission in support. He stated he lived in the
area and enjoyed taking his family to the restaurant. He stated the restaurant catered to
children with an area devoted to games for the children. He stated he worked
downtown and it was difficult to get home and out to eat before the 8 pm closing. He
stated his children enjoyed going for dinner at the pizza place and it was difficult for
them to understand when an establishment was closed.
Mr. Robert Schillinger addressed the Commission in support. He stated his family
enjoyed going for pie at this family restaurant. He stated the business was not a bar but
was a family oriented business. He stated he also worked downtown and it was a chore
to get home and back out to eat before the 8 pm closing.
Mr. Phil Kaplan addressed the Commission in opposition. He stated he was
representing Gene Pfeifer as well as himself in the opposition. He stated he had
presented to the Commission previously his opposition to the request to extend the
hours and he was once again. He stated he was not opposed to businesses being
open if the business was located in an area zoned for such hours. He stated this
development was approved for limited hours and the owners should have investigated
the hours prior to locating in the center. He stated the development had not adhered to
the approved hours of operation. He stated during the time the development was
presenting to the Commission and the Board of Directors for extended hours the
restaurant was continuing to operate past the 8 pm closing. He stated only when the
Judge ruled the City did have the power to impose limits on the hours of operation did
the restaurant begin closing at 8 pm. He stated the development was touted as a sports
bar. He stated on the walls were a number of television sets tuned to sporting events at
any given time. He stated given the history the Commission had an obligation to follow
A
July 5, 2007
SUBDIVISION
NO. - 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6219-E
the Board of Directors action of denial and not approve the extension of the hours of
operation.
Ms. Ruth Bell addressed the Commission in opposition. She questioned if the
modification was approved how long would it be before the applicant came back and
requested some other minor modification. She stated the development was originally
approved with a commercial component which was to compliment the office por-�on of
the development.
Mr. Spivey stated conversations were taking place to ensure the development would not
be returned to the Commission for a number of years. He stated these negotiations
were preliminary and at this point were not a point of discussion for the Commission.
He stated the request was a modest revision to the hours of operation. He stated the
Planning Commission was the relief and the owners would like to have the Board of
Directors revisit the issue of the limited hours.
The Commission questioned if the developer was willing to limit the extended hours to
this restaurant use. He stated he was not willing to limit the hours to this specific user.
He stated the owner was willing to limit the hours for a use other than a restaurant to
10 pm.
Mr. Arnold stated he was willing to commit to not coming back to the Commission. He
stated his company had grown by opening three facilities in nine months four years ago.
He stated his desire was to operate additional restaurants in the City but prior to
purchasing or locating he would verify the zoning and ensure the hours were compatible
with the business.
Commissioner Adcock questioned why he had not relocated. He stated his company
had a great deal invested in the property which was not recoupable if he relocated. He
stated he felt he was a part of the community and wanted to stay in the area.
There was no further discussion of the item. The Chair entertained a motion for
approval of the item. The motion carried by a vote of 7 ayes, 1 noes, 2 absent and
1 open position.
7