Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6223 Staff AnalysisNovember 25, 1996 em No .: 5 fi Lle No. Owner: Address: Descri,otion: Zoned: Variance Recruested: justification: Z-6223 Truck Transport, Inc. 7800 Sloane Drive Tract E-4, Area 101, Little Rock Port Industrial Park 1-3 A variance is requested from the pavement requirements of Section 36-508 to permit use of unpaved, gravel driveways for a period of two years until the permanent building, parking lots and drives are built. A variance is also requested from the pavement requirements of Section 36-508 to permit permanent use of unpaved, gravel truck maneuvering/storage area to be located to the rear of the building once permanent facilities are constructed on the site. Applicant's statement: Truck Transport is requesting a 1��par deferral to allow a gravel access loop for trucks to circulate to the asphalt loading area parallel to the tracks. The gravel loop will be constructed in the initial phase with temporary drainage ditches and culverts, and will be in use until it is absorbed into the permanent site plan with the building, permanent asphalt parking, and front and side landscaping. It is difficult to maintain the initial loop drive during the second phase building and parking lot construction. However, the permanent concrete driveway apron and asphalt entry drive will be constructed in the first phase. November 25, 1996 Item No.: 5 (Cont.) Truck Transport is also requesting a variance to allow a gravel truck maneuvering area in the rear of the site. They have found in similar installations in other cities that truck turning movements on asphalt pavement result in excessive wear, eventual "pothole- formation, and irregular patching. They prefer to operate upon a 12" gravel surface which can be shaped and graded as required. The Little Rock Port Industrial Park has gravel surfaces on similar rear yard storage and truck access areas on existing sites. (i.e., Port Terminal, AFCO Metals). Present Use of Property: Undeveloped tract Proposed Use of Propert Transloading site for loading/unloading materials from rail cars and trucks Staff Report: A. Public works Comments: No issues B. Staff Analysis: This item before the Board actually has two separate variance requests related to the pavement requirements of Section 36-508. Truck Transport, Inc. proposes to use the site for the loading/unloading of materials from rail cars to trucks. Development of the site will occur in two phases. The first phase involves the construction of a railroad spur and a circular driveway. A small office building will be placed on the site. During this initial phase, a portion of the driveway will not be paved. The required concrete apron will be constructed at Sloane Drive and the driveway will be paved approximately 70 feet beyond that. The driveway will also be paved at the point adjacent to the railroad spur, where the transloading will occur. The applicant is requesting a two-year deferral of the requirement to pave the remainder of the circular driveway, since it will only be in use until it will be removed when the permanent improvements are W, November 25, 1996 Item No.: 5 (Cont.) constructed. Staff believes this request to be reasonable and supports the two-year deferral. The second phase involves the construction of additional railroad spurs, a permanent building and paved parking. The applicant is requesting a variance to allow a permanent, gravel truck maneuvering area on the rear portion of the site. They feel that truck movements in this area will lead to excessive wear of any pavement and prefer to operate on a 12 inch gravel surface which can be shaped and graded as needed. There will be a minimum of 400 feet of paved surface between the gravel area and the street. Such gravel surfaces are not out of character in this industrial area. Staff feels the requested variance to be reasonable. C. staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested two-year deferral of the pavements of section 36-508 subject to the concrete apron and 70 foot long paved driveway being constructed as proposed. Staff also recommends approval of the requested variance from the pavement requirements of Section 36-508 to permit permanent use of a gravel truck maneuvering/storage area to be located to the rear of the building in Phase II subject to the following condition: 1. The site is to be paved in those areas shown on the Master Plan for Phase II. Note to Board of Adjustment: Approval of these variances does not endorse the location of the proposed 12,000 gallon fuel storage tank shown on the rear of the site on the Master Plan. This use may require a conditional use permit from the Planning commission. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (NOVEMBER 25, 1996) Kirby Rowland abstained on this item. william Ruck was present representing the application. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Board that the applicant was only requesting that the paving requirements be deferred for two years or until the future docking facilities, future intermodal transfer facilities and buildings are constructed, whichever comes first. The second variance request, the permanent gravel truck maneuvering area associated with Phase iI, had been dropped by the applicant. Mr. Ruck explained that paving all of the driveway shown in Phase I would not make sense since much of the driveway area would be torn out when the permanent facilities are constructed. 3 November 25, 1996 Item No.: 5 (Cant.) Dana Carney, of the Planning Staff, informed the Board that the Little Rock Port Authority had submitted a letter agreeing with the two year deferral requested by the applicant. Acting Chairman Alderfer called for a vote on the requested deferral of the pavement requirements for a period of two years or until the permanent facilities are constructed, whichever comes first, subject to the concrete apron and 70 foot long paved driveway being constructed. The deferral was approved by a vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent, 1 open position and 1 abstaining (Rowland). 4