HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6223-A Staff AnalysisFEBRUARY 27, 2006
ITEM NO.: 2
File No.: Z -6223-A
Owner: Novus Arkansas, LLC
Address: . 7920 Sloane Drive
Description: Tract E-4, Area 101, Port of Little Rock Industrial Park
Zoned: 1-3
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the parking provisions of Section 36-502
and the height provisions of Section 36-321 to allow a use with a reduced number of parking
spaces and a building to exceed the maximum height allowed.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Undeveloped
Proposed Use of Property: Feed Supplement Production Plant/Warehouse
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments.
B. Landscape and Buffer Issues:
Areas set aside for landscaping and buffers meet the minimum ordinance
requirements.
C. Staff Analysis:
The 1-3 zoned property at 7920 Sloane Drive is currently undeveloped. The property
is located on the north side of Sloane Drive, west of Fourche Dam Pike. Site work is
taking place in preparation for new building construction. The property is relatively flat,
as are the adjacent properties. There is a railcar unloading area along the west side
of the property. The Waste Management Recycle Center is located to the east.
The applicant proposes to construct a 44,000 square foot production plant on the
property, as noted on the attached site plan. The plant will produce solid food
supplement for the domestic and export markets. The building will be located near
FEBRUARY 27, 2006
M NO.: 2 (CON
the center of the property, with paved parking on the east and south sides. A
concrete drive from Sloane Drive will serve as access, across the lot to the south. A
truck maneuvering area and dock will be located on the south side of the new
building. Railroad access is located on the west side of the building. The applicant is
requesting two (2) variances with regard to the new development.
The first variance is from the height provisions of Section 36-321(d) of the City's
Zoning Ordinance. This section allows a maximum building height of 60 feet for the I-
3 zoning district. The rear portion of the building, as noted on the attached site plan,
will be approximately 100 feet in height. This section of the building will house
processing equipment as explained in the attached letter from the applicant. The
remainder of the building will be less than 60 feet in height (approximately 30 feet).
The second variance requested is from the parking provisions of Section 36-502.
This section requires a minimum of 41 on-site parking spaces based on the amount of
building area devoted to manufacturing, warehouse and office uses. As noted in the
applicant's letter, a total of 19 parking spaces will be provided. The applicant notes
that only eight (8) personnel will be employed with the normal operation of the plant.
Staff is supportive of the requested variances. Staff feels that the increased height is
reasonable within this heavy industrial area. The applicant has submitted a letter of
approval from the Little Rock Port Authority and a letter of conditional approval from
the Little Rock National Airport. With respect to the parking variance, staff also feels
that it is reasonable. There will be sufficient area within the site to add more parking if
it is needed in the future. Staff will support the parking variance for Novus Arkansas,
LLC only. Any other future uses of the building will need to seek their own parking
variance from the Board. This type of parking variance has been previously approved
for other developments within the Port Industrial area. Staff believes the proposed
development will have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the general
area.
D. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested building height and parking variances,
subject to the following conditions:
1. The applicant must have a "Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration, Form,
7460-1" approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Division.
2. The parking variance is approved for Novus Arkansas, LLC only. Any other
future uses of the building must. seek their own parking variance.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (FEBRUARY 27, 2006)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a
recommendation of approval.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
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FEBRUARY 27, 2006
ITEM NO.: 2 (CON'T.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (FEBRUARY 27, 2006 CON'T.)
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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