HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6498 Staff AnalysisJune 11, 1998
ITEM NO.: 21
NAME:
LOCATION•
OWNER APPLICANT•
PROPOSAL•
ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS:
1. Site Location:
FILE NO.: Z-6498
Centers for Youth and Families
- Conditional Use Permit
9800 Southwest Drive
U. S. Dept. of Housing
and Urban Development/
Robert D. Ross
To continue to use an existing
single family residence zoned
R-2 for a therapeutic group
home for up to four male
residents.
The property is located on.the west side of Southwest
Drive three lots north of Spanish Road.
2. Compatibility with Neighborhood:
This property is located in a residential single family
R-2 zoned area. No changes to the exterior are planned
so this house will continue to blend in with the other
houses. Since there are only four residents and one
staff member, the number of people at the house will be
similar to a good size family. The operation is not
expected to be very noticeable, and therefore, not have
a large impact on the neighborhood.
The West Baseline Neighborhood Association was notified
of the public hearing.
3. On -Site Drives and Parking:
The site has a normal residential single car driveway
and carport which will not be changed. The residents
are not allowed to have cars. The existing parking
should be sufficient for the operation as described and
would meet ordinance requirements for a single family
residence.
4. Screening and Buffers: No issues.
5. Public Works Comments: No issues.
June 11, 1998
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 21 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6498
6. Utility and Fire Department Comments:
water: No objection.
Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected.
Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted.
Arkla: Approved as submitted.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
LATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route.
7. Staff Analysis:
The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to
continue operating a group care facility which provides
a therapeutic group home setting for up to four male
residents between the ages of 16 and 18. The group
home has been operating at this location for 3 1/2 to 4
years. The residents are under the custody of the
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of
Children and Family Services. Residents attend local
schools and are provided a structured living
environment to help them develop independent living
skills. The residents are supervised 24 hours/day, 7
days/week in shifts, but no staff member lives at the
house. The residents receive individual and group
counseling each week, sometimes at the home, sometimes
at other locations.
In reviewing this request the Commission must consider
the Ordinance, Section 36-107 which states that
-(12) Separation or spacing requirements for
group care facilities or group homes will
be determined by the planning commission
so as not to adversely impact the
surrounding properties and neighborhood.
Issues to consider during review of a
group care facility include:
a. Total number of similar facilities
located in the neighborhood.
b. Spacing of existing similar
facilities.
C. Existing zoning and land use patterns.
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June 11, 1998
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO. :_ _ -21 (Cont.
FILE NO.: Z-6498
d. The number of individuals and type of
services being proposed.
e. The availability of facilities
providing like services.
f. Provisions for readily accessible public
or quasi -public transportation."
Regarding these items, staff provides the following
information:
a. Based on available information, staff
is not aware of any other group homes
in this neighborhood. Item no. 20,
Z-6497 concerns a proposed group home
to be located 1+ mile to the SW on
Facts Court.
b. N/A
C. Surrounding area is zoned R-2, the
land use pattern is residential, and
the surrounding property consists of
single family homes.
d. Explained above.
e. Based on available information, staff
is not aware of other facilities
providing like services in this area.
f. This site is not directly on a CATA
bus route, but an agency van is used
to provide some transportation. The
nearest CATA bus route is on Chicot
and Mabelvale Cut-off Roads which are
1/2 mile to the south and east. The
residents ride a school bus to school.
8. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit
subject to all vehicles parked at the site being parked
on paved surfaces.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT:
(MAY 21, 1998)
Mr. Richard Hill and James Dendy were present representing
the application. Staff gave a brief description of the
proposal.
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June 11, 1998
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 21 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6498
Mr. Hill gave a brief description of the operation and how
what they are doing fits within the definition of a group
care facility.
There being no issues, the Committee accepted the proposal
and forwarded it to the full Commission for final
resolution.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 11, 1998)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Two persons were present in support of the item. One letter
of support from the West Baseline Neighborhood Association
had been received. Staff presented the item and a
recommendation of approval subject to all vehicles being
parked at the site being parked on paved surfaces.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved by a
vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent.
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