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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6503 Staff AnalysisJune 11, 1998 ITEM NO.: 26 NAME• LOCATION• OWNER/APPLICANT: PROPOSAL• ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location• FILE NO.: Z-6503 CATA Bus Transfer Center - Conditional Use Permit 310 East Capitol CATA/Robert Brown, DCI To allow the block between 4th, Capitol, Rock and Cumberland, zoned General Business, to be used for a bus passenger transfer depot. The proposed bus transfer depot takes up the entire block between 4th, Capitol, Rock and Cumberland Streets. The Travel Center Building will be located in the middle of the block on Capitol. 2. Compatibility with Neighborhood: This property is zoned GB, General Business. It has GB zoned property to the north, east and west, and HDR, High Density Residential to the south across Capitol. Across Capitol there is a parking lot, some offices and apartments. This use should not cause an adverse affect on the surrounding property. The MacArthur Park, Downtown and River Market Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. 3. On -Site Drives and Parking: This site would be redeveloped from ground level and they are proposing entrances from Cumberland Street, Rock Street, and 4th Street. Six parking spaces are proposed along Rock Street which should be adequate based on the nature of the operation. 4. Screenina and Buffers: The plan submitted does not provide for the normal 15 foot wide street landscape buffers required by the Zoning Ordinance, nor the 6 foot wide perimeter landscape strips required by the Landscape Ordinance. However, the use of the site is unique in nature and June 11, 1998 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6503 the normal requirement may be deemed inappropriate because of the anticipated pedestrian traffic. The maintenance of this site will be an important factor from the aspect of litter as well as landscaping. Additional information that is needed includes: tree caliper and specie, tree well preparation and anchoring, type of plants to go in raised planter beds and water sources. Because of the lack of screening shrubs and live ground cover, it will be necessary to obtain a variance from the City Beautiful Commission. To make application to seek this approval, contact Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist. He may be reached at 371-4864. It will be necessary to obtain a franchise approval before trees can be planted within the public right-of- way. 5. Public Works Comments: 1. Request waiver of driveway width and spacing requirements. 2. Stormwater detention Ordinance applies to this property. 3. NPDES and grading permits are required prior to construction, site grading and drainage plan will need to be submitted and approved. 4. Appropriate handicap ramps will be required per current ADA standards. 5. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. 6. Developer is responsible for cost of conversion of 4th Street to two-way traffic and any other right- of-way modifications and signing. 6. Utility and Fire De artment Comments: Water: No objection. Wastewater: Relocation of existing sewer main required prior to construction. Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted. Arkla: Approved as submitted. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. K June 11, 1998 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6503 CATA: The site is on a CATA bus route. 7. Staff Analysis: The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to allow a bus transfer depot to be located in this GB, General Business, zoned area, taking up the entire block between Rock, Cumberland, 4th Streets, and Capitol Avenue. The station would be open from 4:40 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. Monday through Friday; 4:50 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Saturday; and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Security will be active on site 24 hours per day. The main office on site will be on Capitol Avenue. The roof overhang for that building is currently designed to encroach into the Capitol Avenue right-of-way by about 5 feet. The impact of that encroachment is minimal since it will be 27 feet above a 16 foot wide sidewalk. It is caused by the high ceiling open lobby area in the center of this building. A franchise from Public Works will be necessary for that encroachment. All other setbacks and height dimensions meet ordinance requirements. An alley abandonment between 4th Street and Capitol Avenue will also be part of this project, but the attorney for CATA is handling that action separately directly with the Board of Directors. The applicant also wishes to change traffic flow on 4th Street to two way and is working that issue separately with Public Works. No freestanding business identification signs are requested. Perimeter lighting will be the same style as is used along Capitol Avenue. Interior driveway lighting will be the same style as parking lot lighting in the area with some additional ground bollard pedestrian lighting as needed. There will be a 38 foot tall clock tower on 4th Street at the opposite end of the center platform plaza from the main building. Several waivers are also requested: (a) drive opening sizes and close proximity to one another; (b) curb radius enlargements; (c) filing fee since CATA is an entity of public service. This use should not cause an adverse affect on the surrounding area. 3 June 11, 1998 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) 8. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the subject to comments from Public regarding screening and buffers franchise for the roof overhang Capitol Avenue right-of-way. FILE NO.: Z-6503 conditional use permit Works, comments and obtaining a which extends into Staff also recommends approval of waiver requests for wider driveway openings and closer spacing between driveways, and curb radius enlargements. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MAY 21, 1998) Robert Brown of DCI was present representing the applicant. Staff gave a brief description of the proposal. Several areas were discussed. Public Works Comments were reviewed first. Then Mr. Brown was asked to work with Bill Henry regarding the traffic flow changes to 4th Street and to go ahead and submit needed waiver requests for the driveways and curb radius. Landscaping and buffers was another area discussed. Staff emphasized the need to coordinate variances for landscaping with the City Beautiful Commission and obtain a franchise for placing trees within the public right-of-way. Staff noted that a franchise would also be required for the part of the main building that extends into the Capitol Avenue right-of-way. Parking was also discussed and agreement reached that the six parking places would be adequate given the nature of the operation. There being no further issues, the Committee accepted the proposal and forwarded the item to the full Commission for final resolution. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 11, 1998) The applicant was present. There was one interested party present. The applicant met with this individual prior to action on the item. The individual stated that he had no objection to the issue. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with Public Works 2. Compliance with screening and 3. A franchise must be obtained extending into the Capitol A 4 vComments buffer requirements for the roof overhang enue right-of-way. June 11, 1998 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6503 Staff also recommended approval of the waiver requests for wider driveway openings, closer spacing between driveways and curb radius enlargements. Staff informed the Commission that the applicant had agreed to pay the filing fee. A motion was made to approve the conditional use permit and requested waivers as recommended by staff. The motion was approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. 5