HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6514-A Staff AnalysisMarch 31, 2003
ITEM NO.. 2
File No.- Z -6514-A
Owner: Noland Properties, Inc.
Address: #2 Freeway Drive
Description: Lots 2 and 3 (unrecorded),
Freeway Business Park
Zoned: C-3
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the buffer
provisions of Section 36-522.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in
an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Undeveloped
Proposed Use of Property: Office — showroom/warehouse
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments.
B. Landscape and Buffer Issues:
The City Beautiful Commission, at its March 6th meeting, approved the 21
foot landscape width variance along Interstate 630 provided the applicant
add additional 15 foot tall evergreen leyland cypress trees to help
decrease the site's visibility from the freeway access ramp.
C. Staff Analysis:
The C-3 zoned property at #2 Freeway Drive is currently undeveloped and
mostly grass -covered. The property is comprised of Lots 2 and 3
(unrecorded), Freeway Business Park Subdivision. The applicant is
planning an office — showroom/warehouse development for the property.
The proposed site plan shows a 20,000 square foot building on each lot,
with associated parking areas and drives. There will be two (2) driveways
March 31, 2003
Item No.: 2 (Cont.
from Freeway Drive which will serve as access to the development. Cross
access will be provided between the two lots.
As part of the proposed development plan, the applicant is requesting a
variance from the required street buffer along the 1-630 right-of-way.
Section 36-522(a)(3) of the City's Zoning Ordinance requires a minimum
street buffer width of 30 feet when abutting an interstate. The proposed
site plan provides for a 9 foot buffer along the north (interstate) property
line.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance. The property is located
adjacent to a very wide interstate right-of-way, given the fact that the
interstate's on-ramp runs along the property's north boundary. The
property is located over 400 feet from the interstate's main travel lanes.
Additionally, the property sits from 10 feet to 25+ feet below the grade of
the on-ramp. Staff feels that the buffer width as proposed will provide an
adequate landscape strip given the location of the property in relation to
the main travel lanes of the interstate.
As noted in paragraph B. of this report, the City Beautiful Commission
reviewed this variance request and approved it at their March 6, 2003
meeting. A condition of their approval is that the applicant provide
additional 15 foot tall leyland cypress trees within the north buffer area to
help decrease the visibility of the site from the interstate's access ramp.
D. Staff Recommendation,
Staff recommends approval of the requested interstate buffer variance,
subject to compliance with the City Beautiful Commission's approval as
noted in paragraph B. of this report.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT; (MARCH 31, 2003)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by
staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 abstention (Burruss).
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