HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6559 Staff AnalysisSeptember 28, 1958
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File No.: Z-6559
Owner: Little Rock Fraternal Order of
Police/Federal Aviation
Administration, Applicant
Address: Adjacent to and east of 1700 East
2nd Street
Uescri tion: Lot 5, Block "B", Fletcher and
Clark Addition
zoned: R-4
_Variance ReMested: Variances are requested from the
area regulations of Section 36-256
and the tower height provisions of
Section 36-201 to permit
construction of a 120 foot tall
tower to support a low level
windshear alert system.
Justification: A licant's Statement: The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA)
requests a height variance for a
120' pole that will provide Low
Level Windshear Alert to the Little
Rock National Airport. This pole
and the 20, X 20' concrete site
with security fence is a part of
the National Program upgrade.
Our proposed site near 1700 East
Second Street is based upon
location guidelines that will
accurately detect, identify and
located wind shear events,
including storm microbursts. We
request that the City of Little
Rock grant a height variance for
this FAA air traffic safety program
and proposed LLWAS site.
Present Use of Pro
ert :
F.O.P.
Lodge
and
vacant lot
Proposed Use of Pro
pert
F.O.P.
Lodge
and
tower
September 28', 1998
Item No.: 5 (Cont.)
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Issues:
1. Second Street is listed on the Master Street Plan as a
commercial street. Dedicate right-of-way to 30 feet
from centerline.
2. Provide design of streets conforming to "MSP" (Master
Street Plan). Construct one-half street improvement to
these streets including 5 foot sidewalks with planned
development.
B. Staff Analysis:
The U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) proposes to construct a 120 foot tall
tower on the vacant R-4 zoned property located east of and
adjacent to 1700 East 2nd Street. The tower will hold
equipment which is part of the Little Rock National Airport
Low Level Windshear Alert System (LLWAS). The tower and a
small equipment cabinet will be located in a 20' X 201,
fenced compound. Although exact placement of the tower
within the compound is not known, a setback variance from
the front and east side property lines may be needed. If
the tower is placed in the center of the compound, it will
have a front yard setback of 20 feet and a side yard setback
10 feet. The Code requires front and side yard setbacks of
25 feet and 5 feet respectively for this
R-4 zoned lot. Section 36-201 limits the height of metal,
ground -mounted towers to 75 feet.
Staff believes the variance requests to be reasonable. This
proposed site is part of the FAA's effort to upgrade and
expand the Little Rock Airport LLWAS. Site location is
based on several key operational, environmental and
logistical parameters to assure accurate detection,
identification and location of wind shear events, including
storm microbursts. The system consists of a network of
anemometers which measure the speed and direction of wind in
and around the airport vicinity. Once the system detects a
microburst, warnings are presented to controllers who in
turn relay the messages to pilots approaching or departing
the airport. The issue is clearly one of public safety and
the tower height variance is justified.
Staff asked the Parks and Recreation Department to review
the issue since the site is in the proximity of a chain of
parks proposed for development along the Arkansas River.
Parks asked that the 20' X 20' compound be moved further
from the street. The original proposal had the compound
directly on the front property line. The Game and Fish
Commission is exploring the possibility of developing marine
0)
September 28, 1998
Item No .• 5 Cont.
access at the newly acquired park property to the east.
Access to the park site will be along East 2nd Street. Staff
spoke with a representative of the FAA who stated that the
site could be moved to the north, away from the street, ten
feet. This would move the site out of any required right-
of-way and would allow some potential screening of the
compound from the street. Further movement of the tower
site could affect the integrity of the alert system.
The proposed tower site is located in an area of mostly
undeveloped and vacant property. The Fraternal Order of
Police Lodge is adjacent to the west. The Arkansas River
borders the site on the north. The properties to the east
and south are undeveloped. The river levee is south of the
site and single family homes are south of the levee. East
2nd Street dead -ends just past this site.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested tower height and
setback variances subject to compliance with the following
conditions:
1. The 20' X 20' compound is to be moved 10 feet to the
north, away from the street.
2. Compliance with Public Works Comments
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(SEPTEMBER 28, 1998)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to compliance with the following conditions:
1. The 20, X 20' compound is to be moved 10 feet to the north,
away from the street.
2. Compliance with Public Works comments.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent.
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