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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6613 Staff AnalysisMarch 4, 1999 ITEM NO.: C NAME LOCATION: OWNER/APPLICANT: PROPOSAL: ORDINANCE DESIGN --STANDARDS: 1. Site Location: FILE NO.: Z-6613 L.R. Fire Station (Taylor Loop Road) - Conditional Use Permit 14,700 Taylor Loop Road City of Little Rock/ Betty Riley To obtain a conditional use permit for a fire station to be placed at 14,700 Taylor Loop Road, vacant land zoned R-2, Single Family Residential. This site lies between Oaks Bluff Drive and Taylor Loop Road, near the intersection with Rahling Road. 2. Compatibility with Neighborhood: This site and all the surrounding areas are zoned R-2, Single Family Residential. Immediately adjacent to the north, east, and south sides, the areas are vacant. To the west is a row of single family residences across Oaks Bluff Drive. This site is moderately wooded with it being dense in the middle. There is an open drainage area along the east and northeast parts of the property. This use would be compatible with the area and the City intends to build this facility in a style compatible with the neighborhood with a good screen of fence or hedge all along Oaks Bluff. Staff has received 3 phone calls and one letter from residents along Oaks Bluff in opposition to this proposal. The Westchester and Secluded Hills Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. March 4, 1999 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: C (Cont. 3. On -Site Drives and Parking: FILE NO.: Z-6613 The proposal includes one access drive across the open ditch from Taylor Loop Road. Adequate turning space and parking is provided on the site plan. The requirement is for one parking space for each employee plus two visitor spaces. 4. Screening and Buffers: a.Areas set aside for buffers and landscaping meet with ordinance requirements. b.The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving_a_s many existing trees as feasible. c. A 6 -foot high opaque: screen, =either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward or dense evergreen planting are required to help screen this site from the residential properties to the northwest and east. Credit can be given toward fulfilling this screening requirement where existing trees and vegetation provide the necessary year-round screening. d. Curb and gutter or another border will be required to protect landscape areas from vehicular traffic. 5. Public Works Comments: a. Oaks Bluff Road and Taylor Loop Road frontage needs to have sidewalks and ramps brought up to the current ADA standards. b.Dedicate additional right-of-way to have 30 feet from centerline and construct a hammer head turnaround at the end of Oaks Bluff Road. c.Taylor Loop is listed on the MSP as a minor arterial. Dedication of right-of-way to 45 feet from centerline will be required. d. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. e. Stormwater detention ordinance applies to this property. 6. Utility and Fire Department Comments: Water: Water service is available on Oaks Bluff Dr., but not off Taylor Loop Road without a water main 2 March 4, 1999 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z=6613 extension. An acreage charge of $300 per acre applies in addition to normal connection fees. Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted. ARKLA: Approved as submitted. Entergy: No Comments received. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. CATA: This site is not located on a CATA bus route. 7. Staff Analysis: The applicant has requested a conditional use permit for a fire station to be located on this 2.1 acre R-2 zoned property. This additional station is required in order for the city to maintain its current Class II fire rating. To do this, fire stations must be no more than 3 miles apart. Currently in this area the closest station is 5 miles. The proposed plan meets all required setbacks, driveway, landscape and buffer, and parking requirements. The fire department and city staff are working to minimize the effects on the residents along Oaks Bluff in several ways. All access from Oaks Bluff has been eliminated. The construction style will conform with the existing neighborhood homes as much as is feasible. Landscaping and/or fencing will be installed to screen the residential area from both the station and Taylor Loop Road. However, 3 phone calls and one letter have been received in opposition at this writing. (Letter is attached.) Staff believes this is a reasonable use of this site and can be compatible with the neighborhood when those efforts mentioned above are accomplished. 8. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of this conditional use permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: a. Comply with comments under "Landscaping and Buffers." 3 March 4, 1999 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6613 b. Comply with Public Works Comments. c. Construct the facility to conform with the style of existing homes along Oaks Bluff Drive. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (DECEMBER 30, 1998) The applicant was represented. Staff gave a brief description of the proposal. Public Works reviewed their comments. "Landscaping and Buffer" comments were also reviewed. A discussion ensued regarding changing the access to Taylor Loop Road and the feasibility of that approach. It was decided that option should be seriously, studied and pursued unless something prevents it from being feasible. A revised site plan showing that approach was requested. There being no further issues, the Committee accepted the proposal and forwarded it to the full Commission for final resolution. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 21, 1999) Staff received a request from the applicant on January 15, 1999 that this item be deferred to the March 4, 1999 hearing in order to have time to look at the possibility of other suitable sites. Staff recommended approval of this deferral as requested. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and deferred as recommended by staff until March 4, 1999. The vote was 11 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent. STAFF UPDATE: Staff received a letter on January 26, 1999, from the applicant requesting withdrawal of the app-lication for a C.U.P. because the City had chosen an alternate site. Staff supports the withdrawal and recommends approval of this request. A C.U.P. for the alternate site is item #16 on this agenda. 4 March 4, 1999 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: C (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6613 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MARCH 4, 1999) Chief Webb from the Fire Department, and Betty Riley were present representing the application. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and informed the Commission that the applicant had requested that it be withdrawn. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for withdrawal. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 absent. 5