HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6681-A Staff AnalysisOctober 16, 2003
NO.: 11 __ FILE NO.: Z -6681-A
NAME: Highland Pointe Apartments Long -form PD -R
LOCATION: North of Cantrell Road, at the end of Townsend Street
DEVELOPER:
ERC Properties, Inc.
815 Fort Stewart
Barling, AR 72923
ENGINEER:
White-Daters and Associates
#24 Rahling Circle
Little Rock, AR 72223
AREA: 13.5 Acres
CURRENT ZONING:
ALLOWED USES
PROPOSED ZONING
NUMBER OF LOTS: 1
MF -12 and 0-3
FT. NEW STREET: 0
Multi -family up to 12 units per acre and 0-3 listed uses
-m
PROPOSED USE: Multi -family 16 units per acre.
VARIAN CES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested.
BACKGROUND:
On June 10, 1999, the Planning Commission reviewed a proposal to rezone a site
containing 39 acres from R-2, MF -6 and OS to 0-3, MF -12 and OS. The Board of
Directors adopted Ordinance No. 18,062 on July 20, 1999. The rezoning request
included the reclassification of 4.13 acres of OS zoned property, 16.39 acres of MF -6
zoned property and 19 acres of R-2 zoned property. The rezoning resulted in 18.92
October 16, 2003
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO. - 11 (Cont.
FILE NO.: Z -6681-A
acres of OS zoned property, 10.4 acres of MF -12 zoned property and 9.6 acres of 0-3
zoned property. The applicant indicated the zoning of the 18.9 -acre tract of OS
property would preserve a heavily wooded hillside and would provide an appropriate
buffer between any development and the nearby residential properties.
A. PROPOSAUREQUEST:
The applicant proposes the construction of 216 units of multi -family housing. The
applicant proposes two and three story buildings with a mix of one, two and three
bedroom units. The applicant is proposing 56 one -bedroom units, 112
two-bedroom units and 48 three-bedroom units. The development will be
constructed in one phase. A clubhouse with pool sits in the center of the
proposed development. Parking is provided at 425 spaces with a mix of
garages, carports and open parking. The garages will not be included within the
buildings, but constructed detached.
The applicant has indicated Townsend Street will be extended with 36 -feet of
pavement and a 60 -foot right-of-way. The applicant has indicated the street will
end in a "T" turn -around.
The applicant has indicated the construction material to be of Hardi-board and
brick veneer with split face CMU. The site plan indicates the roof material to be
architectural composite shingles. The applicant as indicated a three-foot wood
fence would be placed along residence patio areas.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site is a vacant wooded site with limited access. There is a PCD located
along Cantrell Road where the recently completed Twin City Bank has located.
There are two vacant lots associated with the Planned Development, which have
not developed. The Pankey Community and the under construction Pankey
Community Center are located south of the site. Pankey contains a variety of
uses single-family, churches and non -conforming uses. The area to the north of
the site is vacant and zoned Open Space. The area west of the site has
developed as the Kroger Center and vacant 0-2 zoned property.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
The Pankey Community Improvement Association, the Walton
Heights/Candlewood Neighborhood Association and the Piedmont Property
Owners Association along with all residents located within 300 -feet of the site
who could be identified and all owners of property located within 200 -feet of the
site were notified of the public hearing. As of this writing, staff has not received
any comment from area residents.
E
October 16, 2003
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 11 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -6681-A
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS:
PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS:
1. Townsend Street will have to be constructed and dedicated as shown on the
plans.
2. A grading permit in accordance with Section 29-186 (c) & (d) will be required
prior to any land clearing or grading activities at the site. Site grading, and
drainage plans will need to be submitted and approved prior to the start of
construction.
3. To show compliance with the land alteration plan, a Sketch Grading and
Drainage Plan will be required per Section 29-186 (e).
E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING:
Wastewater: Sewer main extension required, with easements, if service is required
for the project. Capacity contribution analysis is required. Contact the Little Rock
Wastewater Utility at 688-1414 for additional details.
Entergy: No comment received.
Center -Point Ener : Approved as submitted.
SBC: No comment received.
Central Arkansas Water: All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the
time of request for water service must be met. A water main extension will be
required in order to provide water service to this property. A Capital Investment
Charge based on the size of the meter connection(s) will apply to this project in
addition to normal charges. This fee will apply to all meter connections including any
metered connections off the private fire system. The facilities on-site will be private.
When meters are planned off private lines, private facilities shall be installed to
Central Arkansas Water's material and construction specifications and installation
will be inspected by an engineer, licensed to practice in the State of Arkansas.
Execution of Customer Owned Line Agreement is required. The Little Rock Fire
Department needs to evaluate this site to determine whether additional public and/or
private fire hydrant(s) will be required. If additional fire hydrant(s) are required, they
will be installed at the Developer's expense. This development will have minor
impact on existing water distribution system. Proposed water facilities will be sized to
provide adequate pressure and fire protection. Contact Central Arkansas Water at
992-2438 for additional details.
3
October 16, 2003
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.)_ FILE NO.: Z -6681-A
Fire Department: Place fire hydrants per code. Contact the Little Rock Fire
Department at 918-3752 for additional details.
County Planning: No comment received.
CATA: No comment received.
F. ISSUESITECH NiCAUDESIGN:
Planning Division: This request is located in the River Mountain Planning
District. The Land Use Plan shows Multi -family and Office for this property. The
applicant has applied for a Planned Development - Residential for apartments.
The application is larger than the area shown as multifamily. Since the
boundaries between land use designations are theoretical, and a small portion of
the applicant's property is shown as Office leaving a large area shown as Office
located outside the application area, a land use plan amendment is not needed.
Ci Reco sized Nei hborhood Action Plan: The applicant's property lies in the
area covered by the River Mountain Neighborhood Action Plan. The Sustainable
Natural Environment goal listed the action statements of preserving the Highway
10 Design Overlay District, vigorously enforcing the ordinance for hillside
protection, and vigorously enforcing the ordinance for the preservation of trees.
Landscape: The areas set aside for buffers and landscaping appear to meet
with ordinance requirements provided there would not be easements along the
southernmost perimeter. The only exception to this being a small portion of the
southern perimeter near Townsend Street which fails to provide the six (6) feet
nine (9) inch minimum width.
A six (6) foot high screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed
outward, a wall, or dense evergreen plantings, is required along the northern and
eastern perimeters and that portion of the southern perimeter abutting residential
property. The requirement along the northern and eastern perimeters may not
be deemed necessary because of the wide tree -covered OS strips immediately
adjacent. Credit toward fulfilling screening requirements can be given for existing
on-site trees and vegetation that fulfill this year -around requirement.
An irrigation system to water landscaped areas will be required.
Prior to obtaining a building permit, it will be necessary to provide landscape
plans stamped with the seal of a Registered Landscape Architect.
0
October 16, 2003
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.
X
H
FILE NO.: Z-6681 -A
The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving as many existing trees
as feasible on this tree -covered site. Extra credit toward fulfilling Landscape
Ordinance requirements can be given when properly preserving trees of six (6)
inch caliper or larger.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT:
(September 25, 2003)
The applicants were present representing the request. Staff stated the request
was a rezoning request to Planned Residential Development to allow the site to
develop as a multi -family complex. Staff stated the site was currently zoned MF -
12 and 0-3 both of which allow for a form of multi -family development. Staff
requested the applicant provide additional information concerning construction
materials, signage and garbage collection. Staff questioned if the developer
would construct the entire street to the development. The applicant indicated this
was the case.
Public Works comments were addressed. Staff stated a land alteration plan and
sketch grading and drainage plan would be required prior to development.
Landscaping comments were addressed. The applicant questioned if screening
would be required along the northern and eastern perimeters. Staff stated the
Commission could deem this unnecessary since the site abutted an open space
zone area.
There being no further items for discussion, the Committee then forwarded the
item to the full Commission for final action.
ANALYSIS:
The applicant submitted a revised plan to staff on October 1, 2003 addressing
the concerns raised at the September 25, 2003 Subdivision Committee meeting.
The applicant has indicated all building setback dimensions from the property
lines, details of all proposed fencing and dumpster locations. The applicant has
also indicated the development will be gated with two gate entrances.
The proposed development includes the placement of 216 multi -family units in
sixteen (16) buildings and 425 parking spaces. The applicant is also proposing
the placement of a clubhouse on the site. The applicant has indicated the
buildings will be two and three story buildings and a maximum of thirty-five (35)
feet in height. The applicant is proposing reduced side yard setbacks than is
typically required along the east and west property lines. Typically setbacks are
equal to the height of the building. On a few of the buildings, the setback does
not appear to be equal to the proposed height of the building. Staff is supportive
of the proposed building placement and the proposed setbacks.
5
October 16, 2003
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -6681-A
The applicant is also requesting screening not be required along the northern
and eastern perimeters of the site. The site abuts a 100 -foot OS zoned strip.
Staff is supportive of this request. The applicant has indicated they will minimize
the reduced screening by preserving on-site trees and vegetation. The applicant
has indicated the minimum six foot nine inch landscape strip will be installed
along the southern perimeter and screening will be placed in this area.
The applicant is proposing the placement of 425 parking spaces. The applicant
has indicated of these 425 there will be 108 covered spaces with either a carport
or a garage. The typical minimum parking required for a multi -family
development of this size would be one and one-half spaces per unit or 324
parking spaces. The proposed parking is more than sufficient to meet the
minimum parking demand for the development.
The applicant has indicated the signage will comply with signage allowed on
multi -family zones. The signage will not exceed twenty-four square feet in sign
area and six feet in height. Staff is supportive of the proposed signage.
The applicant has indicated there will be one garbage collection location in the
site. The applicant has indicated the collector will be a compactor with the
placement of the compactor in a well and the top of the compactor at grade. The
applicant has indicated this type garage collection works well by allowing larger
amounts of garbage to be collected at one location by reducing the need for a
large number of dumpster locations on the site.
A mail kiosk will be placed near the office/clubhouse site.
The applicant has indicated there is not a Bill of Assurance in effect for the
property.
The site is zoned MF -12 and 0-3. The site contains approximately 10 acres of
MF -12 zoned property and approximately 3 acres of 0-3 zoned property. The 0-
3 zoning classification allows multi -family development at a density of up to 36
units per acre. The applicant is proposing a density of 16 units per acre. Staff is
supportive of the proposed development and the proposed density.
To Staffs knowledge there are no outstanding issues associated with the
proposed request.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the
conditions outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of this report.
D
October 16, 2003
SUBDIVISION
NO.: 11 (Cont.
FILE NO.: Z -5681-A
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (OCTOBER 16, 2003)
Mr. Joe White and Mr. Jim Hathaway were present representing the request. There
were two registered objectors present. Staff stated the Commission had been give a
petition signed by several Pankey Community Residents. Staff stated the rezoning
request did not include any portion of the platted Pankey Subdivision. Staff presented
the item with a recommendation of approval of the proposed rezoning request.
Ms. Selma Miller Douglas addressed the Commission in opposition of the rezoning
request. Ms. Douglas stated the residents did not want the area rezoned to
commercial. She stated the Pankey residents wanted the community to remain
residential. Ms Douglas stated apartments were considered by the Pankey residents as
a commercial use.
Mr. Horace A. Walker addressed the Commission in opposition of the proposed
rezoning request. He stated he had been retained by many of the Pankey property
owners to address the Commission on their behalf. Mr. Walker stated the residents of
Pankey wanted the area to remain residential and not be rezoned to a non-residential
use.
Mr. Jim Hathaway addressed the Commission on behalf of the applicant. He stated the
proposed development would require a lesser buffer along the north and eastern
perimeters. He stated the development abutted a 100 -foot zoned buffer strip in this
area and if buffers were put in place they would provide buffering to zoned open space
property. Mr. Hathaway also stated the proposed development was located north of the
Pankey Community and the developer was not rezoning any portion of the originally
platted Pankey Subdivision.
Mr. Jim Lawson, Director of Planning and Development, questioned Mr. Joe White, the
engineer for the project, if the developer could allow additional buffering to the south.
Mr. White stated southern buffer was currently shown at 15 to 20 -feet. He stated the
developer could increase the area to 25 -feet and plant the buffer. He stated for the area
to remain undisturbed would be a challenge in the detention area.
Mr. White stated he was requesting to amend his application to increase the buffer area
to the south to 25 -feet and to allow the undisturbed buffer area to the south to be
encroached upon if need be and be replanted.
Ms. Douglas requested clarification as to the proposed location of the rezoning request.
Staff stated the area was located north of the Pankey Subdivision. Ms. Douglas stated
Blocks 35 and 36 would remain zoned and vacant. Staff stated the current rezoning
request would not affect Blocks 35 and 36 and they would remain in their current state.
A motion was made to approve the proposed rezoning request as amended. The
motion carried by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent.
7
FELE NO.: 7-6681-A
NAME: Highland Pointe Apartments Long -form PD -R
LOCATION: North of Cantrell Road, at the end of Townsend Street
DEVELOPER:
ERC Properties, Inc.
815 Fort Stewart
Barling, AR 72923
ENGINEER:
White-Daters and Associates
#24 Rahling Circle
Little Rock, AR 72223
AREA: 13.5 Acres
CURRENT ZONING
ALLOWED USES:
PROPOSED ZONING:
PROPOSED USE:
NUMBER OF LOTS: 1
MF -12 and 0-3
FT. NEW STREET: 0
Multi -family Up to 12 units per acre and 0-3 listed uses
-9 -
Multi -family 16 units per acre.
VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested.
BACKGROUND:
On June 10, 1999, the Planning Commission reviewed a proposal to rezone a site
containing 39 acres from R-2, MF -6 and OS to 0-3, MF -12 and OS. The Board of
Directors adopted Ordinance No. 18,062 on July 20, 1999. The rezoning request
included the reclassification of 4.13 acres of OS zoned property, 16.39 acres of MF -6
zoned property and 19 acres of R-2 zoned property. The rezoning resulted in 18.92
FILE NO.: Z-6681 -A (Cont.
acres of OS zoned property, 10.4 acres of MF -12 zoned property and 9.6 acres of 0-3
zoned property. The applicant indicated the zoning of the 18.9 -acre tract of OS
property would preserve a heavily wooded hillside and would provide an appropriate
buffer between any development and the nearby residential properties.
A. PROPOSAUREOUEST:
The applicant proposes the construction of 216 units of multi -family housing. The
applicant proposes two and three story buildings with a mix of one, two and three
bedroom units. The applicant is proposing 56 one -bedroom units, 112
two-bedroom units and 48 three-bedroom units. The development will be
constructed in one phase. A clubhouse with pool sits in the center of the
proposed development. Parking is provided at 425 spaces with a mix of
garages, carports and open parking. The garages will not be included within the
buildings, but constructed detached.
The applicant has indicated Townsend Street will be extended with 36 -feet of
pavement and a 60 -foot right-of-way. The applicant has indicated the street will
end in a "T" turn -around.
The applicant has indicated the construction material to be of Hardi-board and
brick veneer with split face CMU. The site plan indicates the roof material to be
architectural composite shingles. The applicant as indicated a three-foot wood
fence would be placed along residence patio areas.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site is a vacant wooded site with limited access. There is a PCD located
along Cantrell Road where the recently completed Twin City Bank has located.
There are two vacant lots associated with the Planned Development, which have
not developed. The Pankey Community and the under construction Pankey
Community Center are located south of the site. Pankey contains a variety of
uses single-family, churches and non -conforming uses. The area to the north of
the site is vacant and zoned Open Space. The area west of the site has
developed as the Kroger Center and vacant 0-2 zoned property.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
The Pankey Community Improvement Association, the Walton
Heights/Candlewood Neighborhood Association and the Piedmont Property
Owners Association along with all residents located within 300 -feet of the site
who could be identified and all owners of property located within 200 -feet of the
site were notified of the public hearing. As of this writing, staff has not received
any comment from area residents.
2
FILE NO.: Z -6681-A (Cont.
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS:
PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS:
1. Townsend Street will have to be constructed and dedicated as shown on the
plans.
2. A grading permit in accordance with Section 29-186 (c) & (d) will be required
prior to any land clearing or grading activities at the site. Site grading, and
drainage plans will need to be submitted and approved prior to the start of
construction.
3. To show compliance with the land alteration plan, a Sketch Grading and
Drainage Plan will be required per Section 29-186 (e).
E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING;
Wastewater: Sewer main extension required, with easements, if service is required
for the project. Capacity contribution analysis is required. Contact the Little Rock
Wastewater Utility at 688-1414 for additional details.
Entergy: No comment received.
Center -Point Energy: Approved as submitted.
SBC: No comment received.
Central Arkansas Water: All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the
time of request for water service must be met. A water main extension will be
required in order to provide water service to this property. A Capital Investment
Charge based on the size of the meter connection(s) will apply to this project in
addition to normal charges. This fee will apply to all meter connections including any
metered connections off the private fire system. The facilities on-site will be private.
When meters are planned off private lines, private facilities shall be installed to
Central Arkansas Water's material and construction specifications and installation
will be inspected by an engineer, licensed to practice in the State of Arkansas.
Execution of Customer Owned Line Agreement is required. The Little Rock Fire
Department needs to evaluate this site to determine whether additional public and/or
private fire hydrant(s) will be required. If additional fire hydrant(s) are required, they
will be installed at the Developer's expense. This development will have minor
impact on existing water distribution system. Proposed water facilities will be sized to
provide adequate pressure and fire protection. Contact Central Arkansas Water at
992-2438 for additional details.
Fire Department: Place fire hydrants per code. Contact the Little Rock Fire
Department at 918-3752 for additional details.
County Planning: No comment received.
3
FILE NO.: Z-6681 -A Cont.
CATA: No comment received.
F. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN:
Planning Division: This request is located in the River Mountain Planning
District. The Land Use Plan shows Multi -family and Office for this property. The
applicant has applied for a Planned Development - Residential for apartments.
The application is larger than the area shown as multifamily. Since the
boundaries between land use designations are theoretical, and a small portion of
the applicant's property is shown as Office leaving a large area shown as Office
located outside the application area, a land use plan amendment is not needed.
City Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan: The applicant's property lies in the
area covered by the River Mountain Neighborhood Action Plan. The Sustainable
Natural Environment goal listed the action statements of preserving the Highway
10 Design Overlay District, vigorously enforcing the ordinance for hillside
protection, and vigorously enforcing the ordinance for the preservation of trees.
Landscape: The areas set aside for buffers and landscaping appear to meet
with ordinance requirements provided there would not be easements along the
southernmost perimeter. The only exception to this being a small portion of the
southern perimeter near Townsend Street which fails to provide the six (6) feet
nine (9) inch minimum width.
A six (6) foot high screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed
outward, a wall, or dense evergreen plantings, is required along the northern and
eastern perimeters and that portion of the southern perimeter abutting residential
property. The requirement along the northern and eastern perimeters may not
be deemed necessary because of the wide tree -covered OS strips immediately
adjacent. Credit toward fulfilling screening requirements can be given for existing
on-site trees and vegetation that fulfill this year -around requirement.
An irrigation system to water landscaped areas will be required.
Prior to obtaining a building permit, it will be necessary to provide landscape
plans stamped with the seal of a Registered Landscape Architect.
The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving as many existing trees
as feasible on this tree -covered site. Extra credit toward fulfilling Landscape
Ordinance requirements can be given when properly preserving trees of six (6)
inch caliper or larger.
4
FILE NO.: Z -6681-A Cont.
G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (September 25, 2003)
The applicants were present representing the request. Staff stated the request
was a rezoning request to Planned Residential Development to allow the site to
develop as a multi -family complex. Staff stated the site was currently zoned MF -
12 and 0-3 both of which allow for a form of multi -family development. Staff
requested the applicant provide additional information concerning construction
materials, signage and garbage collection. Staff questioned if the developer
would construct the entire street to the development. The applicant indicated this
was the case.
Public Works comments were addressed. Staff stated a land alteration plan and
sketch grading and drainage plan would be required prior to development.
Landscaping comments were addressed. The applicant questioned if screening
would be required along the northern and eastern perimeters. Staff stated the
Commission could deem this unnecessary since the site abutted an open space
zone area.
There being no further items for discussion, the Committee then forwarded the
item to the full Commission for final action.
H. ANALYSIS:
The applicant submitted a revised plan to staff on October 1, 2003 addressing
the concerns raised at the September 25, 2003 Subdivision Committee meeting.
The applicant has indicated all building setback dimensions from the property
lines, details of all proposed fencing and dumpster locations. The applicant has
also indicated the development will be gated with two gate entrances.
The proposed development includes the placement of 216 multi -family units in
sixteen (16) buildings and 425 parking spaces. The applicant is also proposing
the placement of a clubhouse on the site. The applicant has indicated the
buildings will be two and three story buildings and a maximum of thirty-five (35)
feet in height. The applicant is proposing reduced side yard setbacks than is
typically required along the east and west property lines. Typically setbacks are
equal to the height of the building. On a few of the buildings, the setback does
not appear to be equal to the proposed height of the building. Staff is supportive
of the proposed building placement and the proposed setbacks.
The applicant is also requesting screening not be required along the northern
and eastern perimeters of the site. The site abuts a 100 -foot OS zoned strip.
Staff is supportive of this request. The applicant has indicated they will minimize
the reduced screening by preserving on-site trees and vegetation. The applicant
has indicated the minimum six foot nine inch landscape strip will be installed
along the southern perimeter and screening will be placed in this area.
9
FILE NO.: Z-66 31-A Cont.
The applicant is proposing the placement of 425 parking spaces. The applicant
has indicated of these 425 there will be 108 covered spaces with either a carport
or a garage. The typical minimum parking required for a multi -family
development of this size would be one and one-half spaces per unit or 324
parking spaces. The proposed parking is more than sufficient to meet the
minimum parking demand for the development.
The applicant has indicated the signage will comply with signage allowed on
multi -family zones. The signage will noir exceed twenty-four square feet in sign
area and six feet in height. Staff is supportive of the proposed signage.
The applicant has indicated there will be one garbage collection location in the
site. The applicant has indicated the collector will be a compactor with the
placement of the compactor in a well and the top of the compactor at grade. The
applicant has indicated this type garage collection works well by allowing larger
amounts of garbage to be collected at one location by reducing the need for a
large number of dumpster locations on the site.
A mail kiosk will be placed near the office/clubhouse site.
The applicant has indicated there is not a Bill of Assurance in effect for the
property.
The site is zoned MF -12 and 0-3. The site contains approximately 10 acres of
MF -12 zoned property and approximately 3 acres of 0-3 zoned property. The 0-
3 zoning classification allows multi -family development at a density of up to 36
units per acre. The applicant is proposing a density of 16 units per acre. Staff is
supportive of the proposed development and the proposed density.
To Staffs knowledge there are no outstanding issues associated with the
proposed request.
1. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the
conditions outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of this report.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (OCTOBER 16, 2003)
Mr. Joe White and Mr. Jim Hathaway were present representing the request. There
were two registered objectors present. Staff stated the Commission had been give a
petition signed by several Pankey Community Residents. Staff stated the rezoning
request did not include any portion of the platted Pankey Subdivision. Staff presented
the item with a recommendation of approval of the proposed rezoning request.
Ms. Selma Miller Douglas addressed the Commission in opposition of the rezoning
request. Ms. Douglas stated the residents did not want the area rezoned to
0
FILE NO.: Z-66 31-A Cont.
commercial. She stated the Pankey residents wanted the community to remain
residential. Ms Douglas stated apartments were considered by the Pankey residents as
a commercial use.
Mr. Horace A. Walker addressed the Commission in opposition of the proposed
rezoning request. He stated he had been retained by many of the Pankey property
owners to address the Commission on their behalf. Mr. Walker stated the residents of
Pankey wanted the area to remain residential and not be rezoned to a non-residential
use.
Mr. Jim Hathaway addressed the Commission on behalf of the applicant. He stated the
proposed development would require a lesser buffer along the north and eastern
perimeters. He stated the development abutted a 100 -foot zoned buffer strip in this
area and if buffers were put in place they would provide buffering to zoned open space
property. Mr. Hathaway also stated the proposed development was located north of the
Pankey Community and the developer was not rezoning any portion of the originally
platted Pankey Subdivision.
Mr. Jim Lawson, Director of Planning and Development, questioned Mr. Joe White, the
engineer for the project, if the developer could allow additional buffering to the south.
Mr. White stated southern buffer was currently shown at 15 to 20 -feet. He stated the
developer could increase the area to 25 -feet and plant the buffer. He stated for the area
to remain undisturbed would be a challenge in the detention area.
Mr. White stated he was requesting to amend his application to increase the buffer area
to the south to 25 -feet and to allow the undisturbed buffer area to the south to be
encroached upon if need be and be replanted.
Ms. Douglas requested clarification as to the proposed location of the rezoning request.
Staff stated the area was located north of the Pankey Subdivision. Ms. Douglas stated
Blocks 35 and 36 would remain zoned and vacant. Staff stated the current rezoning
request would not affect Blocks 35 and 36 and they would remain in their current state.
A motion was made to approve the proposed rezoning request as amended. The
motion carried by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent.
7