HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6862 Staff AnalysisJune 22, 2000
ITEM NO.: 17 FILE NO.: Z-6862
Name: Williams Day -Care Family Home
Location: 9320 Loetscher Lane
Owner/Applicant: Evelyn Williams
Proposal: A special use permit is
requested to allow the
owner/occupant of the residence
at 9320 Loetscher Lane to
operate a day-care family home.
The property is zoned R-2.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The owner/occupant of the single family home located on the
R-2 zoned property at 9320 Loetscher Lane is requesting
approval of a special use permit to allow her to operate a
day-care family home.
9320 Loetscher Lane is located on the northwest corner of
Loetscher Lane and McClellan Drive. The properties to the
immediate north are zoned R-4 two-family residential and
contain single family homes and duplexes. An R-5 zoned
apartment development is just further north, beyond
Southboro Drive. Single family homes are located on the
R-2 zoned properties to the west and south. A wooded, R-2
zoned tract is located across Loetscher Lane to the east.
Single family homes on large tracts are also located across
Loetscher Lane.
The applicant's home is typical of those in the
neighborhood; one-story, brick and frame construction. The
property has only a single -wide driveway with room for two
vehicles parked one behind the other. The rear yard is
enclosed by a 4 foot tall, chain link fence and will
provide a safe play area. The applicant proposes to
operate the day care from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
The principal use of the property will remain single family
residential. No signage will be permitted beyond that
allowed in single family zones. The maximum number of
children permitted under the special use permit is 10,
including the care givers.
June 22, 2000
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.)
FILE NO.: Z-6862
Section 36-54(e)(3) of the Code establishes the site and
location criteria for day-care family homes as follow:
a. This use may be located only in a single-family home,
occupied by the care giver.
b. Must be operated within licensing procedures
established by the State of Arkansas.
C. The use is limited to ten (10) children including the
care givers.
d. The minimum to qualify for special use permit is six
(6) children from households other than the care
givers.
e. This use must obtain a special use.permit in all
districts where day care centers are not allowed by
right.
Special Use Permits are not transferable in any manner.
Permits cannot be transferred from owner to owner, location
to location or use to use.
Although staff is supportive of the request, there is one
outstanding issue of concern. The site has limited parking
available for drop-off/pickup of children. Loetscher Lane
is a relatively narrow street with open ditches along much
of its length. Staff observed traffic traveling at a high
rate of speed on the street. Staff is concerned that
parking on Loetscher Lane for the purpose of dropping-
off/picking-up of children would be an unsafe situation.
Staff recommends that drop-off/pick-up be limited to the
McClellan Drive side of the property.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested Special Use
Permit subject to compliance with the following conditions:
1. Compliance with the site and location criteria
established in Section 36-54(e)(3).
2. There is to be no signage beyond that permitted in
single family zones.
3. Outdoor activities, including playground use, are to be
limited to day -light hours.
4. All drop-off/pick-up is to be limited to the McClellan
Drive side of the property.
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June 22, 2000
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-6862
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 22, 2000)
The applicant was present. There was one objector present.
A letter of support had been received from Southwest Little
Rock United for Progress. Staff presented the item and a
recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the
conditions outlined in the "Staff Recommendation." Staff
noted that all residents within 300 feet of the site,
property owners within 200 feet and the O.U.R., Windamere
and SWLRUP Neighborhood Associations had been notified of
the request and none had voiced any objections. The
objector present at the meeting was not a resident of the
neighborhood but'was opposed to special use permits for
day-care family homes in general.
Jan Taylor, of 29 Pleasant Cove, spoke in opposition to the
current regulations for day-care family homes. She noted
regulations from other cities in the state which were more
restrictive than Little Rock's.
Commissioner Lowry interrupted and questioned if Ms.
Taylor's statement was germane to the specific application
at hand.
Ms. Taylor responded that she was passionate about the
issue and took every opportunity to speak about it.
Commissioner Nunnley told Ms. Taylor that she could make
her comments at Citizen Communication or she could continue
if she was nearing completion.
Ms. Taylor concluded her comments.
Dana Carney, of the Planning Staff, commented that the
issue of Special Use Permits and day-care family homes was
on the Planning Commission's 2000 Ordinance Review Work
Program for consideration of possible amendments to the
regulations.
A motion was made to approve the Special Use Permit subject
to compliance with the conditions recommended by staff.
The motion was approved by a vote of 7 ayes, 1 noe and
3 absent.
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