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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6864 Staff AnalysisJune 22, 2000 ITEM NO.: 16 NAME: LOCATION: OWNER/APPLICANT: FILE NO.: Z-6864 Cricket Communication Switching Station - Conditional Use Permit 1723 Merrill Drive Boyle Realty Company / Sally Getz of MAGTECH Services PROPOSAL: To obtain a conditional use permit to use an existing building for a communication switching station and offices for the Cricket Communications Company at 1723 Merrill Drive on property zoned C-4, Open Display Commercial. All communications equipment will be inside the building. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. SITE LOCATION: The proposed site is located on the east side of Merrill Drive, between Rodney Parham and Arcade. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The proposed site is zoned C-4, Open Display Commercial, but because it is a communication facility, it must be approved by the Planning Commission. The properties to the north and northeast are zoned C-4, while to the southeast and south the zoning is C-3, General Commercial. Across Merrill to the west The properties are zoned R-5 and consist of a townhouse complex. Staff believes this would be a reasonable use of this site and would not have any adverse effect on the surrounding area. The Pleasant Valley Property Owners Association, all property owners within 200 feet, and all residents within 300 feet that could be identified, were notified of the public hearing. June 22, 2000 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16 (Cont.) FILE.: Z-6864 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: There are two existing driveways that access this site from Merrill Drive. The southern drive is shared with the lot to the south, the northern one serves only this site. No changes are proposed to the driveways. The building contains 5760 square feet which would require 14 parking spaces at a 1 per 400 square foot standard. There are about 22 spaces existing. The stripping needs to be redone in conformance with city standards to include the required maneuvering area, particularly around the area where the emergency generator would be located. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No comments. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: a. Property frontage needs to have the sidewalks and ramps brought up to the current ADA standards. b. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. c. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for approval prior to start of work. 6. UTILITY AND FIRE DEPT.AND CATA COMMENTS: Water: No objection. Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected.. Southwestern Bell: No comments received. ARKLA: Approved as submitted. Entergy: Require a 10 foot utility easement across the entire east side of the property. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. CATA: No affect. Site is on bus route #8. 2 June 22, 2000 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16 (Cont.) FILE.: Z-6864 7. STAFF ANALYSIS: The applicant has requested a conditional use permit to use an existing building as a switching station with offices for the Cricket Communications Company. No changes to the exterior of the one story building are proposed, so there are no siting issues. An emergency generator pad with a noise and sight screening wall would be installed at the northeast corner of the building. Parking and drives would meet City standards with the proper striping accomplished. Staff believes this would be a reasonable use of the site and be compatible with the neighborhood. 8. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: a. Comply with Public Works Comments. b. All exterior lighting must be low intensity and directed downward and inward to the property and not towards any residential zoned area. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS: (JUNE 1; 2000) Sally Getz and Emil Miller were present representing the application. Staff gave a brief description of the proposal. The applicants briefly outlined that the intended use of the building was primarily for switching equipment and some office space for technicians. They stated that there would be a very low activity level involved, that there would not be any antennas or satellite dishes on site, and that this would not be a sales office for customers to sign up for service. Staff commented on two points. One was the parking layout around the building and how it needed to conform to the City's standard. The second was the comment made by Entergy in the write-up which asked for a ten foot easement. It was suggested that the applicant contact Entergy to discuss that request. Since the existing building would be used with no exterior 3 June 22, 2000 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16 (Cont. FILE.: Z-6864 changes except for an emergency generator installed adjacent to the northeast corner, there were no other siting issues. There being no further issues, the Committee accepted the proposal and forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 22, 2000) Sally Getz was present representing the application. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation for approval subject to compliance with the conditions listed under "Staff Recommendation," paragraph 8 above. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as submitted to include staff comments and recommendations. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. 4