HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6987 Staff AnalysisMarch 26, 2001
Item No.: 2
File No.: Z-6987
Owner: Metro Center Health Clinic, LLC
Address: 820 S. Louisiana Street
Description: Block 88, Original City of
Little Rock
Zoned: UU
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the
Urban Use development criteria of
Chapter 36, Article 5, Division 6
Justification: The applicant's justification is
presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Vacant building and parking lot
Proposed Use of Property: Credit union with drive-thru
teller, offices and parking lot
Staff Report:
A. Landscape Review:
Any landscaping that is removed must be re-established.
B. Public Works Issues
With Building Permit:
1. A 20' radial dedication of right-of-way will be
required at all corners.
2. Property frontage needs to have the sidewalks and ramps
brought up to the current ADA standards.
3. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that
is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to
occupancy.
4. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted
for approval prior to start of work.
March 26, 2001
Item No.: 2 (Cont.)
C. Staff Anal sis:
The UU zoned block bounded by West 8u', West 9th, Center and
Louisiana Streets contains a 22,000+ square foot office
building and an associated parking lot. The building has
been vacant since the previous occupant, Metro Center Health
Clinic, an entity of St. Vincent Health System, ceased
operation. Telcoe Federal Credit Union, located across
Louisiana Street to the east, proposes to purchase the
property. Telcoe proposes to occupy 10,000+ square feet of
the building and to construct a drive-through teller
facility on the property. The remaining 12,000+ square feet
of the building will be leased to a tenant. The drive-
through teller facility consists of a canopy covering 5
lanes, 4 teller lanes and 1 ATM lane. Each lane is capable
of stacking 5 vehicles. The facility will be built on the
existing parking lot on the south side of the block, in
front of Telcoe's portion of the main building. The tellers
will actually be located in the main building, at right-
angle to the drive-through lanes. Only slight modifications
will be made to the existing parking lot and drives to
accommodate the proposed drive-through facility.
The UU Urban Use zoning district was created on March 7, 2000
with an effective date of September 7, 2000. The majority of
the "core" of downtown Little Rock was rezoned to UU. The
purpose of the UU district was to create a compact, dense,
distinguishable core area that provides for a variety of
office, civic and business uses. The UU district contains
design criteria, the intent of which are to develop a
pedestrian oriented atmosphere.
One of the development criteria is:
No new drive-in or drive-through facilities may
be visible from or take directed access from a
primary street.
Primary streets are listed as:
Capitol Avenue, Broadway, Byrd, Center,
Chester, Commerce, Cross, Cumberland,
Louisiana, Main, Markham, 9t', Scott, 7t' (west
of Center), Spring and State Streets.
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March 26, 2001
Item No.: 2 (Cont.)
The proposed drive-through banking facility is visible from,
although it does not take directed access from, 9th and
Louisiana Streets.
The UU district has a front "build -to -line." All new
development is required to build to the front property line,
other than along portions of Capitol Avenue and Chester
Street. This property fronts onto Louisiana Street and the
drive-through canopy is proposed to have a setback of 130
feet.
Staff is supportive of the requested variances. When
balancing the literal application of the Code with the
positive aspect of redevelopment of a vacant block located
in the core of downtown, it was felt that it would be
appropriate to grant the requested variances. The drive-
through facility is being built over an existing paved
parking lot, an existing vehicle use area. Allowing the
structure to be placed as requested provides for adequate,
safe stacking space with controlled ingress and egress.
Telcoe has submitted two proposed site plans, with only
minor differences. One plan shows the canopy being erected
over an easement remaining from the abandonment of an alley
that extended through the block, from West 8th to West 9th
Streets. The second plan shows the canopy being erected
east of the easement. The Board of Directors will hold a
public hearing on April 3, 2001 to consider abandonment of
the easement. There are no existing or proposed utilities
in the easement. All utility companies have stated that
they have no objection to abandonment of the easement.
D. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variances to
allow the proposed drive-through teller canopy subject to
compliance with the following conditions:
1_ Compliance with Public Works Comments including any
variance or waiver of those requirements as may be
granted by the Board of Directors or the Director of
Public Works.
2. Compliance with the City's Landscape Ordinance.
3. Compliance with the remaining provisions of the Urban
Use District.
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March 26, 2001
Item No.: 2 (Cont.)
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(MARCH 26, 2001)
David Carpenter and Dickson Flake were present representing the
application. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance
with the conditions listed under the "Staff Recommendation"
above.
Norm Floyd commented that he had not seen the sign advertising
the public hearing on the site. David Carpenter responded that
he had posted the sign on the day he received it from staff and
that the sign had been placed on the northeast corner of the
building. Mr. Floyd stated that he accepted Mr. Carpenter's
explanation.
A motion was made to approve the requested variances subject to
compliance with staff's recommended conditions. The motion was
approved by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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