HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7013 Staff AnalysisMay 3, 2001
ITEM NO.: 17 FILE NO.: Z-7013
NAME: Dunbar Jr. High School - Conditional Use
Permit
LOCATION: 1100 Wright Avenue
OWNER/APPLICANT: Little Rock School District / Tim Heiple
PROPOSAL: To obtain a conditional use permit for a
small addition on the rear of the
existing Dunbar Junior High School
building, replacing five existing areas
being used as classrooms with permanent
classrooms. The property is zoned R-4,
Two Family Residential.
ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS:
1. SITE LOCATION:
This is a long-standing existing school site located on
the northeast corner of the intersection of Wright
Avenue and Cross Street.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
This existing school site is zoned R-4, Two Family
Residential, and is surrounded by R-4 zoning. The
immediate area is a residential neighborhood with a
mixture of single and two family residences. The school
has existed in this neighborhood for several years and
as far as Staff is aware it is compatible with the
neighborhood. The small addition on the rear of the
building would hardly be noticeable and should have no
impact on the school's compatibility with the
neighborhood.
The Downtown and Wright Avenue Neighborhood
Associations, all property owners within 200 feet, and
all residents within 300 feet that could be identified,
were notified of the public hearing.
May 3, 2001
ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7013
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
The school has a one way drive for access. Entry is
from Cross Street and the exit is onto Wright Avenue.
That will not change. The number of classrooms and the
number of teachers would not change because of this
addition. Therefore, the existing parking will not be
affected or changed.
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
A small amount of landscaping toward compliance with
the Landscape Ordinance will be required equal to the
expansion percentage proposed.
5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
a.Wright Avenue is classified on the Master Street
Plan as a minor arterial. A dedication of right-of-
way 45 feet from centerline will be required.
b.A 20 feet radial dedication of right-of-way is
required at the corner of Wright and Cross.
c. Property frontage needs to have the sidewalks and
ramps brought up to the current ADA standards.
d. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk
that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to
occupancy.
e. Stormwater detention ordinance applies to this
property.
f. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted
for approval prior to start of work.
6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
Water: No objection.
Wastewater: Sewer on site. Contact Little Rock
Wastewater Utility for details.
Southwestern Bell: No comments received.
RKLA: No comments received.
Entergy: No comments received.
2
May 3, 2001
ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.)
FILE NO.: Z-7013
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
CATA: Site is on bus route #16 and has no effect on
bus radius, turnout and route.
7. STAFF ANALYSIS:
The applicant has requested a conditional use permit
for an addition of five classrooms to the existing
school. The one story addition would connect the main
classroom building to the gymnasium immediately to the
north. The school has outgrown the existing classrooms
and so instruction is being done in open areas not
originally designed as classrooms. The addition would
create actual classroom space so the other areas can
revert back to what they were originally planned for.
Setbacks to the new addition would still be farther
than the existing buildings and the height of the
addition would be less than the existing buildings.
Therefore, there are no adverse siting issues.
The number of classrooms and the number of teachers
would not change because of this addition. Therefore,
the existing parking will not be affected or changed. A
small amount of added landscaping toward compliance
with the Landscape Ordinance will be required equal to
the expansion percentage proposed.
Staff believes the proposed addition would be
reasonable use of existing space and would have no
adverse impact.
8. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit
subject to compliance with the following conditions:
a. Comply with the City's Landscape and Buffer
Ordinances.
b. Comply with Public Works Comments.
c. All exterior lighting must be low intensity and
directed downward and inward to the property and not
towards any residential zoned area.
3
May 3, 2001
ITEM NO.: 17 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7013
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS: (APRIL 12, 2001)
Pat McGetrick was present representing the application.
Staff gave a brief description of the proposal and briefly
reviewed the comments provided to the applicant.
Staff commented on the need to upgrade landscaping in
relation to the expansion percentage. The applicant
explained what the addition was replacing and verified that
there would be no increase in the number of classrooms or
teachers.
Staff reminded the applicant to provide notification by
certified mail to property owners within 200 feet no later
than April 18, 2001, and that the applicant must provide
postmarked_ certified outgoing receipts, the abstract list of
property owners, and the original notification letter with
affidavit completed, to Staff no later than six days prior
to the public hearing.
There being no further issues, the Committee accepted the
proposal and forwarded the item to the full Commission for
final action.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(MAY 3, 2001)
Pat McGetrick was present representing the application.
There was one registered objector present. Staff presented
the item with a recommendation for approval subject to
compliance with the conditions listed under "Staff
Recommendation," paragraph 8 above.
Peter Norwood asked what impact the proposed work would have
on his property. He was concerned that he might lose part of
his property. Chairman Downing explained to Mr. Norwood that
the proposed school addition would have no impact or affect
on his property.
A motion was made to approve the application as submitted to
include staff comments and recommendations. The motion
passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
4