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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7130 Staff AnalysisJanuary'17, 2002 ITEM NO.: 6 FILE NO.: Z-7130 NAME: Martin Luther King Neighborhood Heritage Enrichment Center Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 3012 M. L. King, Jr. Drive OWNER/APPLICANT: City of Little Rock/Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use of this existing residential structure as a neighborhood heritage enrichment center. The property is zoned R-3. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the west side of M. L. King, Jr. Drive, 4 lots south of West 30th Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property is located on the west side of M. L. King, south of 30th Street. This site was in the path of the 1999 tornado. Although many homes in the area have been repaired or rebuilt, the neighborhood is still characterized by many vacant lots and damaged residences. The homes located either side of this property were destroyed by the tornado. The two blocks directly east of this site are occupied by a large parking lot and the Ish Instructional Resource Center. A church and an office building are located one block north of the site. This small, neighborhood oriented, "resource center" should be compatible with the neighborhood. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the M. L. King and South End Neighborhood Associations were notified of the request. January 17, 2002 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7130 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: This, 1,260± square foot use requires 4 parking spaces. None are proposed. Many of the Enrichment Center's functions are oriented to neighborhood residents and it is anticipated that many will walk to the center. There is adequate on -street parking available on both sides of M. L. King and a large, underused, Little Rock School District parking lot is located directly across M. L. King. Staff supports a variance to allow this use to have no on-site parking. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No landscape issues. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Property frontage needs to have the sidewalks and ramps brought up to the current ADA standards. 2. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. 3. Show parking for visitors and employees. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: No Comments received. Entergy: No Comments received. AR.KLA: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water regarding reestablishment of water service to this property. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. Count Plannin : No Comments. CATA: Project site is located on Bus Route #11 but has no effect on bus radius, turnout and route. 2 January 17, 2002 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: FILE NO. (DECEMBER 20, 2001) Z-7130 Jesse Garrett, association president, and Mr. Kwendeche, architect, were present representing the application. Staff presented the item and noted that additional information was needed on signage, the number of employees (paid and volunteer) and days and hours of operation. Staff also noted a variance was needed for reduced on-site parking. Public Works Comments were presented. The applicant was directed to prepare a response to staff's questions. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The Martin Luther King Association, in partnership with the City of Little Rock Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, is requesting a conditional use permit to allow the conversion of the residential structure located on the R-3 zoned property at 3012 M. L. King, Jr. Drive into a Neighborhood Heritage Enrichment Center. The property is owned by the City of Little Rock. The Enrichment Center will be operated on a volunteer basis by the Neighborhood Association. The function of the Enrichment Center is similar, in some ways, to an alert center or a neighborhood resource center. The center will provide a location for teaching life skills and after school and weekend tutoring. A portion of the facility will be used for the display of historical exhibits, focusing on the achievements of members of Little Rock's African American community; including Drs. Robinson, Jackson, Townsend, Ish, 0. B. White, William Thrasher and Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Bates. Exhibits will also highlight the United Friends Hospital, colleges, churches and 9t' Street. Ultimately, the association hopes to develop a community garden and to add a gardening tool lending library and gardening classes to its repertoire. It is the goal of the association to keep the property residential in character. Consequently, only small changes will be made to the site. The existing, concrete driveway will be removed. A new, concrete sidewalk and a handicap ramp will be installed. No signage will be placed on the building. A small 3 January 17, 2002 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7130 (216" X 31) ground -mounted sign will be erected in a landscaped bed in the front yard. Days and hours of operation are to be Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (summer hours may vary). Two or three volunteers will staff the facility. No on-site parking is proposed. This use requires 4 parking spaces. There is adequate on -street parking available as well as an underused Little Rock School District parking lot directly across the street. It is thought that many users of the facility will be neighborhood residents who will walk to the facility. The property is located in the path of the 1999 tornado. Many of the structures in the area around this site were heavily damaged or destroyed. This structure was heavily damaged. Staff sees the proposed use as compatible with the neighborhood. Keeping the residential nature of the site in tact helps assure that compatibility and enhances the possibility of the property reverting to residential use at some point in the future. On December 26, 2001, the applicant submitted responses to the issues raised at the Subdivision Committee meeting. Those responses are reflected in this report. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit subject to compliance with the comments outlined in Sections 5 and 6 of this report. Staff recommends approval of the parking variance to allow no on-site parking. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 17, 2002) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval, including a parking variance. 4 January 17, 2002 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) The applicant offered no additional comments. FILE NO.: Z-7130 The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. �1