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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7141-A Staff AnalysisDecember 1, 2005 ITEM NO.: C FILE NO.: Z -7141-A NAME: Roselawn Memorial Park — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: West 26th Street; east of Booker Street OVVNER/APPLICANT: Roselawn Memorial Park PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for expansion of a cemetery onto this vacant, R-3 zoned property. Also requested is the abandonment of the West 26th Street right-of-way, east of Booker Street. 1. SITE LOCATION: The site is located on West 26th Street, east of Booker Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site is at the western edge of the existing cemetery. Existing cemetery uses are located adjacent to the east, south and northeast. Single family residences are located to the west and northwest. Booker Street has evolved to become the western boundary of the cemetery. It is likely that the few remaining properties not currently owned by the cemetery east of Booker Street will eventually be acquired by Roselawn. The proposed expansion is an appropriate use for this property. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the LOVE, Goodwill and Stephens Area Faith Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: No new parking areas or driveways are proposed with this expansion. If abandoned, the former 26th Street will be incorporated into the cemetery's existing driveway network. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: A six-foot high opaque screen, preferably evergreen shrubs a minimum of 30 inches in height at planting, is required along the northern and western perimeters of the site. Additionally, trees with an average spacing of forty -feet are required along the northern, southern and western perimeters of the site. December 1, 2005 ITEM NO.: C Cont.) 5, PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: A C ILE NO.: Z -7141-A Staff supports the abandonment of the West 26th Street right-of-way. The alley to the north should also be abandoned at some time in the future. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: Approved as submitted. CenterPoint Energy: No Comment received. Southwestern Bell: No Comment received. Water: If West 26th Street is to be closed under this request, it should be retained as a utility easement. Central Arkansas Water has a 2 -inch water main on the north side of this street. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: CATA bus routes are located south of the site, along Roosevelt Road, and north of the site, at Woodrow and Wright Avenue. MENTS RELATED TO R -O -VV ABANDONMENT: There is no objection from the utilities to the abandonment of the West 26th Street right-of-way, if the area of the abandoned right-of-way is retained as a utility easement. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (SEPTEMBER 22, 2005) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding fencing and site lighting. The applicant was advised to provide a copy of the bill of assurance. Public Works and Landscape Comments were noted. The applicant was advised to file a petition to close West 26th Street. The Committee asked that a map be prepared to show the boundary of the cemetery in this area. 0� December 1, 2005 ITEM NO.: C Cont. FILE NO.: Z -7141-A The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission after advising the applicant to respond to staff issues by September 28, 2005. STAFF ANALYSIS: Roselawn Memorial Park is requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow for the expansion of the cemetery onto this R-3 zoned property. The proposed expansion will allow for an additional 455 grave spaces. No building construction, such as a mausoleum, is proposed. Access to the site will be through the existing cemetery, adjacent to the east. Associated with this application is a request to abandon the one block of West 26th Street right-of-way, east of Booker Street. The cemetery owns all properties abutting the street with the exception of one lot at the northeast corner of Booker and 26 . That property owner is a party to the right-of-way abandonment, subject to access being maintained to the lot. The area of the abandoned right- of-way will be maintained as a utility and drainage easement. The roadway will be incorporated into the cemetery and will be used for access to the abutting grave sites. Staff is supportive of the requested C.U.P. and right-of-way abandonment. The properties around this site are being acquired by Roselawn and the properties to the south, east and northeast are currently developed for cemetery use. It appears that Booker Street is being established as the western boundary of the cemetery. Screening will be installed on the west and north perimeters of this expansion area. The screening on the west will consist of a 6 -foot wood fence. Screening on the north will be in the form of plants. No screening is required on the south or east. The bill of assurance does not address use issues. No signage or site lighting is proposed. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the C.U.P. subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. 2. Screening is to be installed on the west and north perimeters of this expansion area. Staff recommends approval of the requested abandonment of the West 26th Street right-of-way subject to compliance with the following conditions: 3 December 1, 2005 ITEM NO.: C (Cont._) FILE NO.: Z -7141-A Access is to be provided to the lot at the northeast corner of Booker and 26tH 2. The area of the abandoned right-of-way is to be maintained as a utility and drainage easement. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (DECEMBER 1, 2005) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and recommended approval of the C.U.P. and Right -of -Way Abandonment subject to compliance with the conditions noted in the "Staff Recommendation" above. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. 4