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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7219 Staff AnalysisMay 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 11 FILE NO.: Z-7219 NAME; White City Memorial Baptist Church — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 918 Corning Street OVVNER/APPLICANT: White City Memorial Baptist Church/ Rev. Maurice Brooks, Sr., Pastor PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for construction of a parking lot and a fellowship hall addition onto this existing, R-3 zoned church. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: K SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the west side of Corning Street, between East 9th and East 10th Street; just north of the Little Rock National Airport. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: This small, neighborhood church has existed at this location for decades; the existing building was constructed in the late 1950's. The Little Rock Airport has expanded so that it is now directly adjacent to the church's west and south perimeters. The remaining neighborhood to the north and east is characterized by a few single family homes, numerous vacant lots and boarded residential structures and the Hollingsworth Grove housing project. The proposed Fellowship Hall and parking lot additions will not affect the church's continued compatibility with the neighborhood. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified, the East Little Rock and Hanger Hill Neighborhood Associations and the Little Rock National Airport were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The existing church sanctuary seats approximately 150 people, although current attendance is roughly 65. The seating capacity requires 37 parking spaces under current ordinance standards. The church currently has no on-site parking. The proposed fellowship hall addition does not generate the requirement for additional parking. The churches, however, constructing a 21 May 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 11 Cont. FILE NO.: Z-7219 requirement for additional parking. The church is, however, constructing a 21 space parking lot which will take access via a single drive off of Corning Avenue. 4 SCREENING AND BUFFERS: At least six (6) percent (499 square feet) of the interior of the vehicular use area must be landscaped with interior landscape islands of at least 5'/z feet in width and 112 square feet in area. The perimeter landscape buffer along Corning Avenue must be at least 6.7 feet in width. A six (6) foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward, a -wall, or evergreen plantings are required along the northern, southern, and western perimeters of the site. The landscape and buffer requirements listed have taken into account the reduction allowed within the "mature area" designation. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Corning Street is classified on the Master Street Plan as a commercial street. Dedicate right-of-way to 30 feet from centerline. 2. Sidewalks shall be shown conforming to Section 31-175 and the "MSP". 3. Appropriate handicap ramps will be required per current ADA standards. 4. All driveways shall be concrete aprons per City Ordinance. 5. Stormwater detention ordinance applies to this property. The project would qualify for an in -lieu contribution. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: No Comments received. Reliant: Approved as submitted. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. Water: No objection. Fire Department: Place fire hydrants per code.. 2 May 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont) FILE NO.: Z-7219 County Planning: No Comments. CATA: No Comments received. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MAY 2, 2002) Rev. Maurice Brooks, Sr. was present representing the application. Staff noted that additional information was needed regarding building height, signage, site lighting, fencing, dumpster location and total seating capacity of the existing sanctuary. Staff noted that some changes needed to be made in the design of the parking lot to accommodate needed interior and perimeter landscaping. In response to a question from staff, the applicant stated there would be no other uses on the site such as day care, private school or Mother's Day Out program. Staff noted that the property fell. within the Little Rock National Airport's noise zone and was located in an area slated for acquisition for future runway extension. Staff noted the airport was aware of the church's proposal. Public Works Comments were discussed. Landscape Comments were presented. It was noted that screening was not needed on the west and south since, the airport had expanded into those adjacent properties. Public Works Staff stated they could support a waiver of the requirements to dedicate 5 foot of right-of-way and to construct half -street improvements, including sidewalks, since the property was located at the end of the street adjacent to the airport and since the street was improved through CDBG not that many years ago. The applicant was directed to respond to staff issues no later than Wednesday, May 8, 2002. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYST White City Memorial Baptist Church is located on the R-3 zoned property at 918 Corning Avenue. The church currently consists of a small, one-story, block building that was constructed in the late 1950's. The site has no parking. The church is proposing to construct a one-story fellowship hall addition and a 21 space parking lot. The site will be used only for typical church activities. No additional activities such as day care, private school or Mother's Day Out program are proposed. The property is located adjacent to and directly north.of the Little Rock National Airport. Several blocks of property directly west of the church have recently been 3 May 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 11(Cont. FILE NO.: Z-7219 purchased by the airport, cleared of all structures and fenced. Streets west of the church have been closed and removed. Thus, the church is bounded on the south and west by airport property and is located at the point East 10th Street dead-ends.at Corning. The neighborhood east and north of the church is characterized by vacant lots, several residential structures (some of which have been boarded) and the Hollingsworth Grove housing project. Staff is supportive of the request. The proposed fellowship hall expansion and new parking lot will have no effect on the neighborhood and could be viewed as a positive addition to the area. Staff is supportive of a deferral of right-of-way dedication and street improvements. As was previously mentioned, blocks of property directly west of the church have been cleared by the airport to create a safety zone at the end of the general aviation runway. This site, and the surrounding neighborhood, lie within an area identified for future, long-term acquisition by the airport. The airport was notified of this request and did not voice opposition to the church's plans. The applicant did submit a revised plan and more detailed cover letter to staff on May 8, 2002. The plan shows the proper perimeter and interior landscaping. It does show the sign remaining in the existing right-of-way. A franchise will be required for the sign. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the staff comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of this report. 2. Compliance with the approved site plan. 3. The ground sign must be moved back out of the right-of-way or a franchise must be obtained. Staff supports a deferral of the required right-of-way dedication and half -street improvements to Corning Street. 12 May 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z-721 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 23, 2002) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the "Staff Recommendation" above. Staff also recommended approval of the deferral of right-of-way dedication and street improvements. There was no further discussion. The item, including the deferral, was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. 5