Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7253-B Staff AnalysisMarch 25, 2004 ITEM NO.: 18 FILE NO.: Z -7253-B NAME: Central High School Baseball Field — Revised Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 1500 South Park Street OWNERIAPPLICANT: Little Rock School District/Melanie Gibson PROPOSAL: A revision to a previously approved conditional use permit is requested to allow for the installation of lighting to the baseball field on this R-4 zoned, 20t acre high school campus. 1. SITE LOCATION: The Central High School Campus is located between Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, West 16th Street, Park Street and Jones Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The campus has been a part of this neighborhood for many years. The baseball field is located mid -campus, between the main school building and the football field. This area has been used for years for athletic activities. The baseball field is in close proximity to the football field which regularly has evening and night events that require lighting. Allowing lighting of the baseball field, which typically should not extend past 10:00 p.m., should not affect the school's continued compatibility with the neighborhood. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the northern and southern boundary of the campus in the vicinity of the baseball field, all residents within 300 feet of the campus who could be identified and the Central High Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: No new parking lots or driveways are proposed through this action. Existing on and off campus parking lots will be utilized. Since most games occur after school hours, adequate parking should be available near the ball field. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments. March 25, 2004 ITEM NO.: 18 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -7253-B 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. No Comments. Public frontage improvements are underway. Call ` Public Works for final inspection when all work has been completed. 6. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: No Comments received. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. Water: No objection. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. Counly Planning: No Comments. CATH: A CATA Bus Route is located adjacent to the site, along West 13th Street. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MARCH 4, 2004) Melanie Gibson, the applicant, and Doug Eaton, of the LRSD, were present. Staff presented the item and noted that a copy of the bill of assurance needed to be provided. Staff also asked that written approval be provided from the National Park Service. Mr. Eaton responded that the Park Service's boundary stopped behind the main building, east of the ball field, but he would provide a statement from them. Staff asked if it would be appropriate to have the applicant notify, via certified mail, the property owners located north and south of the campus, in the area of the ball field, rather than around the entire campus. Staff stated notices would be sent by the City to the neighborhood association and to all residents who could be identified within 300 feet of the campus perimeter. The Committee determined that doing the notices in that manner would be sufficient. The applicant was advised to respond to staff issues by March 10, 2004. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. K March 25, 2004 ITEM NO.: 18 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -7253-B STAFF ANALYSIS: The Central High School campus is located on a 20+ acre site bounded by Park, Jones, Daisy Bates and West 16th Streets. The school buildings occupy the eastern third of the campus. The western third of the campus is occupied by the football field and stands. The middle third of the campus contains a parking lot and a baseball field and stands. The area where the baseball field is located was previously used for athletic events including football practice. Staff approved the construction of a baseball field in this area with the understanding that any lighting of the field would have to be approved by the Planning Commission. Staff felt that day time use of the area for baseball was consistent with the historic use of this part of the campus. Allowing lighting for nighttime practice and games would be enough of a change that it would not be approved at staff level. The baseball field has been constructed and dedication ceremonies occurred earlier in March 2004. The Little Rock School District has filed this conditional use permit application requesting permission to install lighting on the baseball field. The lights are to be installed on seven poles strategically placed around the perimeter of the field by a professional lighting company. Two light standards on the adjacent football field will be used. The lights will be mounted at 70 feet. The high school baseball season runs from late February through the end of April. The team beings practice on the field in November. The lights will be in use once daylight savings time ends until 6:00 or 6:30 during the week. During the season, baseball games begin between 4:30 and 5:30 in the afternoon. Two games (varsity and junior varsity) are scheduled some nights. Games last approximately 1.5 hours each. Staff is supportive of the request. Allowing the lighting of the ball field should not affect the school's continued compatibility with the neighborhood. During practice season, the lighting will normally only be on until 6:00 — 6:30 in the evening. As a general rule, during the baseball season, the lighting should not be on past 9:00 —10:00 at night. The adjacent football field has had lighting for many years and is used by LRSD Schools other than Central High. There is not a bill of assurance issue. Since a portion of the Central High School Campus is a national historic site, written approval should be submitted by the Parks Service prior to installation of the lighting. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: 3 March 25, 2004 ITEM NO.: 18 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -7253-B 1. Use of the lighting is to be as submitted by the applicant and described in the "Staff Analysis" above. 2. A statement of approval from the National Parks Service must be submitted prior to installation of the lighting. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MARCH 25, 2004) 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. 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