HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7466 Staff AnalysisAugust 25, 2003
M NO.: 1
File No.: Z-7466
Owner: Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Address: Northwest corner of West 7th
and Gaines Streets
Description: Lots 5-8 and part of Lots 4 and 9,
Block 177, Original City of Little Rock
Zoned: UU
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the height
provisions of Section 36-342.1 to allow
construction of a parking deck which
exceeds the maximum height allowed.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in
an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Surface parking lot
Proposed Use of Property: Parking Deck
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
1. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in
the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. Some handicap ramps do
not meet current ADA standards and may need to be replaced.
B. Landscape and Buffer Issues:
Landscaping is required to be in conformance with Urban Use District
standards. These standards include minimum three (3) inch caliper trees
thirty (30) feet on center around the perimeter of the site. Trees should
not be closer than thirty (30) feet to street intersections.
August 25, 2003
Item No.: 19 (Cont.
C. Staff Analysis:
The UU zoned property at the northwest corner of West 7th and Gaines
Streets is occupied by a paved surface parking lot. The parking lot serves
the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield office building which is located
across Gaines Street to the east. The parking lot is enclosed with an
ornamental iron fence. There is a driveway from Gaines Street which
serves as access. The parking lot occupies the entire block bounded by
Gaines Street, State Street, West 7th Street and West 6th Street.
The applicant proposes to construct a multi-level parking deck within the
south one-half of this block. The parking deck will serve the Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield building, providing secure, covered parking for
employees. The proposed parking deck will have a skywalk over Gaines
Street, connecting the deck to the Blue Cross office building.
The proposed parking deck main structure will have a height of
approximately 77 feet, with the elevator tower portion of the structure
having a height of approximately 95 feet. The applicant has noted that
the parking deck could have as many as seven (7) levels. Section 36-
342.1(e) of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum height of five
(5) stories or 75 feet in the UU Zoning District. Therefore, the applicant is
requesting a variance from this ordinance standard. To staff s knowledge,
this is the only variance needed from the Zoning Ordinance for the
proposed deck construction.
Staff is supportive of the variance request. The proposed building height
will not be out -of -character with other buildings in this general area. The
Federal Building, Federal Courts Building and the Legacy Hotel all have
building heights of five (5) stories or higher. Additionally, the Blue Cross
building has a height equivalent to 12 stories. The proposed parking deck
will provide additional needed parking for this area, and should have no
adverse impact on the surrounding properties. if approved, the proposed
skywalk over Gaines Street will have to be reviewed and approved by the
City's Board of Directors.
D. Staff Recommendations:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed height variance, subject to
the following conditions:
1. Compliance with the requirements as noted in paragraphs A and B of
this report.
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August 25, 2003
No.: 19 (Cont.
2. The proposed skywalk structure must be approved by the Board of
Directors.
3. The proposed structure must comply with all other UU Zoning District
development standards.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (AUGUST 25, 2003)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by
staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
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