HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes for Z-9761 092023September 14, 2023
ITEM NO.: B FILE NO.: Z-9761
NAME: McGrath 1 – STR-2 - PCD
LOCATION: 407 N. Van Buren Street
DEVELOPER:
Anna McGrath (Owner)
18 Sunset Drive
Cammack Village, AR 72207
Annafreeland2@gmail.com
(501) 786-0165
OWNER/AUTHORIZED AGENT:
Anna McGrath (Owner)
18 Sunset Drive
Cammack Village, AR 72207
Annafreeland2@gmail.com
(501) 786-0165
SURVEYOR/ENGINEER:
Brooks Surveying, Inc.
20820 Arch Street Pike
Hensley, AR 72065
(501)-888-5336
brookssurveying@att.net
AREA: 0.16 acre NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF
WARD: 3 PLANNING DISTRICT: 4 CENSUS TRACT: 15.01
CURRENT ZONING: R-4
VARIANCE/WAIVERS: None requested.
September 14, 2023
ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9761
2
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT’S STATEMENT:
The applicant proposes to rezone 0.16-acre property located at 407 North Van
Buren Street from R-4 to PCD to allow use of the property as Short-Term Rental
with a maximum stay of twenty-nine (29) days. The owner will not reside in the
residence. It is an existing tri-plex apartment building. One (1) of the units will be
utilized as s short-term rental.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The request is in the Heights / Hillcrest Planning District. The multifamily
apartment building has been operating long term rental for eight (8) years. The
property contains an existing brick structure. Access is provided from a concrete
walkway which extends from Van Buren Street that allows entrance to the three
(3) units. The property has ample parking. The property is primarily surrounded
by R-4 zoning. The Future Land Use Map shows a large area of Residential Low
Density (RL) in all directions.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
All owners of property located within 300 feet of the site and all neighborhood
associations registered with the City of Little Rock were notified of the public
hearing.
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: No comments.
E. UTILITIES/FIRE DEPARTMENT/PARKS/COUNTY PLANNING:
Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority: No comments.
Entergy: No comments received.
Summit Utilities: No comments.
AT & T: No comments received.
Central Arkansas Water: No comments.
Fire Department: No comments.
Parks and Recreation: No comments received.
County Planning: No comments.
September 14, 2023
ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9761
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F. BUILDING CODES/LANDSCAPE:
Building Code: No comments received.
Landscape: No comments.
G. TRANSPORTATION/PLANNING:
Rock Region Metro: No comments received.
Planning Division:
The request is in the Heights / Hillcrest Planning District. The Land Use Plan
shows Residential Low Density (RL) for the requested area. The Residential Low
Density (RL) category provides for single family homes at densities not to exceed
6 dwelling units per acre. Such residential development is typically characterized
by conventional single-family homes but may also include patio or garden homes
and cluster homes, provided that the density remains less than 6 units per acre.
The application is to rezone from R-4 (Two Family District) to PCD (Planned
Commercial Development). The request is to allow the site to be used for Short
Term Rental.
Surrounding the application area is developed Residential Low Density (RL) in all
directions. To the south a block along Van Buren St approaching West Markham
St are areas of Suburban Office (SO), Office (O), and Commercial (C). The
Suburban Office (SO) category shall provide for low intensity development of office
or office parks in close proximity to lower density residential areas to assure
compatibility. These areas a developed with medical services and a bakery. The
Office (O) category represents services provided directly to consumers (e.g., legal,
financial, medical) as well as general offices which support more basic economic
activities and is developed with medical services and a bank. The Commercial (C)
category includes a broad range of retail and wholesale sales of products, personal
and professional services, and general business activities. These areas are
developed with restaurants, a hotel, and a convenience store with gas pumps.
Master Street Plan:
Van Buren St is Minor Arterial a on the Master Street Plan Map. Minor Arterials are
high volume roads designed to provide the connections to and through an urban
area. Curb cuts should be limited allow for continuous traffic flow while still allowing
some access to adjoining property, Deceleration Lanes are required. Right of way
is 90 feet. Sidewalks are required on both sides. C Street is a Local Street. Local
Streets are roads designed to provide access to adjacent property with the
movement of traffic being a secondary purpose. Right-of-way is 50’. Sidewalks
September 14, 2023
ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9761
4
are required on one side. These streets may require dedication of additional right-
of-way and may require street improvements.
Bicycle Plan:
Van Buren Street is shown on the Master Bike Plan Map with an existing Class II
Bike Lane. These are routes designated by painted strips separating the bikeway
from motor vehicle traffic and intended for the sole use by bicycles. Additional
pavement markings and signage is required.
Historic Preservation Plan:
This site is 1 block west of the Hillcrest National Historic District.
H. ANALYSIS:
The applicant proposes to rezone 0.16-acre property located at 407 North Van
Buren Street from R-4 to PCD to allow use of the property as Short-Term Rental
with a maximum stay of twenty-nine (29) days. The owner will not reside in the
residence. It is an existing tri-plex apartment building. One (1) of the units will be
utilized as a short-term rental.
The request is in the Heights / Hillcrest Planning District. The multifamily
apartment building has been operating long term rental for eight (8) years. The
property contains an existing brick structure. Access is provided from a concrete
walkway which extends from Van Buren Street that allows entrance to the three
(3) units. The property has ample parking. The property is primarily surrounded
by R-4 zoning. The Future Land Use Map shows a large area of Residential Low
Density (RL) in all directions.
On June 20, 2023 the City Board of Directors passed an ordinance regulating
short-term rentals within the City of Little Rock. The new ordinance establishes
“development standards” for short-term rentals. If approved, the applicant must
comply with the newly established development standards as follows, in addition
to all other requirements of the new ordinance:
b.) Development Standards.
1. Hosting of private parties and special events such as weddings,
receptions, and other similar gatherings is not allowed in Short-
Term Rentals.
2. Tours for a fee are not allowed to anyone other than an Occupant.
September 14, 2023
ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9761
5
3. The Occupancy Fee may include any meal to be served to paying
guests; no other meal service is permitted.
4. Allowable signage is that as permitted by the Single-Family
Residential Standard.
5. Parking plan must be provided with permit application. Off-Street
Standard for STRs shall be provided in accordance with Little Rock
Arkansas Code, Chapter 36 36-54 (e) (1). If on-street parking is
proposed as an alternative to meet the above requirements,
parking must be available for guest use within 330 feet of the STR
and parking plan must address neighborhood impact. If the STR
is proposed within a Design Overlay District, any alternate parking
requirements, as provided in Little Rock, Arkansas Rev. Code,
Chapter 36. Zoning, Article V. District Regulations shall be
applicable.
6. Applicants shall provide a scaled floor plan that includes all of the
rooms available for rent with location of windows, doors, and
smoke detectors identified. Smoke detectors (certified) are
required in all sleeping areas, in every room in the path of the
means of egress from the sleeping area to the exit, and in each
story with sleeping unit, including basements.
7. All sleeping areas must have two (2) ways of egress, one of which
can be an operable window.
8. Proof of homeowner's fire, hazard, and liability insurance. Liability
coverage shall have limits of not less than One Million Dollars
($1,000,000.00) per occurrence.
9. All persons operating a Bed and Breakfast House/Short-Term
Rental (Type I & 2) shall meet all applicable requirements of the
City of Little Rock's Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Fire Prevention
and Protection, Article II. Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Prior to
use as a Bed and Breakfast House/Short-Term Rental (Type 1 &
2), the annual City of Little Rock, Building Code and Fire Marshal
inspection fee must be paid and payment of annual Business
License received.
10. Smoke alarms shall be installed, all smoke alarms shall meet local
and state standards (current Fire Code). Smoke alarms shall be
installed in all sleeping areas and every room in the path of the
means of egress from the sleeping area to the door leading from
the sleeping unit.
11. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed as directed by City
Staff if there are fuel-fired appliances in the unit or the unit has an
attached garage.
September 14, 2023
ITEM NO.: B (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9761
6
12. Five (5)-pound ABC-type extinguisher shall be mounted where
readily accessible.
13. No recreational vehicles, buses, or trailers shall be visible on the
street or property in conjunction with the Bed and Breakfast
House/Short-Term Rental use.
14. Principal renter shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
15. Maximum occupancy. Maximum occupancy of any room or
structure as a whole shall be determined by the Arkansas Fire
Prevention Code.
16. Simultaneous rental to more than one party under separate
contracts shall not be allowed.
17. The owner shall not receive any compensation or remuneration to
permit occupancy of a STR for a period of less than a one (1 )-day
rental.
All trash pick-up shall comply with requirements for residential one–and two-
family residential zones.
The applicant provided responses and additional information to all issues
raised during staff’s review of the application. The applicant is requesting
no variances with the PCD zoning request.
Staff is in support the requested PCD rezoning. Staff believes the request
is reasonable and that the proposed PCD use is appropriate for this
location.
I. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the PCD rezoning request, subject to compliance
with comments and conditions noted in the staff analysis of the agenda staff report.