HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7565 Staff AnalysisFebruary 12, 2004
ITEM NO.:
NAME:
LOCATION-
OWNER/APPLICANT
Little Rock Compassion Center —
Conditional Use Permit
3618 West Roosevelt Road
William Holloway/Kevin O'Dwyer
FILE NO.: Z-7565
PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use
of the former Salvation Army facility located at
3618 West Roosevelt Road as a homeless shelter
with associated activities. The property is zoned
1-2 and C-3.
1. SITE LOCATION:
The property is located on the north side of West Roosevelt Road, at
Maple Street; just east of the Asher Avenue/West Roosevelt intersection.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The property is located in an area of mixed uses and zoning. There are
several institutional uses in the immediate area including a large,
multibuilding, state complex; a nursing home; a LRSD Facility (not a
school); and a church. The property was developed as and served as a
homeless shelter, training center, church and thrift store; the uses
proposed by the applicant. Staff believes this is an appropriate location
for the proposed use.
All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents
within 300 feet who could be identified and the Goodwill, Love, Midway
and Stephens Area Faith Neighborhood Associations were notified of this
request.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
The site is occupied by a multistory, 49,000± square foot building with a
detached, 2,400± square foot building. The site has a 50± space parking
lot located west of Maple Street and an asphalt paved parking area
behind the main building. No changes are proposed to the site. The
existing parking should be sufficient for the proposed use.
February 12, 2004
TEM NO.: 8 (Cont.] FILE NO.: Z-7565
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
Since this is an existing development with no changes proposed, no
landscaping upgrade or screening is required.
5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
1. No comments on use change for existing facilities.
6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
Wastewater: Existing service main on property. No permanent
construction within 5 feet either side of existing sewer main.
Entergy: No Comments received.
CenterPoint Energy: Approved as submitted.
Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted.
Water: No Comments received.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Planning: No Comments received.
CATA: A CATA Bus Route is located on Roosevelt Road.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JANUARY 15, 2004)
Kevin O'Dwyer and Stuart Mackey were present representing the applicant.
Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed on the
proposed operation; including numbers of persons to be housed, signage,
employees, thrift store, operating the donation center and recovery and
education programs. Staff asked if a church would be located in the building. It
was noted that there were no landscape or Public Works Comments since no
changes were being proposed to the existing facility and parking lot.
The applicants stated they would reply to staff questions by January 21, 2004, as
requested by staff. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission.
2
February 12, 2004
O.: 8 (Cont.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
FILE NO.: Z-7565
The applicant proposes to use the former Salvation Army facility located at 3618
Roosevelt Road as a homeless shelter and related facilities. The site consists of
two tracts: a 2.01 acre, 1-2 zoned tract on the east side of Maple Street that
contains the 49,000 square foot building; and a 0.77 acre, C-3 zoned tract on the
west side of Maple Street that contains a 50f space, paved parking lot. Portions
of the site are fenced. The site has two ground -mounted signs; one in front of
the main building and one in front of the parking lot. The applicant proposes no
changes to the site. Panels on the signs will be changed to reflect the new
name.
The Little Rock Compassion Center intends to use the building to provide a night
time shelter for the homeless as well as a day shelter. Space is available for
rooms to shelter complete families for the night when needed. Capacity is
proposed as 200 individuals and 5 families. The Center plans on having a drug
and alcohol recovery program, educational services for obtaining a G.E.D. and
job skill classes. Three meals a day will be provided, 7 days a week.
Transportation will be provided to and from labor offices to encourage the
able-bodied to find a job. A food pantry will also be provided to help the
working poor.
The thrift store will be reopened which will not only bring in revenue, but will
offer an opportunity to those on recovery or in educational classes to get hands-
on training in the retail area. The thrift store will operate from 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The Center will initially employ ten persons, but that will likely expand as needed.
Security will be provided to provide 24 hour watch over the building and grounds.
The Operations Director will supervise all staff and volunteer workers. The
Men's Director will supervise transients and activities. The CEO will oversee all
directors and staff. Security will insist that any persons loitering outside either go
inside the Compassion Center or leave the premises. The proposed recovery
and educational services will be conducted day and night as needed. Sundays
will be for church services. The facility has an existing chapel that will be used
for the church services.
The donation center at the rear of the property will be reopened and will operate
from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Security will monitor this
area to ensure that all drop-offs are made properly and will report any trash
dropped off to maintenance on a daily basis.
Staff is supportive of the proposed use. This building was built for and served as
a Salvation Army homeless shelter. The proposed use is an appropriate use for
the site.
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February 12, 2004
ITEM NO.: 8 Cont. FILE NO.: Z-7565
On January 21, 2004, the applicant submitted responses to questions raised at
Subdivision Committee and reflected in the analysis above. There is no valid Bill
of Assurance.
AFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the application subject to the following condition:
1. The donation drop-off area is to be kept clean. There is to be no outside
storage of materials.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 12, 2004)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the
condition 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 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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