HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7757 Staff AnalysisNOVEMBER 29, 2004
ITEM NO.: 1
File No.:
Owner:
Address:
Description:
Zoned:
Z-7757
Scenic Properties — Little Rock
215 Markham Center Drive
Lot 10, Bixler Commercial Subdivision
O-3
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the buffer provisions of Section
36-522 to allow a reduced street buffer.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Office
Proposed Use of Property: Office
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
1. The existing right-of-way for Markham Center Drive would meet the
reduced standard for a minor commercial street. No additional right-of-
way required.
2. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the
public right-of-way prior to occupancy.
B. Landscape and Buffer Issues:
The plan submitted does not consistently provide for the minimum 9 -foot wide
on-site street buffer required by both zoning and landscaping ordinances.
The width of the proposed northeastern perimeter landscaping strip is less
than the minimum 6 -feet 9 -inches required by the Landscape Ordinance.
The proposed interior landscaping is less than the eight percent (755 square
feet) required by the Landscape Ordinance by 259 square feet. To receive
credit, interior landscape islands must be at least 7'/ feet in width and 150
square feet in area.
A small amount of building landscaping is required by the Landscape
Ordinance.
City Beautiful Commission approval is required in order to receive a variance
from the Landscape Ordinance.
C. Staff Analysis:
The 0-3 zoned property at 215 Markham Center Drive is occupied by a small,
one-story masonry office building. A driveway from Markham Center Drive
serves as access to the property. There is paved parking on the north, south
and west sides of the building.
The applicant proposes to redesign the existing parking area, adding nine (9)
additional parking spaces to the property. The new proposed parking lot
design is shown on an attached sketch. The new parking design will maintain
the existing five (5) foot wide street landscape buffer along Markham Center
Drive. A six (6) foot wide landscape strip is proposed along the northeast
property line. Interior landscaping will also be redesigned.
Section 36-522(b)(2)b.3. of the City's Zoning Ordinance requires a minimum
nine (9) foot wide street landscape buffer for this office zoned lot. As noted
above the redesigned parking lot will maintain the existing five (5) foot wide
street buffer. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance from this
ordinance requirement. No additional right-of-way dedication will be required
with this application.
Staff is supportive of the requested buffer variance. Staff views the request as
reasonable. Most of the existing parking lot curb and gutter along the west
property line will remain as is. The majority of the new parking lot curb and
gutter along the west property line provides a street buffer of approximately 14
feet (northwest corner of the property). Only approximately 25 linear feet of
new parking lot curb and gutter will maintain the five (5) foot wide street buffer.
Staff feels that the parking lot redesign will have no adverse impact on the
adjacent properties or the general area.
As noted in paragraph B. of this report, the street landscape strip, the
perimeter landscape strip along the northeast property line and the interior
landscaping is less than the minimum requirements of the Landscape
Ordinance. Additionally, the Landscape Ordinance requires a small amount of
building landscaping. The applicant will need to apply to the City Beautiful
Commission for variances from the Landscape Ordinance.
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D. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested street buffer variance, subject to
variances from the Landscape Ordinance being approved by the City Beautiful
Commission.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(NOVEMBER 29, 2004)
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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