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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7884 Staff AnalysisSeptember 1, 2005 ITEM NO.: H FILE NO.: Z-7884 NAME: First Assembly of God Outreach Center — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 2914 Cumberland Street OWNER/APPLICANT: First Assembly of God North Little Rock/ J. C. Jay Martin PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for expansion of the existing church outreach center on this R-4 zoned property. SITE LOCATION: The site is located on the west side of Cumberland Street, south of East 29th Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site is located at the southern fringe of the South Little Rock Neighborhood. The blocks south of 29th Street west of this site are characterized by a scattering of single-family residences, vacant lots and boarded structures. Housing Authority developments are located to the east and to the north, across 29th Street. Industrial uses are located just to the south, at the end of Cumberland. Other uses in the overall area include a Head Start Center, a neighborhood convenience store and several churches. Allowing the proposed expansion to this existing church operated facility should not affect the facility's continued compatibility with the neighborhood. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Meadowbrook and Community Outreach Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site currently has 5 parking spaces and a single driveway onto Cumberland Street. A second driveway and an additional 4 parking spaces are proposed. The facility is designed to provide services for the immediate neighborhood and staff believes the parking will be adequate. There is ample on -street parking also available in the area; if needed on occasion. September 1, 2005 ITEM NO.: H Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7884 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Compliance with the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinances is required. The width of the proposed on-site street buffer along Cumberland Street is less than the 6 feet 9 -inch minimum allowed by the Zoning Ordinance. Areas set aside for landscaping meet with Landscape Ordinance minimum requirements. A six-foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward, a wall, or dense evergreen plantings is required along the sites northern, southern and western perimeters. These requirements take into account the reductions allowed within the designated mature area of the city. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. Sidewalks with appropriate handicap ramps are required in accordance with Section 31-175 of the Little Rock Code and the Master Street Plan as indicated on the plans. 2. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy. As indicated, all driveways are to be concrete aprons. 3. Stormwater detention ordinance applies to this property. The project would qualify for a contribution in -lieu of construction at the time of the building permit. 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: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/.or additional water meter(s) are required. 2 September 1, 2005 ITEM NO.: H Cont. FILE NO.: Z-7884 Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: A CATA Bus Route is located to the west of this site, at 29th and Main Streets. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JUNE 30, 2005) Jay Martin and Bill Darby were present, representing the application. Staff described the proposed conditional use permit. Staff noted that additional information relating to building design, building capacity, signage and lighting needed to be provided. Staff also noted that any dumpster/trash pick-up area with screening needed to be shown on the site plan. The proposed new driveway from Cumberland Street was briefly discussed. Mike Hood, of Public Works, noted that the driveway width as shown on the proposed plan would be acceptable. Mr. Hood also explained that additional sidewalk construction would be required. The landscape/buffer issues were briefly discussed. Bob Brown, of the Planning Staff, noted the new driveway and parking conformed to the ordinance buffer requirements. After the discussion, the Committee forwarded the application to the full Commission for final action. STAFF ANALYSIS: The First Assembly of God Outreach Center is located on the R-4 zoned property at 2914 Cumberland Street. The Center consists of a single, one-story, 2,400 square foot building and a paved, 5 -space parking lot. The applicant proposes to expand the building with a 1,600 square foot addition and to add 4 more paved parking spaces. The use of the property will not change. The Center is operated by the First Assembly of God, North Little Rock, for the use and benefit of the surrounding neighborhood residents. Most programs are directed at the neighborhood's young people but some activities serve neighbors of all ages. Programs include mentoring, youth and children activities, meals, neighborhood visits and clean-ups, bible studies and food, clothing and school supplies give -a -ways. 3 September 1, 2005 ITEM NO.: H (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7884 On July 5, 2005, the applicant responded to questions raised at Subdivision Committee. Signage is to consist of the existing wall sign only. Lighting consists of a motion sensor light on the front of the building and street lights. Maximum capacity in the building is about 100 persons. Landscape areas for the new parking lot exceed ordinance standards. Staff is supportive of the proposed expansion. The Center provides needed service to residents of this neighborhood. Staff believes the facility is compatible with uses in the neighborhood. Although the site will have only 9 parking spaces, most persons who attend the facility will be walking from the surrounding neighborhood. There is also ample on -street parking available in the immediate vicinity. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the application subject to compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the agenda staff report. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 21, 2005) The applicants were not present. There were no objectors present. Staff informed the Commission that the applicants had failed to comply with the notice requirement and the item needed to be deferred. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved for deferral to the September 1, 2005 Agenda by a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEPTEMBER 1, 2005) The applicants were 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 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. 4