Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8129 Staff AnalysisFILE NO.: Z-8129 NAME: B's Mortgage Financial Services Short -form PD -O LOCATION: Located at 4001 Baseline Road DEVELOPER: Beatrice Davis Brooks 4001 Baseline Road Little Rock, AR 72209 SURVEYOR: Donald Brooks Surveying 20820 Arch Street Pike Hensley, AR 72065 AREA: 0.64 Acres CURRENT ZONING ALLOWED USES PROPOSED ZONING PROPOSED USE NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 R-2, Single-family Single-family Residential -N• Office Use - B's Mortgage FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The applicant is proposing the conversion of this existing single-family structure to an office use for B's Mortgage. The business has been operating for four and one-half years in two locations including West Little Rock and Pine Bluff. B's Mortgage is a mortgage broker that focuses on home loans. There are five employees of the business including employees in the Pine Bluff office. The business is not a high volume traffic generator since most of the clients are met with outside the office. The applicant has indicated it is advantageous to make the move from the current location to Baseline Road for several reasons: ownership of the property and the volume of traffic that travels the area, which is good for business, advertising and future growth. FILE NO.: Z-8129 [Cont. The request includes a single sign located within the front lawn area and a sign located on the front fagade of the structure. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The site contains a residential unit, which appears to be occupied. Other uses in the area included commercial and residential uses. There are single-family homes located to the east and south of the site. There is a large vacant 0-3 zoned tract of located across Baseline Road. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has received several informational phone calls from area residents. All property owners located within 200 -feet of the site, all residents, who could be identified, located within 300 -feet of the site, the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association and Southwest Little Rock United for Progress were notified of the public hearing. D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS: No comment. E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: Approved as submitted. Center -Point Energy: No comment received. AT & T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is not located on a dedicated CATA Bus Route. F. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN: Planning Division: This request is located in the Geyer Springs East Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Low Density Residential for this property. The applicant has applied for a rezoning to Planned Office Development to allow 2 FILE NO_: Z-8129 (Cont. the conversion of an existing single-family structure into an office use for B's Mortgage Services. A land use plan amendment for a change to Mixed Office Commercial is a separate item on this agenda (LU06-14-02). Master Street Plan: Baseline Road is shown as a Principal Arterial on the Master Street Plan. This street may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on Baseline Road since it is a Principal Arterial. Bicycle Plan: Existing or proposed Class I, II, or III Bikeways are not in the immediate vicinity of the development. City Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan: The applicant's property lies in the area covered by the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Action Plan. The neighborhood's Economic Development Goal encourages new businesses in this area. It states, "Create a competitive and adaptable economic environment that encourages investment and diversity of employment opportunities." Landscape: 1. Site plan must comply with the City's minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. 2. Additional landscaping may be required in conjunction with any new onsite parking. 3. The zoning buffer ordinance requires a minimum nine foot wide (9) land use buffer next to the residentially zoned properties to the east and west. Seventy percent (70%) of this buffer is to remain undisturbed. 4. The landscape ordinance requires a minimum nine foot wide (9) landscape perimeter between the site and the residentially zoned properties to the east and west. A variance from this minimum requirement must be obtained from the City Beautiful Commission prior to the issuance of a building permit. 5. A six (6) foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward, a wall, or dense evergreen plantings, is required along the southern, eastern and western perimeters of the site. Credit towards fulfilling this requirement can be given for existing trees and undergrowth that satisfies this year -around requirement. 6. The zoning buffer ordinance requires a minimum sixteen foot wide (16') land use buffer along the southern perimeter of the site. Seventy percent (70%) of this buffer is to remain undisturbed. 7. The zoning buffer ordinance requires an average of sixteen foot wide (16) street buffer and in no case less than half. 3 FILE NO.: Z-8129(Cont.) G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (November 16, 2006) The applicant was present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the proposed development indicating there were additional items necessary to complete the review process. Staff questioned if someone would live in the structure in addition to operating the business. Staff also questioned if any additional paving would be added to the site. Staff requested the applicant provide the total number of employees of the Little Rock office and the days and hours of operation. Staff stated no access to the business would be allowed from Bruno Road. Landscaping comments were addressed. Staff stated additional landscaping may be required with any additional on-site paving. Staff stated screening would be required along the perimeters of the site where adjacent to residentially zoned or used property. Staff noted comments from the various other reporting departments and agencies suggesting the applicant contact them directly for additional information and clarification. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. H. ANALYSIS: The applicant submitted a revised site plan to staff addressing most of the issues raised at the November 16, 2006, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant has indicated the days and hours of operation, the number of employees and noted no additional paving is anticipated. The revised site plan indicates the placement of a 4 -foot by 4 -foot sign located in the front yard area and a 4 -foot by 4 -foot building sign will be placed on the front of the building. The site will serve as an office for B's Mortgage and Financial Services and a single-family residence. The business employees four persons and operates from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. There will not be a dumpster located on the site. Staff is supportive of the request. Staff feels the allowance of this existing structure as an office and residential use should have limited impact on the adjoining properties. The site plan indicates the placement of signage within the front yard area and on the front of the building. There are no other exterior modifications proposed to the site or the structure. The applicant has indicated the structure will continue to appear residential in character and if the business is relocated the structure will revert to a residential use. To staff's knowledge there are no outstanding issues associated with the request. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the above agenda staff report. 12 FILE NO.: Z-8129 !Cont. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (DECEMBER 7, 2006) The applicant was present representing the request. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. There was no further discussion of the item. The Chair entertained a motion for placement of the item on the Consent Agenda for approval. The motion carried by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. 5 December 7, 2006 ITEM NO.: 16.1 NAME: B's Mortgage Financial Services Short -form PD -O LOCATION: Located at 4001 Baseline Road DEVELOPER: Beatrice Davis Brooks 4001 Baseline Road Little Rock, AR 72209 SURVEYOR: Donald Brooks Surveying 20820 Arch Street Pike Hensley, AR 72065 AREA: 0.64 Acres RRENT ZONING ALLOWED USES: PROPOSED ZONING: PROPOSED USE: NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 R-2, Single-family Single-family Residential PD -O Office Use - B's Mortgage FILE NO.: Z-8129 FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The applicant is proposing the conversion of this existing single-family structure to an office use for B's Mortgage. The business has been operating for four and one-half years in two locations including West Little Rock and Pine Bluff. B's Mortgage is a mortgage broker that focuses on home loans. There are five employees of the business including employees in the Pine Bluff office. The business is not a high volume traffic generator since most of the clients are met with outside the office. The applicant has indicated it is advantageous to make the move from the current location to Baseline Road for several reasons: ownership of the property and the volume of traffic that travels the area, which is good for business, advertising and future growth. December 7, 2006 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16.1 (Cont. C. E FILE NO.: Z-8129 The request includes a single sign located within the front lawn area and a sign located on the front fagade of the structure. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The site contains a residential unit, which appears to be occupied. Other uses in the area included commercial and residential uses. There are single-family homes located to the east and south of the site. There is a large vacant 0-3 zoned tract of located across Baseline Road. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has received several informational phone calls from area residents. All property owners located within 200 -feet of the site, all residents, who could be identified, located within 300 -feet of the site, the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association and Southwest Little Rock United for Progress were notified of the public hearing. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS: No comment. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: Approved as submitted. Center -Point Energy: No comment received. AT & T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is not located on a dedicated CATA Bus Route. 2 December 7, 2006 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16.1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8129 F. ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN: Planning Division: This request is located in the Geyer Springs East Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Low Density Residential for this property. The applicant has applied for a rezoning to Planned Office Development to allow the conversion of an existing single-family structure into an office use for B's Mortgage Services. A land use plan amendment for a change to Mixed Office Commercial is a separate item on this agenda (LU06-14-02). Master Street Plan: Baseline Road is shown as a Principal Arterial on the Master Street Plan. This street may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on Baseline Road since it is a Principal Arterial. Bicycle Plan: Existing or proposed Class I, II, or III Bikeways are not in the immediate vicinity of the development. City_ Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan: The applicant's property lies in the area covered by, the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Action Plan. The neighborhood's Economic Development Goal encourages new businesses in this area. It states, "Create a competitive and adaptable economic environment that encourages investment and diversity of employment opportunities." Landscape: 1. Site plan must comply with the City's minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. 2. Additional landscaping may be required in conjunction with any new onsite parking. 3. The zoning buffer ordinance requires a minimum nine foot wide (9') land use buffer next to the residentially zoned properties to the east and west. Seventy percent (70%) of this buffer is to remain undisturbed. 4. The landscape ordinance requires a minimum nine foot wide (9') landscape perimeter between the site and the residentially zoned properties to the east and west. A variance from this minimum requirement must be obtained from the City Beautiful Commission prior to the issuance of a building permit. 5. A six (6) foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward, a wall, or dense evergreen plantings, is required along the southern, eastern and western perimeters of the site. Credit towards fulfilling this requirement can be given for existing trees and undergrowth that satisfies this year -around requirement. 3 December 7, 2006 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16.1 Cont. FILE NO.: Z-8129 6. The zoning buffer ordinance requires a minimum sixteen foot wide (16') land use buffer along the southern perimeter of the site. Seventy percent (70%) of this buffer is to remain undisturbed. 7. The zoning buffer ordinance requires an average of sixteen foot wide (16) street buffer and in no case less than half. G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (November 16, 2006) The applicant was present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the proposed development indicating there were additional items necessary to complete the review process. Staff questioned if someone would live in the structure in addition to operating the business. Staff also questioned if any additional paving would be added to the site. Staff requested the applicant provide the total number of employees of the Little Rock office and the days and hours of operation. Staff stated no access to the business would be allowed from Bruno Road. Landscaping comments were addressed. Staff stated additional landscaping may be required with any additional on-site paving. Staff stated screening would be required along the perimeters of the site where adjacent to residentially zoned or used property. Staff noted comments from the various other reporting departments and agencies suggesting the applicant contact them directly for additional information and clarification. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. H. ANALYSIS: The applicant submitted a revised site plan to staff addressing most of the issues raised at the November 16, 2006, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant has indicated the days and hours of operation, the number of employees and noted no additional paving is anticipated. The revised site plan indicates the placement of a 4 -foot by 4 -foot sign located in the front yard area and a 4 -foot by 4 -foot building sign will be placed on the front of the building. The site will serve as an office for B's Mortgage and Financial Services and a single-family residence. The business employees four persons and operates from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. There will not be a dumpster located on the site. Staff is supportive of the request. Staff feels the allowance of this existing structure as an office and residential use should have limited impact on the adjoining properties. The site plan indicates the placement of signage within the front yard area and on the front of the building. There are no other exterior modifications proposed to the site or the structure. The applicant has indicated the structure will continue to appear residential in character and if the business is CI December 7, 2006 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 16.1 {Cont. FILE NO.: z-8129 relocated the structure will revert to a residential use. To staff's knowledge there are no outstanding issues associated with the request. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the above agenda staff report. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (DECEMBER 7, 2006) The applicant was present representing the request. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. There was no further discussion of the item. The Chair entertained a motion for placement of the item on the Consent Agenda for approval. The motion carried by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. 5 ITEM NO.: 16.1. Z-8129 NAME: B's Mortgage Financial Services Short -form POD LOCATION: located at 4001 Baseline Road Planning Staff Comments: 1. Provide notification of all property owners located within 200 -feet of the site, complete with the certified abstract list, notice form with affidavit executed and proof of mailing. The notice must be mailed no later than November 22, 2006. The Office of Planning and Development must receive the proof of notice no later than November 30, 2006. 2. Will someone live on the site in addition to the office use? 3. Provide the number of employees for the Little Rock location that will report to this site for work activities and assignments. 4. Provide the location of the proposed sign along with a note indicating the total height and total area. Include the total area of the proposed building signage. 5. Will there be a dumpster located on the site? If so provide the location along with a note indicating the required screening. Will the dumpster service hours be limited to daylight hours only? 6. Will any additional paving be constructed to the front yard area? If so indicate the location on the proposed site plan. 7. Provide the days and hours of operation for the business. 8. No access to the business will be allowed from the Bruno Road. Variance/Waivers: None requested. Public Works Conditions: No comment. Utilities and Fire Department/County Planning: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No comment received. Center -Point Enerav: No comment received. AT & T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: water meter(s) are required. Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional Item # 16.1. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is not located on a dedicated CATA Bus Route. Planning Division: This request is located in the Geyer Springs East Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Low Density Residential for this property. The applicant has applied for a rezoning to Planned Office Development to allow the conversion of an existing single-family structure into an office use for B's Mortgage Services. A land use plan amendment for a change to Mixed Office Commercial is a separate item on this agenda (LU06-14-02). Master Street Plan: Baseline Road is shown as a Principal Arterial on the Master Street Plan. This street may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements. The primary function of a Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within urbanized areas. Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and pedestrians on Baseline Road since it is a Principal Arterial. Bicycle Plan: Existing or proposed Class I, II, or III Bikeways are not in the immediate vicinity of the development. City Recognized Neighborhood Action Plan: The applicant's property lies in the area covered by the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Action Plan. The neighborhood's Economic Development Goal encourages new businesses in this area. It states, "Create a competitive and adaptable economic environment that encourages investment and diversity of employment opportunities." Landscape - 1 . andscape: 1. Site plan must comply with the City's minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. 2. Additional landscaping may be required in conjunction with any new onsite parking. 3. The zoning buffer ordinance requires a minimum nine foot wide (9) land use buffer next to the residentially zoned properties to the east and west. Seventy percent (70%) of this buffer is to remain undisturbed. 4. The landscape ordinance requires a minimum nine foot wide (9) landscape perimeter between the site and the residentially zoned properties to the east and west. A variance from this minimum requirement must be obtained from the City Beautiful Commission prior to the issuance of a building permit. 5. A six (6) foot high opaque screen, either a wooden fence with its face side directed outward, a wall, or dense evergreen plantings, is required along the southern, eastern and western perimeters of the site. Credit towards fulfilling this requirement can be given for existing trees and undergrowth that satisfies this year -around requirement. Item # 16.1. 6. The zoning buffer ordinance requires a minimum sixteen foot wide (16') land use buffer along the southern perimeter of the site. Seventy percent (70%) of this buffer is to remain undisturbed. 7. The zoning buffer ordinance requires an average of sixteen foot wide (16) street buffer and in no case less than half. Revised plat/plan: Submit four (4) copies of a revised preliminary plat (to include the additional information as noted above) to staff on Wednesday, November 22, 2006. Item # 16.1.