HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report for Z-9860-ANovember 9, 2023
ITEM NO.: 20 FILE NO.: Z-9860
NAME: Mathews 1 STR-2 – PD-C
LOCATION: 1001 West Charles Bussey Avenue
DEVELOPER:
Bobby Mathews
1422 S. Summit Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
abpropertiesark@gmail.com
(870) 476-2548
OWNER/AUTHORIZED AGENT:
Bobby Mathews
1422 S. Summit Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
abpropertiesark@gmail.com
(870) 476-2548
SURVEYOR/ENGINEER:
Brooks Surveying, Inc.
20820 Arch Street Pike
Hensley, AR 72065
(501) 888-5336
AREA: 0.34 acre NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF
WARD: 1 PLANNING DISTRICT: 8 CENSUS TRACT: 47
CURRENT ZONING: R-4
VARIANCE/WAIVERS: None requested.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT’S STATEMENT:
The applicant proposes to rezone 0.34-acre property located at 1001 Charles
Bussey Avenue from an R4 to PD-C to allow use of the property as Short-Term
November 9, 2023
ITEM NO.: 20 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9860
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Rental-2 with a maximum stay of twenty-nine (29) days. The owner will not reside
in the residence.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The property is currently a vacant lot. The previous structure was demolished due
to its dilapidated state. The applicant proposes to construct a two-bedroom two
bath home (884 square feet) similar to other properties in the neighborhood to
serve as a short-term rental. The request is in the Central City Planning District as
well as in the Governors Mansion Historic District. The structure will be rented as
one unit.
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: Submit the wastewater infrastructure
plans to LRWRA for review and approval.
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.
F. BUILDING CODES/LANDSCAPE:
Building Code: No comments received.
Landscape: No comments.
November 9, 2023
ITEM NO.: 20 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9860
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G. TRANSPORTATION/PLANNING:
Rock Region Metro: No comments received.
Planning Division:
The request is in the Central City 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-2 to PD-C STR-2.
The Land Use surrounding the application area is Residential Low (RL) with an
area of Public/Institutional to the northeast across the intersection of S. Chester
and W. Charles Bussey Avenue.
The application site is zoned Low Density Residential (R-4). Properties to the
north, south and east of the application site are also zoned Low Density Residential
(R-4). To the east across South Chester Street is the Capital Zoning District.
This site is in the Central City Overlay District.
Master Street Plan:
W Charles Bussey Ave is a Local Street on the Master Street Plan. S Chester St
is a Collector on the Master Street Plan. May require dedication of ROW or
improvements.
Bicycle Plan:
South Chester Street is shown with proposed Class 2 bicycle lanes. A Bike Lane
provides a portion of the pavement for the sole use of bicycles.
Historic Preservation Plan:
This property is in the Governors Mansion Historic District.
H. ANALYSIS:
The applicant proposes to rezone 0.34-acre property located at 1001 Charles
Bussey Avenue from an R4 to PD-C to allow use of the property as Short-Term
November 9, 2023
ITEM NO.: 20 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9860
4
Rental-2 with a maximum stay of twenty-nine (29) days. The owner will not reside
in the residence.
The property is currently a vacant lot. The previous structure was demolished due
to its dilapidated state. The applicant proposes to construct a two-bedroom two
bath home (884 square feet) similar to other properties in the neighborhood to
serve as a short-term rental. The request is in the Central City Planning District as
well as in the Governors Mansion Historic District. The structure will be rented as
one unit.
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.
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.
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ITEM NO.: 20 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9860
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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.
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.
The subject structure is a part of a seven (7) building development located on three
(3) separate parcels comprised of lots 10, 11 and 12, Block 27, Weldon E Wright’s
Addition. The overall property is 0.57 acre in size. The applicant is requesting a
November 9, 2023
ITEM NO.: 20 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9860
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PD-C zoning for each of the structures individually, to allow each structure to be a
separate STR-2.
The overall project will include one (1) driveway from Charles Bussey Avenue and
one (1) driveway from Chester Street. The drives will lead to a shared parking
area within the southwest quarter of the overall site. The applicant is proposing 12
on-site parking spaces to serve the seven (7) short-term rentals. The drives and
parking will be bordered gravel areas. Additionally, on-street parking is allowed
along Charles Bussey Avenue. Staff believes the proposed parking plan will be
sufficient to serve the group of short-term rentals.
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 PD-C zoning request.
Staff is in support the requested PD-C rezoning. Staff believes the request is
reasonable and that the proposed STR-2 use is appropriate for this location.
Currently the City of Little Rock Department of Planning and Development has
thirty (30) short-term rentals (STR-1 and STR-2) listed within the database for
approved short-term rentals in the City of Little Rock. The City’s new short-term
rental ordinance allows a maximum 500 short-term rentals within the corporate
boundary of the City of Little Rock.
I. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the PD-C zoning request subject to compliance with
the comments and conditions noted in paragraph E and the staff analysis of the
agenda staff report.