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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8216 Staff AnalysisJune 7, 2007 NO.: 10 FILE NO.: Z-821 NAME: The L.C. and Daisy Bates Museum — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 1207 West 28th Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Christian Ministerial Alliance/Kwendeche PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use of the existing residential structure as a circa 1957 museum. The property is zoned R-3. 1. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the south side of West 28th Street, between Cross Street and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property is located in a single family neighborhood. The homes immediately around this site are well maintained and in good condition. Other uses in the larger neighborhood around the site include a church, apartments and the LRSD Ish Instructional Resource Center. Some of the homes in the general area are in poorer condition; including some that are vacant and boarded. In so much as the proposal is to, in all ways, maintain the single family character of the property, staff believes the proposed use is compatible with the neighborhood. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet of the site who could be identified and the MLK, South End and South End Developers Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site has a double -wide driveway and carport. No changes are proposed to the parking. It is anticipated that small groups will tour the facility on an appointment basis. Some Rroups will arrive via shuttle. Others may park on the street. West 28t Street has 37 feet of pavement which will comfortably allow on -street parking. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments on this use -only issue. June 7, 2007 ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8216 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments on this use -only issue. 6. UTILITY. FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Existing 18" sewer main located under structure. Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No Comment received. CenterPoint Energy: Approved as submitted. AT&T (SBC): No Comment received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. 3/-inch is the largest meter available off the existing water main. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is located near two CATA bus routes. One route extends along Martin Luther King Drive and the second route extends along West 28th Street, east of Ringo Street. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MAY 17, 2007) The applicant was present. Staff informed the Committee that there were no outstanding issues. Staff explained that the goal was to restore the residence to circa 1957 condition which meant no parking would be provided on site. The applicant commented that groups of no more than 9 persons at a time would be touring the facility, by appointment. He stated the plan had been approved by the National Park Service. There was no further discussion. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The L.C. & Daisy Bates Museum is located at 1207 West 28th Street. In 2001, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark (listed as the "Daisy Bates House") which is owned by the Christian Ministerial Alliance. The Owners 2 June 7, 2007 ITEM N0.: 10 _(Dont.)_ FILE NO.: Z-8216 have established the L.C. & Daisy Bates Museum Foundation, Inc. a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization to manage and operate the house. The Foundation intends to restore the house (interior and exterior) as it appeared during the period of historical significance - 1957. The intent is to replicate the furniture, accessories, appliances, artwork, and the overall decor to that period. The specific infrastructural requirements (electric, plumbing, heating / air conditioning) shall be inspected and upgraded to accommodate an active living environment. The use of the house as a museum shall also include a normal residential living condition for a live-in caretaker and periodic overnight visits by guests. On certain occasions, media events, holiday recognitions, receptions may occur in the back yard of the house with catered services, prepared, off -site. No changes or enhancements to the kitchen or its equipment are intended. The house is intended to remain open to the public (year round) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day of the week. Due to the delicate mix of furniture and accessories and the resulting concerns of providing a meaningful tour of the house, the Foundation intends to limit the numbers of guests who may enter into the house at any time to a maximum of nine (9). The kitchen door shall act as the means for handicap accessibility to the ground floor of the house. A portable ramp shall be provided to allow wheelchair and walking disabled guests to enter into the house. While not in use, the portable ramp shall be stored in the basement crawl space. Accessibility to the basement shall be from a hard surfaced walkway (no railing) on the west side of the house connecting the concrete driveway. The specific type and route of "hard surfaced walkway" must be determined upon consultation with the National Park Service. The Foundation has established a relationship with an offsite facility (close to the house) for the toiletry needs of wheelchair bound guests. On the exterior, new roofing shingles shall be installed; a new working gas lantern in the front yard shall be installed; a segment of the concrete drive shall be replaced; the green outdoor carpet shall be removed; a segment of the missing carport railing shall be replaced; general landscaping (shrubs and lawn) improvements shall occur; and two (2) metal windows shall be replaced. All exposed wood shall be refinished. In the interior, no changes shall occur to the partitions and doors. The existing hardwood floors shall be refinished and all gypsum board surfaces shall be repaired / refinished where uneven or damaged by rainwater leaking. No new additions, fencing, and other physical structures shall be included in the overall work to restore the house. No external freestanding or wall mounted signage of any type / size is intended for the museum. In order to maintain originality of the overall site, no off-street parking shall be requested as a variance to the conditional use of this property. 3 June 7, 2007 ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8216 To staffs knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. Staff is supportive of this proposal to recognize this historically significant site. The 1905 bill of assurance does not address use issues. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P., as filed. Staff recommends approval of the requested parking variance. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 7, 2007) The applicant was 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 9 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent and 1 open position. El