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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8442 Staff AnalysisApril 2, 2009 ITEM NO.: 8 FILE NO.: Z-8442 NAME: Arkansas Baptist College Student Services Center — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 1519 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive OWNER/APPLICANT: Arkansas Baptist College PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow use of the existing residential structure on this R-4 zoned lot as student services center offices for the college. SITE LOCATIO The property is located on the east side of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, one lot north of West 16th Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The property fronts on an arterial street in an area of mixed uses. A restaurant and a single-family residence, both owned by the college, are located on the C-3 zoned property to the south. A beauty school/salon is located on the PCD zoned property to the west. Also on the west side of the street are offices of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the College Alumni Association. The main campus of the college is located to the southwest. A single-family residence is adjacent to the north. The college will maintain the structure's residential appearance and staff believes the use is compatible with the neighborhood. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Central High and Downtown Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The building will contain approximately 2,600 square feet of office space, requiring 6 parking spaces. The building will house employees and services that are currently housed elsewhere on the campus. Employees and students using the facility will continue to park on other campus parking lots. This site has no parking. None will be constructed, helping to maintain the structure's residential character. As long as the office use of the building is limited to Arkansas Baptist College, staff will support a variance to allow no on -site parking. April 2, 2009 ITEM NO.: 8 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments on this use -only issue. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. No Comments. 6. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available to this project. Entergy: Approved as submitted. CenterPoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. FILE NO.: Z-8442 Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional meters are needed. Fire Department: No comment received. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: This site is located on a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT (MARCH 12, 2009) Gerald Turner was present representing the College. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed regarding signage, days and hours of use, site lighting and fencing. Staff requested a signed survey. Utility and Public Works Comments were noted. The Committee determined there were no other issues. The applicant was advised to respond to staff issues by March 18, 2009. The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. April 2, 2009 ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont. STAFF ANALYSIS. FILE NO.: Z-8442 The R-4 zoned lot located at 1519 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive is occupied by a 1 '/2 story frame residential structure. The property is owned by Arkansas Baptist College (ABC) who proposes to convert the structure into student services center offices. Use of the building will encompass admission, student services and financial aid offices that are currently located in several unrelated areas on the main campus. The building contains approximately 2,000 square feet of area on the first floor and 600 square feet on the second floor. The building will maintain its residential character after remodeling. No parking will be provided on the site. Parking will continue to take place on existing ABC parking lots. The applicant has responded to issues raised at Subdivision Committee. The bill of assurance for Centennial Addition does not address use issues. A signed survey was provided. Lighting will consist of porch lighting. A six-foot wood privacy fence will be installed along the north property line, adjacent to the residential property. ABC is pursuing purchase of that adjacent property. If the purchase is completed prior to the subject building being occupied, ABC is proposing not to install the fence. Signage will consist of a wall sign on the front fapade and a small ground sign in keeping with the character of the structure. Typical days and hours of use are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To staff's knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. Staff believes the proposed use is appropriate. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Use of the structure is to be limited to Arkansas Baptist College and the student services described in this application. 2. A six-foot tall wood privacy fence is to be installed on the north property line unless the college purchases the property adjacent to the north prior to occupancy of this property. Staff recommends approval of a variance to allow off -site parking. Q April 2, 2009 ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z-8442 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (APRIL 2, 2009) 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 by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. M SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS MARCH 12, 2009 ITEM NO.: 8. ARKANSAS BAPTIST COLLEGE STUDENT SERVICES CENTER OFFICES CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT —1519 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DRIVE Z-8442 Planning Staff Comments: 1. Provide copy of Bill of Assurance for Centennial Addition, 2. Provide signed copy of survey. 3. Provide lighting plan. All lighting should be shielded downward and into the site to prohibit lighting spilling off the site. 4. Locate and describe any proposed fencing. 5. Provide signage plan. 6. Add property lines to site plan. 7. Provide typical hours of use of this proposed parking lot. Variance/Waivers: Reduced parking stall depth and driveway width. Public Works: 1. No Comments. Utilities and Fire Department/County Plannin : Wastewater: Sewer available to this project. Entergy: Approved as submitted. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T (SBC): No comment received. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional meters are needed. Fire Department: No comment received. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route. Planning Division: No Comments. Landscape: Site plan must comply with the City's minimal landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. Street trees are recommended. Other: Submit responses to staff comments and four (4) copies of revised site plan no later than Wednesday March 18, 2009. Required notices must be sent via certified mail no later than March 18, 2009 and proof of notice returned to staff by March 27, 2009.