HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8824 Staff AnalysisFILE NO.: Z-8824
Owner: Johnnie Franklin Lawhon
Applicant: James Lawhon _
Location: 10700 blocks of Sardis Road (north side) and
Woodman Street (south side)
Area: 1.17 Acres
Request: Rezone from R-2 to C-4
Purpose: Impound yard
Existing Use: Undeveloped
SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING
North — Single family residences and mixed non-residential uses (including across
railroad right-of-way); zoned R-2, 1-2, 0-1 and C-3
South — Single family property; zoned R-2
East — Single family residences and nonconforming non-residential uses; zoned R-2
West — Towing company and undeveloped property; zoned R-2 and 1-2
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PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
No Comments.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT:
The site is not located on a CATA bus route. Routes #17 (Mabelvale-Downtown
Route) and #17A (Mabelvale — UALR Route) run along Mabelvale Main Street to
the east.
C. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:
All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, and the Mavis Circle,
Pinedale and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were
notified of the public hearing.
FILE NO.: Z-8824 (Co
D. LAND USE ELEMENT:
This request is located in Otter Creek Planning District. The Land Use Plan
shows Suburban Office (SO) for this property. The Suburban Office category
provides for low intensity development of office or office parks in close proximity
to lower density residential areas to assure compatibility. A Planned Zoning
District is required. The applicant has applied for a rezoning from R-2 (Single
Family District) to C-4 (Open Display District) to allow for the expansion of a
towing business and use as an impound yard. There is a related item on the
agenda to change the Land Use Plan to Mixed Commercial Industrial.
Master Street Plan:
Sardis Road is shown as a Collector and Woodman Street is a Local Street on
the Master Street Plan. The primary function of a Collector Street is to provide a
connection from Local Streets to Arterials. The primary function of a Local Street
is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets that are abutted by
non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are
considered as "Commercial Streets". A Collector design standard is used for
Commercial Streets. These streets may require dedication of right-of-way and
may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site.
Bicycle Plan:
A Class II Bike Lane is shown along Sardis Road. Bike Lanes provide a portion
of the pavement for the sole use of bicycles.
E. STAFF ANALYSIS:
Johnnie Franklin Lawhon, owner of the 1.17 acre property located in the 10700
blocks of Sardis Road and Woodman Street, is requesting to rezone the property
from "R-2" Single Family District to "C-4" Open Display District. The property is
comprised of six (6) platted lots, one (1) located on the north side of Sardis Road
and five (5) located on the south side of Woodman Street. The property is
located west of Mabelvale Main Street. The rezoning is proposed in order to use
the property as an impound yard for an adjacent towing business. The towing
business recently entered into a contract with the City of Little Rock and needs
additional vehicle storage space. A conditional use permit application for the
vehicle storage yard is a separate item on this agenda.
The property is currently undeveloped. The site is located in an area of mixed
uses and zoning. Single family residences as well as non-residential uses are
located to the north, including across the railroad right-of-way. Single family
residences are located to the south and east, with non-residential uses, including
auto repair, located to the east. The applicant's towing company is located to the
west, with undeveloped 1-2 zoned property located just further west.
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FILE NO.: Z-8824 (Cont.
The City's Future Land Use Plan designates this property as Suburban Office. A
proposed Land Use Plan Amendment to Mixed Commercial Industrial is a
separate item on this agenda.
Staff is supportive of the requested C-4 zoning. Staff views the request as
reasonable. The property is located in an area of mixed uses and zoning,
including auto related uses. The property is proposed for a vehicle storage yard
to serve the existing towing business located on the adjacent property to the
west. As noted previously, a conditional use permit must be approved for the
vehicle storage yard. Issues such as screening and buffers will be reviewed as
part of the conditional use permit. Staff believes the proposed C-4 zoning will
have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the general area.
F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested C-4 rezoning.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION- (JANUARY 10, 2013)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item
and a recommendation of approval. 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.
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