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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8999 Staff AnalysisJanuary 15, 2015 li: C611Ii! NAME: LOCATION: FILE NO.: Z-89 Union AME Church — Conditional Use Permit 1825 S. Pulaski Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Union AME Church/Woods Group Architects PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for remodeling of the front of this existing church; including the addition of a new vestibule and restrooms. The property is zoned R-4. 1. SITE LOCATION: 2 The church is located on the northeast corner of S. Pulaski Street and Wright Avenue. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The church is located in an area of mixed zoning and uses. A variety of residential uses; including single family and two family residences in various states of repair, are located in the neighborhood around the church. Other institutional uses including Dunbar School, Gibbs School, Philander Smith College, a library and Dunbar Community Center are located in the immediate vicinity. No expansion of the church is being proposed, just remodeling of the front entrance area. There is nothing about the proposal that will affect the church's continued compatibility with the neighborhood. Notice of the public hearing was sent to all owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site and the Downtown, Central High and Wright Avenue Neighborhood Associations. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The church has a seating capacity of 286. For churches existing prior to November 1, 1988 the parking requirement is 1 parking space per 5 seats. 57 spaces are required. The church has approximately 50 spaces on the paved parking lot adjacent to the building. Overflow parking for 20 — 25 vehicles is available across S. Pulaski Street. No changes ae proposed to the seating capacity of the church. January 15, 2015 ITEM NO.: 4 Cont. FILE NO.: Z-8999 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: Site plan must comply with the City's landscape and buffer ordinance requirements. If building rehabilitation exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost then the landscaping and buffer must also come into compliancy accordingly. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments. 6. UTILITY. FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMM Wastewater: No objection. No sewer main affected Entergy: Does not oppose the plans for the proposed addition to the front of this building as there are no electrical facilities in conflict with the addition. CenterPoint: AT&T (SWB) Central Arkansas Water: No objection. Fire Department: Maintain access of road. Building Code: Project is subject to full commercial plan review approval prior to issuance of a building permit. For information on submittal requirements and the review process, contact a commercial plans examiner: Curtis Richey at 501.371.4724; crichey@ Iittlerock. or or Mark Alderfer at 501.371.4875; malderfer _Iittlerock.org, County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. �a January 15, 2015 ITEM NO.: 4 FILE NO.: Z-8999 SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (DECEMBER 23, 2014) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted little additional information was needed. Staff noted the church was constructed prior to the requirement of a conditional use permit. As such, staff requested some information on the church itself; including total number of seats in the main worship area, total number of parking spaces and if the church sponsored any other activities such as a day care or private school. The applicants were reminded to complete the required notices. The Committee determined there were no issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: Union AME Church is located on the northeast corner of S. Pulaski Street and Wright Avenue. The church has been at this location over 100 years. The current sanctuary was constructed in 1956-1957. The church property contains a one and two story brick building and a paved parking lot. The building contains a 286 seat sanctuary, a fellowship hall, classrooms and office space. The church also owns properties across Wright Avenue to the south and across S. Pulaski Street to the west. The on -site, paved parking lot contains approximately 50 spaces. 20-25 overflow spaces are located on the property across S. Pulaski Street. The church was constructed prior to the requirement of a conditional use permit and no CUP has previously been approved. The church is proposing to remodel the front of the existing sanctuary portion of the building. An existing covered porch is to be removed and a one-story addition constructed in its place. The new addition will contain an entry vestibule and new ladies and mens restrooms. The existing porch has a front yard setback of 7'8" from the S. Pulaski Street property line. A handicap ramp extends off of the front porch and crosses the front property line by 4 — 5 feet. The new addition will have a front yard setback of 60". A new handicap ramp will be constructed to run along the front of the building towards the parking lot, eliminating the current encroachment across the front property line. To staff's knowledge, there are no issues. The church does not conduct other uses such as daycare or private school. There is no bill of assurance for the Original City of Little Rock. 3 January 15, 2015 ITEM NO.: 4 Cont. FILE NO.: Z-8999 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested CUP, subject to compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4 and 6 of the agenda staff report. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 15, 2015) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval as 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 by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. 51 SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS DECEMBER 23, 2014 ITEM NO.: 4 UNION AME CHURCH CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT — 1825 S. PULASKI STREET 1825 S. PULASKI STREET Z-8999 Planning Staff Comments: 1. There is no bill of assurance for the original city. 2. Provide the total number of seats in the main worship area. 3. Provide the total number of parking spaces; onsite and offsite. 4. Does the church sponsor any other activities such as a daycare or private school? If so, provide information on that use. 5. Provide agent authorization from the church. Variance/Waivers: Front yard setback Public Works: 1. No comments Utilities and Fire Department/County Planning Wastewater: No objection. No sewer main affected Entergy: Does not oppose the plans for the proposed addition to the front of this building as there are no electrical facilities in conflict with the addition. CenterPoint: AT&T (SWB) Central Arkansas Water: No objection. Fire Department: Maintain access of road Building Code: Project is subject to full commercial plan review approval prior to issuance of a building permit. For information on submittal requirements and the review process, contact a commercial plans examiner: Curtis Richey at 501.371,4724; criche -rc littlerock.or or Mark Alderfer at 501.371.4875; inalderferrilittlerock.or�,-. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is not 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. ITEM NOA CON'T Z-8999 If building rehabilitation exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost then the landscaping and buffer must also come into compliancy accordingly. The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving as many existing trees as feasible on this site. Credit toward fulfilling Landscape Ordinance requirements can be given when preserving trees of six (6) inch caliper or larger. Other: Submit responses to staff issues and four (4) copies of a revised site plan (if required) no later than Tuesday, December 30, 2014. Required notices are to be sent via certified mail to all owners of properties located within two hundred (200) feet of the site no later than Wednesday December 31, 2014. The City - provided notice form must be used. Proof of notice is to be provided to staff no later than January 9, 2015.