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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9128 Staff AnalysisApril 21, 2016 ITEM N LOCATION: FILE NO.: Z-9128 Lucie's Place Homeless Shelter — Conditional Use Permit 4512 West 16th Street OWNER/APPLICANT: The One, Inc./Lucie's Place PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for the use of this existing, R-3 zoned residence as a homeless shelter for up to four (4) young people with a live-in residential advisor. SITE LOCATION: The property is located on the north side of West 16th Street, one lot west of Washington Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: 3 The property is located within a neighborhood of mixed uses and zonings. The property adjacent to the east is occupied by a boarded duplex. A single family residence and a boarded residential structure are immediately to the west. A duplex is located across 16t" Street to the south as are additional single family dwellings. An area of C-3 zoning is located just to the east. Additional uses and zoning in the immediate area include R-4 Two -Family, 1-3 Heavy Industrial, C-3 General Commercial and PRD zoned Multifamily Development. The proposed use of this structure as housing for 4 persons plus a live-in residential advisor appears to be compatible with uses and zoning in the area. Notice of the public hearing was sent to all owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site and the Hope Neighborhood Association. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site contains a double -wide concrete paved driveway with room for 4 vehicles. One parking space is needed for the on -site residential advisor, It is not anticipated that the 4 residents will be driving. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments. April 21, 2016 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: ,Z-9128 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No comments. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Little Rock Wastewater: Conditional Use Sewer available to this site. Entergy: Entergy does not object to this proposal. Electrical service is already provided to the structure from the rear of the property. Contact Entergy should service requirements to the facility need to change as a result of the change in use. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: No comment received. Contact Jason Lowder of CAW at 377-1245 with questions. Fire Department: No comment. Building Codes: No comment. County Planning: No comments. Rock Region METRO: a) Location is served by METRO on two routes 3 & 16. Transit is an important opportunity for clients of this business, so location is suitable from this perspective. No comments at this time. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MARCH 30, 2016) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted little additional information was needed. In response to a question from staff, the applicant confirmed that the home would be occupied by residents for up to two years as they develop the skill necessary for their future independence and not as an emergency drop -in shelter. Staff asked if any of the residents would be driving and if provisions for transportation had been made. The applicant responded that it was not anticipated that any resident would be driving and there was readily available access to bus routes within a short walking distance. 2 April 21, 2016 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z-9128 There were no other issues to discuss. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: The R-3 zoned property located at 4512 West 16t" Street is occupied by a one-story, brick and frame single family residential structure. At some point in the past, the structure was a duplex. A conditional use permit is requested to allow for the use of the residence as a transitional homeless shelter for up to four young adults with one live-in counselor. Lucie's Place is a non-profit organization in Little Rock, Arkansas, addressing the unmet needs of homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young adults in our community. Lucie's Place currently operates a drop -in center, where homeless LGBT young adults receive services such as bus passes, cell phones/minutes, food, toiletries, clothing, counseling and other supportive services. For many clients, this center is the only place in town they can go without worry of harassment, discrimination or violence based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The organization assisted 70 homeless LGBT young adults in 2015 with this programming. In 2016, the home at 4512 W. 16t" Street was donated to Lucie's Place. Upon obtaining a conditional use permit, this home will be the first housing program of the organization. In this program, four previously homeless young adults (18-25) will reside for two years, developing the skills necessary for their future independence, as well as receiving both short-term and long-term support services. For many residents, this home will be the first accepting and stable home environment they have ever known. This home has been modeled after the successful programs at Our House (Little Rock), Immerse Arkansas (Little Rock) and the Ali Forney Center (NYC). Staff is supportive of the proposed use. The home will be occupied by up to five persons sharing the home. The structure was at one time a duplex which would have allowed for a greater number of persons. There are other duplexes and apartments in the general area. The services provided at the home will serve only those residents. Other services will be provided at the downtown offices of Lucie's Place. The 1949 Plat/Bill of Assurance for Pine Forest Addition actually set aside this lot and 7 others to be used for commercial uses in the "F" (C-3") zoning classification, although the property is zoned R-3. 3 April 21, 2016 ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the application, as filed. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: FILE NO.: Z-9128 (APRIL 21, 2016) The applicant was present. There were no registered objectors present. There was one registered supporter present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval as filed. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and approved by a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. 4 SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS MARCH 30, 2016 ITEM NO.: 5. LUCIE'S PLACE HOMELESS SHELTER CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 4512 W. 16TH STREET (Z-9128) Planning Staff Comments: 1. The 1949 Plat/Bill of Assurance for Pine Forest Addition actually set aside this lot and 7 others to be used for commercial uses in the "F" (C-3) zoning classification, although the property is zoned R-3. 2. The cover letter states this home is to be occupied by the residents for up to two years as they develop skills necessary for their future independence. Will it then, not be used as an emergency drop -in shelter? 3. Will any residents drive? If not, how will they be transported to and from work and elsewhere? Variance/Waivers: • None requested. Public Works: No comments. Utilities and Fire Department/County Planning_ Little Rock Wastewater: Conditional Use Sewer Available to this site. Entergy: Entergy does not object to this proposal. Electrical service is already provided to the structure from the rear of the property. Contact Entergy should service requirements to the facility need to change as a result of the change in use. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT&T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: No comment received. Contact Jason Lowder of CAW at 377-1245 with questions. Fire Department: No comment. Building Codes: No comment. County Planning: No comments. Rock Region METRO: a) Location is served nearby by METRO on two routes 3 & 16. Transit is an important opportunity for clients of this business, so location is suitable from this perspective. No comments at this time. ITEM NO.:5. CON'T Z-9M Planning Division: No comments. Landscape ; No comments. Other: Submit responses to staff issues and four (4) copies of a revised site plan (if required) no later than Wednesday, April 6, 2016. 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 April 6, 2016. The City -provided notice form must be used. Proof of notice is to be provided to staff no later than April 15, 2016.