HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9155 Staff AnalysisAUGUST 3, 2016
ITEM NO.: 10. LITTLE ROCK TECHNOLOGY PARK
COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
WEST SIDE OF 400 BLOCK OF MAIN STREET Z-9155
Planning Staff Comments:
1. The plat/bill of assurance for the Original City does not address use issues.
2. Locate and describe all proposed signage.
3. Locate and describe the proposed pay station.
Variance/Waivers:
None requested.
Public Works: No comments.
Utilities and Fire Department/Count. Planning:
Little Rock Wastewater: Sewer available to this site. Existing sewer in alley must be retained.
Entergy: Entergy does not object to this proposal. Electrical facilities are buried in this area and no change
of location or use is required due to this proposal for the parking lot change.
Centerpoint Energy: No comments received.
AT&T: No comments received.
Central Arkansas Water: NO OBJECTIONS; All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect at the time
of request for water service must be met.
Fire Department: Maintain Access
Building Code: No comment.
County Planning: No comments.
Rock Region METRO:
a) Location is currently served by METRO by multiple routes along Capital Ave. We don't object
to the conditional use of the lot as commercial parking. We would like to encourage the future
development of the site to match more intensive land use indicative of a vibrant downtown.
ITEM NO.: 10. (CON'T) (Z-915
Planning Division: No comments.
Landscape: No Comment.
Other: Submit responses to staff issues and four (4) copies of a revised site plan (if required) no later than
Wednesday, August 10, 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 August 10, 2016. The City -
provided notice form must be used. Proof of notices is to be provided to staff no later than August 19.
August 25, 2016
ITEM NO.: 10 FILE NO.: Z-9155
NAME: Little Rock Technology Park Commercial Parking Lot
— Conditional Use Permit
LOCATION: West side of 400 Block of Main Street
OWNER/APPLICANT: Little Rock Technology Park/
Brent Birch, Executive Director
PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for use
of a portion of this UU zoned parking lot as a
commercial parking lot.
SITE LOCATION:
The parking lot is located on the west side of Main Street, between 4th
Street and Capitol Avenue.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The site is located within the densely developed urban core of downtown
Little Rock. Uses around the site include office buildings, mixed use
developments, surface parking lots and parking structures. Many, if not
most of the surface parking lots are commercial parking lots in one form or
another. No change is being proposed to this existing parking lot other
than for the possible installation of a pay station. The proposed use is
compatible with uses in the area.
Notice of the public hearing was sent to all owners of properties located
within 200 feet of the site and the Downtown Neighborhood Association.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
The parking lot contains 91 spaces (includinlq 4 handicap spaces),
Access is via a single driveway off of West 4 h Street. No changes are
proposed. The parking lot was constructed within the past 2 to 3 years
and was built to comply with the City's parking and landscape codes.
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
All landscaping is to be in good condition and replace any missing plant
materials.
August 25, 2016
ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont_
5. PUBLIC WORKS:
No Comments.
6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
FILE NO.: Z-9155
Little Rock Wastewater: Sewer available to this site. Existing sewer in
alley must be retained.
Entergy: Entergy does not object to this proposal. Electrical facilities are
buried in this area and no change of location or use is required due to this
proposal for the parking lot change.
Centerpoint Energy: No comments received.
AT&T: No comments received.
Central Arkansas Water: NO OBJECTIONS; All Central Arkansas Water
requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met.
Fire Department: Maintain access.
Building Code: No Comment.
County Planning: No Comments.
Rock Region METRO:
a) Location is currently served by METRO by multiple routes along Capital
Ave. We don't object to the conditional use of the lot as commercial
parking. We would like to encourage the future development of the site
to match more intensive land use indicative of a vibrant downtown.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (AUGUST 3, 2016)
The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted little additional
information was needed. The applicant was asked to locate and describe all
proposed signage and the proposed pay station.
Other Agency Comments were noted.
The applicant was advised to respond to staff issues by August 10. The
Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission.
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August 25, 2016
ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
FILE NO.: Z-9155
In February 2016, the Little Rock Technology Park Authority purchased the
existing surface parking lot located on the half block on the west side of Main
Street, between 4th Street and Capitol Avenue. The lot is currently leased to the
State of Arkansas through a lease the Tech Park Authority assumed in their
recent purchase. The Authority's plan is to reduce the number of spots leased to
the state and convert the others to public commercial parking, including spaces
for the tech park tenants. In the UU zoning district, commercial surface parking
lots are permitted only as a conditional use.
The parking lot contains 91 spaces, including 4 handicap spaces. Access is via
a single driveway off of 4''' Street. The parking lot was constructed within the
past 2 to 3 years and was built in compliance with the City's parking and
landscape codes. No changes are proposed other than for the installation of a
pay station and informational signage. A parking lot management company will
manage the lot for the Tech Park Authority.
Signage will consist of a single, 30" X 30" informational sign placed near the
entrance to the lot off of 4th Street. A single, multi -space pay station, similar to
the ones placed by the City in the River Market area, will also be placed near the
4th Street entrance.
Staff is supportive of the proposal. The parking lot is existing and no changes
are proposed to the lot itself. A commercial parking lot is not out of character
with uses in the area which include numerous other surface parking lots and
parking structures. The plat/bill of assurance for the Original City does not
address use issues.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit subject to
compliance with the comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of
the agenda staff report.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (AUGUST 25, 2016)
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 with a vote of
9 ayes, 0, noes and 2 absent.
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