HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9213 Staff AnalysisAPRIL 24, 2017
ITEM NO.: 3
File No.: Z-9213
Owner: Little Rock Technology Park Authority
Applicant: Brent Birch
Address: 417 Main Street
Description: East side of Main Street, between E. 4t" Street and E. Capitol
Avenue
Zoned- UU
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the use provisions of Section 36-
342.1 to allow an area of outdoor dining in the public right-of-
way.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Little Rock Tech Park
Proposed Use of Property Little Rock Tech Park with outdoor seating area for
Coffee shop
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues -
The outside seating area within the City right-of-way must obtain a franchise
permit. Contact Bennie Nicolo at 501-371-4818 for additional information.
B. Staff Analysis:
The UU zoned property at 417 Main Street is occupied by a five (5) story
commercial building which houses the Little Rock Tech Park. The property is
located on the east side of Main street, mid -block between E. 4th Street and E.
Capitol Avenue. The building backs up to a paved alley along the east (rear)
property line.
As part of the Little Rock Tech Park development, a coffee shop is proposed for the
first floor of the 417 Main Street building. The applicant is proposing a small area of
outdoor seating for the coffee shop use. The outdoor seating area will be located
on the sidewalk area, between the building and Main Street. The seating area will
contain tables and chairs, with no railing or raised concrete area. The outdoor
seating area will be used from 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The proposed seating area will be located five (5) feet back from the existing planter
and seven (7) feet back from the existing trees and light poles within the Main Street
APRIL 24, 2017
ITEM NO.: 3 (CON'T.) Z-9213
right-of-way. The proposed tables and chairs will be stored inside the building after
operating hours.
Section 36-342.1(d)(1)a.1. of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows outdoor
seating/dining areas in the UU zoning district, but require that seating areas not be
located in the public right-of-way. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance
form this ordinance standard to allow the area of outdoor seating to be located
within the Main Street right-of-way.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance to allow outdoor seating in the Main
Street right-of-way. Staff views the request as reasonable. The proposed area of
outdoor dining will not be out of character with other outdoor dining/seating areas
throughout the UU zoning district and along Main Street. Areas of outdoor dining
within the right-of-way are located in the 300 block of Main Street for Bruno's Little
Italy and Samantha's Tap Room. This proposed outdoor dining/seating area will
not utilize a raised concrete pad or railing. Adequate separation will exist between
the outdoor seating area and existing features such as planters, trees and light
poles along the sidewalk area. Staff believes the proposed area of outdoor seating
will have no adverse impact on the surrounding properties.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the variance to allow an area of outdoor
dining/seating within the right-of-way, subject to compliance with the Public Works
requirement as noted in paragraph A. of the staff report.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
and a recommendation of approval as outlined in the "staff
There was no further discussion. The item was placed on
approved as recommended by the vote of 4 ayes, 0 noes and
(April 24, 2017)
Staff presented the item
recommendation" above.
the consent agenda and
1 absent.
2