HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9233-A Staff AnalysisAUGUST 28, 2017
ITEM NO.: 2
File No-- Z-9233-A
Owner: Capital Group Inventory, LLC
Applicant: Terry Burruss
Address: 603 W. Markham Street
Description: South side of W. Markham Street, between S. Arch and S. Gaines
Streets
Zoned'. UU
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the development provisions of
Section 36-342.1 to allow a building to be converted to a
parking structure.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Vacant Building
Proposed Use of Property: Parking Structure (ground floor)
STAFF REPORT
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Public Works Issues:
1. A driveway apron is required to be constructed on Arch St. in accordance with
City of Little Rock driveway details.
Staff Analysis:
The UU zoned property located at 603 W. Markham Street is occupied by a vacant,
two-story, brick and frame building. A 20-space parking lot, with access off of Arch
Street, is located behind the building. The property is located on the south side of
W. Markham Street, between S. Arch and S. Gaines Streets.
The new owners of the property have plans for redevelopment of the site, including
phased redevelopment of the existing building. The first phase is to use the ground
floor of the building for a parking structure with access off of West Markham. Future
phase will possibly include putting active uses in the building. The proposed parking
structure is a permitted use in the UU district, subject to some design criteria which
must be met.
The applicants are proposing to use the existing surface parking lot behind the
building as a commercial parking lot with spaces being rented for hourly, daily and
monthly parking. On August 3, 2017 the Planning Commission approved a
conditional use permit for the commercial parking lot.
AUGUST 28, 2017
ITEM NO.: 2 CON'T. Z-9233-A
The applicant is requesting one (1) variance with the proposed redevelopment of the
building. Section 36-342.1(c )(10)a. of the City's Zoning Ordinance requires that
parking structures along Markham Street (in addition to other primary streets) have
active uses other than parking (such as office, light retail, personal services and
entertainment) or building fagade constructed to meet the standards of this section
along the first floor of said frontage. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance
from this ordinance requirement to allow the first floor of the existing building to be
used as a parking structure with no active uses or closed fagade along the W.
Markham Street frontage.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance. Staff views the request as reasonable.
The applicant is proposing to use the first floor of the existing building as a parking
structure "as an interim use while a building development plan is finalized." The
applicant notes that the "open fagade" is proposed in order to not have the
requirement to fire sprinkle the building at this time. Staff feels that the proposed
use of the building represents a good interim use, with future further building
redevelopment. Staff believes the proposed use of the building's first floor will have
no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the general area.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance from the UU development
standards, subject to compliance with the Public Works requirement as noted in
paragraph A. of the staff report.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
(August 28, 2017)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item
and a recommendation of approval as outline in the "staff recommendation" above. There
was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved
as recommended by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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