HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9459 Staff AnalysisOctober 24, 2019
ITEM NO.: 6
NAME:
LOCATION:
OWNER/APPLICANT
FILE NO.: Z-94
Little Rock Compassion Center Homeless Shelter —
Conditional Use Permit
3821 West Roosevelt Road
Little Rock Compassion Center/Owner
Ralph "Win" Wilson III/Authorized Agent
PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for use
of the existing building on this R-3 zoned property as
a homeless shelter
SITE LOCATION:
The site is located on the south side of Roosevelt Road, just east of its
intersection with Asher Avenue. The property was formerly owned by the
State of Arkansas and is located within the larger tract which contains
several State -occupied structures.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The property is located within an area of mixed uses and zoning. The
building is one of several on the larger tract which contains several State -
occupied structures. The site has a lengthy history of occupancy by
institutional uses, including the former State penitentiary. A variety of
commercial uses are located along either side of Roosevelt and Asher. A
larger area of industrial zoning and uses extends to the south and west of
the site. The Little Rock Compassion Center homeless shelter is located
across Roosevelt Road and to the east. The property is located on an
arterial street and has access to services and facilities to serve the
proposed population of the shelter.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
Access to the site is via a paved driveway within an access easement from
Roosevelt Road. Twenty-six (26) parking spaces are indicated on -site, with
an additional eleven (11) spaces being located adjacent to the site, off of
the access easement. As is it likely the majority of persons utilizing the
services of the homeless shelter will not be driving, the existing parking
should be sufficient for the use. Additional parking is located across
Roosevelt, at the existing compassion Center site, if needed.
October 24, 2019
ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9459
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
Any new site development must comply with the City's minimal
landscape and buffer ordinance requirements and the Chenal Overlay
District.
2. Any new building rehabilitation or expansion may require the existing
landscaping, buffer, or vehicular use areas not meeting the current
code requirements to be brought into compliance. Existing vehicular
use areas may continue as nonconforming until such time as a building
permit is granted to enlarge or reconstruct a structure on the property
exceeding ten (10) percent of the existing gross floor area. At such
time ten (10) percent of the existing vehicular use area shall be
brought into compliance on a graduated scale.
3. 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.
5. PUBLIC WORKS: No comments.
6. UTILITIES/FIRE DEPARTMENT/BUILDING COD
Little Rock Reclamation AUthorit : Sewer Available to this site. FOG
analysis required if foodservice on site. Capacity Fee analysis required.
Entergy: Entergy does not object to this proposal. There does not appear
to be any conflicts with existing electrical utilities at this location. This
building has existing service. Contact Entergy in advance to discuss
electrical service requirements, or adjustments to existing facilities (if
any) as this project proceeds.
Centerpoint Energy: No comment received.
AT&T: No comment received.
Central Arkansas Water: NO OBJECTIONS; All Central Arkansas Water
requirements in effect at the time of request for water service must be met.
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October 24, 2019
ITEM NO.: 6 Cont. FILE NO.. Z-9459
Fire ❑enartment:
Full plan review
Fire Hydrants.
Maintain fire apparatus access roads at fire hydrant locations as per
Appendix D of the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section
D103.1 Access road width with a hydrant. Where a fire hydrant is
located on a fire apparatus access road, the minimum road width shall be
26 feet, exclusive of shoulders.
Grade
Maintain fire apparatus access roads as per Appendix D of the 2012
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section D103.2 Grade. Fire
apparatus access roads shall not exceed 10 percent in grade except as
approved by the fire chief.
Loading
Maintain fire apparatus access road design as per Appendix D of the
2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section D102.1 Access and
loading. Facilities, buildings or portions of buildings hereafter constructed
shall be accessible to fire department apparatus by way of an approved
fire apparatus access road with an asphalt, concrete or other approved
driving surface capable of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus
weighing at least 75,000 pounds.
Fire Hydrants
Locate Fire Hydrants as per Appendix C of the 2012 Arkansas Fire
Prevention Code. Section C101 — C105, in conjunction with Central
Arkansas Water (Daniel Tull 501-377-1245) and the Little Rock Fire
Marshal's Office (Capt. Tony Rhodes 501-918-3757 or Capt. John Hogue
501-918-3754). Number and Distribution of Fire Hydrants as per Table
C105.1.
Building Codes: Project is a change of occupancy to an 1-1. Fire Sprinkler
and Fire Alarm are required. Evaluation must take place for changes
required for egress, restrooms, emergency lighting, and handicap access.
7. TRANSPORTATION/PLANNING:
Countv Plannina: No comments.
Rock Region METRO: No comments submitted. The site is located on a
Rock Region Metro bus route (#14).
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October 24, 2019
ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO,: Z-9459
Planning Division: No comments.
UBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (October 2, 2019)
The owners and authorized agent were present. Staff presented the item and
noted some additional information was needed on the proposed facility. The
applicants were asked to provide a more complete description of activities
proposed for the site. Staff asked the number of beds proposed for the site. The
applicants were asked to provide information on staffing and security for the
shelter. Staff noted signage should be as allowed in office and institutional zones
and any dumpster would have to be located and screened as required by code.
The applicants were asked to describe access to support services such as social
service agencies, employment agencies and medical service providers.
Comments from the other reviewing departments and agencies were noted.
The applicants were advised to submit responses to staff questions by October 9,
2019. The committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the
item to the full commission.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Little Rock Compassion Center is requesting approval of a conditional use permit
to allow for use of the building and property at 3821 W. Roosevelt road as a
homeless shelter. Section 36-104 (a) of the zoning ordinance states a homeless
shelter requires a conditional use permit in all zoning districts. The building
previously housed the offices of the State of Arkansas Forestry Commission. The
tract was once part of a 12 +/- acre tract which housed several state agencies
and facilities. The overall tract has a 100 + year history of institutional State use,
including the state prison beginning in the early 1900's. The state sold this 1.5
acre tract and 7,665 square foot building to the Compassion Center earlier this
year (2019). The State maintains ownership of the remainder of the property and
buildings which are occupied for use by state agencies. Access to the subject
tract is via an access easement off of Roosevelt Road. In addition to the building,
the site contains asphalt -paved parking.
The applicant submitted responses to the questions raised by staff at subdivision
committee. The property is to be used as a shelter as well as to provide meals.
The current intent is for the building to house women and children. Men will
continue to be housed at the existing Compassion Center shelter. The
Compassion Center will also offer classes on life skills such as home economics,
budgeting, parenting and bible studies on the premises. The location will also
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October 24, 2019
ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9459
have a day care facility with a certified worker on duty when mothers are in class
or looking for a job. The facility is proposed to have 75 beds. The building will be
staffed twenty-four hours a day, as is the current shelter. All doors to the building
already have locking systems in place. The intent is to add a metal detector and
camera system to the property similar to what is in place at the Compassion
Center building across the street. Signage will be as allowed in office and
institutional zones. A wall sign may be located at the building entrance. A
dumpster will be located at the west end of the building. It is to be screened as
required by the code.
The Compassion Center provides information to persons on all service providers
and is able to provide and assist with transportation to those providers, if needed.
There will be offices inside the building for service providers such as Department
of Human Services to meet with and interview persons when necessary. In
connection with its facility across the street, the Compassion Center already
works with and helps most service providers.
The Code does not establish specific development criteria for homeless shelters.
Section 36-107 (15) states separation, spacing and procedural requirements for
homeless shelters will be determined by the planning commission (when
reviewing a proposed conditional use) so as not to adversely impact the
surrounding properties and neighborhood. Unless the commission determines
differently, a neighborhood shall be defined as an area incorporating all
properties lying within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet of the site for
which the CUP is requested. In addition to the typical development standards
and review standards established for CUP's, issues that the commission will
consider during its review of proposed homeless shelters include, but are not
limited to:
a. Spacing of similar facilities.
b. Existing zoning and land use patterns.
c. The maximum number of individuals proposed to be served, the number
of employees proposed and the type of services being proposed.
d. Provisions for readily accessible public or quasi -public transportation.
e. Access to support services such as social services agencies, employment
agencies and medical service providers.
Staff is supportive of the proposed re -use of this institutional building for the
Compassion Center homeless shelter.
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October 24, 2019
ITEM NO.: _6_ (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9459
AFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested CUP subject to compliance with the
comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 and the staff analysis in
this agenda staff report.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(OCTOBER 24, 2019)
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, including all staff comments and
conditions. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent.
n
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENTS
OCTOBER 2, 2019
ITEM NO.:6, LITTLE ROCK COMPASSION CENTER
HOMELESS SHELTER
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
3821 WEST ROOSEVELT Z-9459
Planning Staff Comments:
1. Provide a complete description of activities proposed for the site.
2. Provide number of beds proposed for the shelter
3. Provide information on staffing and security for the shelter
4. Signage should be as allowed in office and institutional zones
5. Locate dumpster and required screening on the site plan
6. Provide a corrected survey and site plan indicating Roosevelt Road and correct right-of-
way dimension
7. Describe access to support services such as social services agencies, employment
agencies and medical service providers.
Variance/Waivers:
i None requested
Public Works: No comments
Utilities and Fire Department/County Planninq:
Little Rock Reclamation Authority: Sewer Available to this site. FOG analysis required if
foodservice on site. Capacity Fee analysis required.
Entergy: Entergy does not object to this proposal. There does not appear to be any conflicts
with existing electrical utilities at this location. This building has existing service. Contact
Entergy in advance to discuss electrical service requirements, or adjustments to existing
facilities (if any) as this project proceeds.
Centerpoint Energy: No comment received.
AT&T: No comment received.
Central Arkansas Water: NO OBJECTIONS; All Central Arkansas Water requirements in effect
at the time of request for water service must be met.
ITEM NO.:6. CON'T (Z-9459
Fire Department:
Full plan review
Fire Hydrants.
Maintain fire apparatus access roads at fire hydrant locations as per Appendix D of the 2012
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section D103.1 Access road width with a hydrant.
Where a fire hydrant is located on a fire apparatus access road, the minimum road width shall be
26 feet, exclusive of shoulders.
Grade
Maintain fire apparatus access roads as per Appendix D of the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention
Code Vol. 1 Section D103.2 Grade. Fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed 10 percent in
grade except as approved by the fire chief.
Loading
Maintain fire apparatus access road design as per Appendix D of the 2012 Arkansas Fire
Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section D102.1 Access and loading. Facilities, buildings or portions of
buildings hereafter constructed shall be accessible to fire department apparatus by way of an
approved fire apparatus access road with an asphalt, concrete or other approved driving surface
capable of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds.
Fire Hydrants
Locate Fire Hydrants as per Appendix C of the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Section
C101 — C105, in conjunction with Central Arkansas Water (Daniel Tull 501-377-1245) and the
Little Rock Fire Marshals Office (Capt. Tony Rhodes 501-918-3757 or Capt. John Hogue 501-
918-3754). Number and Distribution of Fire Hydrants as per Table C105.1.
Building Codes: Project is a change of occupancy to an 1-1. Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm are
required. Evaluation must take place for changes required for egress, restrooms,
emergency lighting, and handicap access.
County Planning: No comments.
Rock Region METRO: No comments submitted. The site is located on a Rock Region Metro bus
route (#14).
Planninq Division: No comments.
ITEM NOA. (CON'T) _(Z-9459
Landscape: No comments.
Other: Submit responses to staff issues and four (4) copies of a revised site plan (if required) no
later than Wednesday, October 9, 2019. Required notice are to be sent via certified mail no later
than October 9, 2019. The City provided notices form must be used. Proof of notices is to be
provided to staff no later than October 18.