HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report for Z-9954April 11, 2024
ITEM NO.: 23 FILE NO.: Z-9954
NAME: Martin (1) STR-2 – PD-C
LOCATION: 7001 Bluebird Drive
AGENT:
Tara Masiello (Agent)
612 Tweed Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76131
(817) 602-0113
OWNER:
Kerry Martin
P O Box 148
Bend, OR 97709
(479) 445-4767
SURVEYOR/ENGINEER:
Brooks Surveying, Inc.
20820 Arch Street Pike
Hensley, AR 72065
(501) 888-5336
AREA: .22-acre NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF
WARD: 3 PLANNING DISTRICT: 3 CENSUS TRACT: 21.03
CURRENT ZONING: R-2
VARIANCE/WAIVERS: None requested.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT’S STATEMENT:
The applicant proposes to rezone a .22-acre property located at 7001 Bluebird
Drive from R-2 to PD-C to allow use of the property as Short-Term Rental-2 with a
maximum stay of twenty-nine (29) days. The owner will not reside in the residence.
The entire structure will be rented as one unit.
April 11, 2024
ITEM NO.: 23 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9954
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B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The property is occupied by a 1,365 square foot, brick, one story, three bedroom,
and two bath house. The request is in the West Little Rock Planning District. The
Land Use Plan shows Residential Low Density (RL) for the requested area.. This
site is in the Briarwood NBHD Association. The property has two-car garage and
enough room in the driveway for two additional vehicles.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
All owners of property located within 300 feet of the site and all neighborhood
associations registered with the City of Little Rock were notified of the public
hearing.
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: No comments.
E. UTILITIES/FIRE DEPARTMENT/PARKS/COUNTY PLANNING:
Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority: No comments.
Entergy: No comments received.
Summit Utilities: No comments.
AT & T: No comments received.
Central Arkansas Water: No comments.
Fire Department: Life Safety Inspection required.
Parks and Recreation: No comments received.
County Planning: No comments.
F. BUILDING CODES/LANDSCAPE:
Building Code: No comments received.
Landscape: No comments.
G. TRANSPORTATION/PLANNING:
Rock Region Metro: No comments received.
April 11, 2024
ITEM NO.: 23 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9954
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Planning Division:
The request is in the West Little Rock Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows
Residential Low Density (RL) for the requested area. The Residential Low Density
(RL) category provides for single family homes at densities not to exceed
6 dwelling units per acre. Such residential development is typically characterized
by conventional single family homes but may also include patio or garden homes
and cluster homes, provided that the density remains less than 6 units per acre.
The Land Use surrounding the application is Residential Low Density (RL).
The application site and all surrounding properties are zoned Single Family (R-2).
This site is in the Briarwood NBHD Association.
This site is not located in an Overlay District.
Master Street Plan:
Bluebird Drive is a Local Street on the Master Street Plan. Local Streets are roads
designed to provide access to adjacent property with the movement of traffic being
a secondary purpose. The standard Right-of-way is 50’. Sidewalks are required
on one side. This street may require dedication of right-of-way and may require
street improvements.
Bicycle Plan:
Bluebird Drive is on the Master Bike Plan as a Proposed Class 3 Bike Route. Class
3 Bike Routes require no additional right-of-way, but either a sign or pavement
marking to identify and direct the route.
Historic Preservation Plan:
This property is not located in a Historic District.
H. ANALYSIS:
The applicant proposes to rezone a .22-acre property located at 7001 Bluebird
Drive from R-2 to PD-C to allow use of the property as Short-Term Rental-2 with a
maximum stay of twenty-nine (29) days. The owner will not reside in the residence.
The entire structure will be rented as one unit.
The STR-2 has been in operation since May of 2022. The property is not currently
under enforcement by the City of Little Rock Planning and Development. There
have been no police report at this address since May of 2022.
April 11, 2024
ITEM NO.: 23 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9954
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The property is occupied by a 1,365 square foot, brick, one story, three bedroom,
and two bath house. The request is in the West Little Rock Planning District. The
Land Use Plan shows Residential Low Density (RL) for the requested area. This
site is in the Briarwood NBHD Association. The property has two-car garage and
enough room in the driveway for two additional vehicles.
On June 20, 2023, the City Board of Directors passed an ordinance regulating
short-term rentals within the City of Little Rock. The new ordinance establishes
“development standards” for short-term rentals. If approved, the applicant must
comply with the newly established development standards as follows, in addition
to all other requirements of the new ordinance:
b.) Development Standards.
1. Hosting of private parties and special events such as weddings,
receptions, and other similar gatherings is not allowed in Short-
Term Rentals.
2. Tours for a fee are not allowed to anyone other than an Occupant.
3. The Occupancy Fee may include any meal to be served to paying
guests; no other meal service is permitted.
4. Allowable signage is that as permitted by the Single-Family
Residential Standard.
5. Parking plan must be provided with permit application. Off-Street
Standard for STRs shall be provided in accordance with Little Rock
Arkansas Code, Chapter 36 36-54 (e) (1). If on-street parking is
proposed as an alternative to meet the above requirements,
parking must be available for guest use within 330 feet of the STR
and parking plan must address neighborhood impact. If the STR
is proposed within a Design Overlay District, any alternate parking
requirements, as provided in Little Rock, Arkansas Rev. Code,
Chapter 36. Zoning, Article V. District Regulations shall be
applicable.
6. Applicants shall provide a scaled floor plan that includes all of the
rooms available for rent with location of windows, doors, and
smoke detectors identified. Smoke detectors (certified) are
required in all sleeping areas, in every room in the path of the
means of egress from the sleeping area to the exit, and in each
story with sleeping unit, including basements.
7. All sleeping areas must have two (2) ways of egress, one of which
can be an operable window.
April 11, 2024
ITEM NO.: 23 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9954
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8. Proof of homeowner's fire, hazard, and liability insurance. Liability
coverage shall have limits of not less than One Million Dollars
($1,000,000.00) per occurrence.
9. All persons operating a Bed and Breakfast House/Short-Term
Rental (Type I & 2) shall meet all applicable requirements of the
City of Little Rock's Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Fire Prevention
and Protection, Article II. Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Prior to
use as a Bed and Breakfast House/Short-Term Rental (Type 1 &
2), the annual City of Little Rock, Building Code and Fire Marshal
inspection fee must be paid, and payment of annual Business
License received.
10. Smoke alarms shall be installed, all smoke alarms shall meet local
and state standards (current Fire Code). Smoke alarms shall be
installed in all sleeping areas and every room in the path of the
means of egress from the sleeping area to the door leading from
the sleeping unit.
11. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed as directed by City
Staff if there are fuel-fired appliances in the unit or the unit has an
attached garage.
12. Five (5)-pound ABC-type extinguisher shall be mounted where
readily accessible.
13. No recreational vehicles, buses, or trailers shall be visible on the
street or property in conjunction with the Bed and Breakfast
House/Short-Term Rental use.
14. Principal renter shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
15. Maximum occupancy. Maximum occupancy of any room or
structure as a whole shall be determined by the Arkansas Fire
Prevention Code.
16. Simultaneous rental to more than one party under separate
contracts shall not be allowed.
17. The owner shall not receive any compensation or remuneration to
permit occupancy of a STR for a period of less than a one (1)-day
rental.
All trash pick-up shall comply with requirements for residential one–and two-family
residential zones.
The applicant provided responses and additional information to all issues raised
during staff’s review of the application. The applicant is requesting no variances
with the PD-C zoning request.
April 11, 2024
ITEM NO.: 23 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-9954
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Staff is in support the requested PD-C rezoning. Staff believes the request is
reasonable and that the proposed STR-2 use is appropriate for this location.
Currently the City of Little Rock Department of Planning and Development has
eighty-two (82) short-term rentals (STR-1 and STR-2) listed within the database
for approved short-term rentals in the City of Little Rock. The City’s new short-
term rental ordinance allows a maximum of 500 short-term rentals within the
corporate boundary of the City of Little Rock. There are no approved STR
applications within 1/4 mile of the application site.
I. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the PD-C zoning request subject to compliance with
the comments and conditions noted in paragraph E and the staff analysis of the
agenda staff report.