HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOD Staff Report - October 100724OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION
OCTOBER 2, 2024 AGENDA
Subject
Alley Right -of -Way
Abandonment, located
within Block 8, Woodruff s
Addition (block bounded by
E. 7th, E. 8th, College and
McLean Streets (G-23-490).
Submitted by:
Department of Planning and
Development
SYNOPSIS
FISCAL IMPACT
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND
Action Required
Ordinance
Resolution
Approval
Information Report
Approved By
Emily Cox
Interim City Manager
The owner of all abutting properties within the block
requests to abandon the 20 foot wide (east/west) platted
alley right-of-way (20 feet by 164 feet) located within
Block 8, Woodruff s Addition (block bounded by E. 7th, E.
8th, College and McLean Streets). The abandonment is
requested in order to incorporate the area into the Artspace
PCD development. The abandonment was approved as part
of the Artspace PCD project by the Planning Commission
on January 12, 2023 and the Board of Directors on February
21, 2023 (Ord. #22,223).
I None
Approval of the Ordinance.
The owner of all abutting properties within the block
requests to abandon the 20 foot wide (east/west) platted
alley right-of-way (20 feet by 164 feet) located within
Block 8, Woodruff s Addition (block bounded by E. 7th, E.
8th, College and McLean Streets). The abandonment is
requested in order to incorporate the area into the Artspace
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
PCD development. The abandonment was approved as part
of the Artspace PCD project by the Planning Commission
on January 12, 2023 and the Board of Directors on February
21, 2023 (Ord. #22,223).
The alley right-of-way is 20 feet wide and 164 feet in length
(3,280 sq. ft.). The alley right-of-way is currently
undeveloped and grass covered. All of the abutting
properties along the north and south sides of the alley right-
of-way are also undeveloped.
The Planning Commission approved the alley right-of-way
abandonment as part of the Artspace — PCD development.
The approved Artspace PCD will allow for the construction
of a 4-story, mixed use building which will contain 72
living spaces for residents, commercial tenant spaces,
multi -use studio space, art gallery, community room,
outdoor public areas including a roof top terrace garden and
a public porch for gathering. The Artspace PCD
development will encompass the entire Block 8,
Woodruff's Addition.
The alley right-of-way was dedicated with the original
subdivision of Woodruff s Addition to the City of Little
Rock. Information from an abstract company notes that
there are no reversionary clauses for rights -of -way within
this subdivision. Therefore, the abutting property owner
will obtain ownership of the alley area after abandonment.
There are no Master Street Plan issues, as the right-of-way
is not classified as a collector street or higher.
Abandoning this small alley right-of-way will have no
adverse impact on the public welfare and safety. The Little
Rock Fire Department has expressed no objection to the
abandonment request.
On January 12, 2023, the Planning Commission voted 10
ayes, 0 noes, 0 absent and 1 open position, as part of the
Consent Agenda, to approve the alley right-of-way
abandonment as part of the overall Artspace PCD
development.
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FILE NO.: G-23-490
NAME: Alley Right -of -Way Abandonment
LOCATION: Block 8, Woodruff's Addition (block bounded by E. 7tn E 8tn College and
McLean Streets)
Artspace Projects, Incorporated
250 Third Avenue North, #400
Minneapolis, MN 55401
OWNER/AUTHORIZED AGENT:
One Financial Centre Limited Partnership, LLLP (Owner)
McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. (Agent)
7302 Kanis Road
Little Rock, AR 72204
SURVEYOR/ENGINEER:
McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc.
7302 Kanis Road
Little Rock, AR 72204
AREA: N/A
CURRENT ZONING:
VARIANCE/WAIVERS
NUMBER OF LOTS: N/A
PLANNING DISTRICT: 7
PCD
None requested.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT'S STATEMENT:
FT. NEW STREET: N/A
CENSUS TRACT: 46
The owner of all abutting properties within the block requests to abandon the 20
foot wide (east/west) platted alley right-of-way (20 feet by 164 feet) located within
Block 8, Woodruff's Addition (block bounded by E. 7tn E 8tn, College and McLean
Streets). The abandonment is requested in order to incorporate the area into the
Artspace PCD development. The abandonment was approved as part of the
FILE NO.: G-23-490 (Cont.)
Artspace PCD project by the Planning Commission on January 12, 2023 and the
Board of Directors on February 21, 2023 (Ord. #22,223).
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The alley right-of-way is currently undeveloped and grass covered. All properties
along the north and south sides of the alley are also undeveloped.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATIONS:
One Financial Centre Limited Partnership, LLLP owns all of the properties which
abut the alley proposed for abandonment. There are no other property owners to
notify. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the overall PCD site and
all neighborhood associations registered with the City of Little Rock were notified
of the original PCD request.
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS:
Engineering Comments were made with the Artspace — PCD application (Z-9749).
E. UTILITIES/FIRE DEPARTMENT/PARKS/COUNTY PLANNING:
Little Rock Water Reclamation Authoritv: LRWRA has no assets within the area of
interest.
Entergy: Entergy is not opposed to the easement abandonment after the
relocation of facilities.
Summit Utilities: No objection to alley abandonment.
AT & T: Southwestern Bell Telephone Company d/b/a AT&T Arkansas concurs
in the request to release its interest in the alleyway between College and McLean
Street in Little Rock, AR for the proposed ArtSpace development and the relocation
of existing AT&T infrastructure. With the completion of conditions listed below.
This letter is in regard to the request by the ArtSpace, the applicant, to close the
Alley between College St and Mclean St in Little Rock Arkansas for the purpose of
a proposed development and the relocation of existing AT&T infrastructure.
Contracts have been prepared for the relocation between the applicant and AT&T
and are pending signature and payment for CWO# 32840 for re-route of Telephone
services. Then at that time we will retire in -place for vacation of the alley. The
applicant is seeking the closure of the alley from the City of Little Rock and requires
AT&T approval for that process to move forward and commence with the planning
department and city board. The closure of the alley once complete will allow the
applicant to close on the property and secure funding for the project. Once the
project funding is secured the applicant will pay AT&T and the work will commence
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FILE NO.- G-23-490
on the relocation. At this point AT&T, gives conditional approval and release for
closure of the alley with the signature of the contract by the applicant. Should the
alley not be closed for some reason AT&T Arkansas need to be contacted within
30 days. AT&T Arkansas will not relocate its infrastructure or release the alley and
right of way.
Central Arkansas Water: No objection to alley abandonment.
Fire Department: Fire Department Comments were made with the Artspace —
PCD application (Z-9749).
Parks and Recreation: No comments.
County Planning: No comments.
F. BUILDING CODES/LANDSCAPE:
Building: No comments.
Landscape: Landscape Comments were made with the Artspace — PCD
application (Z-9749).
G. TRANSPORTATION/PLANNING
Rock Region Metro: No comments.
Planning Division: Planning Division Comments were made with the Artspace —
PCD application (Z-9749).
H. ANALYSIS:
The owner of all abutting properties within the block requests to abandon the 20
foot wide (east/west) platted alley right-of-way (20 feet by 164 feet) located within
Block 8, Woodruff's Addition (block bounded by E. 7m E. 8cn College and McLean
Streets). The abandonment is requested in order to incorporate the area into the
Artspace PCD development. The abandonment was approved as part of the
Artspace PCD project by the Planning Commission on January 12, 2023 and the
Board of Directors on February 21, 2023 (Ord. #22,223).
The alley right-of-way is 20 feet wide and 164 feet in length (3,280 sq. ft.). The
alley right-of-way is currently undeveloped and grass covered. All of the abutting
properties along the north and south sides of the alley right-of-way are also
undeveloped.
The Planning Commission approved the alley right-of-way abandonment as part
of the Artspace — PCD development. The approved Artspace PCD will allow for
3
FILE NO.: G-23-490 (Cont.
construction of a 4-story, mixed use building which will contain 72 living spaces for
residents, commercial tenant spaces, multi -use studio space, art gallery,
community room, outdoor public areas including a roof top terrace garden and a
public porch for gathering. The Artspace PCD development will encompass the
entire Block 8, Woodruffs Addition.
The alley right-of-way was dedicated with the original subdivision of Woodruff's
Addition to the City of Little Rock. Information from an abstract company notes
that there are no reversionary clauses for rights -of -way within this subdivision.
Therefore, the abutting property owner will obtain ownership of the alley area after
abandonment.
There are no Master Street Plan issues, as the right-of-way is not classified as a
collector street or higher.
Abandoning this small alley right-of-way will have no adverse impact on the public
welfare and safety. The Little Rock Fire Department has expressed no objection
to the abandonment request.
On January 12, 2023, the Planning Commission voted 10 ayes, 0 noes, 0 absent
and 1 open position, as part of the Consent Agenda, to approve the alley right-of-
way abandonment as part of the overall Artspace PCD development.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested alley right-of-way abandonment.
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