HomeMy WebLinkAboutS-0991 Staff AnalysisSeptember 7, 1993
IT 7 FI
NAME: 9505 Alexander Road - Subdivision Ordinance Waiver
LO TI Approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road, off
the end of the paved section of Alexander Road approximately
1.000 feet east of Sardis Road, at 9505 Alexander Road.
DEVELOPER•
ENGINEER•
JOB WATERS EDWARD LOFTON
6507 Fourche Dam Pike 15415 Oakcrest
Little Rock, AR 72206 Little Rock, AR 72206
490-0695 888-5232
AR :
4.0 ACRES
NUMBER OF LOTS:
1
FT. NEW
STREET: 0
ZONING:
R-2
PROPOSED USE:
Single
Family
Residential
PLANNING DISTRICT: 15
CENSUS TRACT: 41.04
VARIANCES REQ10 TED.•
1. Waiver of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements to include:
a) the requirement to present for approval a preliminary
and final plat of the 4--acre tract owned by the applicant;
b) the requirement to provide frontage for the lot on a
Public street; and c) the requirement to provide for the
construction of public or private street improvements to the
lot.
2. Variance from the Water Utilities guideline which would
require a frontage on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and
permit a frontage of 20 feet.
TATRME T F PR P AL•
The applicant states that in the summer of 1992, he purchased a
4-acre tract of land which lies approximately 330 feet south of
Alexander Road, with access to Alexander Road by way of a 20-foot
access easement across property retained by the seller. The
applicant relates that the property is part of a 15-acre tract
❑ut of which two tracts have now been divided, one in 1990 and
the applicant's in 1992. IN 1990, a 1.64 acre site was sold
which fronts on an un-opened portion of the Alexander Road right-
of-way and which gains access to the improved portion of
Alexander Road by way of a 35-foot access easement along the west
side of the property on property retained by the seller. This
tract is immediately north of the applicant's tract and lies
September 7, 1993
IT 7 n in FILE
between Alexander Road and the applicant's property. The
applicant's 20-foot access easement to Alexander Road is within
the 35-foot access easement granted to the lot previously sold.
The seller of the applicant's tract, as well as the owner/seller
of the previously sold tract have, in effect, been subdividing
their property in violation of the Subdivision Ordinance, and
have created lots which do not abut improved streets. The
applicant, in making application for a building permit to
construct his home on the tract he purchased, has been confronted
with the situation that he is unable to gain approval for a
building permit or to obtain public utility services.
The Subdivision Ordinance provides that minimum 5-acre tracts
may, if they have frontage of a public street, be sold from
larger tracts without complying with the Ordinance. The
applicant maintains that he has not been able, because of
financial limitations and restrictions imposed by his VA loan, to
purchase an additional acre of land. Instead, he proposes that a
waiver be granted of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements which
relate to his situation, and he be permitted to construct his
home on the 4-acre tract "as is", with the tract not abutting a
street and his having access to the property by way of the 20-
foot access easement.
Water Utilities requires that, for the tract to have service from
the water main in Alexander road, the tract must have frontage on
Alexander Road. The amount of frontage required by Water
Utilities guidelines is based on a ratio of 15:1 depth of lot to
width of frontage. For the applicant to have service from the
Alexander Road main, then, based on the depth of his tract, he
would have to have frontage of 64.25 feet. Water Utilityes
minimum frontage is 20 feet. The applicant proposes, that, if he
is able to acquire ownership of the 20-foot access easement for
frontage; a variance be granted by the Board of Directors to
allow the 20-foot frontage to suffice in lieu of the 64.25 foot
requirement based on the 15:1 ratio.
A. PR P AL RE E T•
The applicant requests review by the Planning Commission and
approval by the Board of Directors for a waiver from all
Subdivision Ordinance requirements relative to the 4-acre
tract he purchased in 1992 and on which he proposes to
construct a home. He requests a waiver from the Subdivision
Ordinance requirement which would require a preliminary
then -final plat of his 4-acre lot, or its inclusion in a
plat of the entire 15-acre tract from which his site is
derived. He requests a waiver from the requirement which
would require that his lot abut a public street or that
street improvements be provided by him or by the seller of
2
September 7, 1993
ITEM NO.: 7 ( C- nt in _ FILE NO S 991
the tracts to his particular lot or to the boundary street
(Alexander Road) to the 15-acre tract.
The applicant requests, if he is able to obtain ownership of
the easement by which he now gains access to his property,
approval by the Board of Directors of a variance from the
Water utilities guideline which would require, in order to
have water service from the Alexander Road main, a frontage
on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and permit frontage of
20 feet.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site is approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road
and 1,000 feet east of Sardis Road. Alexander road "dead -
ends" at the access easement which provides access to this
site and the abutting property which lies between the
applicant's property and Alexander Road. Besides the home
on the 1.64-acre site lying between the applicant's tract
and Alexander Road, there are scattered homesites on large
tracts on both sides of Alexander Road from Sardis Road east
to the dead-end of Alexander Road. Immediately west of the
applicant's tract is a large ravine which is heavily wooded
and overgrown. The applicant's site is pasture land with
scattered trees and medium height grasses. There is no
development beyond, to the east and south, of the property.
The zoning of the applicant's and all surrounding property
is R-2.
C. ENGINEERING/UTILITY COMMENTS:
Engineering Division indicates that it will not comment on
this request.
Little Rock Water Works reports that water service is
available on Alexander Road; however, in order for the
applicant's lot to receive service, either the lot will have
to have at least a minimum 64.25 foot frontage on Alexander
Road or a water main will have to be extended by the
applicant to the property. The 64.25 foot frontage
requirement is based on the Water Works guideline which
requires a 15:1 depth -to -width ratio for the property. The
Water Works guideline permits a variance from this ratio if
it is approved by the Board of Directors. Water -Works also
reports that water service will not be permitted unless the
proposed structure is within 450 feet of an approved fire
hydrant. Water Works reports that a pro-rata front footage
charge of $15.00 per foot of frontage on Alexander Road will
apply, in addition to the normal connection fee. Water
Works adds that if the applicant cannot obtain the required
frontage on Alexander Road, or his proposed home is beyond
r
September 7, 1993
ITEM 7 n in FILE nQ, ; S-991
450 feet to the fire hydrant on Alexander Road, he will be
required to install a water main to his property in a
minimum 150-foot utility easement, and install a private
fire hydrant.
Wastewater Utility reports that sewer service is not
available to the lot without major main extensions of at
least 1,000 feet uphill from the west or in excess of 1,500
feet to the east.
D. I E LE AL TE H I DE I
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-2, Definitions, and
Section 31-5, Jurisdiction and Application, define a
subdivision as "all divisions of a tract ... into one (1) or
more lots,...sites, or other divisions for the purpose ... for
sale of building development, and shall include all
divisions... involving the need for new access (or) a new
street..." Both division, however, exclude "the division of
land into parcels greater than five (5) acres, provided each
newly created lot or parcel has minimum lot frontage on a
dedicated public street....11
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-231, states that
"every lot shall abut upon a public street, except where
private streets are explicitly approved...."
Section 31-396 of the Subdivision Ordinance states that "in
all subdivisions..., the subdivider shall install, at his
own expense, or to have installed by the appropriate public
utility certain specified improvements...." The sections
which follow list the "specified improvements as: streets,
curb and gutters, water supply, sanitary sewage disposal
(public system or appropriate individual private system
where applicable), storm drainage, sidewalks, street
lighting, fire hydrants, etc.
Section 31-36 and the following sections of the Subdivision
Ordinance require a plat review and approval process to
include the preparation, review, and approval of a
preliminary plat for all subdivisions of land, installation
of the required improvements and monuments,.and the filing
of a final plat and Bill of Assurance.
E. ANALYSIS•
The original and subsequent owner of the 15-acre tract, who
have sold two parcels of less than 5 acres each, one of
which does not abut a public street, are in technical
violation of the Subdivision Ordinance in the areas cited
above. The applicant simply bought a parcel of land and
arranged a VA loan for the purchase of the land and
4
September 7, 1993
ITEM NO.: 7 (Continued,) FILE NO.:
construction of a home for himself, but has hit the
proverbial "brick wall" in an attempt to get the permits
necessary to proceed with his plan. The applicant, in
apparent good faith, and relying on the expertise of
professionals in the real estate business, bought the land
through a licensed real estate agent who should have known
that the transaction would produce a subdivision which is in
technical violation of the Subdivision Ordinance. The
surveyor should have know. The title or abstract company
should have known. The Circuit Clerk and Recorder's office
should have know. The VA appraiser should have known. The
applicant, though, is the one who is suffering the
consequences of professionals not warning him that what he
was doing would not be permitted.
F. aTAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the waiver of the Subdivision
Ordinance requirements for this one individual applicant so
that he may construct his home on the 4-acre tract.
ZUBDIVISTON COMMITTEE OMMENT: (August 5, 1993)
Staff presented the background of the applicant's situation and
request, and indicated that the item was being presented to the
Committee as an "add -on" item to the Committee agenda which would
be placed on the September 7 Planning Commission agenda. The
Committee reviewed the special circumstances of the request, and
forwarded the application to the full Commission for review.
PLANNING COMMI$SION ACTION: (September 7, 1993)
The applicant was present. Staff presented the request and
outlined the sequence of events which led up to the current
situation. The applicant indicated that Staff's presentation
reflected the situation in which the applicant found himself.
Without further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to
recommend approval of the waivers and variance to the Board of
Directors. The motion passed with 8 ayes, no nays, and 3 absent.
5
ORDINANCE NO. 16,493
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 31 OF THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LITTLE
ROCK, ARKANSAS, PROVIDING FOR A WAIVER OF
ALL SUBDIVISION REGULATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR PROPERTY IN THE NW 1/4 NE 1/4,
SECTION 15, T-1-S, R-13-W, PULASKI COUNTY,
ARKANSAS AND LOCATED AT 9505 ALEXANDER
ROAD (S-991).
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
SECTION 1. That Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances
be amended to provide for a waiver of requirements within
the Subdivision Regulations of the City of Little Rock for
the following described property.
A parcel of land in the NW 1/4 NE 1/4, Section 15,
T-1-S, R-13-W, located at 9505 Alexander Road (S-991),
and more particularly described as follows:
Beginning at a point 3631 south of the NE corner of
said NW 1/4 NE 1/4, thence south 600.81, thence S
880231 W 2901, thence N 600.81, thence N 880231 E 2901
to the POB, containing 4.0 acres, more or less,
together with a 201 ingress -egress easement described
as follows: Beginning 2241 west of the NE corner of
the NW 1/4 NE 1/4, Section 15, T-1-S, R-13-W, thence S
20411 W 363.41, thence S 880231 W 201, thence N 20411E
363.41, thence N 880231E 201 to the POB.
Subsection a. That Chapter 31, Section 31-36 through
Section 31-177 be amended to waive the requirements for
a preliminary plat review and approval process,
installation of required improvements and monuments,
and the filling of a final plat and Bill of Assurance.
Subsection b. That Chapter 31, Section 396 be amended
to waive the requirements for the subdivider to install
specified improvements to include streets, curb and
gutters, water supply, sanitary sewage disposal, storm
drainage, sidewalks, street lighting, fire hydrants,
etc.
Subsection c. That Chapter 31, Section 31-231, Section
31-2, and Section 31-5 be amended to waive the
requirement for every lot to abut upon a public street
:_except where private streets are explicitly approved.
t-
FILE NO -991 -
N ME: 9505 Alexander Road - Subdivision Ordinance Waiver
LOCATION: Approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road, off
the end of the paved section of Alexander Road approximately
1,000 feet east of Sardis Road, at 9505 Alexander Road.
DEVELOPER•
ENGINEER•
JOB WATERS EDWARD LOFTON
6507 Fourche Dam Pike 15415 Oakcrest
Little Rock, AR 72206 Little Rock, AR 72206
490-0695 888-5232
AREA: 4.0 ACRES NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0
ZONING: R-2 PROPOSED USE: Single Family Residential
PLANNING DISTRICT: 15
CENSUS TRACT: 41.04
VARIANQEREQUESTED•
1. Waiver of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements to include:
a) the requirement to present for approval a preliminary
and final plat of the 4-acre tract owned by the applicant;
b) the requirement to provide frontage for the lot on a
public street; and c) the requirement to provide for the
construction of public or private street improvements to the
lot.
2. Variance from the Water utilities guideline which would
require a frontage on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and
permit a frontage of 20 feet.
STATEMENT OF_PRQPQSAL:
The applicant states that in the summer of 1992, he purchased a
4-acre tract of land which lies approximately 330 feet south of
Alexander Road, with access to Alexander Road by way of a 20-foot
access easement across property retained by the seller. The
applicant relates that the property is part of a 15-acre tract
out of which two tracts have now been divided, one in 1990 and
the applicant's in 1992. IN 1990, a 1.64 acre site was sold
which fronts on an un-opened portion -of the Alexander Road right-
of-way and which gains access to the improved portion of
Alexander Road by way of a 35-foot access easement along the west
side of the property on property retained by the seller. This
tract is immediately north of the applicant's tract and lies
between Alexander Road and the applicant's property. The
applicant's 20-foot access easement to Alexander Road is within
the 35-foot access easement granted to the lot previously sold.
The seller of the applicant's tract, as well as the owner/seller
FILE NO,; 5-991 (Continued)
of the previously sold tract have, in effect, been subdividing
their property in violation of the Subdivision Ordinance, and
have created lots which do not abut improved streets. The
applicant, in making application for a building permit to
construct his home on the tract he purchased, has been confronted
with the situation that he is unable to gain approval for a
building permit or to obtain public utility services.
The Subdivision Ordinance provides that minimum 5-acre tracts
may, if they have frontage of a public street, be sold from
larger tracts without complying with the Ordinance. The
applicant maintains that he has not been able, because of
financial limitations and restrictions imposed by his VA loan, to
purchase an additional acre of land. Instead, he proposes that a
waiver be granted of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements which
relate to his situation, and he be permitted to construct his
home on the 4-acre tract "as is", with the tract not abutting a
street and his having access to the property by way of the 20-
foot access easement.
Water Utilities requires that, for the tract to have service from
the water main in Alexander road, the tract must have frontage on
Alexander Road. The amount of frontage required by Water
Utilities guidelines is based on a ratio of 15:1 depth of lot to
width of frontage. For the applicant to have service from the
Alexander Road main, then, based on the depth of his tract, he
would have to have frontage of 64.25 feet. Water Utility's
minimum frontage is 20 feet. The applicant proposes, that, if he
is able to acquire ownership of the 20-foot access easement for
frontage, a variance be granted by the Board of Directors to
allow the 20-foot frontage to suffice in lieu of the 64.25 foot
requirement based on the 15:1 ratio.
A. PR P AL RE E T•
The applicant requests review by the Planning Commission and
approval by the Board of Directors for a waiver from all
Subdivision Ordinance requirements relative to the 4-acre
tract he purchased in 1992 and on which he proposes to
construct a home. He requests a waiver from the Subdivision
Ordinance requirement which would require a preliminary -
then -final plat of his 4-acre lot, or its inclusion in a
plat of the entire 15-acre tract from which his site is
derived. He requests a waiver from the requirement which
would require that his lot abut a public street or that
street improvements be provided by him or by the seller of
the tracts to his particular lot or to the boundary street
(Alexander Road) to the 15-acre tract.
The applicant requests, if he is able to obtain ownership of
the easement by which he now gains access to his property,
approval by the Board of Directors of a variance from the
FILE NO.; S-991 (Continued)
Water utilities guideline which would require, in order to
have water service from the Alexander Road main, a frontage
on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and permit frontage of
20 feet.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site is approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road
and 1,000 feet east of Sardis Road. Alexander road "dead -
ends" at the access easement which provides access to this
site and the abutting property which lies between the
applicant's property and Alexander Road. Besides the home
on the 1.64-acre site lying between the applicant's tract
and Alexander Road, there are scattered homesites on large
tracts on both sides of Alexander Road from Sardis Road east
to the dead-end of Alexander Road. Immediately west of the
applicant's tract is a large ravine which is heavily wooded
and overgrown. The applicant's site is pasture land with
scattered trees and medium height grasses. There is no
development beyond, to the east and south, of the property.
The zoning of the applicant's and all surrounding property
is R-2.
C. E I ERI TILITY IME T :
Engineering Division indicates that it will not comment on
this request.
Little Rock Water Works reports that water service is
available on Alexander Road; however, in order for the
applicant's lot to receive service, either the lot will have
to have at least a minimum 64.25 foot frontage on Alexander
Road or a water main will have to be extended by the
applicant to the property. The 64.25 foot frontage
requirement is based on the Water Works guideline which
requires a 15:1 depth -to -width ratio for the property. The
Water works guideline permits a variance from this ratio if
it is approved by the Board of Directors. Water Works also
reports that water service will not be permitted unless the
proposed structure is within 450 feet of an approved fire
hydrant. Water Works reports that a pro-rata front footage
charge of $15.00 per foot of frontage on Alexander Road will
apply, in addition to the normal connection fee. Water
Works adds that if the applicant cannot obtain the required
frontage on Alexander Road, or his proposed home is beyond
450 feet to the fire hydrant on Alexander Road, he will be
required to install a water main to his property in a
minimum 150-foot utility easement, and install a private -
fire hydrant.
Wastewater Utility reports that sewer service is not
available to the lot without major main extensions of at
least 1,000 feet uphill from the west or in excess of
1,500 feet to the east.
3
FILE NO.: 5-991 (Continued)
D. I5aUES/LEQAL/TECHNICAL/DESIN:
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-2, Definitions, and
Section 31-5, Jurisdiction and Application, define a
subdivision as "all divisions of a tract... into one (1) or
more lots,...sites, or other divisions for the purpose ... for
sale of building development, and shall include all
divisions... involving the need for new access (or) a new
street..." Both division, however, exclude "the division of
land into parcels greater than five (5) acres, provided each
newly created lot or parcel has minimum lot frontage on a
dedicated public street...."
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-231, states that
"every lot shall abut upon a public street, except where
private streets are explicitly approved...."
Section 31-396 of the Subdivision Ordinance states that "in
all subdivisions..., the subdivider shall install, at his
own expense, or to have installed by the appropriate public
utility certain specified improvements...." The sections
which follow list the "specified improvements as: streets,
curb and gutters, water supply, sanitary sewage disposal
(public system or appropriate individual private system
where applicable), storm drainage, sidewalks, street
lighting, fire hydrants, etc.
Section 31-36 and the following sections of the Subdivision
Ordinance require a plat review and approval process to
include the preparation, review, and approval of a
preliminary plat for all subdivisions of land, installation
of the required improvements and monuments, and the filing
of a final plat and Bill of Assurance.
E. ANALYSIS•
The original and subsequent owner of the 15-acre tract, who
have sold two parcels of less than 5 acres each, one of
which does not abut a public street, are in technical
violation of the Subdivision Ordinance in the areas cited
above. The applicant simply bought a parcel of land and
arranged a VA loan for the purchase of the land and
construction of a home for himself, but has hit the
proverbial "brick wall" in an attempt to get the permits
necessary to proceed with his plan. The applicant, in
apparent good faith, and relying on the expertise of
professionals in the real estate business, bought the land
through a licensed real estate agent who should have known
that the transaction would produce a subdivision which is in
technical violation of the Subdivision Ordinance. The
surveyor should have known. The title or abstract company
should have known. The Circuit Clerk and Recorder's office
4
r
Fix.) As e -!- I
should have known. The VA appraiser should have known. The
applicant, though, is the one who is suffering the
consequences of professionals not warning him that what he
was doing would not be permitted.
F. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the waiver of the Subdivision
Ordinance requirements for this one individual applicant so
that he may construct his home on the 4-acre tract.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (August 5, 1993)
Staff presented the background of the applicant's situation and
request, and indicated that the item was being presented to the
Committee as an "add -on" item to the Committee agenda which would
be placed on the September 7 Planning Commission agenda. The
Committee reviewed the special circumstances of the request, and
forwarded the application to the full Commission for review.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (September 7, 1993)
The applicant was present. Staff presented the request and
outlined the sequence of events which led up to the current
situation. The applicant indicated that Staff's presentation
reflected the situation in which the applicant found himself.
without further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to
recommend approval of the waivers and variance to the Board of
Directors. The motion passed with 8 ayes, no nays, and 3 absent.
5
September 7, 199.3
ITEM NO.: 7 _ FILE NO.,.,: S-991
NAME: 9505 Alexander Road - Subdivision Ordinance waiver
LOCATION: Approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road, off
the end of the paved section of Alexander Road approximately
1,000 feet east of Sardis Road, at 9505 Alexander Road.
DEVELOPER:
JOE WATERS EDWARD LOFTON
6507 Fourche Dam Pike 15415 Oakcrest
Little Rock, AR 72206 Little Rock, AR 72206
490-0695 888-5232
4.0 ACRES NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: .0
ZONING: R-2 PROPOSED USE: Single Family Residential
PLANNING DISTRICT: 15
CENSUS TRACT: 41.04
VARIANCES REQUESTED:
1. Waiver of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements to include:
a) the requirement to present for approval a preliminary
and final plat of the 4-acre tract owned by the applicant;
b) the requirement to provide frontage for the lot on a
public street; and c) the requirement to provide for the
construction of public or private street improvements to the
lot.
2. Variance from the Water utilities guideline which would
require a frontage on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and
permit a frontage of 20 feet.
STATEMENT OF PROPOSAL:
The applicant states that in the summer of 1992, he purchased a
4-acre tract of land which lies approximately 330 feet south of
Alexander Road, with access to Alexander Road by way of a 20-foot
access easement across property retained by the seller. The
applicant relates that the property is part of a 15-acre tract
out of which two tracts have now been divided, one in 1990 and
the applicant's in 1992. IN 1990, a 1.64 acre site was sold
which fronts on an un-opened portion of the Alexander Road right-
of-way and which gains access to the improved portion of
Alexander Road by way of a 35-foot access easement along the west
side of the property on property retained by the seller. This
tract is immediately north of the applicant's tract and lies
September 7, 1993
ITEM 7 n in FILE NO.: S-991
between Alexander Road and the applicant's property. The
applicant's 20-foot access easement to Alexander Road is within
the 35-foot access easement granted to the lot previously sold.
The seller of the applicant's tract, as well as the owner/seller
of the previously sold tract have, in effect, been subdividing
their property in violation of the Subdivision Ordinance, and
have created lots which do not abut improved streets. The
applicant, in making application for a building permit to
construct his home on the tract he purchased, has been confronted
with the situation that he is unable to gain approval for a
building permit or to obtain public utility services.
The Subdivision Ordinance provides that minimum 5-acre tracts
may, if they have frontage of a public street, be sold from
larger tracts without complying with the Ordinance. The
applicant maintains that he has not been able, because of
financial limitations and restrictions imposed by his VA loan, to
purchase an additional acre of land. Instead, he proposes that a
waiver be granted of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements which
relate to his situation, and he be permitted to construct his
home on the 4-acre tract "as is", with the tract not abutting a
street and his having access to the property by way of the 20-
foot access easement.
Water Utilities requires that, for the tract to have service from
the water main in Alexander road, the tract must have frontage on
Alexander Road. The amount of frontage required by Water
Utilities guidelines is based on a ratio of 15:1 depth of lot to
width of frontage. For the applicant to have service from the
Alexander Road main, then, based on the depth of his tract, he
would have to have frontage of 64.25 feet. Water Utility's
minimum frontage is 20 feet. The applicant proposes, that, if he
is able to acquire ownership of the 20-foot access easement for
frontage, a variance be granted by the Board of Directors to
allow the 20-foot frontage to suffice in lieu of the 64.25 foot
requirement based on the 15:1 ratio.
A. PR P AL RE E T•
The applicant requests review by the Planning Commission and
approval by the Board of Directors for a waiver from all
Subdivision Ordinance requirements relative to the 4-acre
tract he purchased in 1992 and on which he proposes to
construct a home. He requests a waiver from the Subdivision
Ordinance requirement which would require a preliminary -
then -final plat of his 4-acre lot, or its inclusion in a
plat of the entire 15-acre tract from which his site is
derived. He requests a waiver from the requirement which
would require that his lot abut a public street or that
street improvements be provided by him or by the seller of
2
September 7, 1993
ITEM NO.: 7 (Continued) FILE Na.; 5-991
the tracts to his particular lot or to the boundary street
(Alexander Road) to the 15-acre tract.
The applicant requests, if he is able to obtain ownership of
the easement by which he now gains access to his property,
approval by the Board of Directors of a variance from the
Water Utilities guideline which would require, in order to
have water service from the Alexander Road main, a frontage
on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and permit frontage of
20 feet.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site is approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road
and 1,000 feet east of Sardis Road. Alexander road "dead -
ends" at the access easement which provides access to this
site and the abutting property which lies between the
applicant's property and Alexander Road. Besides the home
on the 1.64-acre site lying between the applicant's tract
and Alexander Road, there are scattered homesites on large
tracts on both sides of Alexander Road from Sardis Road east
to the dead-end of Alexander Road. Immediately west of the
applicant's tract is a large ravine which is heavily wooded
and overgrown. The applicant's site is pasture land with
scattered trees and medium height grasses. There is no
development beyond, to the east and south, of the property.
The zoning of the applicant's and all surrounding property
is R-2.
C. 1 ERI TILITY COMMENTS:
Engineering Division indicates that it will not comment on
this request.
Little Rock Water Works reports that water service is
available on Alexander Road; however, in order for the
applicant's lot to receive service, either the lot will have
to have at least a minimum 64.25 foot frontage on Alexander
Road or a water main will have to be extended by the
applicant to the property. The 64.25 foot frontage
requirement is based on the Water Works guideline which
requires a 15:1 depth -to -width ratio for the property. The
Water Works guideline permits a variance from this ratio if
it is approved by the Board of Directors. Water Works also
reports that water service will not be permitted unless the
proposed structure is within 450 feet of an approved fire
hydrant. Water Works reports that a pro-rata front footage
charge of $15.00 per foot of frontage on Alexander Road will
apply, in addition to the normal connection fee. Water
Works adds that if the applicant cannot obtain the required
frontage on Alexander Road, or his proposed home is beyond
3
September 7, 1993
ITEM 7 (Continued) FILE NO.: S-991
450 feet to the fire hydrant on Alexander Road, he will be
required to install a water main to his property in a
minimum 150-foot utility easement, and install a private
fire hydrant.
Wastewater Utility reports that sewer service is not
available to the lot without major main extensions of at
least 1,000 feet uphill from the west or in excess of 1,500
feet to the east.
D. ISSQESILEGALITECHNICALIDESIQ :
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-2, Definitions, and
Section 31-5, Jurisdiction and Application, define a
subdivision as "all divisions of a tract... into one (1.) or,
more lots,...sites, or other divisions for the purpose ... for
sale of building development, and shall include all
divisions... involving the need for new access (or) a new
street..." Both division, however, exclude "the division of
land into parcels greater than five (5) acres, provided each
newly created lot or parcel has minimum lot frontage on a
dedicated public street...."
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-231, states that
"every lot shall abut upon a public street, except where
private streets are explicitly approved...."
Section 31-396 of the Subdivision Ordinance states that "in
all subdivisions..., the subdivider shall install, at his
own expense, or to have installed by the appropriate public
utility certain specified improvements...." The sections
which follow list the "specified improvements as: streets,
curb and gutters, water supply, sanitary sewage disposal
(public system or appropriate individual private system
where applicable), storm drainage, sidewalks, street
lighting, fire hydrants, etc.
Section 31-36 and the following sections of the Subdivision
Ordinance require a plat review and approval process to
include the preparation, review, and approval of a
preliminary plat for all subdivisions of land, installation
of the required improvements and monuments, and the filing
of a final plat and Bill of Assurance.
E. ANALYSIS:
The original and subsequent owner of the 15-acre tract, who
have sold two parcels of less than 5 acres each, one of
which does not abut a public street, are in technical
violation of the Subdivision Ordinance in the areas cited
above. The applicant simply bought a parcel of land and
arranged a VA loan for the purchase of the land and
4
September 7, 1993
ITEM NO.: 7 (Continued) FILE NO.: S-991
construction of a home for himself, but has hit the
proverbial "brick wall" in an attempt to get the permits
necessary to proceed with his plan. The applicant, in
apparent good faith, and relying on the expertise of
professionals in the real estate business, bought the land
through a licensed real estate agent who should have known
that the transaction would produce a subdivision which is in
technical violation of the Subdivision Ordinance. The
surveyor should have know. The title or abstract company
should have known. The Circuit Clerk and Recorder's office
should have know. The VA appraiser should have known. The
applicant, though, is the one who is suffering the
consequences of professionals not warning him that what he
was doing would not be permitted.
F. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the waiver of the Subdivision
Ordinance requirements for this one individual applicant so
that he may construct his home on the 4-acre tract.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMEUT: (August 5, 1993)
Staff presented the background of the applicant's situation and
request, and indicated that the item was being presented to the
Committee as an "add -on" item to the Committee agenda which would
be placed on the September 7 Planning Commission agenda. The
Committee reviewed the special circumstances of the request, and
forwarded the application to the full Commission for review.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (September 7, 1993)
The applicant was present. Staff presented the request and
outlined the sequence of events which led up to the current
situation. The applicant indicated that Staff's presentation
reflected the situation in which the applicant found himself.
Without further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to
recommend approval of the waivers and variance to the Hoard of
Directors. The motion passed with 8 ayes, no nays, and 3 absent.
5
1. Meeting Date:
2. Case No.:
September 21, 1993
5-991
3. Request: a. Waiver from all Subdivision Ordinance
requirements for the applicant's 4-acre tract
to include waivers from the requirements to:
1) present for review and approval a
preliminary then final plat of the tract; 2)
provide frontage for the tract on a public
street; and, 3) provde for the construction
Of street improvements to the tract.
b. Variance from the Water Utilities guideline
which would require the frontage on Alexander
Road to be 64.25 feet in order to receive
public water service, and permit a frontage
of 20 feet.
4. Location: 9505 Alexander Road
5. owner/Applicant: Joe Waters
6. Existing Status: The site is presently a pasture, located
330 feet south of Alexander Road, with access to the site by
way of an access easement. The site was part of a 15-acre
tract from which the owner at the time divided a homesite
for himself and sold the remaining 14 acres. The owner of
the 14-acre tract subsequently sold the applicant a 4-acre
tract for a homesite. When the applicant attempted to get a
building permit and apply for public water service, he found
that he was the victim of an illegal subdivision process
extending back a number of years. He already has his VA
loan in place and time is counting on his interim financing.
He is unable to assume additional debt to acquire frontage
on Alexander Road; however, he is attempting to negotiate
with the one who sold him the land for this frontage.
7. Proposed Use: Single-family Residential
S. Staff Recommendation: Approval
9. Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval
10. Conditions or Issues Remaining to be Resolved: None
11. Right -of -Way Issues: None
12. Recommendation Forwarded With: A vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays,
3 absent, and 0 abstentions
13. objectors: None
14. Nei hborhood Plan: Geyer Springs - West (15)
September 7, 1993
ITEM NO._:7 FILE NO.: 0-991
NAME: 9505 Alexander Road - Subdivision Ordinance Waiver
LOCATION: Approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road, off
the end of the paved section of Alexander Road approximately
1,000 feet east of Sardis Road, at 9505 Alexander Road.
DEVELOPER•
ENGINEER•
JOE WATERS EDWARD LOFTON
6507 Fourche Dam Pike 15415 Oakcrest
Little Rock, AR 72206 Little Rock, AR 72206
490-0695 888-5232
ARFA: 4.0 ACRES NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0
ZONING R-2 PROPOSED USE: Single Family Residential
PLANNING DISTRICT: 15
CENSUS TRACT: 41.04
VARIANCES REQUESTED:
1. Waiver of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements to include:
a) the requirement to present for approval a preliminary
and final plat of the 4-acre tract owned by the applicant;
b) the requirement to provide frontage for the lot on a
public street; and c) the requirement to provide for the
construction of public or private street improvements to the
lot.
2. Variance from the Water utilities guideline which would
require a frontage on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and
permit a frontage of 20 feet.
STATEMENT OF PR P AL•
The applicant states that in the summer of 1992, he purchased a
4-acre tract of land which lies approximately 330 feet south of
Alexander Road, with access to Alexander Road by way of a 20-foot
access easement across property retained by the seller. The
applicant relates that the property is part of a 15-acre tract
out of which two tracts have now been divided, one in 1990 and
the applicant's in 1992. IN 1990, a 1.64 acre site was sold
which fronts on an un-opened portion of the Alexander Road right-
of-way and which gains access to the improved portion of
Alexander Road by way of a 35-foot access easement along the west
side of the property on property retained by the seller. This
tract is immediately north of the applicant's tract and lies
September 7, 1993
IT 7 n n FILE -
between Alexander Road and the applicant's property. The
applicant's 20-foot access easement to Alexander Road is within
the 35-foot access easement granted to the lot previously sold.
The seller of the applicant's tract, as well as the owner/seller
of the previously sold tract have, in effect, been subdividing
their property in violation of the Subdivision Ordinance, and
have created lots which do not abut improved streets. The
applicant, in making application for a building permit to
construct his home on the tract he purchased, has been confronted
with the situation that he is unable to gain approval for a
building permit or to obtain public utility services.
The Subdivision Ordinance provides that minimum 5-acre tracts
may, if they have frontage of a public street, be sold from
larger tracts without complying with the Ordinance. The
applicant maintains that he has not been able, because of
financial limitations and restrictions imposed by his VA loan, to
purchase an additional acre of land. Instead, he proposes that a
waiver be granted of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements which
relate to his situation, and he be permitted to construct his
home on the 4-acre tract "as is'", with the tract not abutting a
street and his having access to the property by way of the 20-
foot access easement.
Water Utilities requires that, for the tract to have service from
the water main in Alexander road, the tract must have frontage on
Alexander Road. The amount of frontage required by Water
Utilities guidelines is based on a ratio of 15:1 depth of lot to
width of frontage. For the applicant to have service from the
Alexander Road main, then, based on the depth of his tract, he
would have to have frontage of 64.25 feet. Water Utility's
minimum frontage is 20 feet. The applicant proposes, that, if he
is able to acquire ownership of the 20-foot access easement for
frontage, a variance be granted by the Board of Directors to
allow the 20-foot frontage to suffice in lieu of the 64.25 foot
requirement based on the 15:1 ratio.
A. PRQPQSALIREQQEST:
The applicant requests review by the Planning Commission and
approval by the Board of Directors for a waiver from all
Subdivision Ordinance requirements relative to the 4-acre
tract he purchased in 1992 and on which he proposes to
construct a home. He requests a waiver from the Subdivision
Ordinance requirement which would require a preliminary -
then -final plat of his 4-acre lot, or its inclusion in a
plat of the entire 15-acre tract from which his site is
derived. He requests a waiver from the requirement which
would require that his lot abut a public street or that
street improvements be provided by him or by the seller of
F,
September 7, 1993
ITEM 7 C n in FILE - 1
the tracts to his particular lot or to the boundary street
(Alexander Road) to the 15-acre tract.
The applicant requests, if he is able to obtain ownership of
the easement by which he now gains access to his property,
approval by the Board of Directors of a variance from the
Water Utilities guideline which would require, in order to
have water service from the Alexander Road main, a frontage
on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and permit frontage of
20 feet.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site is approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road
and 1,000 feet east of Sardis Road. Alexander road "dead -
ends" at the access easement which provides access to this
site and the abutting property which lies between the
applicant's property and Alexander Road. Besides the home
on the 1.64-acre site lying between the applicant's tract
and Alexander Road, there are scattered homesites on large
tracts on both sides of Alexander Road from Sardis Road east
to the dead-end of Alexander Road. Immediately west of the
applicant's tract is a large ravine which is heavily wooded
and overgrown. The applicant's site is pasture land with
scattered trees and medium height grasses. There is no
development beyond, to the east and south, of the property.
The zoning of the applicant's and all surrounding property
is R-2.
C. NQT _ERING/UTILITY COMMENTS:
Engineering Division indicates that it will not comment on
this request.
Little Rock Water Works reports that water service is
available on Alexander Road; however, in order for the
applicant's lot to receive service, either the lot will have
to have at least a minimum 64.25 foot frontage on Alexander
Road or a water main will have to be extended by the
applicant to the property. The 64.25 foot frontage
requirement is based on the Water Works guideline which
requires a 15:1 depth -to -width ratio for the property. The
Water Works guideline permits a variance from this ratio if
it is approved by the Board of Directors. Water Works also
reports that water service will not be permitted unless the
proposed structure is within 450 feet of an approved fire
hydrant. Water Works reports that a pro-rata front footage
charge of $15.00 per foot of frontage on Alexander Road will
apply, in addition to the normal connection fee. Water
Works adds that if the applicant cannot obtain the required
frontage on Alexander Road, or his proposed home is beyond
3
September 7, 1993
ITEM 7 n iz� FILE - 1
450 feet to the fire hydrant on Alexander Road, he will be
required to install a water main to his property in a
minimum 150-foot utility easement, and install a private
fire hydrant.
Wastewater Utility reports that sewer service is not
available to the lot without major main extensions of at
least 1,000 feet uphill from the west or in excess of 1,500
feet to the east.
D. ISSUES JLEGAL(TECHNICAL,/DESIG
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-2, Definitions, and
Section 31-5, Jurisdiction and Application, define a
subdivision as "all divisions of a tract ... into one (1) or
more lots,...sites, or other divisions for the purpose ... for
sale of building development, and shall include all
divisions... involving the need for new access (or) a new
street..." Both division, however, exclude "the division of
land into parcels greater than five (5) acres, provided each
newly created lot or parcel has minimum lot frontage on a
dedicated public street...."
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-231, states that
"every lot shall abut upon a public street, except where
private streets are explicitly approved...."
Section 31-396 of the Subdivision Ordinance states that "in
all subdivisions..., the subdivider shall install, at his
own expense, or to have installed by the appropriate public
utility certain specified improvements .... 11 The sections
which follow list the "specified improvements as: streets,
curb and gutters, water supply, sanitary sewage disposal
(public system or appropriate individual private system
where applicable), storm drainage, sidewalks, street
lighting, fire hydrants, etc.
Section 31-36 and the following sections of the Subdivision
Ordinance require a plat review and approval process to
include the preparation, review, and approval of a
preliminary plat for all subdivisions of land, installation
of the required improvements and monuments, and the filing
of a final plat and Bill of Assurance.
E. ANALYSIS:
The original and subsequent owner of the 15-acre tract, who
have sold two parcels of less than 5 acres each, one of
which does not abut a public street, are in technical
violation of the Subdivision Ordinance in the areas cited
above. The applicant simply bought a parcel of land and
arranged a VA loan for the purchase of the land and
4
September 7, 1993
ITEM 7 n in FILE NO.: S-991
construction of a home for himself, but has hit the
proverbial "brick wall" in an attempt to get the permits
necessary to proceed with his plan. The applicant, in
apparent good faith, and relying on the expertise of
professionals in the real estate business, bought the land
through a licensed real estate agent who should have known
that the transaction would produce a subdivision which is in
technical violation of the Subdivision Ordinance. The
surveyor should have know. The title or abstract company
should have known. The Circuit Clerk and Recorder's office
should have know. The VA appraiser should have known. The
applicant, though, is the one who is suffering the
consequences of professionals not warning him that what he
was doing would not be permitted.
-:-[.----
Staff recommends approval of the waiver of the Subdivision
Ordinance requirements for this one individual applicant so
that he may construct his home on the 4-acre tract.
BQIVY I N COMMITTEE COMMENT: (August 5, 1993)
Staff presented the background of the applicant's situation and
request, and indicated that the item was being presented to the
Committee as an "add -on" item to the Committee agenda which would
be placed on the September 7 Planning Commission agenda. The
Committee reviewed the special circumstances of the request, and
forwarded the application to the full Commission for review.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (September 7, 1993)
The applicant was present. Staff presented the request and
outlined the sequence of events which led up to the current
situation. The applicant indicated that Staff's presentation
reflected the situation in which the applicant found himself.
without further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to
recommend approval of the waivers and variance to the Board of
Directors. The motion passed with 8 ayes, no nays, and 3 absent.
5
September 7, 1993
ITEM NO.; 7 (Continued) FILE NO.; S-991
construction of a home for himself, but has hit the
proverbial "brick wall" in an attempt to get the permits
necessary to proceed with his plan. The applicant, in
apparent good faith, and relying on the expertise of
professionals in the real estate business, bought the land
through a licensed real estate agent who should have known
that the transaction would produce a subdivision which is in
technical violation of the Subdivision Ordinance. The
surveyor should have know. The title or abstract company
should have known. The Circuit Clerk and Recorder's office
should have know. The VA appraiser should have known. The
applicant, though, is the one who is suffering the
consequences of professionals not warning him that what he
was doing would not be permitted.
F. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the waiver of the Subdivision
Ordinance requirements for this one individual applicant so
that he may construct his home on the 4-acre tract.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (August 5, 1993)
Staff presented the background of the applicant's situation and
request, and indicated that the item was being presented to the
Committee as an "add -on" item to the Committee agenda which would
be placed on the September 7 Planning Commission agenda. The
Committee reviewed the special circumstances of the request, and
forwarded the application to the full Commission for review.
PLANNINQ COMMI SION ACTION: (September 7, 1993)
The applicant was present. Staff presented the request and
outlined the sequence of events which led up to the current
situation. The applicant indicated that Staff's presentation
reflected the situation in which the applicant found himself.
Without further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to
recommend approval of the waivers and variance to the Board of
Directors. The motion passed with 8 ayes, no nays, and 3 absent.
5
ORDINANCE NO. 16,493
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 31 OF THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LITTLE
ROCK, ARKANSAS, PROVIDING FOR A WAIVER OF
ALL SUBDIVISION REGULATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR PROPERTY IN THE NW 1/4 NE 1/4,
SECTION 15, T-1-S, R-13-W, PULASKI COUNTY,
ARKANSAS AND LOCATED AT 9505 ALEXANDER
ROAD (S-991).
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
SECTION 1. That Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances
be amended to provide for a waiver of requirements within
the Subdivision Regulations of the City of Little Rock for
the following described property.
A parcel of land in the NW 1/4 NE 1/4, Section 15,
T-1-S, R-13-W, located at 9505 Alexander Road (S-991),
and more particularly described as follows:
Beginning at a point 3631 south of the NE corner of
said NW 1/4 NE 1/4, thence south 600.81, thence S
880231 W 2901, thence N 600.81, thence N 880231 E 2901
to the POB, containing 4.0 acres, more or less,
together with a 201 ingress -egress easement described
as follows: Beginning 2241 west of the NE corner of
the NW 1/4 NE 1/4, Section 15, T-1-S, R-13-W, thence S
20411 W 363.41, thence S 880231 W 201, thence N 20411E
363.41, thence N 880231E 201 to the POB.
Subsection a. That Chapter 31, Section 31-36 through
Section 31-177 be amended to waive the requirements for
a preliminary plat review and approval process,
installation of required improvements and monuments,
and the filling of a final plat and Bill of Assurance.
Subsection b. That Chapter 31, Section 396 be amended
to waive the requirements for the subdivider to install
specified improvements to include streets, curb and
gutters, water supply, sanitary sewage disposal, storm
drainage, sidewalks, street lighting, fire hydrants,
etc.
Subsection c. That Chapter 31, Section 31-231, Section
31-2, and Section 31-5 be amended to waive the
requirement for every lot to abut upon a public street
except where private streets are explicitly approved.
Subsection d. That Chapter 31, Section 31-2 and
Section 31-5 be amended to waive the requirement that
all divisions of a tract into one (1) or more lots,
sites, or other divisions which are greater than five
(5) acres, provided each newly created lot or parcel
has minimum lot frontage on a dedicated public street,
be defined as a subdivision and be required to conform
to the Subdivision Regulations of the City of Little
Rock, Arkansas.
SECTION 2. This ORDINANCE shall take effect
immediately upon its passage.
PASSED: Septenber 21, 1993
ATTEST:
Robbie Hancock
City Clerk
APPROVED:
Jesse Mason, Jr.
Vice Mavor
September 7, 1993
IT 7 FILE -
NAME: 9505 Alexander Road - Subdivision Ordinance Waiver
LOCATION: Approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road, off
the end of the paved section of Alexander Road approximately
1,000 feet east of Sardis Road, at 9505 Alexander Road.
DEVELOPER:
ENGINEER•
JOE WATERS EDWARD LOFTON
6507 Fourche Dam Pike 15415 Oakcrest
Little Rock, AR 72206 Little Rock, AR 72206
490-0695 888-5232
ARE : 4.0 ACRES NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0
ZONING: R-2 PROPOSED USE: Single Family Residential
PLANNING DISTRICT: 15
CENSUS TRACT: 41.04
VARIANCEVARIANCE19 RE E TED:
1. Waiver of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements to include:
a) the requirement to present for approval a preliminary
and final plat of the 4-acre tract owned by the applicant;
b) the requirement to provide frontage for the lot on a
public street; and c) the requirement to provide for the
construction of public or private street improvements to the
lot.
2. Variance from the Water Utilities guideline which would
require a frontage on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and
permit a frontage of 20 feet.
STATEMENT OF PROPOSAL:
The applicant states that in the summer of 1992, he purchased a
4-acre tract of land which lies approximately 330 feet south of
Alexander Road, with access to Alexander Road by way of a 20-foot
access easement across property retained by the seller. The
applicant relates that the property is part of a 15-acre tract
out of which two tracts have now been divided, one in 1990 and
the applicant's in 1992. IN 1990, a 1.64 acre site was sold
which fronts on an un-opened portion of the Alexander Road right-
of-way and which gains access to the improved portion of
Alexander Road by way of a 35-foot access easement along the west
side of the property on property retained by the seller. This
tract is immediately north of the applicant's tract and lies
September 7, 1993
ITEM NO, 7 (�i�zued) FILE
between Alexander Road and the applicant's property. The
applicant's 20-foot access easement to Alexander Road is within
the 35-foot access easement granted to the lot previously sold.
The seller of the applicant's tract, as well as the owner/seller
of the previously sold tract have, in effect, been subdividing
their property in violation of the Subdivision Ordinance, and
have created lots which do not abut improved streets. The
applicant, in making application for a building permit to
construct his home on the tract he purchased, has been confronted
with the situation that he is unable to gain approval for a
building permit or to obtain public utility services.
The Subdivision Ordinance provides that minimum 5-acre tracts
may, if they have frontage of a public street, be sold from
larger tracts without complying with the Ordinance. The
applicant maintains that he has not been able, because of
financial limitations and restrictions imposed by his VA loan, to
purchase an additional acre of land. Instead, he proposes that a
waiver be granted of all Subdivision Ordinance requirements which
relate to his situation, and he be permitted to construct his
home on the 4-acre tract "as is", with the tract not abutting a
street and his having access to the property by way of the 20-
foot access easement.
Water Utilities requires that, for the tract to have service from
the water main in Alexander road, the tract must have frontage on
Alexander Road. The amount of frontage required by Water
Utilities guidelines is based on a ratio of 15:1 depth of lot to
width of frontage. For the applicant to have service from the
Alexander Road main, then, based on the depth of his tract, he
would have to have frontage of 64.25 feet. Water Utility's
minimum frontage is 20 feet. The applicant proposes, that, if he
is able to acquire ownership of the 20-foot access easement for
frontage, a variance be granted by the Board of Directors to
allow the 20-foot frontage to suffice in lieu of the 64.25 foot
requirement based on the 15:1 ratio.
A. PRQPQSALIREQPEbS :
The applicant requests review by the Planning Commission and
approval by the Board of Directors for a waiver from all
Subdivision Ordinance requirements relative to the 4-acre
tract he purchased in 1992 and on which he proposes to
construct a home. He requests a waiver from the Subdivision
Ordinance requirement which would require a preliminary -
then -final plat of his 4-acre lot, or its inclusion in a
plat of the entire 15-acre tract from which his site is
derived. He requests a waiver from the requirement which
would require that his lot abut a public street or that
street improvements be provided by him or by the seller of
2
September 7, 1993
ITEM NO,: 7 (Continued) FILE NO.: E-291
the tracts to his particular lot or to the boundary street
(Alexander Road) to the 15-acre tract.
The applicant requests, if he is able to obtain ownership of
the easement by which he now gains access to his property,
approval by the Board of Directors of a variance from the
Water Utilities guideline which would require, in order to
have water service from the Alexander Road main, a frontage
on Alexander Road of 64.25 feet and permit frontage of
20 feet.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The site is approximately 330 feet south of Alexander Road
and 1,000 feet east of Sardis Road. Alexander road "dead -
ends" at the access easement which provides access to this
site and the abutting property which lies between the
applicant's property and Alexander Road. Besides the home
on the 1.64-acre site lying between the applicant's tract
and Alexander Road, there are scattered homesites on large
tracts on both sides of Alexander Road from Sardis Road east
to the dead-end of Alexander Road. Immediately west of the
applicant's tract is a large ravine which is heavily wooded
and overgrown. The applicant's site is pasture land with
scattered trees and medium height grasses. There is no
development beyond, to the east and south, of the property.
The zoning of the applicant's and all surrounding property
is R-2.
C. ENGINEERINGIQTILITY COMMENTS:
Engineering Division indicates that it will not comment on
this request.
Little Rock Water Works reports that water service is
available on Alexander Road; however, in order for the
applicant's lot to receive service, either the lot will have
to have at least a minimum 64.25 foot frontage on Alexander
Road or a water main will have to be extended by the
applicant to the property. The 64.25 foot frontage
requirement is based on the Water Works guideline which
requires a 15:1 depth -to -width ratio for the property. The
Water Works guideline permits a variance from this ratio if
it is approved by the Board of Directors. Water Works also
reports that water service will not be permitted unless the
proposed structure is within 450 feet of an approved fire
hydrant. Water Works reports that a pro-rata front footage
charge of $15.00 per foot of frontage on Alexander Road will
apply, in addition to the normal connection fee. Water
Works adds that if the applicant cannot obtain the required
frontage on Alexander Road, or his proposed home is beyond
3
September 7, 1993
ITEM. N4- _ 7 (Cant,ini�gd) _ FILE NO.: 5-991
450 feet to the fire hydrant on Alexander Road, he will be
required to install a water main to his property in a
minimum 150-foot utility easement, and install a private
fire hydrant.
Wastewater Utility reports that sewer service is not
available to the lot without major main extensions of at
least 1,000 feet uphill from the west or in excess of 1,500
feet to the east.
D. ISSUES/LEGAL/TECHNICAL./DESIGN:
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-2, Definitions, and
Section 31-5, Jurisdiction and Application, define a
subdivision as "all divisions of a tract ... into one (1) or
more lots,...sites, or other divisions for the purpose ... for
sale of building development, and shall include all
divisions... involving the need for new access (or) a new
street ... ° Both division, however, exclude "the division of
land into parcels greater than five (5) acres, provided each
newly created lot or parcel has minimum lot frontage on a
dedicated public street...."
The Subdivision Ordinance, Section 31-231, states that
"every lot shall abut upon a public street, except where
private streets are explicitly approved...."
Section 31-396 of the Subdivision Ordinance states that "in
all subdivisions..., the subdivider shall install, at his
own expense, or to have installed by the appropriate public
utility certain specified improvements...." The sections
which follow list the "specified improvements as: streets,
curb and gutters, water supply, sanitary sewage disposal
(public system or appropriate individual private system
where applicable), storm drainage, sidewalks, street
lighting, fire hydrants, etc.
Section 31-36 and the following sections of the Subdivision
Ordinance require a plat review and approval process to
include the preparation, review, and approval of a
preliminary plat for all subdivisions of land, installation
of the required improvements and monuments, and the filing
of a final plat and Bill of Assurance.
E. AR YOIS:
The original and subsequent owner of the 15-acre tract, who
have sold two parcels of less than 5 acres each, one of
which does not abut a public street, are in technical
violation of the Subdivision Ordinance in the areas cited
above. The applicant simply bought a parcel of land and
arranged a VA loan for the purchase of the land and
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