HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report for Z-10048October 10, 2024
ITEM NO.: 26 FILE NO. Z-10048
NAME: Providence Properties STR-2 – PD-C
LOCATION: 719 N. Spruce Street
AUTHORIZED AGENT:
Tara Masiello (Agent)
612 Tweed Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76131
OWNER:
Daniel Bryant
319 President Clinton Ave
Little Rock, AR 72201
SURVEYOR/ENGINEER:
Brooks Surveying, Inc.
20820 Arch Street Pike
Hensley, AR 72065
(501) 888-5336
AREA: .16-acre NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF
WARD: 3 PLANNING DISTRICT: 4 CENSUS TRACT: 15.01
CURRENT ZONING: R-2
VARIANCE/WAIVERS: None requested.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT’S STATEMENT:
The applicant proposes to rezone 0.61 acre site located at 719 Spruce Street 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 structure will be rented as one unit. The owner
will not reside at the residence.
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ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10048
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B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The property consists of a 1,302 square foot wood frame residential structure with
two bedrooms and one bath. A concrete driveway provides parking for one car.
The request is in the Heights/Hillcrest Planning District. Future land use map
shows the North and East of the application site along Kavanaugh Boulevard is
Commercial Density (C). South and West of the application site is Residential Low
Density (RL).
C. NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATIONS:
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.
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ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10048
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Planning Division:
The request is in the Heights/Hillcrest Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows
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 application is for a Planned
Development-Commercial (PD-C) to allow use as a Short-Term Rental (STR-2).
The Land Use to the North and East of the application site along Kavanaugh
Boulevard is Commercial Density (C). South and West of the application site is
Residential Low Density (RL).
Zoning to the north and east along both sides of Kavanaugh Boulevard is General
Commercial (C-3). The application site and all properties to the south and west
are zoned Single Family (R-2).
This property is located within the Hillcrest Residents Association and the Save
Hillcrest Neighborhood Association.
The subject site is located in the Hillcrest Design Overlay District (Ord. 20223).
North and adjacent to the site is a pending application for a PD-C STR-2 (Z-10041).
Parking may be a concern. Site plan states parking additional parking on the
adjacent property owned by Hillcrest Group is available. The Hillcrest Group
property has a pending STR-2 application that may already require parking
analysis. Furthermore, a parking agreement may be needed between Hillcrest
Group and Providence Properties.
Master Street Plan:
N Spruce Street 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.
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ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10048
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ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10048
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Bicycle Plan:
N Spruce Street is not shown on the Master Bike Plan with existing or proposed
facilities in this area.
Historic Preservation Plan:
This property is located in the Hillcrest National Register Historic District.
H. ANALYSIS:
The applicant proposes to rezone 0.61-acre site located at 719 Spruce Street 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 structure will be rented as one unit. The owner
will not reside at the residence.
The property consists of a 1,302 square foot wood frame residential structure with
two bedrooms and one bath. A concrete driveway provides parking for one car.
The request is in the Heights/Hillcrest Planning District. Future land use map
shows the North and East of the application site along Kavanaugh Boulevard is
Commercial Density (C). South and West of the application site is Residential Low
Density (RL).
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,
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ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10048
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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.
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.
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ITEM NO.: 26 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10048
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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.
The applicant stated there was no bill of assurance for this property. There have
been no Department of Planning & Development enforcement cases nor any police
reports for this property. This property has not previously been in operation as a
Short-Term Rental.
Currently the City of Little Rock Department of Planning and Development has one
hundred six (106) 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 eleven (11) approved STR
applications within 1/4 mile of the application site.
Staff is not supportive of the requested rezoning from R-2 to PD-C. Staff does not
believe the request is reasonable and that the proposed PD-C use is not
appropriate for this location. Staff feels that parking is not sufficient, and traffic
issues are a concern. There have been objections from the surrounding neighbors
with concerns about unsustainable increased traffic and congestion on a
residential street, increased noise, and reduced marketability and home valuations
of current homes on N. Spruce Street.
I. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends denial of the PD-C zoning request.