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HomeMy WebLinkAboutS-0065-SS Staff Analysis1. Meeting Date: August 3, 1993 2. Case No.: 5-65-LL 3. Reauest: Relief from the requirement to construct one-half of the perimeter minor arterial street to full standard, involving constructing one-half of a 60 foot paved street with curb and gutter, and permit the construction of one-half of a 36 foot open ditch street section. 4. Location: In St. Charles Addition, beyond the present west end of Adour Drive off Chamberry Drive 5. Owner/Avvlicant: Winrock Development Co. 6. Existing Status: The minor arterial for which the waiver is requested is along the west boundary of an additional area being developed as St. Charles Addition. The developer is proposing to align the center line of the designated minor arterial on the development's west property line, and proposes to construct the half of the street which lies on the development's property. The waiver involves the amount of the street section which the developer will be required to construct. The Planning Commission approved the Preliminary Plat for the Addition with the strong recommendation to the Board of Directors that the developer be required to construct the minor arterial to full standards as established in the Master Street Plan and Subdivision Ordinance. 7. Proposed Use: Single-family residential 8. Staff Recommendation: Denial of the waiver 9. Planning Commission Recommendation: Denial of the waiver 10. Conditions or Issues Remaining to be Resolved: The proposed alignment of the perimeter minor arterial does not conform to the alignment previously established. The developer must seek abandonment of the previous alignment and must return to the previous alignment prior to the street exiting the development's property limits. The area represented by the proposed subdivision plat is outside the city limits. Action is under way, it is understood, to seek annexation by the developer of this area, and in order for the subdivision to have access to city water, the subdivision must be annexed. 11. Right-of-wav zssues: None except as noted above 12. R ommend Lion Forwarded With: A vote of 10 ayes, no nays, and one absent 13. Obiectors: None 14. Neighborhood Plan: Chenal (19) W : a9 'I August 29, 1978 Item No. 14 Name: Towne Park Location: Northwest corner of Reservoir Road and Treasure Hill Road. Immediately across from Prestige Addition. Developer Danny Thomas Company Third and Gaines Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone Number: 374-2231 Area: 5.6 Acres Zoning: "MF-24" Planning District: 24 Census Tract: 22.02 Variances Requested: Edward G. Smith and Associates 401 victory Street Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone Number: 374-1666 No. Lots: 14 Ft. of St.: 800 Pro Uses: Duplex and Apartments 1. Double frontage lots. 11 2. 20 foot building line setback on interior lots. 3. 20 foot pavement on a one-way loop street. 4. Sideyards to be platted at eight feet and ten feet (where common drives are located) rather than as required by the "MF--24" zoning district. A. Existing Conditions: I. Physical site characteristics The site lies adjacent to a hillcrest on Reservoir Road from which it slopes away to the west as much as 18 percent. An existing farm pond has been drained and will be filled. No watercourses or drainage run onto the site. Underbrush has been cleared, and there is light tree cover. 2. Existin 2ublic facilities and services Reservoir Road at this point is now built to county road standard and has a vertical curve alignment which must be lowered at the time of improvement to City standards. Treasure Hill Road exists on the south and, for about 150 feet west of Reservoir, is built to a temporary standard in anticipation of �,/ the lowering of the grade of Reservoir Road. AN Item No. 14 continued... All utilities are available in the vicinity. McDermott School is adjacent on the north. Usual City services (fire, police, and sanitation) will be available. B. Development Proposal: 1. Site preparation There will be the usual clearing and grading of streets and building sites. 2. Project characteristics Lots will be developed with two-story duplexes and apartments of four, six, and eight units. One lot is proposed for two apartment sites of four and six units. A total of 66 units are proposed for a gross density of about 12 units per acre. The net density (excluding street) would be closer to 18 units per acre. It is proposed to plat interior setbacks as well as front building lines so as to avoid the need of Board of Adjustment action. Require side yards in the "MF" Districts equal building height. Platted interior setbacks will be: sides - 8 feet and 10 feet where common drives are located; rear - 24 feet. Common drives will serve parking for both adjacent lots and all parking will be to the rear. Double frontage lots are proposed along Reservoir Road and Treasure Hill Road. There will be no vehicular access committed to Reservoir. The interior street is proposed to have a standard width entrance with a one-way loop street in place of a cul-de-sac. The loop will have a 20-foot pavement and 40-foot right-of-way with parking prohibited. Side yard setbacks will be devoted to landscaping and open space except for drives and parking. On -site parking is proposed at a ratio of two spaces for each unit in duplexes and la spaces for each. apartment unit. 3. Provision for public facilities and services All boundary street and drainage requirements have been made previously. Interior streets and drainage are proposed to current standard. 4. Legal considerations The "MF"-portion of the Zoning Ordinance is written to accommodate large tract apartment developments. The interior Item No. 14 continued... yard requirements ("height of the adjacent building") do not relate to one lot development. Commission appro.val of specific platted setbacks override zoning requirements. Two off-street parking spaces are required for each two -bedroom unit in the "MF" Districts rather than 12 as proposed, thereby creating a possible conflict. This area is strictly the province of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. C. Analysis: 1. Double frontage lots in this case are superior since they restrict access to an arterial street. Reduced setbacks, as requested, are acceptable due to the inward orientation of the project and to the fact that they exceed those that would be required if the property were developed as a single parcel with multiple building sites and private access. The one-way loop street is proposed as an alternative to a conventional cul-de-sac. It is adequate provided it actually functions as a one-way street. The developer is willing to install a traffic island or divider to assure this. Two lots, which could be called double frontage lots, are on the interior of the loop. Both buildings are proposed to face outward with parking, and the back of each building oriented toward a common lot line, thereby presenting the best building faces to the street. Boundary street improvements have been previously deferred due to the grade problem on reservoir. These may be replaced by a cash contribution towards a public project to lower the grade and build full width improvements. D. Staff Recommendation: The staff recommends approval of a plat and variance request subject to: 1. Plat all building setbacks. 2. Designate both building sites on Lot 4. 3. Designate common drive easements. 4. Restrict vehicular access to Reservoir Road. 5. Designate maximum number of dwelling units for each lot. 6. Down -zone to the appropriate "MF" classification, to be initiated by the City. dw 7. Variances from off-street parking standards to require a Board of Adjustment action. ` Item No. 14 continued ... 8. Contribute cash equivalent to boundary street improvements. FJ WAd I4pr 9. Provide a traffic island, or other device, to assure one-way operation of the loop street, subject to approval by the Engineering Division. Subdivision Committee Recommendation: Noting that requirement for boundary street improvements by developers had been previously deferred or waived on Towne Oak, the Committee recommends approval according to staff recommendation, with the exceptions of Conditions 7 and 8. The City Attorney was asked to render a legal opinion at the regular session, August 29, regarding Planning Commission authority to waive off-street parking requirements. Commission Action The applicant was present. There were no objectors or letters of objection. The applicant agreed to all conditions in staff recommendation, except for condition number eight. The applicant adamantly opposed the idea of contributing cash to a boundary street escrow fund for Reservoir Road because such improvements on Reservoir have been uniformly waived in the past; the applicant reiterated that under the property's present zoning, 'IMF-24", the developer could build substantially more units, approximately 160 units, on the site instead of the 66 units presently proposed, and therefore, has made a considerable concession. Staff and two commissioners rebutted applicant's argument, stating that: 1.) Conditions on Reservoir Road have changed in such a way that waivers of boundary street improvements can no longer be justified; and 2.) Developers could not, and probably would not, build significantly more than the number of units presently proposed, 66 units, because apartments on a higher density site in that area are mass marketable. After considerable debate, a motion was made to recommend approval according to staff with the exception of condition number eight. The motion carried by a vote of: 6 ayes - 2 noes - 3 absent. July 13, 1993 ITEM NO.: 7 FIVE NO.: S-65-LL NAME: ST. CHARLES ADDITION, LOTS 962-1020 - PRELIMINARY PLAT LOCATION: Beyond the present west end of Adour Drive off Chamberry Drive DEVELOPER: ENGINEER• WINROCR DEVELOPMENT CO. WHITE-DATERS AND ASSOCIATES, INC. 2101 Brookwood Dr. 401 Victory St. Little Rock, AR 72203 Little Rock, AR 72201 663-5304 374-1666 AREA: 19.5 ACRES NUMBER OF LOTS: 59 FT. NEW STREET: 3200 ZONING: MF-6 PROPOSED USE: Single-family residential PLANNING DISTRICT: 19 CENSUS TRACT: 42.06 VARIANCES REQUESTED: Relief from the requirement to construct one-half of the designated perimeter minor arterial street to full standards and permit the construction of one-half of a 36 foot open ditch street section. STATEMENT OF PROPOSAL: The developer proposes the development of a 59 lot subdivision on 19.5 acres as an extension of the existing St. Charles development. Development is proposed to entail the construction of 3200 feet of new streets, 800 feet of which is designated as a future minor arterial street. The developer proposes to dedicate one-half of the required 90 foot right-of-way for this street. A minor arterial street is a 60 foot wide street section, including curbs and gutters in a 90 foot right-of-way, with sidewalks on both sides. The developer, though, proposes to construct one-half of a 36 foot street, without the curb and gutter. Construction of the sidewalk on this project's side of the right-of-way is proposed. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approval of the Planning Commission is requested for the preliminary plat for St. Charles VIIIt. Proposed is a 59 lot subdivision entailing the construction of 3200 feet of new streets. The site is 19.5 acres immediately to the west of the current St. Charles development and is an extension of that development. Included in this project is the construction of a portion of a future minor arterial street, and a variance from the full requirements for construction of this street is requested. Approval by the July 13, 1993 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO . 7 C ntinued FILE Board of Directors is requested for the variance from the requirement to construct one-half of a 60 foot wide curb and gutter minor arterial street section, and permit the construction of one-half of a 36 foot open ditch street section. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The site is presently undeveloped and is overgrown with natural vegetation and trees. Surrounding the site is undeveloped ground to the south, west, and north; to the east is the current St. Charles addition activity. The site is currently zoned "MF-611, but the developer is pursuing a re -zoning to 11R-2" in a later Planning Commission hearing. The existing St. Charles development to the east is zoned "R-2". To the west is an "OS" zone and "MF-12" beyond. To the south is the remainder of the 'IMF-6" zone with the newly platted "Chenal Commercial Park" beyond. To the north is all "R-2" area. C. ENGINEERING/UTILITY COMMENTS: Little Rock Engineering Division indicates that an "in -lieu of" contribution should be provided for the future arterial street. Engineering also reports that a sidewalk is to be constructed on Bellevue Drive, and that a single name for Bellevue as it is configured is unacceptable. PAGIS monuments are to be shown. Water Works reports that a main extension will be required. Reimbursement for previous last lot participation will apply of $33.89 per foot for 111 feet, or $3,761.79. An acreage charge of $300 per acre applies. The land will have to be annexed to the City prior to Water Works entering into a contract to install the mains. Wastewater Utility reports that a sewer main, with easement, will be required. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and Arkansas Power and Light Company indicate that additional easements will be required. ARKLA and the Fire Department have approved the submittal without comment. D. ISSUES ILEGALITECHNICAL/DESIGN: The area of the proposed development is outside the city limits. Annexation must be accomplished. In previous action, when the Shackleford property was zoned as a large planning tract, an alignment for the future minor arterial was dedicated. This previously dedicated 2 July 13, 1993 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7 Continued FILE NO.: S-55-LL right-of-way does not align with the location shown on the current plat. An abandonment of the previous alignment and a dedication of the new alignment must be accomplished. Any new alignment must be coordinated with all adjoining property owners. The developer proposes to construct the portion of the future minor arterial which runs along the west boundary of the proposed subdivision to less -than arterial standards. It is proposed that one-half of a collector width street, without the curb and gutter, be constructed, with responsibility for completing the street to standard being borne by the City or Improvement District at a later date. This practice is in keeping with an agreement reached with the developer of Charleston Heights in April, 1993. The preliminary plat, as submitted, is incomplete. The Owner and the Engineering Certifications are not completed. The source of the contours is not shown. The names of adjacent subdivisions, giving the book and page number of their recording, or the names of landowners on unplatted land, is not complete. The existing zoning of the land is not shown. E. ANALYSIS: Most of the deficiencies cited for the drawings are minimal and can be easily corrected by the engineer. The request for a variance on the construction of the minor arterial, however, needs careful review. The relocation of the minor arterial alignment requires review and coordination with adjoining property owners. The annexation issue and the rezoning issue need to be assured. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of stipulation that half of the lying within the boundary of to full standard. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT the preliminary plat, with the minor arterial, that portion the subdivision, be constructed (MAY 13, 1993) Mr. Joe White, the engineer of this development, was present. Staff presented the item and Mr. White outlined the request. Mr. White explained the need to change the alignment of the minor arterial, and showed the Committee members the proposed realignment's extension to the north and south, noting that the proposed re -alignment would return to the original alignment before it affects any other property. He indicated that rezoning and annexation were in process. He also indicated that he would 3 July 13, 1993 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7 Continued FILE NO.: 5--65-LL pursue abandonment of the previously dedicated right-of-way for the minor arterial and handle the platting of the new alignment. The Committee reviewed the discussion outline requirements, and Mr. White indicated that he would make the corrections noted. He also indicated that he felt that the loop street qualified as a minor residential street, and, therefore, did not require a sidewalk. There was concern noted by the Committee that the Commission and Board of Directors need to review the change in policy of permitting a developer to construct a street shown on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial at a standard which is less than the Plan requires. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 13, 1993) Mr. Joe White of White-Daters and Associates, Inc. and Mr. Ron Tyne of Winrock Development Co. were present. Staff presented the item and indicated that the applicant had requested a variance to permit construction of one-half of the perimeter minor arterial street to less -than minor arterial standards, asking, instead, that in lieu of one-half of a 60 foot paved road, with curb and gutter, permission be granted to construct one half of a 36 foot paved street without the curb and gutter. The requested variance was discussed, with various Commissioners, staff members, the applicant, and the applicant's representative taking part. Deputy City Attorney Stephen Giles reported that, according to the Master Street Plan, which was passed as an ordinance by the Board of Directors, the City has the authority to require construction of the proposed minor arterial street to full standards, and that, contrary to a concern expressed at a previous Planning Commission hearing, imposing such a requirement does not constitute a "taking" issue. Director Jim Lawson indicated that the City and the State have no means of distributing the burden of constructing such arterial streets among all land owners who will eventually benefit from its construction; instead, the developer who happens to abut the alignment of the arterial street is responsible for its construction. There was a lengthy discussion among Commissioners regarding whether the requested variance should be recommended for approval or denial to the Board of Directors. Mr. Tyne indicated that it would be the developer's wish to pay an "in - lieu" fee for the construction of one-half of a collector width street without curb and gutter, but would, if required, pay a fee for one-half of the arterial standard street. He related that the arterial street is not needed for access to the subdivision at this time, in fact, is does not go anywhere. Mr. Giles advised the Commission that the Commission has the responsibility for approving the preliminary plat, but that the Board of Directors would hear any request for a variance. The Commission, he continued, could recommend to the Board either the approval or denial of the requested variance. 4 July 13, 1993 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7 (Continued) FILE NO.: S-65-LL A motion was made and seconded to approve the preliminary plat and to recommend to the Board that the developer either build or put up an "in -lieu" payment for one-half of the 60 foot minor arterial street with curb and gutter, according to the Master Street Plan standards. This.motion carried with 10 ayes and no nays. A