HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report for Z-10102December 12, 2024
ITEM NO.: 22 FILE NO.: Z-10102
NAME: Liberton - STR-2’s – PD-C
LOCATION: 2005 West 17th Street
2005-A West 17th Street
OWNER:
Britni Liberton (Owner)
10611 San Joaquin Valley Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72212
SURVEYOR/ENGINEER:
Harbor
5800 Evergreen Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72205
AREA: .17-acre NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF
WARD: 1 PLANNING DISTRICT: 8 CENSUS TRACT: 45
CURRENT ZONING: R-2
VARIANCE/WAIVERS: None requested.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT’S STATEMENT:
The applicant proposes to rezone a .17-acre property located at 2005 West 17 th
Street from R-2 to PD-C to allow use of the primary house and an accessory
dwelling to both be used as Short-Term Rental-2 with a maximum stay of twenty-
nine (29) days. The owner will not reside in the residence.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The property is occupied by a 2,019 square foot, three bedroom, and two bath
house and a studio apartment located in the rear of the property. The request is
in the Central City Planning District. The Future Land Use surrounding the
application area is Residential Low Density (RL).
December 12, 2024
ITEM NO.: 22 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10102
2
The application site and all surrounding properties to the north, east, and west are
zoned Single Family (R-2). To the south, all properties are zoned Multi-Family
(MF-24).
This property is in the Central High Neighborhood Association.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
All owners of property located within 300 feet of the site and all neighborhood
associations registered with the City of Little Rock were notified of the public
hearing.
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: No comments.
E. UTILITIES/FIRE DEPARTMENT/PARKS/COUNTY PLANNING:
Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority: No comments.
Entergy: No comments received.
Summit Utilities: No comments.
AT & T: No comments received.
Central Arkansas Water: Please reference instrument number for 20’ water
easement shown.
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.
December 12, 2024
ITEM NO.: 22 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10102
3
Planning Division:
The request is in the Central City Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows
Residential Low Density (RL) for the requested area. The Residential Low Density
(RL) category provides for single family homes at densities not to exceed 6
dwelling units per acre. Such residential development is typically characterized by
conventional single family homes but may also include patio or garden homes and
cluster homes, provided that the density remains less than 6 units per acre. The
application is to rezone from R-2 to PD-C. STR-2
The Land Use surrounding the application area is Residential Low Density (RL).
The application site and all surrounding properties are zoned Single Family (R-3).
This property is in the Central High Neighborhood Association.
Master Street Plan:
W 17th 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.
Bicycle Plan:
The Master Bike Plan Map does not show existing or proposed facilities in this
area.
December 12, 2024
ITEM NO.: 22 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10102
4
December 12, 2024
ITEM NO.: 22 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10102
5
Historic Preservation Plan:
The application, as shown, contains the J. R. Fletcher House at 2005 W. 17 th
Street, a Contributing structure within the Central High School Neighborhood
Historic District, Arkansas Architectural Resource Form (AARF) survey number
PU3833. Constructed in 1929 in the English Revival style, the residence
contributes to the historic qualities and character of the Central High School
Neighborhood Historic District.
The Historic Preservation Plan advocates for the increased effectiveness and
coordination with the review of development plans. Staff advocates that any
exterior alterations or improvements required by the development standards for
short-term rentals pursuant to Sec. 36-306 consider the retention and repair of
historic fabric to achieve these requirements. The property is listed in the National
Register of Historic Places as a Contributing structure to a historic district and is
eligible for state and federal historic tax credits, potentially receiving 30-55% back
in tax credits on all eligible expenses for rehabilitation costs.
H. ANALYSIS:
The applicant proposes to rezone a .17-acre property located at 2005 West 17 th
Street from R-2 to PD-C to allow use of the primary house and an accessory
dwelling to both be used as Short-Term Rental-2 with a maximum stay of twenty-
nine (29) days. The owner will not reside in the residence.
The property is occupied by a 2,019 square foot, three bedroom, and two bath
house and a studio apartment located in the rear of the property. The request is
in the Central City Planning District. The Future Land Use surrounding the
application area is Residential Low Density (RL).
This property is in the Central High Neighborhood Association.
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.
December 12, 2024
ITEM NO.: 22 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10102
6
3. The Occupancy Fee may include any meal to be served to paying
guests; no other meal service is permitted.
4. Allowable signage is that as permitted by the Single-Family
Residential Standard.
5. Parking plan must be provided with permit application. Off-Street
Standard for STRs shall be provided in accordance with Little Rock
Arkansas Code, Chapter 36 36-54 (e) (1). If on-street parking is
proposed as an alternative to meet the above requirements,
parking must be available for guest use within 330 feet of the STR
and parking plan must address neighborhood impact. If the STR is
proposed within a Design Overlay District, any alternate parking
requirements, as provided in Little Rock, Arkansas Rev. Code,
Chapter 36. Zoning, Article V. District Regulations shall be
applicable.
6. Applicants shall provide a scaled floor plan that includes all of the
rooms available for rent with location of windows, doors, and
smoke detectors identified. Smoke detectors (certified) are
required in all sleeping areas, in every room in the path of the
means of egress from the sleeping area to the exit, and in each
story with sleeping unit, including basements.
7. All sleeping areas must have two (2) ways of egress, one of which
can be an operable window.
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.
December 12, 2024
ITEM NO.: 22 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-10102
7
12. Five (5)-pound ABC-type extinguisher shall be mounted where
readily accessible.
13. No recreational vehicles, buses, or trailers shall be visible on the
street or property in conjunction with the Bed and Breakfast
House/Short-Term Rental use.
14. Principal renter shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
15. Maximum occupancy. Maximum occupancy of any room or
structure as a whole shall be determined by the Arkansas Fire
Prevention Code.
16. Simultaneous rental to more than one party under separate
contracts shall not be allowed.
17. The owner shall not receive any compensation or remuneration to
permit occupancy of a STR for a period of less than a one (1)-day
rental.
All trash pick-up shall comply with requirements for residential one–and two-family
residential zones.
The applicant provided responses and additional information to all issues raised
during staff’s review of the application. The applicant is requesting no variances
with the PD-C zoning request.
There is a bill of assurance for this property, but it is illegible. There have been no
Department of Planning & Development enforcement cases nor any police reports
for this property. The studio apartment has been in operation as a Short-Term
Rental since 2021. The property owners will be using the primary residence as an
STR if this application is approved.
There is ample parking. There is a two-car garage with a driveway long enough
to accommodate another 3-6 vehicles.
Currently the City of Little Rock Department of Planning and Development as 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 two approved STR’s
located within ¼ mile of this site.
I. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the PD-C zoning request for both 2005 West 17th
Street and 2005-A West 17th Street subject to compliance with the comments and
conditions noted in paragraph E and the staff analysis of the agenda staff report.