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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCover Letter 102424Donald K. Campbell, III, P.A. Kendel W. Grooms, P.A.' Parker L. Spaulding, P.A. C. Pierce Caviness t Randall L. Gammill A Licensed in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Court of Federal Claims t Located in Hazen Office at 113 N. Livermore, Hazen, AR 72064 A Designated Of Counsel for Hazen Office CGS CAMPBELL, GROOMS & SPAULDING ATTORNEYS AT LAw October 14, 2024 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 8114 Cantrell Road, Suite 100 Little Rock, AR 72227 Attorneys at Law Tel: (501) 313-4967 Fax: (501) 313-4968 kendel@cgsFirm.com Jane C. Groves, Paralegal Re: Zoning Change Application - Anchor Realty Investments LLC Right -of -Way Abandonment Application - Anchor Realty Investments LLC Blocks 8 and 9 of Pankey's 3rd Addition to the City of Little Rock Dear Commissioners and Staff: Presented on behalf of Anchor Realty Investments LLC are two (2) related applications: (a) to formally request the rezoning of specific lots within the city, currently zoned for R-2 use, to permit the development of restaurants in the area; and (b) to abandon two rights -of -way that divide Blocks 8 and 9 so as to prevent them being utilized as a single parcel. This proposal aims to continue the development and mixed uses up and down the Highway 10 corridor for the benefit of those residing in the area, those working in the area, and those citizens performing their daily commutes through the area. IMPORTANT NOTE: The Exhibit "A" which marks the existing rights -of -way contains the letters A, B, C and D. Those letters match up with the corresponding sections of the legal descriptions included with the application. The application for abandonment ONLY applies to seeking the abandonment of the right-of-way marked "A" that is just north of Block 9 and just south of Block 8, and the right-of-way marked `B" that is the 10-foot alley dividing the separate halves of Block 8. The abandonment application does NOT seek to abandon the eastern right- of-way marked "C" or the northern right-of-way marked "D". Should there be conditions or recommendations in relation to the proposed development adjacent to and that would benefit those rights -of -way marked "C and "D", we are open to working with the City as to the completion and satisfactions of those conditions so that the applications for rezoning and abandonment may be accomplished. That being said, the main point of this paragraph was to reinforce that abandonment is only sought as to the "A" and `B" rights -of -way, and not the others. The others are marked simply for identification in the legal descriptions. Project Overview: The project envisions the conversion of two vacant, residential blocks into a single parcel for development of two quick -service restaurants on the site with direct access to and from Highway 10/Cantrell Road. Pulaski County Title Building 0 Campbell, Grooms & Spaulding PLLC 0 kendel@cgsfirm.com Page 2 d 3 Reasons for Rezoning: 1. Community Demand and Growth: Little Rock, and particularly the Highway 10/ Cantrell area, has experienced significant growth due to its desirable location and conveniences. It is so that the increase in traffic has prompted the Arkansas State Highway Commission to undertake several large projects which make Highway 10 much more of a commercial thoroughfare and arterial highway than directly servicing residences that are accessed immediately off of Highway 10/Cantrell. For example, 0.32 miles to the west of the property in question is PD-O zoning, with numerous lots in the adjacent area also zoned PCD, PD-C, C3, and 03. The same continues to the west on both sides of Highway 10/Cantrell. It is clear that the future of Highway 10/Cantrell is to have commercial and office developments immediately along the highway, and for residential growth to occur in the blocks and areas further off of the main highway behind the office and commercial developments. This is the predominant pattern in the area. Directly across the street from the property in question is POD zoning, which extends easter into another large grouping of parcels zoned POD, PD-0, and 03. Approximately 0.48 miles to the east is a PCD development, and 0.91 miles to the east is Pleasant Ridge Town Center along with its surrounding parcels, all of which are zoned PD-C, C2, 03, PCD, and 02. As to residential property, going east between the property in question to Pleasant Ridge Town Center, there is only a single area of multi -family development and there is an undeveloped parcel of PD-R. Everything else directly adjacent to the highway is zoned for office or commercial use. As to residential property, going west between the property and the nearest office and commercial development, there is the remainder of the Pankey subdivision, most of which is either abandoned or undeveloped, especially on the northern side of Highway 10/Cantrell. It is also notable that the property in question is on the eastern side of the R2 zoned Pankey subdivision. Thus, it is not as if a rezoning will be accomplished if these applications are approved that would put a commercial development in the middle of a residential subdivision. 2. Economic Growth: The project aims to stimulate further economic growth in the area, as the rezoning and abandonment will attract new businesses, will increase local spending, will create jobs, and will contribute to the City's tax base. 3. Enhanced Property Values: Because of the Economic Growth, the area surrounding the property will achieve higher valuations due to other development possibilities, especially as to those properties that are immediately adjacent to Highway 10/Cantrell. 4. Community Standards and Regulations: Should these properties be rezoned and leases for further commercial development, our leases and the conditions of those leases will be put in place to protect the public so as not to allow poorly designed improvements, failure to comply with City ordinances, or any other matter that might negatively impact the surrounding properties. We would also commit to green space as required by the City Pulaski County Title Building o Campbell, Grooms & Spaulding PLLC o kendel@cgsRrm.com Page 3 of 3 Beautiful Commission in any development, especially considering that the land to the east of this property is a City Park. Such green space, even though not shown on the site plan included, could be along the eastern property line adjacent to the right-of-way on the eastern side that is not being requested to be abandoned. Conclusion We believe that our proposal aligns with the city's development goals and the Highway 10/ Cantrell corridor's best interests towards future development. We are prepared to work closely with the city planning department to address any concerns and to ensure that our development meets all required standards and regulations. We kindly request your consideration of our rezoning application and would appreciate any guidance on how to proceed effectively. Thank you for considering this proposal. We look forward to the opportunity to contribute positively to Little Rock's development. You may direct any additional questions or requests for information to my office as the representative for the property owner. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, Q U. NOW61- Kendel W. Grooms On behalf of: Alan Bubbus Anchor Realty Investments LLC Pulaski County Title Building 0 Campbell, Grooms & Spaulding PLLC ® kendel@cgsfirm.com