HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch Action Letter and Minutes
Department of Planning and Development
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501)371-4790 Fax: (501)371-4546
Planning
Development
Building Codes
Mr. Ronald Parks Sr. File No: Z-10108
53 Bently Cir Location: 53 Bentley Cir
Little Rock AR 72211 __________________ Issue: Reduced Rear Yard Setback
Date: March 31, 2025____
Dear Mr. Ronald Parks Sr. .
This is to advise you that in connection with your application, File No. _Z-10108_, the following action
was taken by the Board of Adjustment at its meeting on March 20, 2025_:
(a) ____ _ Approved the application as filed.
(b) X Approved the application with conditions.
(c) ________ Denied the application.
(d) ____ ___ Deferred the application to the Board of Adjustment Agenda meeting.
(e) ________ Withdrew the application.
(f) ____X___ See attached Board of Adjustment minute record for conditions.
(g) ________ Other: ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
If a variance application is approved by the Board of Adjustment, all permits necessary for the initiation of
work shall be obtained within two (2) years from the date of approval, unless an extension of time is granted
by the Board. Otherwise, the Board’s approval of the application shall be considered void.
According to the City’s Zoning Ordinance Section 36-70:
“Appeals from the decision of the Board of Adjustment shall be filed with the appropriate court of
jurisdiction. This filing must occur within thirty (30) calendar days of the action by the Board of
Adjustment.”
If you have questions, please call me at (501) 371-6821.
Sincerely,
_____________________________________________
Romie G. Price, Plans Development Administrator
RGP/ds
MARCH 20, 2025
ITEM NO. 4 Z-10108
1
File No.: Z-10108
Owners: Ronald G. Parks
Applicant: Ronald G. Parks
Address: 53 Bentley Drive
Legal Description: Lot 41, Bentley Court Addition to the City of Little Rock
Zoned: R-2
Present Use: Single-family Residence
Proposed Use: Single-family Residence
Variance(s) Requested: A variance is requested from area regulations of Sec. 36-254
to allow a reduced rear yard setback in the R-2 district.
A variance is requested from the area provisions of Section
36-11 to allow an accessible ramp to encroach into a platted
utility easement.
Justification: The applicant’s justification is presented as per the attached
letter.
STAFF REPORT
A. Planning and Development Civil Engineering Comments:
No Comments.
B. Buffering and Landscape Comments:
No Comments.
C. Building Codes Comments:
No Comments.
D. Staff Analysis:
The property located at 53 Bentley Circle is occupied by a one-story single-family
residence. A paved access driveway connecting to Bentley Circle is located along
the east perimeter of the front yard area and an existing wood frame deck is located
at the rear of the residence.
The site plan indicates that the existing 325 -square foot wood frame deck is
partially covered and extends south from the residence approximately 25-feet
MARCH 20, 2025
ITEM NO. 4 Z-10108
2
ending in alignment with the rear wall of the residence. This existing portion of the
residence extends approximately 15-feet into the rear (south) yard setback and is
discontinued along the perimeter of an existing 10-foot easement.
The applicant proposes to remove the existing deck and construct a new 625 -
square foot addition to the rear of the residence. The applicant states the addition
will contain an accessible sleeping area with bath. The site plan indicates that the
addition will increase the overall square footage of the residence to 2,978 square
feet.
The site plan further indicates that the applicant proposes to additionally construct
a wood frame ramp that extends from east to west along the south perimeter of
the residence. As part of the proposed addition the new ramp will extend from a
new centrally located doorway and connect to a paved walkway along the east
perimeter of the residence. The new paved walkway extends north connecting to
the paved driveway at the front of the residence.
On April 30, 2012, the Board approved a variance to allow the applicant to
construct a 440-square foot addition to the original residence which extends 15-
feet into the rear yard setback. The applicant states that the request for the new
addition is to accommodate their evolving needs as they age.
Section 36-254(d)(3) states “There shall be a rear yard setback having a depth of
not less than twenty-five (25) feet. “Therefore, the applicant is requesting a
variance to allow the extension and expansion of the primary structure into the rear
yard setback area, reducing the setback to no less than 10 -feet.
Section 36-11 (f) sates, “No building or structure as defined in this chapter shall be
erected, converted, reconstructed, or structurally altered that encroaches on, over
or into any easement. This includes drainage, utility access or use easements
within the boundary of any lot of record, platted or otherwise established. For
purposes of fence placement within easements, fences shall not be constructed to
be a building or structure.” Therefore, the applicant is requesting to construct an
accessible wood frame ramp 5.4-feet into the platted utility easement.
Staff views the variances requested as reasonable. The proposed reduced south
rear yard setback will not be evidently out of character with the surrounding
developments. The south utility easement encroachment will only expand the
building to the 25-foot building line and would normally follow all code
requirements. Additionally, the applicant has provided documentation from the
utility companies stating that they have no objections to the requested variances.
D. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested south rear yard setback reduction
from 25-feet to 10-feet. Staff also recommends approval of the proposed
construction of an accessible ramp into the south utility easement reducing the
utility easement
MARCH 20, 2025
ITEM NO. 4 Z-10108
3
from 10 feet to 5-feet. Both variances are subject to the of above analysis,
attached survey/site plan, and subject to compliance with the city building code
requirements.
Board of Adjustment (MARCH 20, 2025)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the application
to the Board and stated it recommended the side yard setback variance be approved as per
staff report. There was a consent motion to approve the application. The motion was
seconded. The application was approved on consent. The vote was 3 ayes, 0 nays, 2
absent.