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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
Date: August 25, 2025____
Ben Wells (Agent) File No: Z-10174
24 Rahling Circle _____________ Location: 1616 Brookwood
Little Rock, AR 72202 _______ ____ Issue: Side yard variance
Dear Mr. Wells,
This is to advise you that in connection with your application, File No. _Z-10174_, the following action
was taken by the Board of Adjustment at its meeting on August 21, 2025_:
(a) ________ Approved the application as filed.
(b) X_ _ Approved the application with conditions.
(c) _________ Denied the application.
(d) ______ ___ Deferred the application to the___________________meeting.
(e) _______ __ Withdrew the application.
(f) __________ See attached Board of Adjustment minute record for conditions.
(g) ____X_____ Other:_____See Minutes for conditions.
If you have questions, please call me at (501) 371-6821.
Sincerely,
___ Romie G Price
Romie G. Price, Plans Development Administrator
RGP/ds
AUGUST 21, 2025
ITEM NO.: 2 Z-10174
File No.: Z-10174
Owners: AOR, LLC
Applicant: Ben Wells; White-Daters & Associates, Inc.
Address: 1616 Brookwood Drive
Legal Description: Lot 2 Block O of the Riverdale Addition to the City of Little Rock,
Pulaski County
Current Zoning: I-2
Present Use: Light Industrial
Proposed Use: Light Industrial
Variance(s) Requested: A variance is requested from the area provisions of Section
36-320(e)(2) to allow a reduced side yard setback in an I-2
zoning.
A variance is requested from the building line regulations of
Sec. 31-12 to allow the encroachment of a structure across a
platted building line.
Justification: The applicant’s justification is presented in an attached letter.
STAFF REPORT:
A. Planning and Development Civil Engineering Comments:
B. Landscape and Buffer Comments:
No Comment
C. Building Codes Comments:
Full Building Permit with Full Plans required. Contact Curtis Richey at 501-371-4724
or crichey@littlerock.gov
D. Analysis:
The property located at 1616 Brookwood Drive is currently occupied by a gray brick
warehouse building in an I-2 zoned area. The survey shows a lot width of
approximately 174 feet and a lot depth of approximately 517 feet.
AUGUST 21, 2025
ITEM NO.: 2 Z-10174
The applicant is proposing to place a prefabricated accessory structure on the
property. The accessory structure will encroach on the building setback line which is
plotted at 30 feet and the side yard setback which is 15 feet.
The applicant states the need for this variance arises due to the challenges with the
existing levee not being located within the easement along the west property line
and extending approximately 15 feet onto the owner’s property line. Initially, plans
were approved and permitted by the city to construct a retaining wall along the west
easement line to facilitate building the accessory structure. However, the levee
district has since informed us that this plan will not be approved. The levee district
requires either relocating the levee back into the easement or moving the accessory
structure away from the levee.
Relocating the levee is not feasible and positioning the accessory structure away
from disturbing the levee, or to maintain the 30 foot setback south property line
would place the building in the middle of the existing parking lot. This would
significantly disrupt the parking lot’s functionality and the property’s overall use.
After evaluating alternatives, the applicant proposes to move the accessory structure
to the south property line and reduce the side set back to 10 feet. The adjustment
would preserve the parking lot’s utility while complying with the levee district’s
requirement.
Section 36-320(e)(2) states “ There shall be a side yard on each side of the building
having a width of not less than fifteen (15) feet. Therefore, the applicant is requesting
a variance to allow the side yard setback to be reduced to no less than 10 feet.
Section 31-12(b) of the City's Subdivision Ordinance states, "In those instances
where a recorded subdivision plat has established building setback lines in
accordance with this chapter, variances of those lines shall only be granted by the
Board of Adjustment." Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow a
reduction of the 30-foot platted side building line to 10 feet.
In Staff's opinion, the proposed building line adjustment, poses no negative effect
upon the health, safety, or welfare of the general public, and does not detract from
the value or aesthetic of the neighborhood or surrounding properties. In addition,
Staff finds the request to generally be in conformance with the development pattern
in the area. Based on the above assessment and analysis, Staff finds the requested
variances to be reasonable.
If the Board approves the requested building line setback variance, the applicant
must then produce a one-lot replat reflecting the approved change. As such, the
applicant must also review filing procedures with the County Clerk's office to
determine if the replat will require a revised Bill of Assurance and respond as
necessary and appropriate, as part of said replat.
AUGUST 21, 2025
ITEM NO.: 2 Z-10174
E. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested side yard setback to no less than fifteen
(15) feet, and the platted building line no less than 10 feet, subject to the following
conditions:
1. Obtain a building permit prior to construction.
2. A replat of the property be performed and filed.
Board of Adjustment (August 21, 2025)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the application to the Board and stated it recommended approval as per the
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, and 2 absent. The
motion passed.