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HomeMy WebLinkAbout18227ORDINANCE NO. 18.227 E: EE a_= AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAND USE PLAN (16,222) IN THE DOWNTOWN AND I -30 PLANNING DISTRICTS, ADDING A LAND USE DEFINITION, REPLACING TEXT AND CHANGING THE PLAN MAP; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, a citizen committee after review of the area recommended the Plan be changed; and, WHEREAS, the City of Little Rock has repeated called for a review of the Plan from Future Little Rock and other sources; and, WHEREAS, for downtown redevelopment; the Downtown to have its and, Framework document recognized the need own regulations for development and WHEREAS, the Little Rock Planning Commission after review at a public hearing does recommend the Plan be changed to include these urban design concepts. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SECTION 1. A new Land Use category is added - "Mixed Use - Urban ". The definition of this category shall be: Mixed Use - Urban: This category provides for a mix of residential, office and commercial uses not only in the same block but within the same structure. This category is intended for older "urban" areas to allow dissimilar uses to exist, which support each other to create a vital area. Development should reinforce the urban fabric creating a 24 -hour activity area. Using the Planned Zoning District or the Urban Use District, high and moderate density developments that result in a vital (dense) pedestrian oriented area are appropriate. SECTION 2. The test for District 5 - and replaced with the following: Downtown ,••�d R � � 4 � g 7ti � } DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPALS: Downtown should become a place where people want to live and visit and should have a lasting and recognizable image, distinguishable from all other nearby environments. Because it is the State Capitol and proud symbol of a metropolitan area, Downtown Little Rock has many opportunities. Downtown should be the financial, office and governmental center of the region and as such should be planned as a place where people live, visit and work in a safe, vibrant, pedestrian - friendly environment. The built environmental should encourage a sense of community and safety among residents and visitors. Downtown should be planned to become a place of 24 -hour activity. These general planning goals should be reinforced by such urban design and planning interventions as the following: • Specify land uses for entertainment and residential use. • Preserve and reuse existing buildings. • Capitalize on the Presidential Library as an economic development tool. • Provide an effective transportation plan with a variety of modes. • Provide landscaping throughout the area. • Utilize the Presidential Library as a regional educational resource center. • Develop streetscaping plans designed for specific needs in designated areas. • Develop a means to encourage property owners to reinvest in Downtown. • Work with Federal, State and County governments to ensure the success of the vision. • Specify land uses that will encourage the development of a niche for retail activities. • Encourage a built form of quality architectural styles that evoke character. • Preserve civic and historic heritage. • Recognize the riverfront as a key urban activity generator. 2 Objective: The Downtown urban form should be protected by, requiring structures be built to the street with street level activity and visual connection between the street and interior. Action Statement: Modify the development standards to encourage higher density development and zero lot line construction. Modify parking regulations (number of spaces, screening, etc.) Special design studies should be undertaken and regulations implemented for streets and corridors of community -wide importance. Objective: To support an urban land use form, a fixed transit system is needed. An investment should be made in a fixed transit system for Downtown that effectively connects the different parts of Downtown and moves people within that area. Action Statement: Build a transit infrastructure - fixed routes to serve the Downtown and immediate vicinity. Objective: Residential use is essential for an active and successful Downtown. Because the Downtown residential area has lost most of its residential units, the City of Little Rock should invest in downtown housing to assist in reviving the area thereby creating housing opportunities for high as well as moderate - income levels. Action Statement: Create development and use incentives for owner occupied, market rate rental, and affordable rental residential developments in Downtown. Objective: Downtown must be actively marketed. In most cities a quasi- public agency does this work. The City should explore (with Downtown property owners) the Possibility of establishing an agency to advance the economic development of Downtown. Action Statement: Develop a quasi - public downtown development agency to market and assist with the implementation of projects. Objective: In order to achieve an active Downtown, developments should be mixed use and linked. 3 Action Statement: Using the Framework for the Future document as a reference, establish consensus among quasi - public, City, County, and State entities regarding the vision of Downtown. Implement strategies conducive to the objectives of the established vision. Assist only developments that conform to the Framework guidelines. LAND USE: Residential: The blocks, north and west of MacArthur Park, in the southeast corner of the District are designated as Low Density Residential (LDR). Within this area, north of Ninth Street is predominately Multifamily with some Single Family while south of Ninth Street is predominately Single Family with some Multifamily. Mixed Use: The majority of the district is designated for Mixed Use Urban. The uses range from high -rise office buildings to single family homes. The intent is to create a vital diverse area, which is pedestrian - friendly. Parks and Open Space: Riverfront Park runs along the Arkansas River along the northeast portion of the district boundary. MacArthur Park, the City's first municipal park established in 1892 is in the southeast corner of the district. Public /Institutional: The State Capitol and related buildings are designated as Public Use, in the western end of the district. The Federal Buildings between Capitol Ave. and 4th Street from State to Arch Streets are also designated Public Use. The third Public Use area is the County and City Buildings along Markham Street around Broadway. SECTION 3. The Land Use Plan Map is changed in the Downtown District as follows: The area east of Woodlane and south of 3rd Street is Public Institutional. The area bounded by State and Gaines Streets between Capitol Avenue and 4th Street 4 is Public Institutional. The area between Markham and 2nd, Center and Arch Street and between Markham and La Harpe, State Street to Broadway is Public Institutional. The area between 9th Street and I -630 from Commerce to McAlmont is Park /Open Space. The area between Broadway and I -30 from Arkansas River to Little Rock Western Railroad is Park /Open Space. The area from Scott to Commerce Streets, 9th Street to I -630 and 9th Street to Mid - Block, 6th Street and Capitol Avenue, Cumberland to Ferry Streets is changed to Low Density Residential. The remain areas are Mixed Use Urban. SECTION 4. The Land Use Plan Map is changed in the I -30 District as follows: The area from Arkansas River to 3=d Street and John Street to I -30 is Public Institutional. The area from 3=d to 6th Streets, McLean Street to I -30 and 6th to 8th Streets, Byrd Street to I -30 and 8th Street to Alley, Byrd to Collins Streets is changed to Mixed Use Urban. The area from 6th to 9th Streets, College to Byrd Streets is changed to Low Density Residential. PASSED: March 7, 2000 ATTEST: CI Y CLFAK Nancy Wood a:ord- dtandi- 30.doa APPROVED: C' MAYO Jim ailep - .j ARk4NSAs KH M gymp , PI PK/OS- M U sR Pi HD 1 2 6ty � x R 13TH K/OS w U Vicinity Map LAND S U E PLAN -- PROPOSED PROPOSED DOWNTOWN LAND USE PLAN C7. 1,2,3,8,9,10 TRS: T1NR12Vir2;3,10,11 PD: 5,6 Ward: 1 Item #