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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-11-04 MinutesApproved: November 18, 1969 MINUTES OF A PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING isThe Planning Commission met at 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 4, 1969, in the Directors Room of the City Administration Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Members Present: Clark McClinton, Roy Clinton, Allan Gilbert, Dr. Walter Brown, Ernest Jacks, Morton Gilbert, Byron Boyd, Dr. James Mashburn, Members Absent: Wade Fincher. Others Present: Harold Lieberenz, Wesley Howe, James Viazier, Larry Wood, Frank Ruder and Mr. Nichols of Urban Programming Corporation of America, Garland Melton, Jr. Chairman Clark McClinton called the meeting to order. The first item on the Agenda was the proposed Ordinance amending Ordinance Number 968, April 24, 1950 (as amended by Ordinance "CURB -CUT ORDINANCE° Number 1000, July 9, 1951) to provide additional specifications for construction of access drives. Wesley Howe, City Manager, Dick Starr, former City Engineer, Morton Gitelman, and Ernest Jacks had studied the Arkansas State Highway Department standards before drafting this amendment. The purpose of the amendment is to try to limit the number of curb cuts on • streets in order to control street access points with the primary interest on traffic safety. Some points brought out in discussion were: (1) The City Engineer is the enforcing officer on these standards. (2) The State has control over cutting on streets which are included in the State Highway System. (3) These regulations do not conflict with Subdivision Regulations. The highest standards apply. (4) Asphalt curbing has not been approved for use inside �1 City. (5) No left turn clause allows the City to put up barriers preventing left turns where they are not desirable. Morton Gitelman made a motion that the amendment be approved; Ernest Jacks seconded; and approval was unanimous. The:.second item for discussion was the Proposed 1970 Budget. Mr. Howe stated that the reason for asking the Planning Commission to study this Budget was to demonstrate why under current financial program 1970 BUDGET meaningful capital improvements cannot be feasible. All that can be accomplished is a little bit here and a little bit there unless additional revenue is provided. Mr. Howe introduced Frank Ruder and Mr. Nichols of the Urban Programming Corporation of America.' He cited that there is really little purpose in going through the • motions of Urban Renewal and planning unless we receive local cash support. The Board of Directors might want some comments from the Planning Commission in view of their work with the Capital Improve- ments Program. 11-4-69 -2- The third item discussed was the United States General Services Administration plans for a new Federal Office Building. The Staff Report prepared by Mr. Larry Wood opposes location of this project on the grounds behind the Veterans Hospital as this would make Woolsey Avenue, a residential street, the major access street. This is not in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan. This building has been approved for a number of years and the G.S.A. is currently in the process of finding a location. They plan to build on the Hospital grounds because they own the property unless the City can come up with another suitable site and sufficient reason for relocation. Some response is expected within a couple of weeks. The primary problem with the afore mentioned location is the access by way of residential street. Roy Clinton commented that this could serve as a dynamic kick- off to the City's Urban Renewal Program giving impetus to the rest of the Urban Renewal plans. Keeping downtown Fayetteville as a unit in regards to Federal, County, and City Offices is very important. The greatest factor is money; however, any funds directed toward the purchase of property for this purpose could be credited against the City's portion of Urban Renewal funds. Roy Clinton made the motion that due to conflict with the • Comprehensive Plan now under consideration, we request that additional time be given for the City to come up with an additional site if possible. Walter Brown seconded the motion and approval was unanimous. At this time the Commission resumed their studies of the Pro- posed Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations. Ernest Jacks protested the rush to publish these materials and the Proposed Zoning and Land Use Maps before the Commission has an opportunity to complete their studies of them. The Land Use Map has been published. The remainder of the material must be in shape to recommend to the Board of Directors for public hearings and published by December 15, 1969. In regards to reversing any of the past year's rezoning decisions, it was felt that the Commission should look to each one individually and consider the merits separately. Mr. Jacks questioned the need to change some of the zoning around the South side of Washington General Hospital to make provision for location of medical offices in that area. It was decided to separate professional offices into more than one overlapping use unit. All professional offices would be allowed in R -P; but only certain more desirable offices would be allowed in residential area, thereby keeping the general aspect of these areas unchanged in order to retain aesthetic values. No other . ordinance change would be necessary concerning this, as develop- ment requirements on C-2 would bring individual cases back for consideration. G.S.A. PROPOSED FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING 11--4-69 .3 - Roy Clinton raised three questions regarding the area North of Drake Field shown on the proposed maps as industrial: (a) Is this area in the Fayetteville School District? It is not. (b) Is it presently owned by any industrial complex? No. c) What are the chances of having undesirable, heavy industry locate there and creating new problems as to excessive height, air polution, etc.? This property is presently outside the City Limits. Why should it be shown industrial if it is not suitable for industrial use? The Commission members asked Mr. Vizzier if it was desirable to have a heavy industrial area next door to R-1 South of Highway 16 East By-pass. Should the area East of Morningside Drive and South to the creek be medium density instead? There is a school going in across the highway. Mr. Vizzier felt the creek would provide sufficient buffer zone and the map is to be unchanged. Mr. Jacks requested that Mr. Vizzier correct the zoning map as follows: Add Light Industrial District near Highway 71 By-pass. Add R-4 acquisitions near University of Arkansas. Show zoning trend recommendations for area out past Old Missouri Road. • Mr. Vizzier was asked to explain how density would be computed in areas such as those adjacent to golf course. He stated that the golf course land would be included in the overall land area in figuring the average density. The stretch of land on Township from the creek East was deemed suitable only for commercial use. West of the creek can be developed for residential use. Mr. Jacks stated that he still felt the 3 older residential areas of the City should reflect their tendency toward medium density. He asked for assurance of an escape rider for existing non- conforming uses. Would it be best to rezone the non -conforming commercial uses on Highway 45? It was decided to leave them non -conforming; they existed as such when they were annexed into the City. At the time it was annexed, the area on Highway 16 East from Watsonrs Shopping Center on was zoned as the property owners requested. The Commission felt that this should remain as is. Regarding the flood areas; lands subject to flooding should be left in the Flood Zone, and areas that don't flood should be liminted to low density residential uses. The Proposed Zoning Map will encompass,all of the property now • within the City Limit's: E11-4-69 .4 - Mr. Nichols of the Urban Programming Corporation of America directed some questions to the Planning Commission concerning streets in the downtown area. He asked if in their study of the major streets any decision had been reached as to which streets should be widened, the width they were to be widened to, and priorities with regard to the Capital Improvements Plan. Which streets should serve as major streets and which should serve as collectors. Mr. Nichols will need copies of the following to prepare an application for Urban Renewal: (1) Land Use Survey Report (Mr. Howe gave them this.) (2) Streets, Traffic, and Parking Study and Report. (3) Central Business District Comprehensive Parking Study. (4) Land Use and Major Street Plans texts. (5) Public Buildings Inventory and Needs. (6) Public Utilities Plan, Mr. Vizzier agreed to furnish the needed items. It was noted that the property and plans of the American Red Cross on Center Street between Walnut and Olive Avenues would not conform with the Land Use in that area, not even as a conditional use. The Planning ConLLssion will meet again on Friday, November 7, 1969, at 8:00 A.M. • The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 P.M. •