HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-23 MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
A regular meeting of the Fayetteville Planning Commission was held on October 23,
2006 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building, 113 W. Mountain,
Fayetteville, Arkansas.
ITEMS DISCUSSED ACTION TAKEN
ADM 06-2321: (VANTAGE CENTER PZD) Approved
Page 4
FPL 06-2192: (ROCKHAVEN, 245) Approved
Page 4
FPL 06-2260: (STONEBRIDE PH 5) Approved
Page 4
PPL 06-2280: (STEELE BUSINESS PARK, 173) Approved
Page 4
VAC 06-2290: (GRUBBS, 248) Approved
Page 4
LSD 06-2265: (MAYNARD, 717) Tabled
Page 5
R-PZD 06-2196: (WEST FORK PLACE, 565/566) Tabled
Page 6
ADM 06-2322: (NORTH STREET ROW DED VAR) Forwarded
Page 7
VAC 06-2289: (ARCHER, 442) Tabled
Page 14
R-PZD 06-1884: (WESTSIDE VILLAGE, 439) Forwarded
Page 36
R-PZD 06-2107: (CHAMPIONS CLUB CONDOS, 599) Forwarded
Page 72
CUP 06-2284: (CALYPSO PROPERTIES, 595) Approved
Page 90
RZN 06-2291: (HWY 16 ANIMAL HOSPITAL, 567) Forwarded
Page 110
ADM 06-2252: (FUTURE LAND USE MAP) Forwarded
Page 113
ADM 06-2323: (URBAN RES. DESIGN STANDARDS) No Action Taken
Page 129
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 3 of 139
MEMBERS PRESENT
Jill Anthes
Lois Bryant
Candy Clark
Alan Ostner
Hilary Harris
Andy Lack
Christine Myres
Sean Trumbo
STAFFPRESENT
Matt Casey
Andrew Garner
Suzanne Morgan
Jesse Fulcher
CITY ATTORNEY:
Kit Williams
MEMBERS ABSENT
James Graves
STAFF ABSENT
Glenn Newman
Sarah Patterson
Jeremy Pate
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 4 of 139
Anthes: Good evening and welcome to the Monday, October 23, 2006 meeting of the City
of Fayetteville Planning Commission. I would like to remind audience members
and commissioners to turn of cell phones and pagers. I would also like to remind
the audience that listening devices are available if you have difficulty hearing. If
you let someone in the staff know they can provide you with a headset.
Roll Call: Upon the completion of roll call Bryant, Ostner, Lack, Harris, Clark,
Trumbo, Myres, and Anthes are present. Graves is absent.
Anthes: We have six items on the consent agenda this evening. The first is approval of the
minutes from the Sept 11, 2006 meeting, and I have forwarded my comments to
staff.
ADM 06-2321 (Vantage Center PZD) Submitted by Jerry Kelso requesting an approval
extension of the mixed-use Planned Zoning District for a period of one year.
FPL 06-2192: Final Plat (ROCKHAVEN, 245): Submitted by STEADFAST, INC. for
property located east of SALEM RD., north of Crystal Springs Phase I. The property is zoned
RSF-4, SINGLE FAMILY - 4 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 10.00 acres. The
request is for approval of a final plat for a residential subdivision with 31 single family dwelling
units.
FPL 06-2260: Final Plat (STONEBRIDGE PHASE 5): Submitted by H2 ENGINEERING for
property located at GOFF FARM RD., E OF CRESCENT LAKE S/D. The request is to approve
the final plat of a residential subdivision with 70 single family lots.
PPL 06-2280: Preliminary Plat (STEELE BUSINESS PARK, 173): Submitted by
MCCLELLAND CONSULTING ENGINEERS for property located at THE NE CORNER OF
STEELE BOULDEVARD AND VAN ASCHE DRIVE. The property is zoned C-2,
THOROUGHFARE COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 22.75 acres. The request is
for 5 commercial lots ranging in size from 1.7 to 7.35 acres.
VAC 06-2290: (GRUBBS, 248): Submitted by RICHARD L. GRUBBS for property located at
LOT 6, BLOCK 1 OF THE NORTHPOINT S/D ON POINT CIRCLE. The property is zoned C-
2, THOROUGHFARE COMMERCIAL. The request is to vacate a portion of a utility easement
on the subject property.
Anthes: Would any member of the public of the Commission like to remove one of these
items to be heard? Seeing none, I will take motions to approve the consent
agenda.
Roll Call: The consent agenda was approved by a vote of 8-0-0.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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LSD 06-2265: Large Scale Development (MAYNARD, 717): Submitted by MILHOLLAND
COMPANY for property located at SE WILLOUGHBY AND MCCOLLUM. The property is
zoned I-1, HEAVY COMMERCIAL/LIGHT INDUST and contains approximately 2.95 acres.
The request is for extended development, grading and entrance paving for an existing industrial
use structure.
Anthes: The applicant has requested that this item be tabled indefinitely. Do we need to
hear any sort of report? OK.
Motion:
Clark: I motion to table indefinitely.
Anthes: Motion to table by Commissioner Clark.
Myres: Second.
Anthes: Seconded by Commissioner Myers.
Ostner: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Ostner?
Ostner: I do have a question for staff. I was just wondering why this applicant has
requested this be tabled indefinitely?
Garner: The applicant disagreed with staff recommendations on street improvements.
And, they have a letter they have sent to us deciding they wanted to table it to be
further discussed with staff. I'm not sure if Suzanne has any other thoughts.
Morgan: The only thing I would add to that is that the applicant would just like to
reevaluate the extent of proposed development on this site, and may withdraw it
altogether.
Ostner: Ok, thank you.
Anthes: Thank you for reminding me of that.
Roll Call: The LSD 06-2265 for Maynard was tabled by a vote of 8-0-0.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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R-PZD 06-2196: Planned Zoning District (WEST FORK PLACE, 565/566): Submitted by
PROJECT DESIGN CONSULTANTS, INC for property located at THE END OF RAY
AVENUE, S OF HUNTSVILLE ROAD. The property is zoned RSF-4, SINGLE FAMILY - 4
UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 13.92 acres. The request is for a Master
Development Plan of a Residential Planned Zoning District with 59 single-family dwellings: 30
attached and 29 detached.
Anthes: I understand that this applicant has also requested that this item be tabled. Can
you enlighten us, Mr. Garner?
Garner: The applicant has discussed with us that they would like to meet with the
neighborhood to discuss some of the issues that were brought up at the previous
Planning Commission meeting. So that is the main reason. They plan on
bringing this back to us after they have had further discussion with the neighbors.
Anthes: And I assume that's until the next regularly scheduled meeting?
Garner: I believe so.
Fulcher: Yes, that has to be tabled until the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission
meeting.
Motion:
Clark: I motion to table R-PZD 06-2196.
Ostner: Second.
Anthes: A motion by Commissioner Clark a second by Commissioner Ostner, can you call
roll.
Roll Call: The R-PZD 06-2196 for West Fork Place was tabled by a vote of 8-0-0.
Ostner: Myres didn't vote.
Myers: I didn't get a chance to vote (laughing)
Garner: I'm sorry, Commissioner Myres.
(general laughing and talking)
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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ADM 06-2322: (North Street ROW Dedication Variance): Submitted by Josh and Eloise
Pettit for property located at 1104 N. COLLEGE AVENUE requesting a variance of the Master
Street Plan right-of-way for North Street in the manner indicated to allow the existing building
footprint to remain within the right-of-way and additions to the building which will further
encroach within the Master Street Plan right-of-way.
Morgan: This application is for 1104 N. College Ave. It is the northeast corner of College
Ave and North St. This site was developed in 1966 for a pharmaceutical store,
and it recently was the USA drug store which has been relocated further north on
College. The building is 1800 sq feet on the property and there is parking
associated with that building. An evaluation of the location of this building and
the site plan, which was surveyed, was prepared by the applicant. We can see that
the existing structure encroaches into the 55ft Master Street Plan rise grade for
North Street. The building is compliant with the building setback and the right of
way requirements for College Ave. The applicant would like expand this building
adding to the northern portion of this structure, as well as adding a 172.25 sq foot
addition to the south east portion of the structure and redoing the roof of the
structure and thereby adding a one -foot eave around the entirety of the building.
In order to connect any improvements onto this building or receive approval for
any improvements the applicant would be required to vary the master street plan
right of way for North St. They are coming before you now to ask for that
variance. The total variance would be 11 feet for a total 44 ft right of way from
center line of North St. Staff finds and recommends approval of a resolution to
vary North St. master street plan right of way at this property, finding that this
will maintain the integrity and purpose of the master street plan and allows for
reasonable use for the existing structure where it is currently located. The
applicant has gone to the Board of Adjustment to request that the additions and
such could be made up to that master street plan right of way which would be a
very important setback and have received approval. However, the applicant
would need to go back if an enlarged building were requested. We are
recommending 3 conditions of the approval to vary the master street plan right
away. Those include: first, the applicant shall dedicate right of way for a total 44
feet right from center tine of North St. The City recognizes that the existing
parking which would be located in the right of way. The parking may remain
until such time as the right of way is either necessary for development or the
property is completely redeveloped or there is an expansion of 100% or more of
the existing structure. A similar requirement was also made on 620 North College
where the applicant was required 55 street from center line on College Ave and
was proposing to do improvements to the existing building and therefore they
dedicated 38 feet from center line as a condition of approval for the variance of
the Master Street Plan, gladly. Second condition is that, at the time of
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Anthes
Pettit:
Anthes
Pettit:
Audience:
Pettit:
Anthes:
Pettit:
Anthes:
Motion:
development of change of use of this property, the curb should be cut to modify a
right in right out ingress and egress only. The curb cut onto College Ave may
allow two-way traffic with the existing traffic limited to right out only. And we
would expect signs and markings on the pavement to be installed to indicate such.
And the third being that landscape shall meet city code requirements, and shall be
installed as determined appropriate.
Thank you, Ms Morgan. Would any member of the public like to address this
administrative item for North Street Right of Way Variation ? Seeing none, and I
will ask for the applicant's presentation. Good evening.
Hi, I'm Josh Pettit.
And would you like to tell us about your project?
Basically we just want to expand the existing block building on our side, and I
guess it would be the south side. Excuse me, the west side.
East side.
Oh yeah. You've got it there. You've got the plans there.
Thank you, Mr. Pettit.
I get nervous sometime when I am publicly speaking.
We do too. Commissioners? Commissioner Clark.
Clark: Based on what you have explained to us in agenda very briefly, this is not...
though it is unusual, it is not unheard of. Staff didn't have a problem with it. And
although I have nothing against cars and guitars on consignment ... I think a
restaurant would really be nice on that corner. So I make the motion that we
approve 06-2322.
Myers: Second.
Anthes: A motion by Commissioner Clark and seconded by Commissioner Myers.
Commissioner Ostner.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 9 of 139
Ostner: Thank you. I have a question for staff. Um, this sounds like the north side of
north street the applicant is going to go ahead and dedicate... even though that is
sort of a built -out parking lot. Is that accurate?
Pettit: That is correct.
Ostner: Ok. So if North Street were to be widened at that intersection... that part of the
parking lot would be available to be...
Pettit: Apparently that is one of the conditions that I have heard of. Though I find it
most likely I wouldn't think that that one is true. But most likely all the utilities
and everything are on that side of the street. So my guess is that if they did
expand it it would probably go the other way anyway because everything is on
that side of the street there.
Ostner: Ok. I am just wondering from staff... if I think it's a 2 lane section right now and
that does back up. If the funds were ever available to make that a 3 lane section
and part of that parking lot needed to be bumped into... that that is possible with
this.
Garner: We are requiring them to dedicate the right of way. I'm not sure if Mr. Casey
would like to expound on how the design of that might work. But, I think that
that was the intent, to recognize that that parking lot is within that master street
plan right of way at this time. And, that if the city does need it we would be able
to use it.
Ostner: OK, I don't want to take away his parking lot. I'm just seeing an intersection that
could be widened if traffic picked up.
Pettit: I understand. I see.
Ostner: I'm not having anything to do with utilities, I'm talking about streets.
Pettit: I understand the difference.
Ostner: OK. Thank you, that answers my question.
Anthes: Did you want a clarification from Mr. Casey?
Ostner: Not really. Nah. You know, there are no plans. I just want to know about
availability of right of way.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Anthes: I had a couple of questions of staff. I understand that this item has already been to
the Board of Adjustments and they approved a 0 foot site plan variation. Can you
tell us a little about the reason for the change? And now this will have to go back
to the Board of Adjustments? Is that true?
Garner: I wasn't aware that it had to go back to the Board of Adjustments, Suzanne.
Morgan: I'll address that. The applicant did get an approval for a specific site plan which
showed an addition of approx. 132 sq feet on southeast corner. That expansion to
the east was 5 feet with a 1 foot overhang. The applicant did reevaluate their
plans and could probably enlighten us with their plans and probably why that
needed to expand a foot and a half to the east. The request that you are looking at
is for the 174.25 square foot expansion. It is on the docket to go back to Board of
Adjustment as for that addition... that change.
Anthes: And I also had a not here about visibility. Did... and was that a concern of the
Board of Adjustments as well?
Morgan: It was mentioned by... it was mentioned I believe. I did go out to the property
and exit south onto North Street. It didn't appear that visibility was a problem
with the building as far south as it is. If it were to expand further to the south we
may have had issue more. Evaluation would have been necessary.
Clark: It's a pretty clear line of sight.
Anthes: And as this is actually an administrative item, it has to go to City Council, is that
true?
Ostner: Madam Chair, I have another question. We had a similar issue, well, sort of
related issue a couple of blocks to the north. This is a question for staff ...if this is
approved and this applicant builds his restaurant... well I guess it's a 2 part
question: Where? I don't want to get into another problem where a restaurant
doesn't have enough parking and a restaurant wants to erode the nice buffer that
we are trying to create along College. Could you address that, that issue.
Garner: With our preliminary look at that floor plan and the square footage for this
proposed restaurant, we really didn't develop it in detail. But we did feel like
there will be enough parking on the property. They will be able to meet our
parking ratios. We will be reviewing that in detail and they will be required to
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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meet that at the time of the building permit. There shouldn't be a problem. I
think that they are fine on that.
Ostner: And since we are asking for extra right of way along North St ... I mean the next
question is what if North Street had to be widened? What if they lost some
parking do you still think they would have enough parking?
Garner: Probably not with the square footage they are proposing. They are likely....if that
right of way does have to be taken and those parking spaces are taken away...
they wouldn't meet our parking ratios. They would have to look at getting shared
parking somewhere. Or they would have to reduce the square footage of the
restaurant or change the use in the building.
Ostner: Well, I would like to vote for this and I probably will. I just don't want to back
into a corner... developing in a sort of downtown area is awkward and you can
run out of parking. I just don't like seeing that.
Pettit: I think our ratio, even by losing a few spaces are well within reason.
Ostner: Ok, my concern is sort of on down the line.
Pettit: Yes, I mean even down the line. If by losing some spaces if North St were to
expand that direction. Which, as I said, I doubt very seriously since all the
utilities are on that side of the street. But if it were the case, I believe that even
with our ratio and losing 4 or 5 spaces we will still have enough parking for our
square footage.
Ostner: Well, staff tends to disagree... that it would be tight. So I would just like to say
that that concerns me and I would hope that a spirit of shared parking... of
committed shared parking. Having to cross a street. Doing things that are
different not just pull up to your building would be promoted by restaurant
owners, by the city. That's not an intersection that people like to cross. If there
was a shared parking agreement with... that's not Washington Regional... it's
something else. But if there is a parking problem in the future I would strongly
hope that something could be worked out instead of expanding parking into the
driveway. Which it currently is completely into the driveway of College as I
understand it. Which is another concern that is ... I'm going to vote for this ... so.
Anthes: Mr. Williams, I wondered if I could ask you, in the approval, condition number
one it does state that the applicant shall dedicate the right of way. And then the
staff comment says "the city recognizes the existing parking which shall be
located in the right of way. The parking shall remain until such time as the right
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 12 of 139
of way is necessary or a new development or expansion of 100% of the existing
structure occurs." Since we understand that the applicant does want to have a
restaurant in this location, we have had problems with inadequate parking with
restaurants before. How does this condition of approval affect the desired use of
the property and what can the applicant expect if the city decides to go ahead and
use that right of way?
Williams: Well, I think this actually is adequate at the time. It is hard to tell what the
future... exactly what will happen in the future. Whether this will remain forever
as a restaurant or something else. Obviously in the future there is some chance
that the applicant could lose some of the land that has been dedicated and not be
able to use it as parking anymore. It is very difficult to tell what will happen in
the future. It might be that the cars are smaller in the future so there might be
more spaces. There might be more use of mass transit or bicycle. It's very hard
for us to predict what will happen in the future. And I think that this is going to
work for the foreseeable future and so I think that that is why the staff
recommends it. And that is why they are willing to go through with it too.
Anthes: So is there ... by us approving this is there any implication that even if they
weren't able to have adequate parking in the future this use could remain?
Williams: I think obviously we have... there's a 30% up or down as to right, basically. But
they can appeal past that. And I think with an established use, when there is a
parking lot right across the street from this that is not being heavily used. Even
though who wants to cross North St? There is a light there, and so I think that
that is something that could be quite feasible in the future. We don't know
exactly what's going to happen to neighboring properties of this. So there may be
other parking areas or opportunities there. I think that this is probably a good
decision at this point and time. And all land decisions and all development
decisions it is very difficult too far beyond the line... and what the changed
circumstances will be.
Anthes: So you don't feel like we are blocked in anyway that will negatively affect the
City or the applicant?
Williams: Not ... no ... there is obviously some risk that there could be negative impacts in the
future to this developer. Personally, North St is obviously on the Master Street
Plan as a major thoroughfare. This is one of the few sections of North St which
has not been finished to a thoroughfare fair type status being only a 2 lane road.
So I think it is reasonable to assume in the future that at least that intersection
might need to be enlarged. But I do think there are several opportunities for
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October 23, 2006
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shared parking right immediately next to this property if that ever happened. And
so I think that this is a feasible development and a reasonable risk for this
developer to take at this point in time.
Anthes: Thank you, Mr. Williams. Is there further discussion? Will you call the roll.
Roll Call: The ADM 06-2322 for North Street Row Ded. was forwarded by a vote of 8-
0-0.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 14 of 139
VAC 06-2289: (ARCHER, 442): Submitted by CRAFTON TULL & ASSOCIATES for
property located at THE W END OF MARKHAM, W OF SANG. The property is zoned C-
PZD, COMMERCIAL PLANNED ZONING DISTRICT. The request is to vacate a portion of a
right-of-way on the subject property.
Garner: A large scale development was approved on the subject property by the Planning
Commission on Sept 11 of this year for the Pratt Place Inn: a guest room Inn and
a 60 seat restaurant. The property is accessed directly off of Markham and Sang.
Markham Road dead -ends directly on the subject property west of Sang Ave. At
the time of the large scale development approval for Pratt Place Inn, it was
discussed that the applicant has a desire to vacate part of Markham road west of
Sang which dead ends into their property. Their request before you is to vacate
the Markham road driveway onto the property. The applicant has submitted
required notification forms to the utility companies and the City. There have not
been any objections to this drive way vacation. Staff recommends that vacating
the driveway in question would not adversely affect access to the property or
adjacent properties. The subject portion of Markham Road dead -ends into the
property and has not been identified for street connection through this property.
The right of way being vacated would turn into a private drive or a private street
into the Pratt Place Inn. And the public street improvements that were required as
a part of the large scale development for that section of road would not be
required. So as a part of this vacation approval we are recommending condition
number 1: That the street improvements for Pratt Place Inn shall be modified to
require that the public street portion of Markham to be improved to 20 feet of
pavement with ditches on both sides sized to the appropriate design storm. Those
ditches should be lined with native stone. The condition of approval from the
large scale development also required a sidewalk up Markham and also required a
curb and gutter. And so that is how that condition would change. And since the
agenda session, some of the Planning Commissioner at the agenda session
expressed concern that the sidewalk on that section of Markham would be
removed. And we have talked to the applicant and discussed with them the
possibility of striking the 20ft section to allow for an 8 foot pedestrian walkway
within that paved area. And to note that that drive, with this proposal, is now to
be a one way drive. So you would have a 12 ft one way drive and then an 8 foot
area for pedestrians to walk. We do feel like that would be appropriate if you feel
like adding that to condition number one. The other conditions that are listed
there are relatively straight forward. And I can answer any questions that you
might have.
Anthes: Thank you, Mr. Garner. Would any member of the public like to address this
vacation request?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 15 of 139
Ferris: Hi, my name is Felicia Ferris, I reside at 215 Haskel Heights. Currently where
Markham and Sang are set there at the T, we have a drainage problem and erosion
problem. The road was recently paved there. Probably a year ago or even less
than a year ago. The culvert pipe that goes underneath there already is visible.
Probably 6 or 8 inches... maybe more. I didn't really stop to look for a
measurement. From the water run off and where those 2 ditches intersect there as
it goes underneath the culvert. The water has been rushing over that area because
of the tremendous amount of water volume and velocity as it comes down the hill
from Markham... as it rushes down eastward.... and from Sang as it comes down
the hillside northern.... Not just from the horse pasture, but as the water comes
down from the mountain there. There is .... my concern in this effort of bringing
the proposal as I've read ... that you plan to bring the two shallow ditches into a
curve and a storm drain system and then leave the rough ditch that comes off of
Sang and bring these 3 type systems together into that one corner where all this
water velocity is. Have they taken into consideration the large volume of water
that comes into this one section? Is this shallow ditch system that's been
proposed by the Archers and the engineers... have they taken in the volume of
water? So I have a few questions for the engineers. Have they really calculated
the cubic foot per second in the amount of velocity of the amount of water that
comes out of this particular section of the mountain? Certainly with the amount
of erosion that has occurred in this one year or less amount of time just at that one
particular corner certainly brings to mind the amount of volume that we have
going on right here at this particular corner. And at the same time, I don't have
privy to how this connection is going to be brought about, but is all this debris,
leaves, limbs ... is heavily wooded there ... the water does bring in a lot of debris.
Is the storm drain system ... is this all going to clog up? And how does the size
and the opening of this storm drain in the new system compare to the old? Is it
going to be larger or not? We already have it get clogged at times. Water's
rushing over the road as it is. I want to make sure that they are aware of how
much volume of water is there. Is that being taken into consideration? Have we
done a full amount of calculations in we are going to have an open ditch system
from the top? Meaning the water as it comes down from Sang. This is a situation
that we deal with all the time and we live there. We don't want to be putting all
this money into a system for a private sector. And then to be left bare there with a
privet road a public road and then battling in the end on who's going to fix what
when it doesn't work in the end. So those are questions that I have for the
engineer. Has he looked at it that closely? I also have a question about how all
the sediment is going to be dealt with when it all comes together. And again, the
opening and the size as these two waters come together. And then how are the
sediment and these natural pavers going to be dealt with as it comes down the
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October 23, 2006
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hill? Are these natural pavers a good system for the sediment as it comes off the
hill there? Is this a good system for that? And then to the council I want to ask if
the proposal of this natural ditch system doesn't work in the end... if we find this
whole system was a bad idea... and we are left with a system that doesn't
work .... it's all clogged up all the time ... we have this water rushing over the
road ... the road breaks down ... where do we go from here? Who's going to pay
for this? Who is going to fix the system? Thank you very much.
Anthes: Thank you very much. Mr. Williams?
Williams, J: I would to like to see ... to see a map of what we are talking about. There might be
2 possibilities of what we are talking about.
Anthes: Ms. Morgan right next to you will show you the drawing.
(inaudible)
Williams, J: I think Ms Ferris ... I think Ms Ferris covered very well some of the problems with
this area. With some of the problems this would create with this area that is
indicated. My concern is ... and I am getting old so .... it might come up in a few
years and I might not be here. After this project is completed there is likelihood
and a possibility that the Fire Dept would request a second way to get to this
property. There are two possible ways as I see it. Both of them Sang. One part
of it is north of this property and touches it on the north. It is directly north of the
proposed restaurant facility. Now then one way to reach this property would be
all on Mr. Archer's property. This would be to extend Sang until it touches the
north end of Mr. Archer's property. The south end of north Sang, Ok? It would
come straight up the hill there and would come fairly close to this. That is one
access if a second access becomes necessary for fire protection. The other access
is the one that I would like to remind you that you have already made decisions
about. That is the part of Sang that comes to Markham from the south. You have
made us condition of approval for that part of Sang which comes out by Ramie
Junior High and a very secluded neighborhood of houses. Now that part of Sang
touches Mr. Markham, Mr. Archer's property as well. It would be extremely
difficult to use Sang coming from the south for Fire trucks. You have indicated a
request, or a grant, that you would not try to widen it. That was a condition of
improvement. I realize that this request is trying to do that. But I don't see it as
serious as making Sang up by Ramie Junior High up through a very pleasant
private neighborhood ... that would be damaged very seriously if Sang was
brought that way ... Because what it would do is to provide an entrance say to the
University. I'm saying. That would increase the property... I mean increase the
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October 23, 2006
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traffic. Increase the traffic on Markham and Sang greatly. And you have also as
a condition of this project, you have indicated that you would not require that that
part of Sang be widened. I think if it's that... any, any work on Sang or Markham
at the intersection of Sang and Markham, that corner would require major, major
work to make it accessible by Fire truck. I just want you to keep that in mind.
And if there is a request for another way to get to this project, which is Mr.
Markham... I would like for that access not to be on Sang from the south, but
from Sang from the south ... which would be entirely on the Archer property. It
would be big and extremely... extremely more direct route. Thank you very
much.
Anthes: Thank you, Mr. Williams. Would any other member of the public like to address
this vacation request of Mr. Archer? Please come forward.
McDonnel: I'm John McDonnell. I live out on W. Wheeler road. But sometimes it seems
that I live up on Markham Hill. I did want to address the City on what, about the
sidewalk. Don't do it on our account because, actually, a lot of times runners
don't run on sidewalks. If you are driving around the street, you see them around
the side of the road most of the time. Joggers or runners or whatever. And the
reason they are all running all up and down and up and down on the sidewalks,
because of the driveways coming out. I don't know how many driveways would
be coming out up there, but we are quite happy with 8 ft , 6ft would be fine. A
line like a bicycle path. Because bikers ride out there all the time... and we just
get used to them. Slow down a little bit for them. And there are lots of them. So,
I'm ... I'd be quite satisfied... and we are very happy with the line put on the
blacktop road. We want it to stay up there and not have 6 or 800 houses built up
there.
Anthes: Thank you, Mr. McDonnell.
O'Meara: I'm Kelly O'Meara and I coach Fayetteville cross country team. I'm here to
support the Archers. I pretty much repeat what John said. Please don't build this
sidewalk on our account; runners are programmed to stay of the sidewalks for
safety reasons. We run on the roads when we have to. We'll run on the sidewalk
when we have to. But it is an issue, and you see people around town on the roads
and not on the sidewalks. I'm hoping, you know, if they get this approved and it
turns into a one way road, that it will be very safe for my runners. We usually
follow the rules that we normally do ... run against traffic and go up one route
against traffic and come down it again against traffic where we can see it. So
please don't do this on the runners account. Because it's be tough to make them
get on the side walk without being up there beating over there to it.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 18 of 139
Anthes: Thank you.
O'Meara: Thank you.
Anthes: Would any other member of the public like to speak to this item? Seeing none I'll
close the floor to public comment. Mr. Archer.
Archer: Yes, good evening. Julian Archer, 2115 w Markham Road. I'd like to first of all
distribute to you uh.. 2 copies of plans that illustrate what we are requesting.
Probably, you know, you have my amateurish arrows on here. It's clearer then
what you received in the application. Primary purpose of our application is to
create the traffic pattern that you see illustrated on the 2 handouts that I have just
given you. It is to create a circular traffic pattern into and away from the inn.
And it would greatly enhance this, and it would greatly facilitate it, if you grant
this vacation of the western part of Markham road where Sang happens to cut off
to the left or the south to the end of Markham at the top of the hill. Those of you
who have driven on Markham know that after you pass Cross there is a dead end
sign - actually 2 dead end signs there, indicating that Markham is a dead end road.
And if you grant this vacation, we will be able to create this circular pattern.
Without it traffic can indeed turn around and come down Markham from the top.
We own the property as you have been informed on both sides of the road from
Sang westward. We own of course the property where the Inn property takes
off ..the parking lot and then from the parking lot the parking lot feeds out onto a
private lane called Evangeline Lane. It is sometimes seen on City maps indicated
that way. Other times it is not. It is a dirt road that comes back to the east and
then turns back to Markham just below the Sang Street cut off. So with this
approval... this project from you we will put up one way signs there. We will of
course allow City dump trucks and fire trucks to go the other way as is illustrated
by the red arrows and the following. And just to address the concern that was
raised by some of you that there would be no side walk. We have had a
suggestion after that concern was raised ... have had a very good suggestion from
the planning staff that a section of the road 8 feet wide be designated. And just as
you have certain City streets with bicycle lanes designated. This would be
designated the a pedestrian lane ... very clearly marked... probably a yellow stripe
whatever the staff thinks is the best kind of marking and then the 12 foot wide
drive there which is of course the width you have per drive on the interstate. So
that traffic would all go one direction up the hill. The runners would go up the
hill there and return down it. So it is an advantage whether they are running up
the hill or down the hill. To answer a concern raised by someone who preceded
me, here, about the engineering of this. This has been thoroughly... the watershed
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 19 of 139
has been thoroughly engineered by Crafton and Tull. I'd be happy to share that
with anyone who would like to see it. Of course it is a matter of public record
because it has been turned over to the engineering department for study and for
evaluation. And if the engineering department deems it insufficient it will
certainly let us know that fact. The, just for, just for your information... even if
you grant this vacation the culvert which you will cross when you turn off of
Markham onto Sang, that culvert is going to be replaced. It still has to be
replaced and we are going to replace it with a much larger culvert and a much
larger entrance to that culvert. They have designed the fact that there will be a
larger culvert will not change. The commission as you may recall a few weeks
ago has already approved the type of ditching that we intend to do. That is on the
section between Cross and Sang there on the north side. It is a 4 foot wide 8
inches deep to be lined with stone. You may also recall from our previous
application that from Sang westward on the north side it required only a 1 and 'h
foot wide ditch and only 3 inches deep. So even if in a bizarre situation that
someone didn't respect the markings for this 8 foot wide pedestrian or jogger or
runner pathway there would be no trouble getting off the road itself when the
ditch is only required to be 3 inches deep and a foot and a half wide. On the
opposite side, the ditch would be, as designed by our engineer, 2 and ''/z or 2 and
1/4 feet wide and 4 'h inches deep. Actually on the north side for the ditch is only
really needed for the first 134 feet and for all these years... for the last 243 feet...
we just went out and measured this today. There is no ditch at all. Water has not
worn a ditch there. SO for all those reasons I hope that you will vote in favor of
this vacation. It will create a very logical and semicircle and safe traffic pattern
on this western most portion of Markham road. Do you have any questions?
Anthes: Thank you, Mr. Archer. Does that conclude the applicant's presentation?
Sometimes there are 2 at the end.
Archer: I've got 20 minutes so, I could go on ... but.
Anthes: Commissioners.
Myers: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Myers.
Myers: I really like the idea of making Markham one way west of Sang. I don't know
how formally we need to include it in the conditions of approval. But I would
like to do that if my fellow commissioners are of like mind. It could in fact
improve the safety and, I don't know... the traffic I think would be improved by
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 20 of 139
only being able to go one way. I don't have any problems with any of the other
suggestions or conditions of approval. But if we need to include a statement or a
sentence or another paragraph... Either a separate condition Andrew, or a... OK a
separate condition. As you can tell I have had a cold and my brain is not really
operating real well. So I'm not sure I could craft that in the way it needed to be
said, but I am very much in favor of doing something.
Anthes: Thank you Commissioner Myers. Perhaps I could ask some questions of Mr.
Casey to follow up on some of the public comment?
Clark: Please.
Anthes: Would you please address Ms Ferris' questions and statements about the volume
and velocity of water, existing erosion, and then how the culvert would be
replaced and maintained if it were moved on to a private property?
Casey: As Mr. Archer stated their engineer Crafton Tull associates have developed
construction plans and a thorough range report that has been submitted to the
City, however it has not been reviewed at this time. However that is going to
occur sometime this week. We will review that for the planner calculations to see
exactly how much water is expected to come through that culvert. We have
talked with Mr. Archer on the side about the replacement as he mentioned of that
culvert. We would like to up size that to an appropriately designed storm. And as
to the maintenance the portion within the city right of way would be our
responsibility, our being the City, our responsibility to maintain and make sure
that is kept in working order and clean. Anything upstream from that along
Markham... along the portion that we are vacating would be the responsibility of
the property owner to keep cleaned out and maintained. And as far as the
appropriateness of the open ditch with the stone lining that was proposed, that's a
very easily maintained storm sewer system. It's easy to get in there and clean it
out if it gets silted out. And again that is going to be the responsibility of the City
of Fayetteville to make sure that happens in the right of way. Another question
that was brought up was the question of erosion control and the sediment during
construction. On the plans they will have to show us what they propose in order
to be able to handle that sediment control. We will review that and approve that
and our inspectors will make sure that that is installed and kept in place. They
will also have to submit proper notification to the Arkansas Department of
Environmental Quality to make sure they are following their regulations. And
that will remain in place until the vegetation is established.
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October 23, 2006
Page 21 of 139
Anthes: Thank you Mr. Casey. Can staff also provide some comments about whether
the... whether the vacation, if it was approved, if this section implies that this loop
becomes a one way loop and with that carries with the PZD or if we need to
clarify it with Commissioner Myers statement?
Williams: That needs to be clarified.
Anthes: OK. And can you comment any further on the discussion about fire truck access
and turning movement? Has that been looked at if this loop was put in place?
Garner: I think that the Fire Department has commented on reviewing the large scale
development and the PZD. That they needed 20 feet of paved access into and out
of the property. In addition to this large scale development there is a turn around
right by the house for emergency access. And likely they would have to go back
out through the wrong way on this drive. They probably wouldn't use the
dirt/gravel drive to get out. I would imagine.
Anthes: Then a question of Mr. Archer: Can you, if we were to grant this vacation
request... what I understand is that from the intersection of Sang and Markham
going west, you would have the 20 foot paved section striped with a 12 foot lane
and an 8 foot walking - pedestrian walking area. When it comes up to the
property where it adjoins your current property now, and it starts to make the
loop, please describe what happens the whole rest of that segment.
Archer: Are you speaking of the striping?
Anthes: The surface, the width, the striping...
Archer: All right. We haven't had much time to reflect on the striping because it was just
mentioned on us Friday of last week. The driveway continues to be 20 feet wide.
This is a requirement that has been brought to our attention from the very
beginning of this project. And so the .... what is the .... for Markham, the road up to
the Inn and all the way back to the fire hydrant which is to the west side of the
Inn, that has been made 20 feet wide. And then the turn around area which is
required also to be 20 feet wide, that actually is in the pasture. That was the most
convenient way to do it. So all of that is in the plans and has been approved by
the Fire Department.
Anthes: And that's, that's all an asphalt surface.
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October 23, 2006
Page 22 of 139
Archer: That's all an asphalt surface, up to the gate to the pasture. All an asphalt surface.
There's probably no reason why the Fire trucks after they have turned around
could not go back through the Inn parking lot and out. It will all be the proper
width and there are no sharp curves. They could return that way. Though the
more practical way for this once... well lets hope the Fire trucks never have to
come up. But for that occasion, then they can return down the one way street.
Well the one way designation is our own designation it is not a City designation
so there is no violation of any city rules. We would quite naturally give them
permission to go the opposite way for that rare occasion when they would come
there. And fire trucks leaving would not be going fast in any case.
Anthes: Remind us what the paving surface is on the parking area and on the Evangeline
Lane section on the return part of the loop.
Archer: I didn't quite get the question.
Anthes: The paving material or the surfacing material of the parking lot and the
Evangeline loop returning?
Archer: The parking lot will be paved. Once you have left the parking lot and gone down
off the hill, Evangeline Lane is a dirt road. And it has been, we've been allowed
to keep it as a dirt road. We will be 20 feet wide... approximately... but it will
remain a dirt road. Graveled as it is right now.
Anthes: If there's no further comment? I'm sorry Mr. Williams, we've closed the public
comment section.
William, J: I do have a question. I could ask him afterwards.
Anthes: That would be good. If you could do that. If you would ask him after the
meeting, that would be ok?
Williams, J: (Inaudible)
Anthes: OK, come on. Come on up.
Williams: (Inaudible from Mr. Williams to Mr. Archer)
Anthes: Thank you Mr. Williams. Commissioner Clark.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 23 of 139
Clark: My memory is not what it should or could be, but I need clarification from staff
on the use of Evangeline Lane. Because I certainly don't remember in the
original PZD discussion that we had which went on for ever! That this was ever
an exit or an entrance into this PZD. I thought it was just kind of there. Now all
of a sudden it is becoming a major element to this. Am I, did I space an entire
conversation about another intersection?
Garner: It was included in the original PZD, and it was identified as a possible exit route
from that parking lot as part of the traffic flow around this property.
Clark: Was it designated as THE exit route from this PZD?
Garner: Not as the only one.
Clark: I didn't think so. Are we requiring any improvements at that intersection because
it's not... and I've seen it... and I passed it by because it was like a wooded
logging trail or something. Suddenly we have what is now going to be a major
intersection not aligned with Sang Avenue. Is that what I'm seeing that we are
talking about doing?
Garner: We don't really feel like it will be a major intersection. We wonder..
Clark: Now go with me on this... It's got to be an intersection.
Garner: Yeah. Vehicles will exit there. That as part of the PZD the requirement was to
include... I think a 12 foot concrete apron at Evangeline Lane and Markham. And
that was what we felt was appropriate for traffic generated for this development.
Clark: But you didn't know that it was going to be the only exit at that point either did
you?
Garner: No.
Clark: Ok. And I am hearing from engineering that we don't know.... you haven't
evaluated the drainage numbers to know if this culvert is going to sufficient or...
Casey: A review of the construction plans has not been done at this time. However that
existing culvert on the south side of Markham that goes under Sang will be
upgraded with the construction.
Clark: And that will be sufficient for the runoff that is going to happen.
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October 23, 2006
Page 24 of 139
Casey: If it's being replaced it will be replaced with an appropriately sized culvert.
Clark: I'm not amused. I all of a sudden... and Mr. Archer I'm sure this was not your
intent, but it seems this exit off of Evangeline Lane has now become your bona
fide exit out of this whole project. And I think I would have given a little more
scrutiny had I known when it came before in the PZD if this was your intent. And
we might have talked about serviceability. How wide it's going to be. What the
surface is going to be. If it will be sufficient for emergency vehicles. There's a
whole lot of questions I would have had at that point. So, and you know a lot of
this discussion has nothing to do with this vacation might I add. But you sure
have raised a whole bunch of new questions in my mind. And I, I'm suddenly not
very comfortable with this vacation. Sure when I first read it but...
Archer: If I may, add... from the very beginning...
Anthes: Mr. Archer... Hold on I don't believe she's addressed a question your way yet.
Clark: Uh-uh.
Anthes: I guess what I would say Commissioner Clark, is that the vacation request does...
that these things we're talking about do pertain to the vacation request, because it
modifies how the PZD traffic pattern will be.
Clark: It does now, yes it does.
Anthes: And if you recall, a lot of the details of the PZD were worked out in Council,
because this was the only planned zoning district that went directly to Council and
did not come to Planning Commission. So the fact that we didn't work through
that particular issue has to do with that. We did see this of course as a large scale
development. And I am sure they are all painfully aware of how much time we
spent discussing this section of road ad how we were going to provide pedestrian
access onto and off of the mountain, and vehicular access onto and off of the
mountain safely on this stretch of road. Vacating this section of road nullifies a
lot of that discussion that we had. And then places the burden on that loop on
Evangeline Lane.
Clark: I guess that that's what concerns me the most.
Trumbo: Madam Chair.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 25 of 139
Anthes: Commissioner Trumbo
Trumbo: I guess the way it stands we are worried about the improvements to Evangeline
Lane. Since now it looks like this is... This is going to be the only exit. It makes
sense. I understand why you are here requesting this. But, I guess I would need a
little bit more information on Evangeline and Markham Hill and where they
connect. Because right now it's just too... it's just one open ditch if you are
headed east out. Is that where the apron is going to be? The improvements?
Garner: That is correct; right where it exits off onto Markham.
Trumbo: And do you all feel that a dirt road or a gravel improved road which will be
Evangeline will be adequate to handle the projected traffic coming in and out of
here?
Garner: I think when we first... we did evaluate this at the large scale development and
street improvements we talked about it. At the time we felt like it was appropriate
just to require that road to have the concrete apron only to keep gravel from
spilling out onto the road. And as far as emergency access getting into and out of
this property.... We anticipated and we still anticipate that we would use Markham
even though the applicant would have it... an arrow for the private traffic to want
to go in that way. The City would still use that as two way essentially. As far as
the volume of traffic leaving the site. It was more of a case of that's the
applicant's private drive and that's how they choose to get their ... make their
traffic drive out. And we felt like that was not something that we could make
them improve. We didn't feel like that was proportional to the development.
Trumbo: To improve Evangeline Lane.
Garner: That's right. We didn't feel like it was necessary.
Trumbo: And now that they're proposing to make that the only exit for vehicles other that
emergency vehicles. You still feel that way? That would be staff s
recommendation... you would think?
Garner: Yes, I think so... unless, Mr. Casey, you might recall the same conversations we
had when the large scale went through. That traffic would be able to use the
gravel road, but it was basically the applicant's own private property. And if they
needed to improve it themselves they could, but we wouldn't make them do it.
Casey: That's what I recall.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 26 of 139
Anthes: But, correct me if I'm wrong, that discussion was in place was when there was a
second way off the mountain on a city street.
Casey: That is correct.
Anthes: And therefore, if you had 300 and some odd people in this party barn and they
needed to get off the mountain they had an improved city street, with a walkway,
with a grading, and with a way to capture water and put it in a... in a... some sort
of a system. That didn't require them getting off the mountain on a gravel or dirt
track. Is that correct? It's not the same discussion. Mr. Williams.
Williams: Something I am concerned about is not the fire truck, because I hope you are right
and the fire truck will never have to be there. But, twice a week there is going to
be a solid waste truck. One recycling and one trash. And if it is going the wrong
way down the street twice a week, that does concern me with someone who might
be coming to the Inn that might not be familiar with the situation. From that point
of view I would be concerned. I don't know if you correctly talked to Solid
Waste about your deliveries going the wrong way down this one way street or not.
Garner: Yeah we... well I haven't talked to Solid Waste personally, but my understanding
from talking to Mr. Pate and also the applicant and their conversations with Solid
Waste is that Solid Waste would be able to go... would go reverse of what the
private drive would be arrowed for. Similar to sometimes in a parking lot or
something they might not follow the stripping patterns in a parking lot for access
purposes.
Anthes: But we will have one 12 ft lane and an 8 ft walking track. And we will have 12 ft
of paved purpose that is striped for vehicular use, and we could conceivably have
cars that met head to head on that. Well, a solid waste truck and a car... coming to
an Inn, maybe their first time up to the mountain.
Garner: We would anticipate that that 20 ft of pavement would be ample room to get those
vehicles past each other on a private drive aisle, or driveway...
Clark: Visit me on Wyman Rd one day when a trash truck is coming down the street.
Madam Chair, I just do not... well how wide did you say Evangeline Lane is?
Archer: It depends upon the section. It is certainly 12 ft wide all along it. And it can be
widened if it's necessary. If you find it...
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 27 of 139
Clark: Gravel?
Archer: Yes, it's gravel. So it's a 12 ft wide section. Just as a point, from the very
beginning when we applied over... I guess a year and a half ago, this traffic
pattern that I just described to you was always stated in this. The parking lot
design reflects that. Just let me hold this up for you. You will see ... (inaudible)
Anthes: Mr. Archer, I need you to... when you are speaking you need to speak into a
microphone so we can get it recorded in the minutes.
Archer: And the parking lot turned in this sickle shape. The parking lot itself designed to
direct traffic back on to Evangeline. The secondary lower parking lot and here's
Evangeline itself there. So the traffic pattern, even before this vacation request,
from the very beginning was build into this. I know there are so many details
build into this project, which is... which there is nothing standard. It may have
gotten buried for you, not being the focus of your attention. But there had been
no attempt to hide this. And this has been part of the narrative of this that was
presented and was discussed... and discussed with Planning... and discussed with
Engineering. And we certainly will make... if that road needs to be widened any,
we will make it somewhat wider. If we find that there is an inconvenience. I
think we can actually run a test with the City trash truck. At least their pick up
time now is about 6:30 in the morning. I don't know whether that's going to
continue, but anyway that's what it is now. When there is no other traffic. They
would have no problem making a return on this with a grading that we are
required to do simply to make this parking lot a usable parking lot. SO there will
be convenient access, and I will certainly talk to the city sanitation people to have
them exit that way. It will be so much the better.
Trumbo: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Mr. Trumbo
Trumbo: Can we... can city trucks go down a dirt road? Or can we improve Evangeline
enough where the traffic flow would work for the city trucks?
Garner: I wouldn't anticipate our solid waste trucks going down a gravel road.
Anthes: A steep gravel road. Relatively steep isn't it?
Garner: Yeah, I wouldn't think that they would make that movement unless it were
improved. Probably 16 feet of pavement.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 28 of 139
Williams: When I thought of solid waste trucks. Obviously they have been approved to go
up and down this 20 ft Markham paved street even if another car was coming.
The only thing that concerned me is that if we are making it private now and we
are striping it differently, so that if someone assumes it's a one way street...
because that's what it says. They are going up and there is a solid waste truck
coming down the other way. If it wasn't wrongly indicated that there was on-
coming traffic, then I think it would be very safe for the solid waste trucks to
navigate that. There are many narrow streets both on Markham Hill am Mt
Sequoia that they navigate that way safely. I am a little concerned about the
different striping and how that might confuse a driver who thinks he has a one
way in and is not anticipating a big truck coming down the other way.
Ostner: Madam Chair
Anthes: Commissioner Ostner
Ostner: Andrew, if this were denied, what are the current... what's the current section they
would have to go build with this piece of dirt still under city ownership?
Garner: They would have to as part of the large scale development approval, you can see
on page 9 and 10 in you packet, no, page 6 and 7. On page 6 that's what was
approved by the Planning Commission for the improving of Markham St onto the
property. Which included a 20ft section of pavement and sidewalk on the one
side adjacent to the curb. So if you remember that. So that's what that drawing
indicates. The next picture over there is also what they would propose to improve
which is a 20foot paved section with just ditches on both sides. What we are
talking about here is just potentially just putting a stripe down there.
Ostner: OK. So basically what we are talking about is vacating city right of way,
changing ownership. But also we are talking about eliminating a curb, I'm
assuming, and a sidewalk.
Anthes: And a storm water.... a sub -surface storm water system.
Ostner: Sub -surface.... ok... storm piping and it would go to ditches. Um, there are other
trucks that are associated with this street other than City that concern me. Since
the PZD was recently approved. There are lots of support vehicles that attend a
place like this. Bands might have large trucks, bigger than a vehicle. Caterers.
Lots of delivery vehicles often go to places like this. If we are only talking
ownership and a sidewalk and a curb, I'm.... that's not enough for me to change
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 29 of 139
the whole system. I believe when the PZD was looked at. You're right Mr.
Archer, that Evangeline lane was on there. But it wasn't a primary exit. Just
because it was drawn doesn't mean we looked at it and go "that's the only way
out". We looked at it differently. The lines drawn meant something else at that
time.
Archer: It has always been....
Ostner: Hold on. Because this street was labeled public right of way all the way up. So
we looked at it differently. It gets improved and now we have to work backwards
and think about making this less capable... a little less capable of carrying traffic.
And Evangeline becomes more important. It's already been approved. I'm... I'm
not sure I'm willing to grant the vacation if we're only talking a curb and a
sidewalk. Umm.. And a storm pipe. I don't see the need to eliminate those and
vacate the property simply because there happen to be no sewer or wires
underneath this land. If there were we wouldn't be here because the city can't
vacate land that it has utilities on. So if it happens to be empty of those utilities,
but I think it serves an important function for the City. Thank you.
Anthes: Is that a motion?
Ostner: Well, no. Not yet.
Anthes: Is there further discussion? Commissioner Lack.
Motion:
Lack: I think I find a very similar concern to the rest of the Commissioners. And the
idea of Evangeline Lane, we did understand that it would be a means of egress
from the parking lot. We understood it fully to be a secondary means of egress
from the parking lot. And that is the way I believe the PZD was approved. And I
believe the reduction of Markham dramatically changes that. And the item we
have before us today would dramatically change the conditions of approval. Not
wanting to outright deny an application. I would I" say that we look at it and try
to find a way to make the application work. Try to find a way that we can
maintain the public safety, and facilitate an owner's wish to vacate a right of way.
What I would like to do, I would like to make a motion that we add three items...
recommendations for approval. Following number four of staff's
recommendations. Number five would be: That the... an 8 foot striped walk way
be added to the south side of the 20 ft private drive. Number six would be: That
the private drive be one way, and the extension of the.... continuing along from the
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 30 of 139
extension of Markham Rd through the parking and continuing through Evangeline
Lane. And number seven: That Evangeline Lane be improved to a 20 ft wide
paved section trafficable for service vehicles and fire vehicles. And that
Evangeline Lane be aligned with Sang at its exit.
Anthes: Question for the City Attorney. On that, I had thought of a similar thing, but I
didn't know if that was an appropriate condition of approval of a vacation request,
since that's really a condition that would be more of a development request on a
large scale.
Williams: I think, I think you probably could have that as a condition of approval. Of
course, it might be a condition that would be so expensive that the applicant may
no longer want a vacation. In order to satisfy that condition of approval, that
would be up to the applicant. That would be more expensive, I think, than the
cost would be just to build the Markham as approved in the large scale PZD. I
think you could make it a condition as to what you would be recommending.
Obviously this body is recommending to the City Council either for or against this
vacation. If you are recommending for this vacation, under what conditions
would you recommend to the City Councilthat they would impose upon this
vacation.
Anthes: We have a motion to amend the conditions of approval. Do I hear a second?
Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: Madam Chair, point of clarification. The motion specified an 8ft walking section.
Would that be elevated above driving lane as in a sidewalk, or would it simply be
a 28 foot street?
Lack: I was simply complying with staff s recommendation that it be an 811 striped
section of the 20ft paved section. I think that the reason would need to be is for
the fire trucks requirement for a 20ft driveway.
Ostner: I thought you meant an 811 section in addition to the 20. You are going along with
the 12 and 8?
Lack: Right
Ostner: OK, Thank you.
Anthes: Motion to amend by Commissioner Lack. Is there a second?
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October 23, 2006
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Myers: I'll second.
Anthes: Second by Commissioner Myers. Is there further discussion? Because my
comment on that is that I would be more amenable to that motion if we were
actually constructing that portion of the road as we hashed out in the large scale
development, and it required the same improvements as required by the large
scale development whether or not the property was vacant. Or whether or not the
City owned it or the applicant owned it.
Ostner: Madam Chair
Anthes: Commissioner Ostner
Ostner: My concerns are that... we... that our actual item is the vacation of a right of way.
And if we forward that on, even with these conditions... it's not our call who
vacates right of way. We're simply advising the Aldermen. They are going to go
through the whole thing again and they are going to decide whether Mr. Lack's
ideas have merit... the people who show up. It's completely on the table. When
we forward things like zoning its simple yes or no. RA or RS, yes or no. This is
a big forward. And the reason I'm going to vote against it is because it leaves lots
of development decisions on the table. Where the Council has appointed me to go
ahead and do that part of my job. And leave these vacations to them. So in other
words... well. I'm going to vote no.
Harris: Madam Chair
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Harris
Harris: I would agree with Commissioner Ostner. I normally to try to move towards a
compromise. I feel as though in this instance we are doing this on the fly just a
bit too much for my comfort. I will be voting against this as well.
Anthes: So, further discussion on the amendment? We wilt vote on the amendment.
Roll Call: The motion to amend by adding three items which were listed by
Commissioner Lack was denied by a vote of 4-3-0.
Lack: Madam Chair
Anthes: Commissioner Lack
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Motion:
Lack: I'd like to make a motion that we deny this item. I will call out the number here.
VAC 06-2289 for Archer.
Ostner: Second.
Anthes: I have a motion to deny by Commissioner Lack. Second by Commissioner
Ostner.
Trumbo: Madam Chair
Anthes: Yes Commissioner Trumbo
Trumbo: If we deny, what is the course of action set out for the applicant on a vacation
denial? Can they appeal to City Council?
Williams: Yes, I think they have 10 days, 10 working days to file an appeal at the City
Clerks office, of the decision if it is one of denial. The City Council would have
to make the decision in the end one way or another. Although, they will not
unless you appeal if there is a denial here.
Motion:
Trumbo: Madam Chair, I'm going to vote against the denial. I would rather Table and see
if we could get some of the suggested amendments the Mr. Lack pointed out. I
think with a little bit more time I could be very comfortable. Especially if we iron
out the garbage trucks and the city service trucks coming back down the hill. If
we get a better since of time. And any other issues that might come up with that...
so...
Anthes: Is that a motion?
Trumbo: I'd be more in favor with tabling, and I'll make a motion to table. If I'm allowed
to do that at this point?
Williams: Yes
Trumbo: Instead of having them appeal.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Harris: Second.
Anthes: Motion to table by Commissioner Trumbo with a Second by Commissioner
Harris. Is there a discussion on the tabling?
Ostner: Madam Chair. This is a question for staff. How much into the planned zoning
district can this issue encroach? In a way it's not fair to go back to the PZD.
And yet, it seems pretty clear to me that they are asking for an alteration of their
own PZD. That's my question.
Garner: I think it wouldn't go back to the overall PZD, as much as it would go back to
the large scale development. The actual large scale development details.
Ostner: Thank you, that's.. That's what I meant.
Garner: I think you can look at what you think you need to look at in order to vacate this
right of way. In order to make your recommendation.
Williams: And since the City Council is going to have to decide on the vacation. They
obviously can go back and look at that, just like they could go back and amend
the PZD if they wanted to. So I don't think it's unfair to suggest different
alternatives in order to grant a vacation request. Or recommend granting a
vacation request.
Anthes: Would it perhaps be a cleaner course of action though, to ask the applicant to
bring forth administrative item that clarifies the large scale development, and
have the vacation. And that's the development issue, and the infrastructure
issue. And then have the vacation request be just that... a vacation request?
Williams: I'm not sure. I mean he has to. I mean if he wants to attempt to vacate this he
still is going to have to come through the vacation request. And I think it could
be appropriately handled by conditions placed upon that vacation request. And
then it could be heard all at once. And then eventually not just be heard by this
body, but by the City Council. And they would probably want those kinds of
conditions as part of the vacation request because that makes them much
stronger, really, than an administrative item would be.
Anthes: OK. Thank you.
Ostner: My follow up question is for Mr. Casey. On this large scale development,
did .... what's the name of this little gravel street/
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Page 34 of 139
Clark: Evangeline.
Ostner: Was Evangeline evaluated with steepness, or was Evangeline just something
they were going to use privately? Or do you recall?
Casey: It was not evaluated for steepness. It was just considered an exiting gravel drive.
Ostner: Thank you. That's part of what concerns me. And I agree. I would like to see
this as an alteration of a large scale development. I'm concerned the Evangeline
will be too steep to hold gravel. You run a gravel road up a steep hill and it just
doesn't work well. It needs to be looked at. Scrutinized as an exit. I would be
willing to consider this vacation if all the items were on the table. So I am
probably going to vote to table it.
Anthes: Is there further discussion on the table? The motion to table. Commissioner
Trumbo
Trumbo: Well, just a point of clarification. Evangeline is sort of on a bench, so it does
drop down a little bit in the beginning. But those things do need to be looked at,
I agree.
Anthes: We have a motion to table by Commissioner Trumbo with a second by
Commissioner Harris. Will you call the roll?
Roll Call: The VAC 06-2289 for Archer was tabled by a vote of 5-3-0.
Anthes: Thank you. Shall we say that that was to the next regularly scheduled meeting or
indefinitely?
Williams: Next regularly scheduled meeting.
Anthes: Can we nod approval to that? Is that alright Mr. Williams? That we do it that
was or do you need it officially in the minutes?
Williams: No, I think that's sort of the default understanding when you do a table.
Anthes: Mr. Williams?
Planning Commission
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Williams, J: Ms. Chairman. Mrs. Archer... her name... the little street was named for her.
And her name was Evangala. So I believe that if Mr. Archer agrees with me,
that should be called Evangala Lane.
Anthes: I think that maybe we mispronounced it up here. That's what happened. I'm
sorry about that.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 36 of 139
R-PZD 06-1884: Planned Zoning District (WESTSIDE VILLAGE, 439): Submitted by
TODD JACOBS, CRITICAL PATH DESIGN for property located at SOUTH OF
WEDINGTON, EAST OF RUPPLE ROAD. The property is zoned RMF -24, MULTI
FAMILY - 24 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 21.91 acres. The request is for a
rezoning and large scale development approval for a Residential Planned Zoning District with
352 attached dwelling units and 74,255 square feet of non-residential and mixed use space.
Garner: This item was heard at the March 16, 2006 Subdivision Committee meeting. At
that meeting, the Subdivision Committee discussed that the residential project
should include some non-residential uses or was suggested to introduce non-
residential uses would be highly desirable for so many residential units in this
residentially developing area. The applicant substantially revised the site plan
and has included nonresidential uses and several new building types and a new
layout. The item was subsequently heard at the September 14`h and October 12`h
Subdivision Committee Meetings. So there were several months in between,
when they were re -designing their project. The Subdivision Committee
forwarded this project with favorable recommendations to the Planning
Commission. The property contains just under 22 acres. It's on the east side of
Rupple Road, south of Wedington, and north of the Boy's and Girl's Club. Its
currently zoned RMF -24. The applicant requests a rezoning and large scale
development approval for a mixed use development within an R-PZD district.
All of the land would be under a common ownership, it's not anticipated to
subdivide the property at this time. Table 1 in your staff report on page 2 lists
the square footages and the breakdown of the different types of buildings and
uses proposed, which would result in 352 residential dwelling units.
Approximately 17,000 sq ft of retail, about 43,00 sq ft of office, and
approximately 6,000 sq ft of restaurant, along with the 5,000 sq ft civic building.
Access into the development would be directly off of Rupple Road along the
western property line. Four public drives are proposed to be constructed. These
streets would feature parallel parking on both sides of the street. Meadowland
Drive, which is the main street, would extend east from Rupple Road, stubbing
out at the easternmost property line. Three other public streets would extend
north from Meadowlands Drive to the northernmost property boundary. Public 2
is a divided street and it features parallel paring on the interior and angled
parking on the exterior. Staff is recommending that this street is particular not be
a public street, but be a private, as it does not meet street design standards and
functions as a parking lot, or parking drive aisle for this development. A private
two way parking drive is around the perimeter of the development and this drive
has parallel parking on the interior portion and perpendicular parking along the
exterior. A pedestrian green way starts at Rupple Road and traverses east
through out the whole project and subs out to the east for future pedestrian
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October 23, 2006
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connections. Street connectivity proposed includes an access easement stub -out
and public right of way stub -out to largely undeveloped property to the east. An
access easement and right of way stub -outs are also proposed for the three streets
to undeveloped property to the north. Staff does recommend that the location
and number of street connections are appropriate. We do recommend, however,
that all the street stub -outs be constructed with pavement to the property line.
The applicant proposes only to install signs and leave it unpaved. Street
improvements that we are recommending with this project include: Fees
assessed based on a contractual agreement for residential units on this property.
The contract was agreed to as part of the final plat for this subdivision. Staff also
finds that additional improvements are warranted for the nonresidential and
commercial uses proposed and we have agreed with the developer on the dollar
amount for approximately $44,000.00 that's listed there, in your staff report, for
those assessments for commercial impact to Rupple Road. We are
recommending forwarding this R-PZD to the City Council with a
recommendation for approval with several conditions. Condition number 1, we
are recommending is the determination of street improvements, which I've gone
over. Condition number 2, is the determination of adequate street connectivity,
which I've also gone over that one as well. I just wanted to note on condition
number 2, the Subdivision Committee did recommend in favor of street
connectivity presented, but recommended that full stub -outs be constructed to the
north and that the right of way and easement only and signs be provided for
connectivity to the east. And just to note that if the Planning Commission
determines in favor of not constructing the stub -outs we would recommend that
the applicant pay an assessment for the construction of those stub -outs and that
assessment amount should be determined and agreed upon with the engineering
division before building permit. Condition number 3 is Planning Commission
determination of a waiver of street design standards. The applicant requests a
waiver to allow a 15'curb return radius at all street intersections, in contrast to
city code. At that Subdivision Committee meeting they had this request and we
requested more information in order to be able evaluate this waiver. They
provided us this information late last week and we are still in the process of
evaluating that when we were writing our staff report. I'll let Mr. Casey go into
detail about that. I'm not sure if we have a formal recommendation right now. I
believe we have some potential we feel we can work that out, or least some of
the waiver request and some of the locations. Condition 3B is a waiver to allow
a different street cross section than are required current Master Street Plan
standards. That's just to allow the streets as proposed with parallel parking and
several of the street sections they are proposing simply are not allowed in our
Master Street Plan. But, we are recommending in favor of these streets as
proposed. Condition number 4 is Planning Commission determination of
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October 23, 2006
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commercial design standards for the commercial structures. We are
recommending in favor of those and we have elevation boards and you should
have elevations in your packet and materials showing all four sides of the
commercial structures. Condition number five is Planning Commission
determination of a waiver to allow less than the 24 ft wide drive aisles. The
Unified Development Code requires 24ft wide drive aisles for two way drives.
They have several incidences where they are requesting less than that. We are
recommending denial of that waiver finding that in some of the areas that they
are requesting the waivers, we don't find that there will be enough room to have
thm traffic and cars backing up out onto that traffic. I wanted to bring your
attention to condition number 17. This is a civic building on the site and would
be required to come back for conditional use permit. They haven't presented
elevations of that structure at this time. I see most of the other ones are relatively
straight forward and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We
are recommending that you do forward this with recommendation for approval.
We find that this meets the intent of our City Plan 2025 and does meet compact,
completed, connective requirements and many of the things we are looking for in
our policies for City Plan 2025 and our general plan and just let us know if you
have any questions.
Anthes: Thank you Mr. Garner. Would anyone from the public like to speak on this
project R-PZD for Westside Village? Seeing none, I will bring it back and listen
to the applicant's presentation.
Jacobs: Good evening. I'm Todd Jacobs with Critical Path Designs. We are extremely
happy to be here tonight to bring forward a project that we are very proud of
from a developer point of view, from the design firm, and personally. Back in
March we were before Subdivision Committee for strictly just property zone RF -
24. We had strictly apartment. At that time we had no problems, but
Commissioner Ostner asked if ..why we weren't looking at mixed use as a
project. And to us it was kind of a straight forward project apartments. But we
took that opportunity with Dover Kohl being here, and the 2025 Plan. And we
took the opportunity to do a project based off the goal of the City. What I like to
do is just briefly go through the project, and kind of point out the high points of
what we... what we are proposing. And address just a few of the items in the
Staff report. I think that we are agreeable to all of them. I see no big issue. Just
briefly to get you oriented here. Here is Rupple Rd. The Boys and Girls Club is
to the south here. So, here are the Rupple Rd Homes that just had there grand
opening. To the north is vacant. And to the back, to the east here is utility
owned by... what is it? Ozark Electric? Or Swepco? We looked at this
opportunity to do a compact, dense, type of development. With the opportunity
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October 23, 2006
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with the Boys and Girls Club to the south. The new elementary school opening
up. And we looked at the opportunity to bring in a small amount of commercial
office space, and the live/work. So people will not have to get out onto
Wedington to the... to fight the traffic... the strip malls of sorts. Hopefully they
will be able to work at this development, or at least do some of their
errands.... getting rid of some of the day to day errands.... getting rid of the
everyday use of the car. That's never going to happen, but at least we are trying
to provide the opportunity for it to occur. Moving into the site, you've got the
three mixtures: Buildings A, B, and C. Those elevations are in the big board of
your packet of what you would be looking at if you were on Rupple Rd looking
east. That would be your main elevations. The bottom level is divided into
commercial, retail, and office. The second two are apartments, condos to be for
sale. Also on the elevation you will see that buildings A and B are linked
together, providing connection. One of the big things we looked at was the
pedestrian, and how they work in this type of environment. With it being a... we
wanted it to connect out to future developments. One of the big things here for
us was to connect a pedestrian green way. You see it moves through the site
east/west. It allows people to live in the town homes, the flats, the condos to get
out an get access up to the mixed use, and then up the sidewalk to the Boys and
Girls Club. And also for future development... that occurs in the future, to allow
them to move through our site as well. The next part is the town homes. We
looked at how we could transition.... also with the mixed use, we've wrapped the
corners here to hide the interior parking, so it's not viewed from Rupple Rd or
from Meadowlands Dr. And here we provided landscape and buffering and trees
to help screen that parking from the town homes. That is one of the reasons that
these town homes face out onto the green way, is so they will have their own
area to look at... courtyard. I think that we've provided some pictures of what
we will be proposing in the booklet. This area, as I said, is town homes. They
are alley loaded, so the garages are in the back. They would be two stories.
Here at the mixed use building C, these colors here are what we are referring to
as live/work. I know Dover Kohl has talked quite a bit about it, and people have
gotten a little more familiar with it. They're in the town home form, two to three
stories. And what that does is provide people the opportunity to have a small
office ... um in here and not have to have a condition use. So these are live/work
units wrapped and hiding the interior parking here. So it kind of transitions from
mixed use, to live/work, back into the multi -family. One of the big things here in
the center is... these are one-way streets. This is running north. This is running
south. This is what we are proposing: a bio -swell here. We're wanting to drain
into this as a way to lower infrastructure. But, also a way to be environmentally
friendly, and to be a sustainable project. This is lined up on what we are
referring to as our village green, so we are looking for opportunity. With this we
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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are going a little bit more compact to provide a place for people to get together.
So here is what we are referring to as our village green. Town homes look out
on the village green. We have a pool. A civic building here. Hopefully this will
be where our post office will be, and an area for the neighborhood POA to have
meetings, and potentially a sales office. Here we envisioned just passive
recreation, block parties. Just opportunities for people to get to know their
neighbors. Additionally we have provided connection here to the Boys and Girls
Club, so there is a connection here to this opportunity of activity. So people can
walk their children out through here and over to the football games, soccer
games on Saturdays. Moving through a third of the site, what you see the brown
colored buildings are three stories... some of them may be four, just to give the
architect opportunity to play on the elevations much as they have up here on the
mixed use buildings. As you'll see on the elevations, the corners are a little bit
higher, just to give the signal that you are entering Meadowlands. But we just
envisioned those being three stories with certain pieces of the building maybe
going up to four just for architectural. I'm also... we've looked at providing
courtyards within the interior of these, these two buildings. We've wrapped the
corner here with more live/work units. This will be the largest condo unit.
Live/work units again wrapped around to hide the interior parking. Also we
added additional room. So instead of doing traditional landscaping, we're going
to do a bio -swell interior here. Moving back to the fourth part of the site is just
town homes again. These face onto the green way and then ally loaded. So the
big features again are the mixed use in the front, three buildings with a
pedestrian green way moving east/west to allow pedestrian activity. And then
setting up the access for a nice community center. At this time we just weren't
ready to provide detailed elevations of what it would look like. But we intend
for this to be an extremely nice building with that view set up, and kind of
provide a secondary hub for this. That's kind of the big idea of this project. We
went back and spent a great deal of time trying to work through these issues. It
is a little bit complicated, looking into how do you work with on street parking,
provide enough green space for pedestrians and people who will live there. They
feel comfortable. I think this ties in well with the goals of 2025. We are
extremely proud of this project. Just a couple of issues on the findings of the
reports that I would like to address. We are ... does it reflect it here? This is an
older rendering. But we are fine with connecting with the north here and
providing the stub out.... three stub -outs; here, here, and here. We are fine with
that. We would like not to provide this stub -out at this time. We'll sign it and
dedicate the right of way, and pay for the assessment. Just due to the fact that we
are trying to create the pedestrian, walk able environment. And this is going to
be a staging area for utilities. We are extremely afraid that they will move
through the site... larger vehicles tracking mud. And it kind of doesn't tie into it.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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So until this project comes through at a later date. And the City has opportunity
to look at it and evaluate, we would propose just to curb this, sign it. I know in
the past the City has had trouble with residential people put out.... curbs not built
out.... and 10 years later the city comes in and stubs -out and it's a problem. Here
it is vacant land on three sides of it. Plus there is no adjoining property or
housing right next to those stub -outs. But to north we are fine with that. On this
east side we had sort of talked about subdivision. One other issue that I'd like to
talk about is... When we talk about this type of "new urbanist" development, we
looked at road sections in quite a bit of depth, and curves and how that affects
pedestrians and their safety. You'll find in your packet that we provided several
waivers, requesting waivers, asking for a 15 foot radius. We've talked about this
a little bit before with Well Spring. We reached a compromise. Here we are
coming back and asking you for a 15. We have provided some more information
to Mr. Casey that he asked for. It's also in your packet. What we've referenced
is what most new urbanist communities, or compact, or TND's (traditional
neighborhoods) have referenced. And that comes directly from the ITE, that's
the Institute of Transportation Engineers, which predominately sets a lot of our
transportation guidelines. What you'll find in there is... the short version is....
based on... you should design a curve based on what you call your control
vehicle. A control vehicle is what's your day to day vehicle. Well, for us it's
going to be a typical passenger car or medium sized truck. What that... what we
provided hopefully support our quest for the 15 It radius. We just feel .... it slows
traffic down. We're going to have a great deal of pedestrians walking through
this area. It's something that is done here in Fayetteville in the historic district.
You can find it everywhere. We have made some construction revisions where
we will increase the curve radius... err the PSI of the concrete to help protect it
from being torn up if it is hit. But the bottom line is you set your control vehicle,
which is a passenger car, in a 15 ft radius. According to this report it's fine.
Here in Fayetteville we use 20 to 25 as the standard. The difference between a
25 ft radius and 15 is a difference of 8 ft of walking distance between one
sidewalk and the next. It's just a little bit bigger radius, so you have pedestrians
farther into the road. Other... with the other findings I think we are totally fine
with those. We don't have an issue. John, you want to say anything? With that
I think we'll end our presentation. Thank you.
Anthes: Thank you Mr. Jacobs. Commissioners? Commissioner Clark, would you like
to give us the subdivision report?
Clark: Oh, sure. We saw this at the Oct 12 Subdivision meeting. Mr. Trumbo, Ms.
Harris, and myself. And we were enthusiastically supportive of it. We had two
issues that we talked about at Subdivision that are reflected in your staff report.
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One would be the stub -out to the east. The staff was recommending that we do
the full stub -out and (unclear) through the meetings where we didn't do them and
we paid for them, yeah. But I don't... Subdivision was in concurrence that I
don't would happen this time, since Ozark Electric is their neighbor to the east.
We thought the signs and the dedication of right of way was sufficient. And with
the landscape that would also be a buffer between a very nice residential area and
Ozark Electric, and you wouldn't have the big trucks tempted to come through
that neighborhood. The other stub -outs are provided for and I think they are
needed. The other issue we had was the curve radius at 15 ft, the waiver request.
And we talked about emergency vehicles and larger vehicles traversing the
streets. And we were going to get some more information, because nobody was
really at a consensus. And we can talk about what Engineering is recommending
now. I'm looking through my packet as well. Because I still have a few issues
on that. I'm not sure that we are going to get all small passenger cars and not
some of the big Suburban trying to go down some of those streets. But I think
that that is something that we can easily work out. The other thing that I think
warrants mentioning in the Subdivision report is developments.... developers
who give us detailed plans like this for PZD, set the standard that I like to see
met coming to Planning Commission. You know what you are getting, it's full
blown. There are not going to be any surprises. And we reflected our
appreciation of that at Subdivision, and I'm going to act with it at Planning
Commission. Because this is what I thought that our PZD was supposed to look
like when it came to us. And I think, this... and I don't commend developers
often... but this has been consistent with this group, and I appreciate it. And
what they built is exactly what we saw. That it not the instance in everything
that I've seen pass through this body in the three years that I've been here. So,
we did support it enthusiastically.
Anthes: Thank you Commissioner Clark.
Casey: Well as presented, I am not in favor of the request to waiver on the minimum
street standards. Just to clarify, in the staff report it says 25 ft the minimum. It's
actually 30 in our minimum street standards. They're presenting 15 ft, and
technically it's really only along the public drives that we need to grant the
waiver. And, by now they show 3 public drives. Staff is recommending the
removal of one of those and making it private. So, if that's the case, we are
looking at 2 intersections where we would have to grant that waiver. The
information that was presented....
Ostner: Which intersections might be... I'm sorry...
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October 23, 2006
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Casey: I'm sorry. That's with Meadowland's and public drive one. And Meadowlands
and public drive three. And then whether or not you agree with staff's
recommendation on the center... on public drive two.
Anthes: Can someone with the laser pointer point that at the intersections?
Ostner: I know exactly which intersections.
Jacobs: (Speaking away from the microphone. Explaining the locations of the public
drives and the intersections)
Casey: Thank you for that, because it also clarified something for me with the
intersections on Rupple road... the public drives. Those will need to be 30 ft as
well, or a waiver will need to be granted for that one. They have shown 25, and I
would support their request for that. On the 15, they have presented the
information that I believe you have in your packets from the ITE. I interpreted in
a little bit different than what Mr. Jacobs has. And on page 161 of the ITE
report, one paragraph says that curve radius should be designed to accommodate
the largest vehicle type that will frequently turn the corner. I interpret that to be
a trash truck. We are going to have trash trucks out there on a weekly basis. I
think we need to design that... the turn radius to accommodate that. On the next
page, 162, it's on the right side of the page, it says "a typical minimum curve
radius of 10 to 15 feet,(which is what they are requesting) should be used
where?". It lists several examples. One of those it says "the width of the
receiving intersection approach can accommodate a turning passenger vehicle
without encroachment into the opposing lane". I've not been provided any
information to show that what they propose will meet those criteria. On the next
page, 163 of the ITE report... in the left hand column, it says "Curve radius will
need to be larger where?". And on number three it says "Receiving through fair
does not have parking or bicycle lanes and the receiving lane is less than 12 ft in
width". While they do have parking along these streets. The way they have the
radius designed, it's not long enough. It's not along a normal curve. They have
those bump outs to protect the parking. So that's taking up the affective turning
radius in that area, and you're tightening it up. So I have reviewed this, and I've
sketched on here a 25 ft curve radius. It does not significantly alter their design
at all. It widens it out a little bit and does not affect the sidewalk. It does not
affect the building location. I do not see a significant affect by asking that to be
something larger than they are requesting. One thing I do want to qualify. The
justification for the smaller turn radius that keeps coming up, is that is shortens
the distance that the pedestrian has to travel. That is not the case in the City of
Fayetteville the way we require our handicap access ramps. We require them on
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the tangent, not in the middle of the curve. If you put a handicap ramp in the
middle of the curve, then that is the case. But we require it on around the curve
where it's straight, and that distance does not change. Were as if you put them in
the curves, then yes, the bigger you make the radius the larger that distance is.
So, the increasing it to what we require will not increase the amount pedestrians
have to travel.
Anthes: Mr. Casey. Can I ask you to clarify something? On page 163 of the ITE
booklet, which is page 51 of our staff report. You said that the receiving
thoroughfare does not have parking or bicycle lanes or the receiving lane is less
than 12 ft wide. And you said that it was the bump out that made that not work.
If they removed the bump outs and the parking was there, would support the
reduction in the radius?
Casey: Yes.
Anthes: So that's the option.
Casey: Right.
Anthes: And another question is, that drawing on page 162 of the ITE report which is
page 50 of our staff report. I believe that that... the way those curves are drawn
to me signifies kind of like the situation that we have at the corner of Dicks on
and West. Where we take the intersection and we depress the pavement down.
We've done that on campus too at ... by the new Health Center by Garland and
Maple Street. What that effectively does, is you have heavy duty pavement there
that allows a truck to actually make the turning movement of the truck at grade
level with the street. But visually the radius is tightened, and most cars keep to
the smaller radius. Is that something you've considered in your recommendation
in looking at that diagram? And would you allow it or not?
Casey: This is an argument that the applicant has made in support of this, and it's just...
it's my opinion that the street system needs to... including the turn radius needs
to be designed to accommodate the vehicles without having to go off the road.
Which in effect would be the case here. They would have to hop up on the curb
and drive along. This... they are not proposing to depress the curb.... as you
mentioned. And I believe in the diagram here it's showing the depressions at the
handicapped ramps only.
Anthes: So, but if the curb was depressed, would that be something you would also
consider as an acceptable alternative?
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Casey: My fear is that a pedestrian would be in that location and they think they are
safe... they are standing in the handicap access ramp waiting to cross the street...
and a car comes and tries to make that turn and they are in the way. So I would
rather design something to where the pedestrian is safe and liability is not there
for the driver.
Anthes: Has that happened at Dickson and West? Do you know?
Casey: I am not aware of that.
Anthes: Thank you Mr. Casey. Ok, I have a couple of questions. Just a brief comment....
comments... on the book before this ends up in the next phase. I believe there
are, in the table of contents there is a reference to General Plan 2020. I believe
you have fixed the text on the inside of the document to refer to City plan 2025,
but if you could bring the entire booklet into that... into the plan 2025 language,
that would help. Also I believe there were at least one or two references to
Wellspring. And you might want to do a search and replace on it for the name of
this development. I was wondering if staff could comment on the status of the
artists live/work definition that has been forwarded by this body to City Council?
And whether that would be something that would be added to the use units in
these areas?
Garner: We weren't anticipating using that in this particular PZD. We anticipated the
live/work units to have the standard office use unit in the lower floors. And they
specified a specific square footage of office space in a certain specific area in a
live/ work unit. So we didn't anticipate using the new definition.
Anthes: Ok. But won't that definition be added within the other use units and not as a
separate use unit?
Garner: I'm not sure.
Anthes: Ok.
Garner: I'll have to get back to you on that.
Anthes: On page 4 of the PZD booklet planning area 1, mixed use development, "height
regulation shall not exceed 60 ft". I believe in the presentation you clarified that
that's predominately three stories but with some four story accents. Is that true?
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Nock: Yes it is.
Anthes: And, I believe there were some building sections and there were some alternates
shown. There was a 55 ft deep building, with a single loaded corridor, or a 20 ft
deep building with a double loaded corridor. I may be in the wrong planning
area for that. Can you tell me which you plan to use?
Nock: Well, our vertical designs are still ongoing. We may be using both since we
have both A and B and C. It gives a little bit of variety to those units. And, we
may use both. We may use just one. One tends to be a little more of an urban
feels, and the other is a little bit more of an apartment feel. It's.... a lot of it has
to do with the market place. Certainly we want ownership of property. We
thinks that's a high... and the best use for this project. There is going to be a case
for rental units as well. And so with that we are really leaning towards what our
architects come back with. We should have that in the next couple of months or
so for sure. But we are proposing it both ways, because we want to have the
flexibility to do what the market really needs.
Anthes: Well I am just thinking, urbanistically, a 70ftbuilding, that's pretty deep. It's
pretty large, and it provides a less comfortable transition on your site between the
planning... the different building types. And personally I have a preference for
finding compatibility within the development with the narrower building than the
70 It building.
Nock: We hope you live there.
Anthes: How.... can you speak to the trash collection system within this development?
Jacobs: Yes, trash collection. We looked at this quite a bit. What we propose in our
latest set of plans is, in the back corners we're looking at.... we're shown doing
the trash compactors. That will reduce the amount of dumpster; therefore reduce
traffic... how many times they're going to have to come to the site. It'd be much
like the Crown apartments where they have trash compactors. Apparently those
can be served once or twice a month. They are capable of handling that. We
would propose keeping the other dumpster closer to the mixed use. Those would
have to be served more often. But, two large trash compactors which, what the
waste department told us would be more than adequate for this sight.
Anthes: Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. Before you sit down. We are just trying to understand
the difference between these diagrams and what you're asking for on the curve
radius waiver again. On page 19 of your booklet under item on the left hand
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side. You show a 6in thick driver reinforced mountable concrete curb and
depressed section. And then you reference the ITE section on this drawing.
Have you..? What is your experience in designing that section and how it's
used? And how would you make your case to us to support that waiver?
Jacobs: I make my case in two ways. One is, we looked historically here in Fayetteville
first. Where there any 15 ft radiuses? l Oft radiuses? And 8? We went out
though Fayetteville, mostly in historic district Willow, Wilson Park area. And
we found them. They are here in residential areas. They're not residential in the
transition to IGA, but you can find them. You do have to look for them. Second
what we did, was we researched around the country at other projects and made
sure we knew what we were asking for. What we found from other cities that
allow 15ft radius on a neo -traditional TND type development is that there are
certain requirements that the city will place upon you. One is you need to
increase the PSI of the curb so that it can withstand people running over it if that
does happen. So we have provided engineering that we will increase the curb to
4000 PSI. Stronger curb should stand up. Secondly we looked at, you can't
push you fire hydrant, stop signs, stuff of that nature, to allow if emergency
vehicles do enter, they have the capability... if they needed to they can run over
the curb. Third, kind of what we looked at, is it all right for a vehicle to
encroach into another lane. Is it ok for a fire truck to come in while making a
turn and encroach into oncoming traffic. What we looked at regardless if you
build a 30 ft radius, from the diagrams we've run in AutoCAD, and the computer
is that a fire truck can't make it anyway. A fire truck would have to encroach on
what the City of Fayetteville has. Staff, would it encroach into the oncoming
lane regardless if it was a 30 ft? I believe it will. I mean, we are willing to
compromise on this. It's something the City is looking to promote per district,
and compact neighborhoods are something we have to look at as a whole. With
this, we just kind of open up the opportunity to have this discussion. If we can
reach some type of compromise we would be more than happy with that. We
just, we're trying to look out after the pedestrians of this neighborhood.
Anthes: Thank you, Todd. Is there further discussion? Commissioner Ostner?
Ostner: Madam Chair. I'm in favor of this PZD. There, there are some details that I
think we might be getting hung up on. I think... I was at the meeting. I think it
was in March, the first time this came through. And I really appreciate the
developers sort of changing gears. Things were very simple. It wasn't this
fleshed out. I don't think it was a PZD at that point. It was a simple re -zoning.
And I really appreciate that. The ... the quandary of engineering not feeling
comfortable with the 15 ft radius is awkward. Todd mentioned that the tighter
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radii are hard to find. They are not hard to find. They are right out in front of
this building. You walk, and turn left, and there is a 3 ft radii. It functions fine.
My entire neighborhood.... I live downtown. I don't think there is a single radii
that is bigger than 10 ft. And on page 49 to 56 it talks about "occasional turns by
vehicles that are larger than the design vehicle could be accomplished by turning
more slowly and possible encroaching into oncoming travel lanes to complete
the turn". That happens every day ... every day. The trash truck, he knows he
can't make it. Man, he's going one mile an hour. I know this doesn't fit into the
rules, and I respectfully disagree, I suppose. I think it's... I think it would be ok
if the 15 ft were built. I've always thought the turning radii... they basically....
they basically dictated speed more than anything else. If there's a 30 ft radii in
front of, I think it's Denny's... off of 6`h St... Man, you just punch it. You can
just "whoosh". And then there is a 3 ft radii right out in front of Planning,
ironically, and you don't. You crawl. That's the way I see it. I am in favor of
the waiver. I think it helps bring the intersection tighter. It makes people more
aware. So that's I guess where I fall. And I understand that it is a conflict with
the rules that we're trying to comply with ... so...
Anthes: Thank you Commissioner Ostner. I think I would tend to agree. Let's work
through conditions of approval. Planning Commission determination of street
improvements is condition one. Are there any comments on that condition?
Planning Commission determination of adequate connectivity is item two. And I
believe that this is the one that talks about the stub outs. Obviously Subdivision
Committee recommended in favor of the connectivity and recommended that full
stub outs be constructed to the north, and allowing the right of way easements
only in the signs provided to connectivity in the east. I believe the comment
made tonight was that .... if we supported that position, then we would need to
add an assessment for the construction of those stub outs at a later date. And I
believe the applicant said that he'd be amenable to that. Is that correct Mr.
Knott?
Nock: We would agree to such an item.
Anthes: Does anybody feel any differently about those? Would you like to see those
constructed? Or are you OK with that recommendation?
Lack: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Lack
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Lack: I would be... I would be amenable to that idea, and accepting money in lieu. But
I would how we assess that, or if the applicant would be willing to leave that
open ended at this time. It's a fairly small crossing there, so it would probably
be a fairly small amount of money. But, to leave that open ended?
Nock: Madam Chair, may I address the question?
Anthes: Certainly.
Nock: The idea there is obviously that we are trying to make it a beautiful spot for long
term. And we've talked... we've talked to Ozark Electric. They have no
intention right now of selling that property. It's a staging area for their trucks. If
anything, what we'd like to do is spend that money on screening for landscape.
However, if the City would like us to do something else...? I'm not sure what the
precedent is. I'm sure there is something that has been done in the past. But,
there's this idea that if you don't put the street in, that you have cost savings.
But if you do it right, your landscaping not only adds value, but it also costs you
money. And so, I'll leave it up to your determination. But we certainly don't
plan to say `will we save some money there?'. Instead as you can see on the
plans, it's to do complete landscaping as well as signage. Who knows, there
might be a bench or two. The idea is, don't do something that's going to maybe
developed 20 years from now that is ugly throughout that whole period of time,
plus is a safety issue. But we will pay to post the signs, put the landscaping
down, and make that work. So... we're certainly open to that idea.
Anthes: I think that this Commission is wary of the.... of those kinds of... of leaving
those connections out. And the reason why is that, when they're not there it's
trouble for us later or for future commissions. Because the level of expectation
is not there that a road could go through. And that is not necessarily for the
residents for the adjoining property, but also for the residents that purchase these
units on your property. So, in this case I think I would be more amenable to
making an alteration on our standard of requirement because of the truck traffic.
And if there is ... I understand the thought is that the... these trucks going to Ozark
Electric might be lured into rumbling into this development over that area..
Clark: With a 15 ft turning radius (laughter)
Anthes: And my question is I guess ... do you really think that that's the case? Couldn't
that be handled by doing the stub out and sticking a bollard at the end of it ... or...
and how real is that? Or by sighting them and telling them to please tell their
trucks to go another way? Would staff maybe comment on that?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Garner: If this is dedicated driveway, even if the street stub out is not constructed, Ozark
Electric could immediately connect into it or use it as right of way. So, just
because the pavement isn't built would not preclude them from using that and
being able to tie into that.
Nock: Madam Chair. One of the discussion points that we had at Subdivision level was
putting the easement subject to it being used for residential purposes. And that
would be one other way to dictate, that way the easement could only be utilized
for a specific purpose. Now, none of us knew the legal way for that to be done,
but that would... at some point or time, if there was a proposal that came to the
city to do something with that land, then something could be done. But if, again,
if you're putting an ongoing operation for utility trucks it would preclude them
from doing such a thing.
Anthes: Well, I would hate to limit it only to residential use being able to make that
connection. I'd certainly be amenable to mixed use, commercial, and all sorts of
other things going through. I just think that if it's more of an industrial or truck
storage use, that's where my heartache is on it. Does anybody have any
thoughts?
Ostner: Well, I'm very hesitant, in all due respect, not to build the stub out. As positions
change, as commissioners change, and land owners. You are all going to sell
property. You made that important point... which is important. The people who
live there in 10 years when it's time to build it won't be happy to have that built.
No matter how many promises we make. There are streets that say no trucks
allowed. What, how is that... how does that go about?
Garner: I'm not sure.
Ostner: That's not your division. (laughter)
Williams: Not only that, but these are... these sorts of trucks are usually allowed on those
streets. Utility trucks. Usually they are talking about major semi's, not the
Swepco trucks or Arkansas Western Gas, or other trucks like that that go out and
service residential areas.
Nock: I think this is real...
Williams: Is that the kind of structure that would support there?
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October 23, 2006
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Nock: This is a real key issue. I mean, I don't take this lightly. This is a major issue
here, because if we're talking about doing a multi -use development for
residential purposes. We're going to all the specific trouble to narrow the streets,
to increase pedestrian access. Next to the Boys and Girls Club we are going to
constantly have young kids going around there. And then you are going to allow
utility trucks? I'm not sure investing the money for the infrastructure is a smart
idea when the people that are going to move there are going to say "wow. You
mean utility trucks can come through here?" Think about the long term affect of
that. And I usually don't come out quite a bold. I usually try to be very minimal
to everything that we talk about here. This ah.... that could have a really
detrimental affect upon this property for long term. It's something we can make
a decision on very quickly, but it could have a very prolonged affect.
Ostner: If we did not do that.... I'm sorry ... (Both talking at the same time)
Ostner: Well I was going to ask Mr. Nock. If we did not build this, how are the utility
trucks going to get out? How do you propose that they...
Nock: The utility trucks already have their own access. They have direct access to
Wedington Rd as well as they are planning to do another access to the south that
will hit Persimmon. So you are already going to have.... the notion that we
understand they are already going to have additional access points anyway. And
so, I don't think their operation is downsizing. As more growth goes on,
including this project and others. They are going to need more man -power. I'm
not trying to make them out to be the bad people here. They are going to be
providing us utilities. But the idea is that there is appropriateness.
Ostner: It's a cut through that....
Nock: Yeah, I mean, let's think about it.
Ostner: Conveniently.... (both talking at the same time)
Nock: What.. Connectivity is one of our founding beliefs, but from a city and and
development perspective. But sometime there is appropriateness and sometimes
there's not. And I believe on this side it is not. To the north it absolutely is.
Clark: Madam Chair? I am a major proponent for connectivity as Mr. Nock knows.
But I think the case to make the exception is warranted in this case. I think it
was at subdivision and I still do. We have connectivity to the north, which is a
logical RA.... lots of RA property that will develop. I think you have
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October 23, 2006
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connectivity there. There's not going to be connectivity except a walkway to the
south end. That is more than appropriate for the school and the Boys and Girls
Club. We talked about infill, we talked about urbanism, we talked about an
urban environment. I think this... our PZD speaks to that in 99% of what it is
presenting us with in that 1% exception I can live with. And that would be the
connectivity to the east. I think dedication, signs, make it apparent that this
could happen. Mr. Pate was the one who suggested we write the easement in
such a way that it would not have industrial or heavy truck usage. And if
anybody can do that, it would be Jeremy. So if it does develop in the future as a
neighborhood then great. We can open those connections up and have them
come through. This is not.... I mean you're talking about an area with the town
homes.... if it were single family residence or regular neighborhood maybe I
would be singing a different tune here. But, I don't see Ozark Electric turning
that land over anytime soon for anything other than their use. And I think
buffering between pseudo -industrial use and this community is well worth it.
And I think the landscaping these folks are proposing will accomplish that. But
we still have the opportunity to do the stub outs in later years. Now, I will not
make this argument 99% of the time. And you know that. But., this one just
kind of speaks to it. And I think they've gone out of their way to give us stub
outs other places. Still not real happy with that 15 ft radius, but.... I see
engineering... I see Matt's point that a pedestrian could easily go out to the tip of
that 1511 and think that's where they are supposed to stand to cross the street and
end up getting smushed by a truck. And anybody who says that traffic slows
down... oh come on! Come into the real world. Some does, some doesn't. And
all of you are guilty of it at one point or another out there. So, that one still.
That one's a much bigger issue to me than the stub outs quite honestly. And if
we are confident that our emergency vehicles and our trash trucks can still
handle it without smushing pedestrians... which I'm not confident of! I can go
for it. But the stub out was the least of my concern. And this is a very well
thought out, I think, development.
Casey: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Are you, are you addressing the stub out?
Casey: Yes Ma'am. One thing I might add. If you choose that that stub out be
constructed, normally on a public street stub out we require a type 3 barricade be
constructed at the end of that street. That's 3 large boards with the red and white
stripes on it. That would be on the end of that roadway. So that's... something to
consider as far as restricting the truck traffic. That will be installed.
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Clark: And aesthetics....
Casey: Yeah, it's going to look pretty bad. But that's what we require.
Anthes: My question is to Mr. Williams. I believe Andrew said earlier that if we actually
dedicate.... if they dedicated that stub out and whether or not we construct it.
The adjoining property owner then has the right to then make that connection.
Do you think there is viability in Mr. Pate's assertion that we could write that
dedication... or that easement dedication for that stub out in a way that would
only allow it to be finished out and attached to.... with... with redevelopment of
that property into something other than what it is now?
Williams: I think we would have to be very careful, and it should not require a standard
dedication. Because of the fact that it then would certainly open this up to the
access. And we couldn't build up one of those boarders if the... if the person on
the other side.... the owner on the other side wanted to access it. They we would
have to take our boarder... our blockage down. Even if it wasn't paved or
anything. Instead we should receive only an easement that probably will not be
sufficient if this is ever actually constructed. But what that easement would do is
reduce any possible cost that the then owner of the... of that 5 ft strip of land
would want to charge us. Assuming that might happen. If we already had an
easement across it for residential and automotive traffic only.... then we've
gotten a lot of access across there and so any further possible damages for
condemnation would be very slight. So we need to get something there. Not
saying that you would ever try to charge... but just to protect the citizens in the
future in case someone would. I don't think we should have a regular dedication
there. It's not going to be fair to the citizens that will be living in this particular
development if this becomes a short cut for all those trucks to go up and down.
And it would.... I think we could protect our taxpayers in the future considerably
by just obtaining a carefully drawn easement so that if we ever did have to do it
it the future... which I think we will.... then it would be of very minimal cost to
the taxpayers. And maybe there should be, rather than one of our standard giant
signs there, that you know... with the big... I've seen these things at the end of
stub outs... something else that we could agree on with the developer that would
clearly indicate that this is a future stub out without having orange and black and
everything else to make it not look very attractive for this subdivision. I think... I
think we could probably work that out with the developer in this particular case.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Motion:
Anthes: I would like to move to amend condition of approval number 2 to say that we
would accept that full stub outs be constructed to the north. And that the
applicant work with the city attorney's office to find.... to draft a carefully drawn
easement.... that would allow for future connectivity for all the things we've
talked about tonight.... and work with city engineering to come up with a suitable
indicator for the possible future connection. And also that we would require the
applicant to pay an assessment for the construction of the stub out in the future.
Clark: Isecond.
Anthes: Motion to amend by Commissioner Anthes. Second by Commissioner Clark. Is
there discussion?
Ostner: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: Since we are basically doing a stub out without a stub out, I'm wondering about
utilities. If.. I mean let's just say... Ozarks sells in 10 years. And it's not crazy.
Land is doing amazing things around town. It's not the highest and best use for
them to be there, frankly. Could the easement be worded in such a way that any
looping of water mains, or future access of sewers or other utility easements be
included in this easement? In other words, if this... if this becomes a road is
there gonna be a way to have sewer and other things under it? Because right
now there's not. We're talking about cars only. That's a general question.
Maybe Mr. Casey could help?
Casey: It's like on sheet 6 of 8 in your packet. On the plan of sales. It shows that as a
utility easement to be dedicated with this development.
Williams: This would not affect that at all.
Ostner: Ok. Good.
Casey: So that right will be there with that dedication.
Ostner: So any stub outs will probably already be in the ground. And they can be tied
onto later? Ok. Planning for that. Ok. That answers that question.
Planning Commission
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Anthes: Is there further discussion on the modification of to condition 2? Will you call
the Roll?
Roll Call: A motion to amend condition of approval number 2 was approved by a vote
of 8-0-0.
Anthes: Ok. Condition of approval number 3 is "Planning Commission determination of
the waiver of the street standard". A here is the waiver to allow 15 foot curb
radius at the street intersection where the City code requires actually a 30 ft
radius I believe. And then Mr. Casey also mentioned that he might be amenable
to accepting a waiver to 25 ft from the 30 ft standard at the entrance and exit
drives onto Rupple Rd. Is that correct Mr. Casey?
Casey: Yes Ma'am.
Anthes: Well I would be in support of both of those waivers. Is there... does anybody
else have any other comment?
Trumbo: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes Commissioner Trumbo.
Trumbo: I believe that originally they were asking for a 10 ft radius. And we suggested
15 based on the fact that we allowed Well Spring to change some of their curb
radiuses to 15. And I'm wondering... I guess Mr. Casey.... Was that a different
situation with Well Spring, or... Allowing them to have 15 ft radiuses.
Casey: No, unfortunately I wasn't involved with the review of that project. So...
Trumbo: Ok.
Nock: Can we get the other person to review it?
(Laughter)
Garner: That one was approved with a 20 ft radius, I believe.
Trumbo: Reduced.
Gamer: Yeah. The requirement was 25, and it was approved at 20. They requested 15
on Wellspring.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Nock: Madam Chair. May I address this? I promise I won't take too much time. I've
got a little excerpt. I promise I won't read you the whole book. It's a couple of
inches thick. But it's from New Urbanism. It kind of prints a report. Just a
couple of things that I've underlined that are important here. This is from the
Institute of Transportation Engineers. So they are probably smarter than I am.
They reference North Carolina Department of Transportation. Obviously it
doesn't involve us at all. But it says here that 15ft should be considered a
maximum for most TND streets. The exception being boulevards and main
streets where 25ft is the maximum. And it goes on to and refers to the range
typically being from 10 to 15 ft. It does refer to emergency vehicles as well as
trash trucks. Sometimes in design both vertically and landscape wise we have to
design for Easter Sunday for a church. You know, you build it for your
maximum possible outcomes. And one of the things it points in here is that
larger vehicles may have to cross the center line. Talking about on narrower
streets. But this is an acceptable design condition where a situation of this sort
will be an infrequent occurrence. Typically when you are having emergency
vehicles and there is a pedestrian there, they had better get out of the way
because there are sires blaring. The other thing is trash trucks typically come
quite early in the morning and where they can have the opportunity to cross the
center line if they need to. We don't want to propose something that is unsafe. I
run the risk of going.... making comments at all that will conflict Mr. Casey's
who I respect a great deal and work with quite often on different projects. But
we would propose a compromise. We certainly did come in at 10. 30 is the
number, I believe, the City standards normally see. And we would certainly
target in that 15 to 20 instead. So if there is any consideration there, we would
submit that under one more plea.
Clark: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Clark.
Clark: Does 20 sound better Mr. Casey?
Casey: I'm sorry, what?
Clark: Would 20 be more acceptable? Because we did compromise on that at Well
Springs.
Casey: I would.... I would appreciate that much more than the requested 15. Yes.
Clark: Do I hear 20 Mr. Williams?
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Nock: If this is an auction, then yes... I would buy that. As long as Mr. Casey still wants
to work with us on future projects. So... yes, 20 would work.
Motion:
Clark: Then I will make a motion we amend condition 3A to read "waiver to allow a 20
It curb radius" and add the verbiage of the 25 ft curb radius into the entrance off
of Rupple.
Trumbo: Second.
Anthes: Motion to amend by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Trumbo.
I will state that I will vote against that motion because I am in support of the 15
ft curb radius. I would rather have the 15ft radius with the strength and the
depressed curb as proposed in the project booklet. I believe it is more in keeping
with the goals of our City plan. With the goals of this development. And I have
seen it installed successfully in many very successful developments where the
traffic moves exceedingly well, exceedingly slowly, and exceedingly safety.
Anthes: Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: Ok. I would agree. I am probably going to vote against this. The book Mr. Nock
read from. The New Urbanism book.... that's something that's... There's a lot of
research as you stated.... there are a lot of people smarter than me writing it.
Things can take years to affect. The rule books governing engineering and many
other development standards can take decades. And it starts with people just
going out there and pushing for it. And then other people write some books.
And then it gets more established. I think Fayetteville is a progressive town. I
think Fayetteville looks to these other areas, North Carolina, the New Urbanist to
tell us where are things going? What things are working better? Because kind of
like politicians, sometimes the people have to speak and the leaders will follow.
Mr. Casey has great points, but I believe the rules are changing. They haven't
completely changed. So I think it's larger than just.... I think 15 ft will work....
or no I don't think it will work. I think it's who's writing the rules. And I
believe these successful towns that are promoting tradition neighborhood
developments... T and D's have got something that people in Fayetteville want. I
think the Downtown Master Plan spoke to this. It didn't codify a 15 ft radius,
but it spoke of tightening intersections. There is lots of verbiage.... and the
look.... People know it when they see it. Dickson... I don't think there is a single
radii on Dickson that is larger than 15 ft. I would challenge anyone... maybe at
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October 23, 2006
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71... maybe. It looks different. It works different. And I think it's important to
keep this here. And I applaud the developer for pushing for it. And I also
applaud him for being willing to compromise. I'm going to vote against this....
against this motion.
Anthes: For further discussion on the amend... the proposed amendment to Condition 3A.
Harris: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Harris.
Harris: I believe on Wellspring I was one that went for that compromise too. But I
really appreciated what both you and Commissioner Ostner are saying, because I
would very much like to support a 15ft curb radius here. So, while if this.... if I
need to I will attempt to compromise, but I will vote against the compromise at
this point as well.
Anthes: Will you call the roll?
Roll Call: A motion to amend condition of approval number 3A was denied by a vote
of 6-2-0.
Motion:
Anthes: I'll move to amend condition 3A to accept the waiver of the 15ft curb radius at
the street intersections with the addition that the applicant provide a strengthened
and pressed curb as proposed in the project booklet. And, look at contrasting
materials and to provide the best visual clues of what is going on at those
intersections. And also that we accept a waiver to 25 ft from 30 ft at the
intersections at Rupple Rd.
Myers: I'll second.
Anthes: A motion by Commissioner Anthes, seconded by Commissioner Myers.
Is there further discussion? Will you call the roll?
Roll Call: A motion to amend condition of approval number 3A was approved by a
vote of 7-1-0.
Anthes: Ok. 3B. This is the waiver about the cross sections, and the applicant is
proposing on street parallel parking. When the master street plan does not have a
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October 23, 2006
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cross section that allows parallel parking as proposed. Mr. Casey, can you
clarify this a little bit? I'm a little confused as to what we are voting on. Or
maybe someone can point it out, where it is on the site plan.
Casey: If you will give me just a minute. I'm not familiar with this condition.
Anthes: Maybe Andrew knows.
Garner: Yeah. What we're looking at is the street cross sections allow parallel parking
on both sides of the street. And they also have the right of way within it. Like
from Meadowlands Dr it is a 63 ft right of way with... that particular street
section is just not in our Master Street Plan. They are customizing streets for this
particular development. And that is the case as well for public drive number 1.
With parallel parking it's a 61 ft right of way. And it's the same as well for
public drives 2 and 3. Those particular types of street sections with angled
parking and paralleled parking on both sides of the street. And it doesn't fall
under our standard cookie cutter streets that we've laid out.
Anthes: And is that basically more because of the way the parking movements work? I
mean, is it because of the angle that the back out parking that's the biggest
concern?
Garner: Are we still talking about 313? Or...
Anthes: Yeah is that only... or is that just for the parallel there?
Garner: 3B is really referring to just the street... the streets as a whole as they're
proposed. The one regarding the.... you know... the drive aisle that was a waiver
also in condition number 5.
Anthes: OK.
Gamer: Condition 3B was talking just about..... just ah, just the public street cross
sections as a whole.
Anthes: Ok. So basically you just want to see public drive number 3 labeled as a private
street.
Gamer: Right.
Anthes: And I believe the applicant agreed to that.
Planning Commission
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Nock: Ah, reluctantly. Obviously we believe that streets should be for public use and
maintained by the public. We did understand Staff's recommendation. We did
not want to make a debate out of every issue. We did want to point out at this
level thought that there are other streets in town historically that have both
parallel parking as well as diagonal parking.... especially on the square and
around the University. And so, yes, it does not fit, as we've heard. The cookie
cutter standard road. But I'm not sure that anything in Fayetteville that's great
has been cookie cutter. So we are willing to compromise where ever we need to.
But, our proposal was, and still is that this would be a public street. It is unique
and is different. But the idea hear is to have the public access it and it be
maintained.
Anthes: Will you indicate the road we're discussion on this item with the laser pointer
Todd?
Jacobs: This street here goes one way north and then parking. And then one way south
with parking here.
Nock: Madam Chair, another thought here that you need to know is that because we
anticipate growth to the north over some period of time, having a connection
there from a public street is more ideal from a long term perspective to connect
to the property to the north. This is obviously part of the transect from the
north/south and then east/west. Meadowlands Dr. and then this middle road as
well. So we didn't want to turn this into a parking lot because obviously we
want to slow down traffic, but let it be a public street. And then there is the
possibility longer term that there... and we've talked about having a stub out
there... that this would also connect to the north. It couldn't connect to the south,
obviously because of the Boys and Girls Club there, and also because you're
civic building is there.
Anthes: Question of Staff. I'm confused. The drawing seems to indicate angled parking
on one side and the... the actually paragraph in our Staff report and the condition
talks about parallel parking.
Gamer: Right. The plan I believe is correct. This is just more of a conceptual plan.
Unless the developer can... correct me if I'm wrong, but public drive number 2, I
believe has parallel parking on one side and angled parking on the other side.
And on sheet 3 of 8. And essentially our position is that it is... it would function
as a drive aisle, and basically a parking lot for this development. And the City
isn't interested in maintaining a parking lot.
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October 23, 2006
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Nock: That is correct.
Anthes: Let's see. Well, I guess I agree with both. I agree with the comment that if this
could be basically classified as a boulevard section and connect to the north,
which would be a beneficial city street and beneficial connection. The way this
is drawn, it really is a parking lot with an island of trees down the middle of it.
And I can really see where Staff is coming from with that. Anybody else have
any comments?
Ostner: Yes Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: My concern is... the applicant has provided a very nice stub out to the north...
which, this parking lot with a median could very well function as a street the way
they have it drawn. At first blush is seems unfair to me for their street to be
private drive. But they have provided connectivity for the whole world to use
from the north. And we didn't want to maintain parking, though we promote on -
street parking. Rarely delineated so nicely. The angle is more than usual, but the
parallel has to count as on street parking. If you think about a 28 ft street in a
subdivision, people park on one side.... that's half of what we're looking at.
Would there be any middle ground where public right of way would stop before
the angled parking? Because I... I see that functioning as a street. Which is
really what the applicant is offering.
Anthes: Mr. Casey, would you speak to our standards in regards with 90 degree angled
parking backing into a lane of traffic?
Casey: It's not a topic that I am very familiar with. I can definitely check our code book
for you and see what our standards are for that. But I agree with Planning Staff's
recommendation that this would function as a parking lot. And I have some
concerns with the stub out that Mr. Ostner mentioned. Since this is a one-way,
and it's going up. And it's only stubbing out in one direction... if that is a public
street.... I think we would probably need to modify that to accommodate two-
way traffic.
Ostner: I thought it was simply a two-way offset since its 23 ft section. It's not marked
one-way.
Trumbo: Could we eliminate that connection?
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October 23, 2006
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Ostner: Mr. Nock, did you intend for that to be a one way.....
Nock: Yes...
Ostner: Well it would just be a parking spot for a while.
Nock: Yes. That is the correct design.
Ostner: To be one way northbound?
Nock: Yes, that is correct.
Anthes: I think that's difficult. If that's going to be a street stub out... it needs to be
allow... it needs to allow.... it would need to allow a two-way movement of
traffic. I don't think you should get into a one-way stub out.
Ostner: The stub out is not delineated one-way. I just.... It is not. Just because it's one-
way at the south of it.... two cars can easily fit on a 23ft section.
Anthes: Yep.
Nock: The idea there is obviously that it could easily be two-way.... you know, it
depends on if you want to narrow that connection.
Lack: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Lack.
Lack: I could ask of the applicant if it would be possible and if you would be amenable
to the idea of continuing the two one-way drives through the stub out, and
actually continuing the boulevard idea to the property line. Which may, at that
point, be converged at a Y and brought back together. But that would clean up
the intersection at that point and allow for a little bit more easy travel coming
south into the development.
Nock: And so if I understand correctly, you are talking about basically extending it on,
but putting a boulevard in the middle of that stub out, assuming it were to be
built today and it has a lane both to the north and to the south. Is that what I'm
hearing you say?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Lack: Two 2011 lanes.
Nock: But no parking on either side of it. So now we are talking about a.... what a 28...
28ft curb to curb. Does that sound right? Or is it wider than that? 32?
Lack: It would be 2 stub outs. And I would say they could be narrower.
Trumbo: Two 20's.
Anthes: With the center lines aligning with the center line of the drive all.
Nock: I can't say no... but I can't say yes. I don't have a copy of what you're looking
at, unfortunately. So that doesn't give us a real good clear indication.
(Unclear talking and laughing. Looking at maps/plans)
Anthes: Ok. Moving on to Condition number 4. "Commercial design standards for the
commercial structures and overall comparability in transitions in the proposed
development." Looks like everyone is nodding `yes'? Commissioner Ostner?
Ostner: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes.
Ostner: I'm still back on the last one.
Anthes: Oh. Ok.
Ostner: It all ended in yes? Yes to do those stub outs, and we're not going to talk about
right of way? (General laughter)
Anthes: Oh!
Jacobs: Right of way I think is already there.
Nock: I think it's already indicated on the plan. If I saw that correctly. It looks like it's
indicated.
Ostner: Yeah, that whole street is called a private drive.
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October 23, 2006
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Nock: But... well it.... my yes, if I understood it... was the question is are we allowing
that to be both the north and south access and it being a public space that would
ultimately connect to the north? Am I hearing that? Because that's what I was
answering yes to. That's what I thought I was answering yes to.
Ostner: But you have the dual stub out with the lanes that alien with the center line of the
length.... of the travel aisle of the private drive, allowing for the illusion of the
boulevard section. It would have to be moved from one property to the other
providing for an easier transition, I believe is what Commissioner .... (interrupted)
Nock: And part of my yes was predicated upon the idea that this becomes a public
street that is eventually going to go all the way up to the north, all the way....
hopefully at some point to continue past the property line.
Anthes: The Commissioner Ostner's correct in that we actually, actually haven't worked
through that... whether or not to accept that as a public street... or...
Ostner: The answer is no. I was pretty sympathetic to it... it should be public right of
way. And I...
Nock: And the answer is no? (Laughing)
Ostner: Next issue! (more laughing)
Anthes: So Staff's recommendation is that public drive number two should be a private
street.
Ostner: That's.... right. And if he's offering a median boulevard connection to the north.
I'm back to where I don't think this is quite fair to make this a private drive...
just because it's got angled parking. Can it not be right of way, stopping before
the angled parking?
Clark: We're going to have to maintain the parking....
Ostner: We can maintain the angled parking and the city maintain the street.
(Unclear talking and moving around)
Gamer: As far as the maintenance of those.... I mean, my understanding is the city
transportation department would not be interested in maintaining a street that
essentially functions as a parking lot. As far as the right of way ending at the....
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October 23, 2006
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at the end of the drive aisle and having to maintain that... I guess it could be
maintained as some sort of an access easement. I think that would be a better
situation for the city... probably, as far as the maintenance is concerned.... to
eliminate that angled parking. As far as from a city ownership.
Ostner: Why? I mean, why is that a problem? I'm just not seeing...
Garner: I think, just from the maintenance stand point.... Well, Mr. Casey if you want
to....
Casey: Madam Chair, if I may.
Anthes: Yes.
Casey: Sorry to disagree with you Andrew, but it's very difficult to draw a line in the
pavement and say that's the end of our ownership. I think if we are going to take
ownership we need to take it as proposed for the right of way.
Lack: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Lack.
Lack: I think Mr. Nock was quite astute in referencing the square.... as an example of a
public street with diagonal parking. I even... more than what this has in that it
has diagonal parking on both sides. I think the width for the diagonal parking is
a minimal difference. The only concern that I have is if we do have a regulation
about backing onto a public street from a parking space. Which, I remember,
that having come up in other developments... other things that we have looked at.
And if that were that case I think that I would still look at this favorably. And I
would like to try to amend that for this condition. But I don't want to go forward
and do something in error. So I wonder....
Myers: The City Attorney's got his book out.
Anthes: I'm thinking that that came up when we were...
Williams: I'm sure that's not a problem or else we wouldn't allow it on the square.
Anthes: Right. Well, I'm thinking about it. When we looked at that Plan Zoning District
that I understand is not going to be built where the huts are off of Center Street?
And we are looking parking under that building and backing out onto that drive,
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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and there was some question about the status of that street and allowing that to
happen.
Lack: It may be that it's only 90% parking. Because that's the condition that I had...
that I remembered. Or that it's a classification of the street issue. But I know
that we did address that on other developments.
Anthes: But you are correct that it does function on the square.
Lack: Quite nice.
Ostner: It was on Dickson 10 years ago. It hasn't been that long. Angled parking.
Anthes: As a condition, I prefer parallel parking. I would love to see this boulevard with
parallel parking, but I understand they won't meet their parking numbers with
development that way.
Ostner: I don't quite... if we're talking that the city doesn't want it because it's a
maintenance issue. To me that sounds like picking up trash. Because the people
owning the store fronts are going to maintain their plants. It's not like there are
acres of mowing.... I'm in favor of this entire area being public right of way. I
think it's proper. They are building a node. Not a town, but a tiny spot. It's very
centralized and it's very much like a square. It deserves a different type of guy
who goes out there and does a different type of maintenance. And I think it's fair
to actually make the public street a public street.
Anthes: Would you like to state.... how will you.... how you would like item 3B to read?
Motion:
Ostner: Sure.
Myers: Is it 313? Aren't we on 5?
Anthes: Well, we kind of went back....
Ostner: Where it begins the italics on 3B.... "Staff recommends in favor of the waiver to
construct the street cross sections as requested ...... and allow this to be public right
of way.
Anthes: And do you want to address the stub out issue?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 67 of 139
Ostner:
The stub out to the north will be a similar boulevard section.
Myers:
Period?
Ostner:
Period.
Anthes:
Alright. Motion to amend by Commissioner Ostner.
Lack:
Second
Anthes:
Second by Commissioner Lack.
Trumbo:
I assume that you are meaning 2 stub outs to the north.... 20ft sections.
Ostner:
Yeah.
Trumbo:
With a median in the middle.
Ostner:
A boulevard.
Trumbo: Boulevard type.
Clark: So there will be 4 stub outs to the north?
Anthes: Well, no... it might... well that one would be just an extra wide one that would
allow that boulevard section to continue.
Clark: Yep. Great.
Anthes: Is that right?
Ostner: Yes.
Trumbo: I'll second it.
Anthes: Will you call the roll on that?
Roll Call: A motion to amend condition of approval number 313 was approved by a vote
or (motion carries)
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 68 of 139
Anthes: Ok. I think the last tough condition is number 5. Basically we are looking at,
"the applicant has requested two way drive aisle around the perimeter of the
development as 23ft". And then there are other drive aisle that have 22, 23, and
25 ft. Our unified development code calls for a 24 ft drive aisle, adjacent to
parking. Is that correct? Is that what we are really saying? And you are saying
that you need the 24 ft in order to maintain those parking movements? When you
are backing out?
Garner: That's right. The 24 feet is for parking lot, a two-way drive aisle, and that.... We
do find that it is necessary to offer safe traffic movements from parking spaces
into that.
Anthes: Could you do the laser pointer to where this is? Is this just within the parking lots
themselves? Or it's the perimeter?
Jacobs: It's the perimeter around the parking on the off side....
Anthes: Todd, could you come up to the microphone please?
Jacobs: I think Staff's biggest concern was, we're showing 23 feet around this perimeter
here. So we have head in parking with parallel, so... 24 feet. What we're
showing is 23 feet. We are using a smaller curb. A typical curb is 2 feet with an
18 in lip. Same as we did on Wellspring is a 6in curb with a 12in lip. And that is
commonly what we see in T and D communities, and new urbanist communities.
You've got the same driving lane, same amount of asphalt, smaller curbs. So that
makes up. Visually it's a little more appealing. Esthetically, so it kind of falls
under... down street parking... and pedestrian, and what we're after.
Anthes: So question of Staff. If the driving lane can be accomplished to be exactly the
same width as the driving lane in the 24 ft section, would you be amenable?
I think that the concern was... that the driving lane... that was the main concern,
the driving lane. But just because the curb is more narrow... I don't particularly
follow how that would prevent him from backing out into the turning lane. So....
didn't really follow that. If the curb is more narrow... it would even force it closer
to the middle... sounds like.
Anthes: I read it the other way, which was that the driving aisle will maintained. It's just
that the overall section would be reduced because the curb takes up only a foot of
room rather than two feet of room. So if...
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Garner: I mean... I think...
Jacobs: If I may? That is correct. You have the same amount of driving lane that the city
requires... just a smaller curb for appeal. It's the same amount of asphalt there.
Just a 6 inches smaller curb on each side.
Anthes: What about the gutter? Is the gutter the same?
Jacobs: A typical gutter is 24 inches, this would be..... I'm sorry. A typical gutter is 18,
this would be 12. So there is your foot that you make up on each side.
Anthes: So, basically, you use... you will lose 611 of pavement with it... that cars can
maneuver on.
Jacobs: 6 inches. Correct.
Anthes: 6 inches. And then 6 in on the back side.
Lack: Madam Chair?
Anthes: Commissioner Lack.
Lack: If I may, I have a couple of questions. One on the actual parking spaces. I see a
17 ft dimension... and then a.... then we're looking at the 23 ft.
Jacobs: That is correct. We are showing the 17 ft because we have the landscape buffer
on the outside. So that is allowed by code. Typically your car will still pull up to
the curb and you have the 2 ft overhang into the landscape... which would be
sawed so that... the landscaping will provide the buffer.
Lack: The 17 ft space is allowed? With in the parking?
Jacobs: As long as you have the landscape overhang buffer. And Andrew can verify that.
Lack: Good. So that 23 ft would... would start at the end of that stripe...
Jacobs: Correct
Lack: To the edge of the stripe of the....
Jacobs: Correct
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 70 of 139
Lack: to the edge of the opposite parking space. So it is a 23 It drive aisle.
Jacobs: Correct
Lack: And the other question that I had. I have found the 23 ft to be fairly consistent.
Staff has noted that you have a 22 ft... one at 22. And one or more at 25? Can
you point out the....
Jacobs: I think we've gone back through and tried to be consistent where we are. I think
Andrew may have to point out where those are at. We do have some... some
smaller 20 feet right in here that go into parking at the live/work units. Overall
though we went back and tried to be consistent all the way around so we could cut
out the confusion. There may be a few dimensions left over that we did not get
changed.
Lack: Ok. And I do see one... one 22 where it is parallel parking on both sides. Which
is.... pubic drive 3. So the 25 ft section I would assume is probably one that has
been changed?
Jacobs: Correct
Lack: Ok. And I think that with the parallel drives that is certainly easier to assume that
a 22 ft drive will work fine. I have a little bit of trouble with the 23 ft drive.
Although it is only 1 ft shorter than the vast wasteland that we commonly call a
parking lot. But I do on occasion drive a vehicle that takes every bit of the road.
Jacob: This type of development we're looking after, looking for every foot every inch
we can to, like I said, provide that type of develop for the pedestrian and we don't
like to try and argue on every item. Yes, every foot does count in this type of
project.
Lack: And I will support the 23 ft, I just will be selective with which vehicle I'll drive
when I come to this.
Motion:
Trumbo: Is that a motion?
Ostner: Is that a motion?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 71 of 139
Lack: I will make a motion that we accept the 23 It drive aisle and the 22 ft drive aisle
as the public drive number 3 where the parking is parallel on both sides.
Ostner: Second.
Anthes: Ok, motion to accept those waivers by Commissioner Lack, second by
Commissioner Ostner. Is there further discussion? Will you call the roll?
Roll Call: A motion to accept the 23ft drive aisle and 22 ft drive aisle as the public drive
number 3 was approved by a vote of ?. (Motion carries)
Motion:
Anthes: I move that we forward Planned Zoning District 06-1884 to City Council with the
conditions as amended and with a positive recommendation.
Ostner: Second.
Anthes: Motion to forward by Commissioner Anthes, second by Commissioner Ostner, is
there further discussion? Will you call the roll?
Roll Call: The R-PZD 06-1884 for Westside Village was forward to City Council by a
vote of 8-0-0.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 72 of 139
R-PZD 06-2107: Planned Zoning District (CHAMPION'S CLUB CONDOS, 599):
Submitted by CRAFTON, TULL & ASSOCIATES for property located at SW CORNER OF
RAZORBACK RD. AND 15TH STREET, E OF THE CROWNE APTS. The property is zoned
I-1, HEAVY COMMERCIAL/ LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, and contains approximately 4.20 acres.
The request is for Master Development Plan rezoning and land use approval for a Residential
Planned Zoning District 4 -story condominium building with 144 residential units.
Garner: This property contains 4.20 acres its located south of 15`h Street and west of
Razorback Road. It is zoned I-1, and is generally flat, and the Town Branch
Creek is along the western border of the site. The applicant requests rezoning and
land use approval only, for a residential development within an R-PZD zoning
district. All the land is anticipated to be under a common ownership and the
proposed zoning would allow for maximum of 144 dwelling units in a
condominium building. You can see the conceptual rendering of the building
there on the board. In addition, the zoning would also allow for a maximum of 71
of those units to be allowed to be used as condo/hotel units. And this is located
right across from Baum Stadium, the Razorback Baseball Stadium, and the intent
is to be able to cater and allow some hotel use for some of the uses in that area, I
believe. The Crowne Apartments are located adjacent to the south side and the
west side of this site and it's zoned RMF -24. As mentioned, to the north is Baum
Stadium to the east is also University of Arkansas property and the RV park.
Access into the development would be directly off of 15`h Street and Razorback
Road along the northern and eastern property lines. The parking lots would be
constructed interior to the property with a drive aisle connecting 15" Street and
Razorback Road. Street improvements would be fully evaluated at the time of the
large scale development review. We are anticipating that 15`h Street would be
required to be improved to 18' from centerline with the development, and some
existing storm drainage improvements as well. Sidewalks will be required along
both streets, with a larger width than normal, based on the proposed development
pattern with the building closer to the street and more urban type of street scape.
We have had this rezoning requests reviewed by the City Rezoning team and had
the Police Department and Fire Department and our Engineering Staff look at
provision of water and sewer service and police and fire service. They have
found that this development wouldn't have any adverse impact to those services
with standard review and improvements to the infrastructure at the time of large
scale development. We are recommending forwarding this R-PZD with
recommendations for approval to City Council. The one determination for
Planning Commission, I wanted to bring to your attention was Condition number
1. Is City Council determination of a waiver of Section 166.12 of the UDC to
allow for a structure over a public utility easement? There is currently a 20'
utility easement on the property site and this building entrance, one of the
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entrances would spanned over that utility easement and we are recommending in
favor of this waiver to allow for the structure over the easement. The clearance
proposed in that breezeway is 14.5' and we find that would appropriate in order to
provide for maintenance. We would also require that it would be on an easement
plat, signed by all utility companies prior to building permit and actual design
would be required to be reviewed in detail at the time of development. The main
issues I wanted to bring forward and just let me know if you have any questions.
Anthes: Thank you; could you please define a condo hotel unit? Before you sit down.
Garner: It's a, from my understanding, it would principally be used as residential structure
and it would have the flexibility to be able to be use at times as hotel. It is similar
to what we saw in the Divinity project were some of the units would be for either
use depending on the applicants discretion. And so, the development review
would look at those, as the parking requirements would be the worst case, these
are all one bedroom units, so its one space per bedroom or one space per hotel
unit. It also is, would be more clearly defined with our Building Safety Division,
I believe as far as firewalls and those sorts of things when the actually design
review moves forward. Those units would have to be specified.
Anthes: So, at development review, we would know what the number of condos verses
hotel units would be? Is that what you mean?
Garner: Right, at this point we have a maximum number 71.
Anthes: Ok, thank you Mr. Garner. Would any member of the public like to speak to this
R-PZD 06-2107 for Champion's Club Condos? Seeing none, I'll close the floor
to public comment and ask for the applicant presentation.
Beam: Good Evening, my name is Steven Beam with Crafton Tull and Associates. I will
keep this short. This project is not under the typical PZD maybe like what you
just looked at. Where it's a large piece and we're coming up with a Master Plan
with this one. It's a little bit untraditional in that it's a small piece of property.
We are trying to something that's not necessary allowed under the regular zoning
criteria. We don't necessary meet the standard setback requirements to be able to
shield the parking back behind. Also, in this particular development interest is to
try to incorporate this build into the atmosphere around Baum Stadium and all the
athletic activities that take place down there. In so, again, achieve by pushing the
building forward. Putting the parking behind as I mentioned. Then I also, I just
lost my train of thought. I did want to address the question to maybe clarify the
hotel/condominium use, also something that is not allowed under the standard
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zoning criteria. May I elaborate a little bit more? These would all be for sale
units. The developer may intend to retain a few of those, but then also the
residence that purchased them would have the option to put those units back into a
pool to where there would be staff on site that would manage those particular
units as a hotel would handle the leasing, I guess the renting, or however you
want to term it, of those hotel units. They would be purchased and owned
individually but then the owner would have that option to put those into a pool to
lease. What we are doing thm this zoning criteria is setting that maximum on
those units. This is just a conceptual or preliminary or whatever the proper
terminology is PZD. We would plan on coming back before you all with a large
scale development. Where we would finalize the site plan. I don't anticipate we
change, but it would have the detail, such as landscaping, parking requirements,
and those type of things. As well as, coming back with elevations to present at
that time that we are meeting architectural standards within this PZD. And with
that, I'll just answer any questions that you all might have and appreciate your
consideration.
Anthes: Thank you. Commissioners, we are reviewing this for Master Development Plan
approval. Of course, that carries with it rezoning and land use approval.
Clark: I have a question.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Clark.
Clark: You just said, you got my attention Steven, that you'll come back with elevations
as if those aren't your elevations?
Beam: This being a conceptual, these would be as Andrew pointed out, conceptual
elevations. I think they would be for the most part what you are looking at.
Through the large scale, there may be a slight variation. We don't call out the
exact type of material as far as specific. As you may normally have material
boards and those types of things. We would come back with those details at that
time.
Clark: Ok. But they are going to be pretty close.
Beam: Yes ma'am.
Clark: Thank you.
Beam: (inaudible) kind of building, we're going to keep it that way.
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Clark: Yeah, exactly. Question for staff. Since this is going to be hotel/condo, so part of
this is commercial? Will the Design Standards come into play?
Garner: They will not. It's less than 50% of it. It would be hotel units, so that is were the
threshold would kick it into commercial. So, it's principally residential structure.
There will be some hotels inner dispersed through out. But, because it's primarily
residential, it doesn't fall into those.
Clark: As long as it stays residential, we don't have Design Standards.
Garner: Right.
Clark: Ok. That's what I thought.
Ostner: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: Thank you, is it that 50% even including all the condo owners who opt to go to
the hotel during big baseball game? I mean, it could be 100% hotel, if the
options, if the condo owners opt to do that. The way you described earlier.
Beam: There are 144 units in this development; I believe it was, 70 of them could be
hotel units, so that's less than 50%. So that would be the maximum amount
would be 70.
Ostner: Ok, ok.
Tr umbo: I believe you said 71.
Ostner: Ok, the hotel units are hotel or condo?
Beam: Right.
Ostner: Ok and the condo units are just condos.
Beam: Condo only.
Ostner: Right, ok. I had it reversed. Ok, ok, thank you.
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Anthes: You bring up a point though; I believe we saw a project last week on Garland. It
had two floors of commercial space with residential above. It was basically a
residential building, but we were able to look at the first two stories and apply
commercial design standards. Is that not what we would do here for the hotel
portion?
Garner: Mr. Beam can tell us how that hotel would actually function but my
understanding is that the condo units would just be able to be basically rented out
for those weekends. It's not a commercial as a principal use. It's primarily a
residential development overall. It's a Residential Planned Zoning District.
There's not any separate potion of it that we would technically review as
commercial. There's not a retail space on the bottom that would be subject to
those design standards.
Clark: Madam Chair. One unit can be a condo and a hotel unit. Is that what you are
telling me? Mr. Beam?
Beam: Yes, ma'am. Someone, for instance, if you wanted to purchase a condo unit, but
you didn't want to stay there all the time. So, you live in Little Rock and you
wanted to come up here for game days, you want to have it then. The rest of the
time, for business travelers, you could put that unit into a pool, that than, a POA
or some entity would than rent out on the weekly bases.
Clark: That's a way cool concept. But, I think does bid Commissioner Anthes question.
At some point 100% of it could be commercial.
Myres: No.
Beam: No.
Clark: So does it have to be?
Myres: No.
Beam: No.
Trumbo: There's a maximum.
Beam: 71 of the units.
Clark: 71 of them.
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Beam: Would be placed into that.
Clark: Ok.
Beam: And I believe that the intent to would not be just 71 units at any one time or
leased out. But rather, 71 owners would choose or maybe one person may own
five units. But 71 of the units would be dedicated into that pool that then would
be turned around and leased. Maybe unit 25.
Clark: Ok, it makes sense. And if you stick to these design standards, what I'm seeing
elevations of; it's not going to be a problem.
Beam: Yes.
Clark: Because it's really nice. If you stick to it.
Beam: Yes, ma'am.
Ostner: But we will see that soon enough.
Clark: Yes, we will.
Anthes: Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: I have comment. Since we are not granting development approval. This is simply
a rezoning, custom rezone. I would like to say I think it's an appropriate use of
land. I think it's a nice looking building. If you are go back and wonder what to
present for large scale development, the frontage along Razorback concerns me. I
understand these are just sketches. But, what happens to pedestrian, and I have
said this before, what happens to the pedestrian experience? You are sort of
building almost an urban situation. The parking is hidden; people along the
public street have direct interaction with the building. The sort of wall of shrubs
that almost makes a backyard is very awkward. I could see that turning into
something more significant. If those people want that to be private, I think
they're going to be disappointed and you're going to have to change it. That just
seems awkward to me. I would really look at that more as a public space. Its not
retail and it might not be public per say, but it if were their front doors or some
sort of situation that addressed people walking by. Who don't know what that
building is; I think it would function better. But that's just information, just my
opinion; it's not really on the table. I think we have a little bit of discretion of the
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PZD level, not equivalent to our design standards, but somewhat to comment on
how it looks. I think it looks nice. I think it's a pretty fair building. I'll be in
favor of voting for it.
Anthes: Ok, I'll proceed with some question I have about the booklet.
Beam: Yes ma'am.
Anthes: On page 1, I believe you, under C1, you said general the development would
consist of high rise condominium structure. I would not state that a four story
building in this City is qualifications for a high rise and would ask you to remove
that language.
Beam: Yes ma'am.
Anthes: On page 8, you've referred to General Plan 2020 before this ends up in Council
please revise to reflect City Plan 2025 and its goals. On page 9, the question
about, I guess its N7, a ten foot wide pedestrian trail would be constructed along
Razorback Road and will tie into the existing City trail along Town Branch Creek.
Correct me if I'm wrong, the sidewalk along Razorback Road that is a state
highway and that would be provided by the State Highway Department or you
actually constructing that sidewalk?
Beam: No ma'am. We are having to construct that. The Highway Department
improvements that are being done are only to 15`h
Anthes: Oh, only to 151h
Beam: Yes ma'am.
Anthes: Ok, so you are going to take that same alignment and carry it south of 15`h Street.
Beam: On the trail?
Anthes: Well, the sidewalk.
Beam: Yes, it's going to be adjacent to the right-of-way. I don't know exactly where the
trail sits on the north side of 15`h but there will be a crossing, pedestrian crossing
there on 15`h. I think it will be lighted in the future and then we'll take the trail
along south and connect into the trail that running east and west that was
associated with the Crowne project.
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Anthes: I just asked that if you can, if there is any possibility to make that align with the
State Highway.
Beam: Oh sorry, across the street, on the crossing.
Anthes: Yes.
Beam: I'm sorry, what page was that?
Anthes: Page 9, item 7 at the top.
Beam: Ok
Anthes: And then, my biggest problem with this development is also on page 9. 04,
please discuss what the rational for gating the parking lot thru access.
Beam: It's maybe not the gate as your thinking of a large gate.
Anthes: I'm thinking of a barricade that prohibits people who don't have a card from
accessing it.
Beam: No, the pedestrian movement thru this development will be.
Anthes: No, in cars.
Beam: Oh, I'm sorry.
Anthes: If you're in a car and you don't have a little card to let you thru, will it block you?
Beam: I'm sorry; you said without a card, I didn't catch the "d". The idea behind that is
with the location of this project you drive down there on game day and you can
see that whole field is full of cars. People are accustomed to parking on this
property. We come in and we develop on this piece property and there are a
certain number of residences who expect this to be their place of residence. And
there are spaces becoming occupied by people. Not only for games, but now that
the track center gets used as, or the former track center, gets used as a convention
center. The events that take place there will be parking demand and such. At this
particular project. We had discussion at length with staff about this. This
particular project doesn't have the benefit that some other projects. Take the
Legacy Condos that are downtown, behind Dickson Street. You have ample
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public parking available, should someone be in your space. Well, in this
particular development, in south Fayetteville, that development is just taking
place. There are no public facilities available, without having to walk some
significant distance and cross a major street. So, it's very important, not only for
a safety stand point, but from the developer stand point of actually going thru with
this project. To be able to have the parking on-site in reserve for those residence.
There's not going to be cross connectivity as staff pointed out on their report to
any of the adjacent properties because of the natural barrier of Town Branch or
Town Center Creek. The one on the west side of the project. And then
obviously, we are there in the corner where you're accessing. There's no cross
connectivity there. To the south, you also have the larger Town Branch Creek,
the trail and such. So, there's really not a likely hood for any connectivity from
this project and those parking control is only for that to reserve spaces for these
residences that purchased units in this area.
Anthes: Well, I understand what you are saying, and let, I also know that there's other
ways to control parking on those days. If this is being used for this kind of use.
First of all, people could be trained. Second of all, there can be a security guard
station there. I know that they are stationed up and down that road all the time.
There is just other ways to handle it and we have a specific directive with in the
City of Fayetteville that prohibits gated communities. I'm worried that this starts
to emulate what that does on a City street, with a gated community and I would
not be in support of that gate. Or the gated nature of the site. Let's see, can I ask,
and I know we'll ask in the future, but the type of glass that you expect on this
building. Particularly, the large expanse on the curb fagade? I'm just looking at
the representatives from WDD and asking and if your, shake your head, reflected
yes or no.
Unknown: Something that would have some, to get some depth to that facility. I would think
it would have no reflectivity to it.
Anthes: Ok, it sure would be nice if we could have some vision glass thru that would,
could see what's going on.
Unknown: Yes, some of the clear type of glass that you can see into the facility.
Anthes: Thank you. And, as far as the wavier to expand the utility easement, I don't seem
to have much problem with it.
Myers: No.
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Anthes: Anybody else? Are there further comments? Commissioner Myers.
Motion:
Myers: I like to make a motion that we forward R-PZD 06-2107 to City Council with
recommendation for approval with the attached 13 conditions of approval finding
in favor of the waiver for putting the structure over a public utility easement.
Trumbo: Second.
Anthes: We have a motion to forward by Commissioner Myers with a second by
Commissioner Trumbo. I'll ask other Commissioner if they feel similarly about
the gated aspect of this design or if that is something that we would see during
large scale?
Ostner: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes.
Ostner: I'm not comfortable voting for this and I would hate to vote negative just because
of that. But, I think there's been lively debate about this issue. It is tiny little
paragraph, but is a, I think it is part of the vision that the Alderman have reflected.
That the public has spoken too, clearly to not allow this. I can think of ten
different ways to handle it. How about a sign at each parking space. You're
going to be towed. You're not the one who parks. There is one guy who parks
here, you're not it. He knows who he is. I'm being sarcastic. The tow trucks are
busy the whole day before a game and during a game. Towing the people who
are not allowed. The people might decide to park a mile away and hire out their
spaces and like everyone else does. Allow the game people to park there and they
make several thousand dollars. I like to ask staff if we approve this tonight, this
PZD, the way I understand it, this booklet, we are approve that too? We are only
going to look at buildings and lines on a paper. Large scale development in the
future, not this booklet.
Garner: That's correct.
Ostner: That's correct.
Garner: I mean the PZD booklet on page 7, we did make findings of fact with regards to
access and connectivity and we did include discussion on the gates. We did find
in favor of that, as we discussed it, it is not City policy to allow gated residential
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streets and that's what the connectivity, for the gated situation is. From a policy
stand point, in general, we wouldn't recommend in favor gating condominium or
multi -family development like this. However, there is no potential for; we didn't
see any potential at all for any connectivity with any other areas in this. There's a
creek along the west, there's streets on the other sides. In addition, just the
situation with it being so close to the University and the Razorback game parking.
I know there are other solutions that they could do without gating. But, we didn't
feel like, this was the exception to the rule where gates would be something that
would be reasonable.
Motion:
Ostner: I understand staff's position. But, it's also my position to be the citizen volunteer;
well I use to be a volunteer, the citizen whose speaks not the paid staffer. I don't
think gates are Fayetteville, for the reasons I stated. I would like to offer
amendment that number 4 on page 9 simply be removed.
Beam: May I address a little bit further?
Ostner: Hold on.
Anthes: Hold on.
Ostner: We'll let you talk. I think that's fair.
Anthes: I'll second that amendment.
Ostner: I'll make a motion that the booklet be altered to remove item 04 on page 9.
Anthes: I'll second. Commission, a motion to, well do we actually need to put that in the
conditions of approval rather than amend their offered booklet?
Williams: I think that would be better.
Anthes: So, can you offer as a?
Ostner: Yes, as a condition of approval, I would like to offer removing item 04 on page 9.
Anthes: Ok, so we are accepting as a friendly motion amendment?
Ostner: Ok.
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Myers: Yes.
Anthes: Commissioner Trumbo, are you Ok with that as a second?
Unknown: Does that prevent us from asking the City Council to review that?
Williams: It does not.
Unknown: Ok, are position would be, we would not like be put in a position where we
couldn't ask the City Council.
Anthes: We are making our recommendations to City Council, they are the final body but
we need to make our recommendation clear to them.
Trumbo: I would like to leave my second on the motion that was original proposed.
Anthes: Ok, we will just offer as an amendment, do you just want to make a second
motion?
Ostner: Don't we usually have a vote?
Anthes: Yes, we will just do a separate motion.
Ostner: Lets first vote on mine.
Anthes: There's a motion and a second Commissioner Ostner and Commissioner Anthes
to add a condition of approval that would prohibit the use of gates on this site.
Which would in affect strike a paragraph in the development booklet?
Beam: May I address that a little bit further before you...
Anthes: No, we're in the middle of voting. Is there further discussion?
Harris: Madam Chair, if I may.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Harris.
Harris: This issue of gated community comes up occasionally, could we just expand on
this just a moment for the folks watching as well, as for me. Because what
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Andrew is saying is that it's primarily tied to the issue of connectivity. And I
would like some further discussion.
Anthes: Sure.
Ostner: That's staffs' stand point.
Anthes: I think it does have something to do with connectivity but it also has something to
do with perceptions of openness and welcoming that we have in our community.
It also speaks to, what happens when you are a guest? Think if you go to Pinnacle
and you have a delivery to make or you're a guest to somebody and you want to
go visit and you have to go to this guard house and there's gates. That's a
completely different feeling and different kind of situation than it is if you just
drive up and park on the street in front of someone's house. Yes, this is just great
property and its more to their parking lot but I just don't feel it's in the spirit of
the ordinance or in the spirit of this community to allow that kind of barricade to
be erected for private property. For access that people are coming and going to
that property.
Harris: Ok.
Trumbo: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Trumbo
Trumbo: I understand the issue of gated public right of ways, but I believe that a private
developer also has a right to gate something. Especially something like this when
we are not going to have connectivity in the future. And I may not be against it
personally, or for it either way. I think that especially in this case, the developer
or the private property owner has the right to do what he thinks is necessary to
enhance his development. Geared to marketing to whoever he wants to. But if it
was a public street, or we have.... what's the property in Johnson that's gated? I
understand. I think that definitely goes against the spirit of what Fayetteville's
not about. And that's gated neighborhoods and things like that.
Anthes: I can definitely respect what you are saying. I just... Those are private streets,
too. You know, usually those are not city streets behind those gates. So, it is
private in either case. And I also think that there is a city trail? in that area. It's
just... I guess I can see both sides of the argument. But with the Planned Zoning
District, I would rather have the development go more to the goals of the City
Plan. And more to the goals of visual connection and exclusion.
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Anthes: Commissioner Lack? I believe you have something on your tongue. No?
Commissioner Ostner?
Ostner: Yes Ma'am. The argument is often made that people who own property need to
go ahead and shoot for their marketing plan, and I respect that. It is difficult to
build projects like this. But I don't think that we should forget that we are part of
this, too. We don't own that land surrounding them, but it is called `public right
of way'. When the public lets people develop, they simply write a book and say
`here's all we require in this little town'. And every town is different. So there is
a voice for the public in how they want developments to go. Now, they have to
abide by the law. But, the law usually allows... and Mr. Williams can correct me...
the law usually allows the City Council to make an ordinance, and they did a year
or two ago. It was a little bit different. It talked about a gated community with
public right of ways inside it. But, I believe the dialogue surrounding that talked
about the public. And they said `Gee, how's the mailman going to get in? Is he
going to ring the bell? Is he going to have a key? What if the UPS man wants to
get in?' It's the same here. Is the mailman going to have another way in? The
waste management giant truck? Things get funny. They get different. They get
complicated. And, we've seen that. We all know gated areas. We've been in
them. I.... I think.... I'm not on the City Council. But I think the City Council has
spoken. That they have heard from their constituent that that is not the kind of
town they see this becoming. When they crafted the welcome mat to the
developers they say, "you're welcome if you do it the way we like'. So that is my
opinion...
Beam: I think we've addressed some of those things in our...
Lack: Madam Chair?
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Lack.
Lack: I will go ahead and release that.... what was on the tip of my tongue. So.... I think
when I look at this particular case I tend to agree with Staff. That I don't find it
necessarily a gated community and meeting that criteria. I think that people are
welcomed and invited into this property as pedestrians. Just not as drivers with
cars to take up parking spaces. And I think that when we look at the parking, and
the idea of gated parking, we can also look at an analogy of our downtown right
now where we have started to modify requirements and are allowing gated
parking... and for paved purposes. And so, maybe what the developer here needs
to do is assign a dollar value to the parking spaces and call it paid parking. And
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then maybe it's different. It's not a gated community, but paid parking lot which
our city has embraced.
Anthes: I don't find the same analogy. And the reason why is because nobody is coming
to a paid parking lot to visit somebody in a residence, or to deliver a package, or
whatever. They are coming there to park. And I personally don't like the gates
on the parking lots either. I like the parking lots by the... you know... the River
Market in Little Rock where there is an honor system. You go in and you park in
a numbered spot. You put your dollar bill in the slot. And you don't have that
barricade in place. As you can see we have a split on this Commission. I am sure
that City Council will have their own opinion.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Clark.
Clark: I actually have a question for the applicant.
Lack: Thank you.
Clark: Commissioner Ostner referenced it. With the gated parking. I understand what
you are talking about. How will service vehicles enter and exit the facility. And
how will emergency vehicles enter and exit the facility safely?
Beam: These ah.... first I'll answer the service vehicles, and then also I think the guests
that were mentioned. There are facilities available outside of these..... gates.... for
lack of another term.
Clark: Don't you wish you could find a better term?
Beam: I've been looking for one that is not so....
Clark: Gatish?
Beam: Exactly. There are some spaces outside. We had desired to get some on the
fronts... out along 15`h Street. But Staff wouldn't allow that. To kind of enhance,
but also to provide some more spaces for visitors. But for the service vehicles,
there is room to turn around in the back. Coming through here.... I can't really
turn away from the microphone.
Anthes: You can take the microphone with you if you would like. It comes out of the...
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Beam: Oh, excellent. Through here underneath the covered breezeway for vehicles.
There is room though here for a service vehicle to turn around. There is also
provisions for trash collection and also for fire protection, emergency vehicles.
These gates are equipped with, what I believe is called a `knocks box', which
disables those where the.... those types of... fire department and trash and things
can disable the gate and it will actually open up. And they are very common in
particularly the fire protection, and ambulances, and emergency services. To be
able to disable and come in and through the development. For pedestrians,
obviously this area is open and we have the access breeze way between the two
phases though here where pedestrians will be able to come in. These along the
backside are courtyards that are not locked off from anybody to move through or
such. The whole idea of this development is to be pedestrian friendly as
Commissioner Trumbo pointed out. We just need some level of comfort and
controls so as not to burden the developer with... Excuse me, I'm sorry...
Clark: Can I ask a question, not about this amendment?
Anthes: What about... why don't we...
Ostner: There is a motion on the table.
Anthes: Why don't we work the amendment and then we can come back to that. We have
a motion to add an amendment prohibiting the gated areas. Will you call the roll?
(some talking and Commissioners expressing the difficulty of this vote)
Roll Call: The motion to add an amendment prohibiting the gated areas was approved
by a vote of 6-2-0.
Anthes: And now we have a motion to forward?
Clark: Now I have a new question.
Anthes: Yes, Commissioner Clark.
Clark: What's the green space?
Beam: Green space as far as the strip?
Clark: Well I just remember, if I'm not mistaken, that the PZD ordinance requires some
degree of green space for the use of patrons and property owners.
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Beam: Yes, and it's all, as you can see, primarily clustered out along the right of ways.
Clark: The 20 ft setback?
Beam: Yes. The ah.... on the back side of each of the units, and this kind of goes to what
Commissioner Ostner had mentioned earlier as far as trying to put the fronts out
there. One of the things the developer is doing is... the backs of these are all
going to be green... as courtyard areas for each of the residents outside of the
particular units. And so will the...
Clark: Where is this in the plats? Because I can't find it in this.
(unclear talking and papers rustling)
Beam: I'm sure Staff had us put it on here somewhere.
Clark: Andrew, do you remember?
Garner: Not off the top of my head. The PZD ordinance, you can just look up an exact
percentage that is required to be green space. We would require that it be met.
We would review those exact numbers at the time of development to make sure
that they've met that. I believe that it is 25%.
Beam: 25% is the minimum. I do know. And there is a 20ft strip along the eastern
boundary. And then actually on the northern boundary it's a 5011 wide strip for
the whole width of that. You know, less the drive aisles. And so I think, with that
width, it will certainly exceed. I came up with some rough numbers, and I don't
see the numbers right off..
Clark: I asked you the question because I don't see the numbers in the book. And, if you
are going to reap the benefits of the PZD, I want you to follow the provisions of
the PZD. And I was thinking that a front yard is not necessarily what the
ordinance had in mind. Now, when you bring this back for Large Scale
Development, I think that it's something they will be looking for, and called out.
I see that you list amenities, but they are all internal amenities. Like a weight
room, etc. The ordinance specifically mandates some degree of communal green
space. And I hope that you can incorporate that. Because, this is a piece of
property that I think speaks very well to this type of development. I'm the one
who said we needed a hotel on that comer when we were talking about Divinity.
And I still think that it is a great place for a hotel. The condo/hotel I think kind
Planning Commission
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of.. is interesting. But what the heck? I think it's very appropriate for that area.
But, I want to see some more green space. I am not enthused. I know you want
the internal parking, but maybe you can work something out where you don't
have to use a gate or a petition. Or you can be creative and do something else
with it. In terms of appropriate land use, I think it is... yeah, really good. I think
what you are putting there is a good project. So I will be supporting the over all
amendment, the over all motion. As soon as somebody makes it.
Anthes: There is one. We have a motion for by Commissioner Myers and seconded by
Commissioner Trumbo. Is there further discussion? Will you call the roll?
Roll Call: The R-PZD 06-2107 Champion's Club Condo's was forwarded to City
Council by a vote of 8-0-0.
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CUP 06-2284: (CALYPSO PROPERTIES, 595): Submitted by CALYPSO PROPERTIES for
property located at 4170 W. SIXTH STREET. The property is zoned R -O, RESIDENTIAL
OFFICE and contains approximately 2.95 acres. The request is for a restaurant in the R -O,
Residential Office, and Zoning District.
Morgan: Suzanne Morgan stated the following, in her description and request to Planning
Commission: The 3.35 acre tract of land was created in 1993 with the approval of
a lot split and an accompanying conditional use permit to create a tandem lot for
the remainder of the tract, north of the subject property. In 1994, the owner of the
property requested the property be rezoned C-2, Thoroughfare Commercial and
requested approval for a conditional use to allow the development of a
commercial shopping center and warehouse/mini-storage. The Planning
Commission denied this request. In December 2004, the owner of the property
requested to rezone the property from R -A to C-1 in anticipation of developing
the property for retail use. Staff recommended denial of the proposal suggesting
instead a zoning of R -O. The Planning Commission recommended and the City
Council made the policy decision to rezone the property to R -O. On August 14,
2006, the Planning Commission considered and denied a second request to rezone
the property C-1. The property owner's reason for the second request was in
response to the several requests from retail businesses and restaurants to locate in
this development. The Planning Commission raised concerns with rezoning the
property to C-1 but did suggest that the applicant apply for a conditional use
permit for restaurant so that items such as lighting, refuse service, noise, and
hours of operation could be addressed. The applicant requests a conditional use
permit to allow an eating place (Use Unit 13) to occupy approximately 2,000
square feet of the overall 22,725 square feet development. This area is identified
as the two units closest to 6`h Street within the western building. The eating place,
specifically a pizza parlor, proposes the following hours of operation that is listed
in your staff report.
Anthes: Thank you Ms. Morgan. Would any member of the public like to address this
conditional use permit for Calypso Properties? Please come forward. Good
evening.
Wilkes: My name is Steve Wilkes. I live at 4180 West Sixth St. I am an adjoining home
owner. And indeed, my access would parallel this restaurant. First thing I would
like to do is congratulate the developers for putting up some very attractive
buildings. They have done a good job of putting buildings in, that I think suit the
landscape. They look nice. They've built a nice office park. There are still some
drainage issues that we need to discuss, but that's a different issue. And I hope
for their success with their office park. That said, allowing a restaurant to come
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in here, particularly at the head of my driveway..... It literally is the entrance to
my home... I have a lot of problems with. I would like to begin by addressing a
letter that was presented by Kevin Santos to you at the August 14"' meeting that
we had. And he said... and he is talking about this property.... "And this property
was owned by Mr. Wilkes and he got a lot -split to sell the property off, and he
could have put the covenant on it at that time if he had wanted to control the
future use of it. But now he is trying to control the future use of it and he has
already sold it for what he could get for it." And now I would like to mention the
Planning Commission Meeting from July 11, 1994. When Kevin Santos, the
same man, was representing my wife in a very similar...
Anthes: Mr. Wilkes, could you please..
Wilkes: This has a point.
Anthes: Yeah. Please, please do not direct comments at any particular individual. Just
talk about the issue at hand.
Wilkes: My point here is that I didn't have an opportunity to say that we didn't own the
property. We never owned the property. We never had anything control of it.
Anthes: Ok.
Wilkes: Ok. "Staff has found the conditions were met to satisfy the CUP requirement to
insure compatibility with residential uses." I would argue it's been turned down
twice and if this isn't commercial zoning, then I don't know what is. A pizza
parlor is about as close to a fast food restaurant as you can get. I anticipate that
there would be delivery drivers coming and going. I anticipate that there will a
liquor license sought, at least beer license. It goes hand and hand with pizza.
There's all kinds of problems that I see with high vehicular traffic, high foot
traffic, odor, late nights, weekends, trash, etc., etc. The closing at l 1pm is
problematic in that, just because a restaurant closes at 11 doesn't mean that the
activity is over at 11:00. It means that is when you start cleaning it up. That is
when the radio actually gets turned up louder, and the cars come in to pick up the
kid that is getting off work, and so on and so forth. My point here is just that
11:00 closing does not mean lights out, everything is quiet. It means that there is
another hour or two of clean up and trash removal. And all sorts of things are
going to happen. So realistically, that's not as early as it sounds. I am also
concerned about the likelihood of a liquor license, that's a problem in my opinion.
Not because I am against liquor, but because I'm against... I am afraid of it
amplifying all the other issues that can come here: traffic, trash, noise, and all
Planning Commission
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those sorts of things. There is a finding that the location is the most removed
from our home. I would argue that that is not true. In fact, it is located really at
the entrance of our home- the entrance to our driveway. In my opinion it is
probably the least desirable position. When someone enters our home, the first
thing they are going to see is the back of this restaurant. And the backs of
restaurants, over time, tend to get pretty ratty. I can see break tables out there.
Where are people going to go to have a smoke break? Throw down their cigarette
butts, their drink cans when they are done. They are going to end up in my
driveway. I have a great concern about that. I'm concerned about.... even though
I realize that Staff has recommended that deliveries and such be made to the main
entrance. I just feel that that is an unenforceable stipulation at 11:00 at night,
when the delivery guy decides to use the driveway to come and go to deliver
pizzas or whatever. Who's going to enforce that? Who's going to take care of
that when the trash is left? Who's going to put the teeth in that stipulation? It's
just not there. I would also argue that larger vehicles might take the chance of
getting down in there and tear it up. It's my understanding that it is my
responsibility to keep that road up. I don't feel like I should have to allow
commercial use to damage the road. And it will happen when big vehicles get
down there. So I am really worried about that. The other thing that I am worried
about isn't just this restaurant. It isn't just this particular lease on this particular
restaurant. It's that once a restaurant has been allowed to come in here we have
established that this is no longer really an office park. It is an office park, kind of,
but it is also a strip mall, kind of. And once the restaurant is there it is going to be
awfully hard in the future to say to a future restaurant owner `well, you can't be in
here'. And my point here is that restaurants tend to fail pretty regularly. In fact a
study by Ohio State pointed out that within a 3 year period 57% to 61 % of
restaurants failed: 26% the first year, 19% the second year, 14% the third year.
My fear is that even if the folks applying tonight are the best people in the world.
There is no trash, there's no cigarette butts, there's no noise. Everybody is happy
and friendly and so on and so forth, I don't see any guarantee coming down the
road that the next owner, the next person who takes over this space doesn't turn
out to be a neighbor that nobody wants to have around them. My best offence
against that is to argue for consistency in finding that residential offices what was
approved and residential offices what would be enforced. And allowing a major
restaurant, a 2,000 sq ft restaurant.... particularly one that will most likely serve
liquor. And again I am not against liquor .... but will most likely... you know it
depends on high foot traffic. It depends on high customer count in order to make
a profit. (Changing tapes- missing some dialogue) ....problem for me. And that
creates a problem at the head of my driveway. And when you come to my home,
and the first thing you see is the break table, and the smoking thing, and some
coke cans laying by the door, and two or three trash cans by the back door ... they
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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ultimately get put by the back door because that is where it will have to come out.
They're not going to empty the trash out the front doors, that's not realistic. It is
going to come out the back. And that is going to create trash and all sorts of
problems that come down that road. It's just life. I worked in restaurants when I
was a kid. I mean many of us did. It's just how it is. And so, I'm trying to state
that I think on paper the stipulations sound great. In reality I don't think that most
of them will work. Now, obviously the things about signage and all that, that's
fine. I'm talking basically about access into my driveway. I am concerned about
upkeep and I am concerned about maintenance. Finally, we submitted a petition
at the beginning of this with 32 names of Fayetteville residents that live nearby.
A couple of those residents have written letters a couple of times to you all about
this. In the packet that was presented, only one person came forward and said
`yeah we support this'. And he said specifically that he looked forward to a
restaurant nearer than Denny's to eat. The gentleman that made this proposal....
or who agreed with this... lives in Farmington. And I am happy to report that
Jim's Razorback Pizza opened up in Farmington, much closer to his house than
my home. So I am asking you to not approve this. I don't think it's in keeping
with what was intended when the developers came forward. And they, in their
own words, `compromised' and they went to residential/office. They agreed to
build an office park. This is morphing into just another strip mall quickly. It has
also been suggested that they have turned away at least 25 different people that
were requesting retail space or restaurant space. For about a year there was a big
sign up in front of it while this was being constructed that said "office and retail
space available". I would argue that it probably has not been marketed very
wisely. That, in other words, if you are offering retail space when you never had
the zoning to get it in the first place. No wonder you had 25 different people that
you had to turn away. It doesn't surprise me. So I am asking that you be
consistent in your findings. And I am talking about the quality of life in my
home, and the value of my property. Which I sense and I feel will be highly
degraded by allowing a restaurant, especially one like this, to come in at the head
of my driveway. Thank you very much for your time, and I apologize.
Anthes: Thank you Mr. Wilkes. Would any other member of the public like to address
this item?
Sherwood: Hi. My name is Jeff Sherwood, and I'm the person who would like to put that
restaurant there. And really all I would like to say is that I would like to put a
restaurant there that is an asset to the Fayetteville community.
Anthes: Are you the applicant?
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October 23, 2006
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Sherwood: No.
Anthes: Ok. You're a neighbor, right?
Sherwood: I'm the person who wants to do this. Sorry I didn't make that clear. And I'm a
school teacher, so I think I'm a good person. You know, I don't want to.... I
understand some of those concerns, and I would do my best to do whatever.... to
follow whatever guidelines I would have to follow to make this work. So thank
you for your time.
Anthes: Thank you Mr. Sherwood. Would any other member of the public like to speak to
this item: Conditional Use Permit for Calypso Properties? Seeing none I will
close the floor to public comment, and ask for the applicant's presentation.
Odam: Good evening. My name is Tony Odam. I'm the co-owner of the property that is
located there, and as Mr. Sherman has explained, he is the restaurateur. I'd just
like to add that Mr. Sherwood could have gone anywhere to open up his
restaurant, and probably would have been in business by now. He has chosen to
locate on our property, and we would like to have him there. I would also like to
add that Staff's conditions are acceptable for us. There is going to be some extra
cost to that, and we'll accept those costs.... and adhere to those and comply to
those conditions. My presentation, I believe I have provided documents for
everyone. And, just to kind of save time and not be redundant, a lot of Staff's
comments had my presentation in it. I would just like to address some of the
concerns of the neighbors. This isn't a fast food restaurant. It is going to be a
family run restaurant. As far as the odors and trash, and debris coming out of the
dumpsters, in addition to it being enclosed on three sides and also having a gate,
so it will be enclosed on four sides... the dumpsters will have lids. We have
someone on staff whose job it is to maintain the property. And we take a lot of
pride in the ownership of this property. And if trash, odors are coming from the
dumpsters, we have paid attendants, hopefully inside this complex who are
defiantly going to bring it to our attention as well. The dumpster location, where
this would happen is approximately 2511 away from the building. It is over 280 to
300ft away from the neighbor to the north. And again, we take pride in this. We
have some hired staff who will take care of these problems. The back of the
restaurant is, you know, something we will put in everyday when we go through
there and collect the trash and keep the property looking nice. It's ah... The other
thing I would like to call your attention is that we submit 84 signatures of people
who are directly impacted by this and live within a half a mile of the property...
all of who support this restaurant being there. I did not talk to one person who is
not in favor of this. And um... they think it is a good idea, and we think it will be
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 95 of 139
a positive impact on the community. Therefore we ask for your approval of
Staff's recommendation of this Conditional Use Permit.
Anthes: Thank you very much Mr. Odam. Let the minutes reflect, too, that Mr. Sherwood
is part of the applicant team. Commissioners?
Myres: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Myres.
Myres: I always hate to go against staff s recommendations. However, that never stopped
me in the past. My real concern is, number one: We've discussed this several
times. Exhaustively, as far as I can tell in my, granted, very bad memory. But,
when this proposal came forward the last time one of the things we did discuss at
great length was the uses that were allowed in this zoning. And the fact that
restaurants were not one of them. Many of us were very vocal about feeling very
strongly that this was going to be a commercial zone, then it should be office
space. Offices are generally open during business hours. People come into work
at 7 or 8:00 in the morning and go home at 4 or 5:00 in the afternoon. And I have
a real problem with a building within this development being open until 11:00 at
night during... Monday through Thursday.... or 10:00 excuse me.... and 11:00
Friday and Saturday... and 9pm on Sunday. That is an extension of the use of the
area that was not intended when the original project was approved. It was
assumed that the activity, that the traffic of people coming and going would be
during normal business hours and not into the evening, because there are adjacent
residential space. And the only way I think I could even begin to feel comfortable
about voting in favor of this use... this conditional use... would be if the hours of
operation were curtailed to 9:00 on the weekdays and on Sunday, and maybe
10:00 on Friday and Saturday. Also, if it's a family restaurant, most people like
to get their children home and in bed before 11:00 at night. So I would imagine
that the later night crowd would probably be younger folks. And consequently,
possibly nosier. With the amount of restaurants available within a 2 to 3 minute
drive of this property and the contiguous residential areas, I don't really see the
need for the restaurant. That is just my opinion. And I am going to stick with my
original vote several months ago.... a couple of months ago... and I don't intend to
vote to approve this Conditional Use. Thanks.
Anthes: Thank you Commissioner Myers. Is there further discussion?
Harris: Madam Chair?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 96 of 139
Anthes: Commissioner Harris.
Harris: In our packets, and I think we have alluded to it here, is a summary of the August
14 meeting in which the Planning Commission raised concerns about rezoning the
property to C-1, but did suggest that the applicant apply for a Conditional Use
permit for a restaurant so that the items so that lighting, refuse, service, noise, and
hours of operation could be addressed. And so, I guess I would ask.... the reason
that we have... that we gave some direction to come back with a Conditional Use
permit is precisely so we could have some control over these items, correct?
Thank you.
Anthes: I believe that the initial rezoning, and I flicked through the minutes to see if I
could find it here, but it was... there was a comment made by Commissioner
Shackleford at the time, during the votes to recommend an R -O zoning that
specifically addressed the fact that there may be restaurants and asking that the
conditional use be requested in that instance. Does anybody else remember that?
Ostner: Yeah, Madam Chair. I was....
Anthes: Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: I voted at that meeting with Mr. Shackleford. That was not a consensus. That
was not a Planning Commission agreement. That was simply a comment.
Anthes: Right.
Ostner: It was pretty sound and fair and agreed upon, even then, two years ago when the
C -I was proposed and the R -O was negotiated that retail, especially restaurant
was inappropriate. That was a side comment of one Commissioner as I recall it.
It was...
Myres: Yeah, that's the way I remember it...
Anthes: I wish we had...
Ostner: It was not vague. That meeting was very clear.
Anthes: No, no, I believe that it was very clear that the R -O was the recommendation of
this body and not the C-1. I, though, read the comment about the possible.... the
fact that R -O allowed a restaurant by condition use as being a mere statement by
him that was not necessarily endorsed one way or the other. But I didn't get that
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October 23, 2006
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that was an absolute negative from the rest of the Commission either. So I don't
know. The minutes aren't in front of us, so it's up to us right now.
Ostner: Right. If you are asking about the rezoning since.
Lack: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes. Oh, sorry, he is still talking.
Ostner: I am going to go ahead and finish saying that I don't think this conditional use is
appropriate for this property. I feel like... I almost feel like a broken record.
We've done this two or three times now. My opinion has not changed. And I am
a little confused by staff. Staff's recommendation to approve it. They talk about
how last time staff said that wasn't appropriate unless there was a conditional use.
Now, they are offering a conditional use with, I think, pretty generous terms. And
I think... if we're gonna.... stipulate that this restaurant needs to fit in with the
neighborhood... you can't give hours like this. These are... these are every
restaurants hours, just about. Lots of other things. The way the back doors are
situated along Mr. Wilkes' access drive is... that will become an ally. And an ally
changes significantly with food retail. If there's an access ally for offices that's
someone bringing you supplies between 8 and 5:00. Food retail is a totally
different beast. I agree with the Commissioners.
Anthes: Thank you Commissioner Ostner. Commissioner Lack.
Lack: I think that, I did read Commissioner Shackleford's notes in the minutes, similar
to what I think you're perception was; that that was a... a way that he could accept
down zoning from the C-1... and I only had the notes to read, so I may be in error
in that. But I think that that was certainly something that worked to my
perception when we talked about C- or R -O. I think the idea of C-1 where a
restaurant would blanket be approved or be used by right is not palatable. And
the idea of putting one, which I had anticipated the idea of putting one to the north
end.... more closely tied to, and more closely impacting the residential would be a
location in the development that I would not support. I think the... when we
looked at that.... I anticipated that we would see restaurants. And I think that was
a given in my mind that we would have some greater control in an R -O district,
but that restaurants would not be precluded. Not necessarily. And I think that the
issues with this particular restaurant, I think this is an appropriate portion of the
site. I like the idea that the idea at office here or other parts of some commercial
that might get in here, have a place to eat. That they don't have to go and get on
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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to 62. But we do practice some of the mixed use ideology that we talked about.
And with that I would be in support of this conditional use.
Anthes: Mr. Lack, can you comment on.... do you have any comments about the hours of
operation? Because that has been brought up by a couple of the Commissioners.
Lack: I would go with the other Commissioners as a compromise to reduce the hours of
operation. I would not make it a contingent portion of my approval. I think that
when we look at the zone directly adjacent to Hwy 62, I think we have a different
area. And the fact that it is contained within and in the overall R -O zone park is
less relevant than the fact that it is along a major arterial road that can stand the
traffic. And it is certainly going to be carrying a lot of traffic well past 1 ]pm.
Anthes: Thank you Commissioner Lack. Is there further discussion?
Clark: I have a question for Staff. Andrew, we have been dealing with this particular
development for a very long time. And I am trying to recall when we did the
private drive to the west. Did we require any type of screening from the back of
these buildings along that drive?
Garner: I don't recall. Suzanne? Do you remember that?
Morgan: As for requirements I can't recall for sure what the large scale required. But the
applicant has planted some evergreen trees- maybe one per leasing space. Maybe
they can say exactly how many. But they have planted a row of.. not continuous
to screen it... but a row of coniferous trees along there.
Clark: Would it be in..... I mean.... in a conditional use, would it be appropriate for us to
add a condition to include a fence? A boarded fence along the side and back of
this property?
Garner: If it was something that you found to be required to fit into the neighborhood. It
would be something you certainty could add in.
Clark: Well, I understand the concern about turning in and seeing a potentially bad
looking back of a restaurant. It happens sometimes. And this is a private drive to
a home, so I can understand their concern. I don't understand why the restaurant
is on that side when if it was on the other side, gee, we wouldn't have this issue.
But that's your decision. How would the Commission feel about doing a boarded,
a wooden fence along the side and the back of this restaurant?
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October 23, 2006
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Anthes: I guess... I usually... I guess I would like to look at the conditions of approval on
the large scale development... but usually when we have residential separated
from a commercial use.... then we do require screening. But maybe not with the
R -O.
Odam: I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but it is an easement along that. It is not a
private driveway, I guess, per say.
Anthes: Yeah.
Morgan: We did...
Odam: It's an easement across our property to get to... to ingress and egress.
Morgan: We did require a continuous screening along the north property line of this R -O.
But I don't recall anything specific along the access easement. I'll double check
the conditions of approval and make sure that before we issue certificates of
occupancy there, meeting at least all of the large scale development requirements.
Anthes: So, on the continuous screening on the north end. Was that called out whether it
was a fence or a vegetative screening?
Morgan: It was vegetative screening. They had shown trees to show a continuous row of
trees along the north end. There was a lot of existing vegetation, so they only
planted a certain number to fill in a gap there.
Anthes: So I guess my question of the City Attorney; would it be proper of us to be talking
about fencing around this entire property when we are looking at the conditional
use for one restaurant? Or would it only apply to the area adjacent to the specific
restaurant.
Williams: Well, you do have a lot of discretion in a conditional use. Your screening would
have to... you would have to base it on a good rationale of why you are doing it.
To make it more compatible to the adjoining residential neighborhood or home. I
certainly think you could do some screening here because of this. Because this is
changing it from a residential office to a commercial use. And normally you do
screen commercial from residential. So I think a fence or some other form of
screening.... at least for the restaurant. I don't know if you could do it for the
entire development. Especially the part that is away from the house. But I think
for the restaurant that would be an appropriate condition if that's what you wanted
to do.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
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Anthes: Thank you. Commissioner Ost.... Trumbo.
Trumbo: I'm unsure where the house sits. Is it just a drive all the way up the back, and
then the house sits?
Anthes: In the north.
Trumbo: Not adjacent to this area?
Clark: You can kind of see it on page 24 and 26.
Anthes: This is the drive and this is the house.
Trumbo: So you would just be screening the drive?
Clark: Yeah, all I was talking about was screening possibly from the corner and then to
the back. Just of the back. Just of the restaurant. Though I must point out that
other office buildings are much more prone to have smokers standing in and
around the front or the back, doing their thing that looks really disgusting. But,
having said that, a restaurant.... I understand the concerns, so I am trying to come
up with a compromise. Because I voted against.... I think I did. I think I voted
against making this commercial and making it R -O.
Williams: It was unanimous.
Clark: But we did talk about the possibility of some conditional uses coming it. And
personally I think a family Pizzeria is more than appropriate. It certainly is better
than maybe one of the chain restaurants that would certainly have high traffic all
the time. And I agree with Commissioner Lack's assessment that we are giving
these people in this office complex some place to eat so they don't have to get
back on that road and make those turns which I am still incredibly uncomfortable
with. But I understand the homeowner's fear of how it looks when you turn into
the driveway, because that's important. So I would... if the rest of the
Commission, those who are favoring this want to... I would be in favor of
requiring a boarded fence to go from... to hide the back of the restaurant space.
Harris: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Harris.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 101 of 139
Harris: I would absolutely... I would support that condition Commissioner Clark. I agree
with Commissioner Lack's assessment as well that the particular location of this
restaurant is really on the highway. So that seems appropriate to me in terms of
the hours. So, for me, I can allow those hours to stand. But I do think it is
important, while yes smokers are in the backs of most office buildings, that the
particular kind of refuse that a well run restaurant can none the less produce in its
back I think warrants having a screened fence.
Myres: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Commissioner Myres.
Myres: Can I ask for some clarification from Staff? On the discussion, well, on the
findings you presented? On parking, I'm not sure I exactly
understand ... um ... exactly what is going on here. 2000sq ft of restaurant you only
need one space for every 100sq ft. That's 20 spaces. The sales office apparently
needs 104 spaces. The professional offices 70. The parking required is 124 sales
or 90 spaces professional. Then they get some kind of an allowance? And the
minimum is 87 spaces sales or 63 professional. And the parking that is provided
is the minimum of 87 spaces. Is that really enough to handle the extra parking
that would be required of the restaurant? Granted, they are only required to
provide 20 spaces. But when I looked at their floor plan, they have seating for
more than 40 people. So I would expect that maybe there word be a little bit more
traffic than that, a little bit more parking than that. Could you clarify this for me
so that I know there is enough parking all day and into the evening to handle the
extra traffic from the restaurant?
Garner: They are meeting our parking requirements per code. And I don't... Suzanne do
you want to expand upon the parking for the sales and the professional?
Morgan: Sure. Just to go over what Commissioner Myers had stated, if there was any
confusion with regard to this parking chart. The first list on restaurants. We do
calculate on 1 per 100sq feet regardless of the number of tables or seating
arrangements. We have obviously have had situation in the city where they go to
the minimum required which is 30% below 1 per 100 and that has, you know,
caused some problems for some people. But that is certainly allowed. So what is
required with restaurant is 20 spaces. They can go under that to 14 minimum.
And if you take out the 2000sq ft from the overall development, say only sales
office goes in. Sales office is the highest ratio or the highest number of parking
for all types of office. They would be required 104 spaces in addition to the 20
spaces of restaurant parking.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 102 of 139
Myres: Got ya. I am with you so far.
Morgan: If it were all professional office and no sale it would be 70 spaces required, and
then plus the 20 spaces for the restaurant. So that is why for the parking required
it is 124 for sales..
Myres; Including the restaurant.
Morgan: That's right.
Myres: Or 90 for professional, including the restaurant.
Morgan: That is correct. And then that minimum required is 30% below for each of those
2 numbers. So if the entire office... or the entire development were developed for
the 2000sq ft of restaurant and all sales office- which is the highest 1 per 200 sq
feet, then they would meet the very minimum required because they have 87
spaces there. The required minimum of 87 spaces.
Myres: But that's the minimum.
Morgan: That's the minimum. And that's if you were to develop for sales on that whole
entire...
Myres: But if went professional they would need fewer than that, so they would have
more available.
Morgan: That is correct.
Myres: And combination.
Morgan: And we didn't take into account that obviously you are going to have some
overlap on the maximum times of parking. Because usually you see rush... Office
spaces are high during the day and low during lunch hour and then high during
the rest of the day. So you're parking for the... you are not going to have too
many conflicts after 5:00 most likely. Or after 8:00, depending what type of sales
offices those are. But... So we just calculated it without any kind of shared...
Myres: Ok.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 103 of 139
Anthes: I have a question of the applicant. Can you address the hours of operation that
you have requested and let us know if you have any variability in those?
Odam: I would have to ask the restaurant owner.
Anthes: Mr. Sherwood? Could you come up?
Sherwood: To take away those hours that I have requested would be like.... If you went to a
high school football game, what time does that game get over generally? I mean
9:30 - 10:00, so you are eliminating a group of people right there that you could
depend on some of those to come and frequent your restaurant.
Anthes: I'm particularly asking about the Monday through Friday closing time?
Sherwood: What do I have? Until 10:00?
Anthes: Yes, I believe that's what's been requested.
Sherwood: Same thing. Junior High football games. Things that go on in the evenings with
your kids. And you know you might stop by and get something and take it home.
Or, often times, I know with my kids, they'll go with a group to a place. And they
are out late. You know, later than you would like to be, but you are still available
for that.
Anthes: Thank you.
Trumbo: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes Commissioner Trumbo.
Motion:
Trumbo: I am going to make a motion for approval of Conditional Use 06-2284. In
agreement with Staff's nine conditions of approval to add number 10 for the
construction of a privacy fence to go around.... I guess we are talking about the
2000sq ft to be leased outside the back. I am not sure exactly how much space
that is to do that, but it...
Myres: Is there a utility easement?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 104 of 139
Odam: Yeah, there is a 50 ft utility easement from the back of our property to the end.
And however wide you would request that to be? The specifics of it.
Morgan: There... if you look on page 24 you can see that there is a 60ft access easement to
the building. And a 20ft access easement from the building to the west. Just to
clarify that.
Clark: So interpret that.
Trumbo: How big can our fence be? What I'm envisioning is just a wood fence that starts
somewhere around the drive and just runs north and south along the edge of
gentleman's drive.
Ostner: To kind of shield that.
Trumbo: That's what I'm envisioning.
Ostner: In the back area.
Williams: Are you going to put a height on this fence?
Trumbo: What would be the standard height?
Garner: 6ft.
Trumbo: 611t fence.
Clark: I have a question for the Commissioner before I second this. You don't mean to
fence along the entire side frontage of that building, but starting at the back edge?
And then out and over? Is that what you're talking about?
Trumbo: I'm not sure what your question is.
Clark: Well, you know when..
Trumbo: No, not... just running along the drive where the building starts running just the
space to the...
Clark: So coming out to the west and then going north/south.
Trumbo: That's right.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 105 of 139
Clark: Ok. So, not along the frontage.
Trumbo: No, just from the...
Williams: Just the part of the building that is being occupied by this tenant.
(More overlapped talking)
Anthes: Ok. We have a motion by Commissioner Trumbo. Do we have a second?
Clark: Second.
Anthes: Second by Commissioner Clark. Is there further discussion?
Ostner: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes. Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: I've stated that I am not in favor of this. But if it were to pass I do believe that
concessions can be made in neighborhoods for restaurants and neighbors to get
along. And staying open until 10:00 I don't think is a concession at all. If this is
going to be a family pizza parlor, and we are talking about High School football
games... you know... that's too late. I would like to offer an amendment that the
hours stop a 9:OOpm.
Sherwood: Can I comment?
Ostner: I think that's.... hold on, I'm making a motion. It's not perfect. I understand that
a lot of restaurants stay open later than that. A lot of restaurants close at 9:00, too.
It doesn't put them out of business.
Myres: As we know very well (laughing).
Motion:
Ostner: So I would like to offer that to the Commission. It is not a perfect situation. If
you want to think about mixed use, the concessions have to be made all around. I
believe Mr. Wilkes is making some concessions. I think I have seen this a lot
longer than the rest of you. I am still kind of stunned. If we were sitting here and
no building were built, and there was a piece of dirt and these guys told us they
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 106 of 139
were going to open a restaurant, I think they would be voted down. And now
suddenly something is built and it looks good we're saying yes? I just don't think
we are being consistent. I think... the way I recall discussions it was pretty clear
that to eliminate strip development along this street we need to just hold back at
certain areas. Certain areas need to be office you guys. I mean Jeremy preached
at us and tried to get us to understand that just because 6`h street is wild and
woolies, we don't have to just through up our hands and let it go. And that's how
I recall this. R -O is not C-1. Well this restaurant is in C-1. We are changing the
zoning. We're partially altering this zoning to allow a different use unit in this
little corner. And I think... I think it's inappropriate. So I would like to offer an
amendment that the hours Monday through Friday stop at 9:00...
Myres: Monday through Thursday.
Ostner: OK, Monday through Thursday. That's the way they had it at the beginning.
Anthes: Do all other hours remain the same in that motion? It's just the closing time
Monday through Thursday.
Ostner: I think on the weekends it should stop an hour earlier too. I'm sorry, but 11:00 at
night on the weekends? That is not a concession at all. That is a wide open.
Trumbo: So you are saying l Opm on Friday and Saturday?
Ostner: 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and Monday through Thursday at 9:00.
Anthes: And Sunday?
Ostner: Sunday I think it should stop at 8:00. I think it should back up an hour the entire
way.
Anthes: Ok. We have a motion to amend condition of approval number 3; for hours of
operation of restaurant use shall be restricted to 11 am to 9pm Monday through
Thursday, l lam to IOpm Friday and Saturday, and l lam to 8pm on Sunday. Is
there a second?
Myres: I'll second.
Anthes: Second by Commissioner Myers. Is there further discussion?
Clark: Madam Chair.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 107 of 139
Anthes: Yes.
Clark: I have a different. You have been dealing with this longer than I have I think.
But I read back through the minutes that are in our packet and I think that there
was... and the way I remember it... and maybe we just have different memories is
that this applicant could come back with conditional uses and a restaurant was
specifically mentioned. And that is what they have done. I think the fencing will
alleviate one of the potential problems. And I can't believe that we didn't require
it to begin with, but we didn't. In terms of setting hours of operation, as a
business owner, I've got to oppose that one. I think the market is going to set the
business hours. I think this place will be closing a lot sooner than 10 and 11 on
most nights, quite honestly. Because I just don't think you are going to have your
employees sitting around and paying them when there is nobody coming in.
Now, for a football night, maybe it's different. It's been a long time since I have
encountered a football night, so I don't know what the going rate is these days.
So I am going to respectfully oppose the amendment that you have offered,
simply because I think the market will set the time much better than we could or
should.
Trumbo: Madam Chair.
Anthes: Yes Commissioner Trumbo.
Trumbo: I am going to vote against the amendment, too. If this restaurant or any restaurant
was (inaudible) I might be more inclined to change the hours of operation. But I
see a 2000sq ft restaurant no more than 10011 away from a highway that is
carrying 50,000 people a day on it. I just don't see any advantage to the public or
Mr. Wilkes for bringing the hours back an hour across the board. I'll vote against
the amendment.
Anthes: Is there further discussion? Will you call the roll?
Roll Call: Motion Fails.
Anthes: We have a motion. I think there is a motion on the floor to approve by
Commissioner Trumbo, second by Commissioner Clark. Is that correct?
Clark: Yes, that is correct.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 108 of 139
Anthes: And that was adding the 10`" condition about the board fence. Is there further
discussion? I guess, I would just like to say that I respectfully disagree with
Commissioner Ostner. I don't think that this constitutes a rezoning to C-1 of this
2000 sq ft. And the reason why is because our ordinance allows restaurants in as
a conditional use. And that I think that a conditional use is different than a
rezoning, so I wouldn't be able to make that equivalent. But I appreciate your
comments and I understand them too.
Ostner: Thank you. If I might, and I believe the City Attorney could back me up ... But a
conditional use is an alteration to the zoning law.
Anthes: Well, it is an alteration, but it's not making C-1 is what I'm saying.
Ostner: It's pulling a use unit up from a different zoning district...
Clark: Yes.
Ostner: And allowing it. With certain conditions. It's a lot like a PZD. It's a piecemeal
custom zone. We have to forward this, it is not our call. It's a zoning issue.
Anthes: Actually conditional uses we don't forward.
(Unclear speaking to which Commissioner Ostner is about to reply)
Ostner: Yes. And here. And the Council can treat them like a zoning issue and over -turn
them.
Anthes: I see what you're saying.
Ostner: It alters the zoning. We do have the chance to change the zoning at this point.
Thank you.
Tr umbo: Madam Chair. Quickly, for the applicant, a conditional use can be appealed or
revoked if you have complaints and they prove to be valid. So things you are
agreeing to... let's make sure that you abide by them.
Clark: Now I've got a question.
Anthes: Do we have to vote on calling a question? (Laughter)
Myres: We just want to vote in a timely manner.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 109 of 139
Anthes: Let's just vote.
Garner: This is the motion to approve?
Anthes: This is the motion to approve.
Roll Call: The CUP 06-2284 Calypso Properties was approved by a vote of 6-2-0.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 110 of 139
RZN 06-2291: (HWY 16 ANIMAL HOSPITAL, 567): Submitted by JORGENSEN &
ASSOCIATES for property located at 2805 E. HUNTSVILLE RD. The property is zoned RSF-
1, Residential Single-family - 1 unit/acre, R -A, Residential Agricultural, and C-1, Neighborhood
Commercial, and contains approximately 3.46 acres. The request is to rezone the subject
property to C-1, Neighborhood Commercial.
Morgan: Suzanne Morgan stated the following, in her description and request to Planning
Commission: The subject property is located at the southeast corner of Huntsville
Road (State Highway 16) and Stonebridge Road. The property consists of
approximately 3.42 acres developed for an animal hospital. The property is zoned
R -A, RSF-4, and C-1, with the majority being R -A. Surrounding properties to the
north and west are developed or are in the process of being redeveloped for
commercial use. Properties to the west and south are residential and rural in
nature. The applicant applied to have the 3.42 -acre subject property rezoned from
R -A, RSF-1, and C-1 to C-1. Staff recommends approval of the rezoning based
on findings stated herein. The proposed zoning would be compatible with
adjacent zoning, existing and approved development, and the future land use plan.
Anthes: Thank you Ms. Morgan. Would any member of the public like to address this re-
zoning request for the Highway 16 Animal Hospital? See none I will close the
floor the public comment. Does the applicant have a presentation?
Trumbo: Madam Chair, may I interrupt for a second? I am going to have to recuse myself.
I didn't realize exactly where it was.
Anthes: Thank you Commissioner Trumbo.
Jorgensen: Good Evening. Justin Jorgensen of Jorgensen and Associates. I think Suzanne
hit everything. If I can answer any questions I will be glad to do it.
Anthes: Thank you Mr. Jorgensen. Commissioners? Commissioner Myers.
Motion:
Myres: Well, I'd just like to recommend that we approve. Are we forwarding this?
Anthes: Yes.
Myres: Forward this to the City Council with a recommendation of approval on this re-
zoning based on the findings here and with the.... are there any conditions for
approval?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 111 of 139
Morgan: No ma'am.
Myres: Ok. With no conditions of approval.
Anthes: That is a motion to forward by Commissioner Myers. Is there a second?
Lack: Second.
Anthes: Second by Commissioner Lack. Is there discussion?
Clark: I know that the neighborhood association across the street is going to be very
interested in meeting with the developers when this does develop. So I
encourage them to stay in communication, because there is great interest in what
is going on in that corner. And I also have a question for Staff. Suzanne, when
is that light going to go in?
Morgan: Most likely when .... the funds are available and the State says yes. I don't know
when that will be.
Clark: I'm asking every time. (Laughing) It needs a light!
Anthes: Ok. I have a couple of questions of the Staff. Does the street realignment,
would that be something we would expect of this development?
Morgan: Street realignment? I'm sorry?
Anthes: Do they align?
Clark: They align.
Anthes: There were a couple of comments made at Subdivision: One about street
alignment, and another about the fact that the applicant should expect a
significant right of way dedication with development.
Clark: Trust me, I do this corner every day....
Morgan: Yes, I'm sorry. I wasn't at agenda secession, but the applicant has proposed, or
shown on page 9 of your Staff report dedication of right away in compliance
with our Master Street Plan. So, though there will be significant dedication, it
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 112 of 139
appears that the applicant is aware of that and that the dedication on Stone
Bridge is great enough, I believe, to add a turn lane in there.
Anthes: Ok. And is there anything in the report that then also makes clear that we would
discourage additional access drives? Other than the existing?
Morgan: Yes. I believe under the findings, um, under finding number 2... or excuse me, 3:
"that measures shall be taken to make sure that the access shall not exacerbate
any dangerous traffic situation and that multiple curb cuts will be discouraged
onto Highway 16". And then we've just included that we will certainly look at
site distance at the time of development.
Anthes: Thank you Suzanne. Is there further discussion? Ok. Will you call the roll?
Roll Call: The motion to forward RZN 06-0291 Hwy 16 Animal Hospital to City
Council with no conditions of approval carries with a vote of 7-0-1.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 113 of 139
ADM 06-2252: Administrative Item (Future Land Use Map): Submitted by Planning Staff
to amend the Interim Future Land Use Map.
Anthes: We have Mrs. Minkel with us.
Minkel: I'm going to walk though this for the benefit of the public. Most of you recall
the history of this, but on July 17, 2006 the City Council and Planning
Commission had a joint meeting and the outcome of that meeting was that the
City Plan 2025 was approved and adopted. As part of that meeting, both bodies
requested staff to look at the Future Land Use Map and go back to it and make
sure that it embodied the principles and goals of City Plan 2025. I think I speak
for the collective memory of the planning staff that this is one of the projects that
they think that everyone in planning staff has actually touched it and evaluated it,
to make sure that it was consistent with our general plan. In doing research
around this map, I realized that most cities actually incorporate the Smart Code
into their cities incrementally and will do something similar to what we did with
the Downtown Master Plan. That they apply it to a discrete area. So, this was an
interesting exercise, that we were applying it to a much larger area and a larger
scale. As you remember, one of the goals in the City Plan 2025 was to do a
series of complete neighborhood plans and that hasn't been forgotten and you
will notice on the map that the Downtown Master Plan is identified as a complete
neighborhood plan and the goal would to be to keep adding complete
neighborhood plans to this map. We have identified areas within the Smart Code
Transect that would seem appropriate for Fayetteville's current development
pattern and also for the vision. I'll walk though those different areas briefly. In
the first area, is the Natural Area. If you move though your packet there is a
description of that, and each of these areas will be identified from an image from
the transect that was used in the City Plan 2025, we used examples from
Fayetteville, and we have a brief description of the area that is followed by
guiding polices. Those guiding polices were taken from both the General Plan
2020 and then looked at by all the planners in the office to make sure that all the
polices were included that could be used as tools. For the Natural Areas, we
actually used the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association, which they have
been involved in a project where they have been identifying areas that are
significant environmentally and need protection. We looked at their analysis and
incorporated that into this map, as well as identifying floodways and other areas
where we might want to restrict growth. The main piece of the Natural Area is
an area that requires...
Anthes: Mrs. Minkel, could I interrupt you? I believe our other staff just left, and we
have two items coming up.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 114 of 139
Minkel: It's just you and me.
Anthes: Are they coming back?
Clark: Their stuff is still here.
Anthes: Oh, Ok
Morgan: Do you guys need us?
Anthes: We have a development, item to discuss after this that sure would be nice to have
current planning here for.
Morgan: Ok
Anthes: Sorry. Is that possible?
Morgan: Sure.
Anthes: Ok, thanks. Sorry to interrupt you.
Minkel: That is fine. One of the important things to remember about the Natural Area is
that this is an area that requires conservation and preservation in any
development pattern. The next area is the Rural Area. There are two pieces to
the Rural that we have identified. One is, they may indeed be valuable
agricultural land. The second piece, these are also areas that do not currently
have the infrastructure and public services to support high density type
development. These are areas where we would strongly encourage conservation
and preservation in any development pattern. The third area is the Residential
Neighborhood Areas, which you see in yellow. These are all exclusively
residential....
Ostner: Mrs. Minkel, I'm sorry, that area that you just mentioned before you got to the
yellow?
Minkel: Yes?
Ostner: Was that the lighter green?
Minkel: It is the light green.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 115 of 139
Ostner: In the first area you talked about was the dark green?
Minkel: Yes, the dark green.
Ostner: Ok, I'm with you.
Minkel: These are almost exclusively residential in nature, although they would allow for
potentially home offices. They also recognize conventional suburban
development, but we would encourage a more traditional neighborhood type
pattern where we would have complete, compact connected neighborhoods. It
would also recognize area where the topography doesn't allow for that complete,
compact connected neighborhood. For example, Mt. Sequoyah is used as the
example. We also really wanted to recognize neighborhoods that are settled and
have been in place for a long time and we don't imagine that they will be re-
developing at any point in the near future. The next area we identified was City
Neighborhood Areas. These are primary residential but they do allow for
commercial, mixed use development at intersections. They do encourage the
complete, compact, connected neighborhood type development and would
include a wide range of residential type buildings. The next area is the, and
that's in the blue, and it also recognizes several conventional commercial
stripped development, as well. The next area would be our most intense type
development which is the Urban Center Area. It is the equivalent of a main
street. It would incorporate many types of building types. It accommodates
retail offices, row houses, and apartments. This is where you would have your
taller buildings, the most intense dense development patterns within the city as
well as the greatest variety of buildings. Then we have a number of areas that
are not part of what you would see in the transect pictures, but are important
areas of town and that is civic and private spaces, and park areas recognizes not
only parkland but also private open space, so our golf courses and cemeteries are
all in the olive color. The Civic Institutional Areas recognize areas that include
both our municipal government as well as other non-profit. An example would
be The Boys and Girls Club or The Blair Public Library. I mentioned complete
neighborhood plans earlier, and in that case, we would refer to that specific plan,
for example, The Downtown Master Plan. There are also other projects that are
in the pipeline that, I will finish this one and you can stop me.
Ostner: Ok
Minkel: That...
Ostner: You keep forgetting colors.
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 116 of 139
Minkel: Yes, this is in the red.
Ostner: Ok, in the Civic Institutional?
Minkel: Civic Institutional is in the dark brown.
Ostner: Ok.
Minkel: And for the Complete Neighborhood Plans, there are projects in the pipeline that
might also be considered a Complete Neighborhood Plan. What staff would
recommend is that these be determined upon the final plat approval. The next
area is the Industrial Areas which are in the light blue and I want to emphasize
that this doesn't include all industrial, so this just would be heavy industrial or
industrial uses where by function or because they have a certain noise or odor
they would not be compatible with other uses. Currently, there are a lot of
industrial uses that could be mixed with housing and office space and it wouldn't
be a problem, so this is reserved for those industrial uses that couldn't be
integrated with other uses. One example is the Industrial Park. The final area
we have is the Non -Municipal Government Areas that are in the light beige.
Those are areas that city's does not have jurisdiction over, such as the University
of Arkansas or county areas. These area designations are consistent with the
City Plan 2025. They meet all of the goals that have been laid out in that plan.
The City Neighborhood Areas and Urban Center Areas generally reflect the in
fill and intended growth areas in the City Plan 2025 sector map. I have brought
some of the maps that also helped us complete this map. We recommend that the
proposed Future Land Use Map be forwarded to the City Council for adoption.
Thank you.
Anthes: Thank you Mrs. Minkel, before you sit down, would you talk about the level of
staff involvement in rendering the map? And how that has compared with other
efforts.
Minkel: I would say that all of the planning staff members have touched this map. And
not just touched it, but really looked at it and evaluate it. Both the text and the
images. All Current Planning and all Long Range Planning have looked at it
independently and then also as groups, multiple times and in workshops where
we have spent several hours looking at a large map and also looking in different
sections to make sure it reflected both what was currently there, what we wanted
the city to be, and then just cleaning up different parcel areas. One thing that we
are still working on making sure is completely accurate are the conservation
easements throughout the city; there hasn't been a comprehensive map
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 117 of 139
developed, as far as we know by any organization, so we have been trying to
gather that data and we have some general ideas of where they are. We would
ensure that it was completely accurate before final adoption.
Anthes: Thank you very much, as there are no members of the public here to speak we
will go forward and ask for the Commissioners comments.
Myres: Can I go ahead and not comment and make a motion, that we forward ADM 06-
2252 The Future Land Use Map to City Council for adoption with a
recommendation for approval.
Ostner: Second.
Anthes: I have a motion for forward by Commissioner Myres, a second by Commissioner
Ostner. Is there any discussion?
Trumbo: Since we are going to use this map to, I believe, staff and all of us look at this
map when any development comes though, the Rural Areas, which is quite a bit
of property there. I guess this is a question for staff, if someone wants to put in a
subdivision in a rural area, which we have happening now, the infrastructure is
not, they are putting in the steps system and other things to get around that,
how's staff going to look at this? If its green and what are they going to
recommend for a subdivision that someone wants out in the middle of a green
area?
Minkel: I would imagine staff would not recommend rezoning, if it is currently zoned as
rural.
Morgan: And a lot of the areas identified on this map as rural, or natural, are not yet in the
city, so we don't have the zoning regulation. We do have some criteria for lot
minimums and etc. in the planning area, but at this point in time, if we are
looking at development we have to go on our regulations for the County, or what
the County requires.
Trumbo: But, what about the part that's in the city?
Morgan: The part that's within the city, if it's not yet zoned for RSF-4 to develop as that
or some other zoning, then we would take this map into consideration when
recommending our rezoning.
Trumbo: For denial?
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Page 118 of 139
Morgan: Most likely yes. We would have to look at all the circumstances but we would
use this as our Future Land Use. Our interim Future Land Use Plan says broad
residential, so if they came with commercial, we would really scrutinize that,
since its going against what our...
Trumbo: What about residential? Specifically?
Morgan: In an area that is identified in the green?
Trumbo: In the green area in the City Limits.
Morgan: We do have this, Karen can explain maybe how it's written, but it does call for
very large lots. It would most likely be not in favor of a rezoning that would
allow high density in these areas.
W171 MIS ufl�$ I
Minkel: I should also mention to you that we have shared this map with the county
planners as well, because, as you know, they're going though their discussion of
zoning in the county. So we have talked a little bit about on how this map might
reflect what we would like to see in the immediate area around our city
boundaries.
Anthes: Maybe follow up, if I might, there was some discussion that maybe was at
agenda and you were talking about how this map would be used that it's a tool,
that there are others things you weigh, and then also the fact that there was some
statement about how this map changes over time. Can you elaborate on that?
Minkel: Right, and I think what Suzanne said is completely true, that this is one of
several tools that staff uses to analyze whether something should be rezoned.
The other issue we wanted to really identify in this map with the rural areas is
that, if we do in fact think it should be a rural area then what kind of density does
that mean, and we threw out one unit per fifteen acres, which we think is truly
agricultural and rural. However, we also think there are areas that may develop
over time and could be updated every 5 years and we re -look at where can our
infrastructure support urban development. I think that it is true, that this map
would have to be re-evaluated every 5 years, in terms of where we do the
infrastructure and public services to service urban development. We looked at
this map right now, we looked at what was currently there and the rural areas
(coughing in background)... Sparsely settled or because of topography or other
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different natural features, high density urban development wouldn't be
appropriate.
Anthes: Any further comment? I'm sorry, didn't realize you weren't finished.
Trumbo: I understand that there are other things we look at, but this map, being on the
Commission for three years, its real easy to at the map and say: "Well, it's not on
the 2025 Plan, I'm not going to support it" It's one of the reasons I don't want to
sound like I'm for development of these rural areas to any density. Particularly,
its case by case, somebody will take case by case bases, but I'm going to vote
against forwarding this map until we get a little bit more clarity on how that can
be developed if someone so chooses. I think, we're almost, what I'm hearing is
that we wouldn't approve any subdivision or dense standard housing
development in these areas, and that's a big switch from what we're doing. So,
I'm going to vote against it, just at this level. So, City Council wants to stop and
take a good look at that and make sure that's what they want to do. Also had a
question in the southern part, on 71 where the airport is, it's in the beige, that's
my understanding that's not for profit area?
Minkel: We felt that area was governed more by the FAA than the City, which is why it
is shown in the Non -Municipal Government color.
Clark: First of all, I applaud the fact that we are getting a collection of the conservation
easements. I think that's long overdue. I think it's something the city needs to
keep up with. I'm really glad that it's finally going into play. Secondly, thank
you for adding the Industrial designation, I think it's very important. Although, I
do have a question about it. The way I see this map, I think we had this
discussion awhile back, if I'm thinking about moving my business into
Fayetteville, this may be one of the tools I'll look at. Let's say I do have a heavy
industrial need, there's not a lot of blue on that map, which might make me say:
"Ok, Fayetteville is not my town, I need to go someplace else". At that point, we
have lost a potential employer, potential tax payer, and a potential good citizen.
Without having every having a hearing, without even coming here, just looking
at the map. That concerns me a little bit, and the way industrial is written, the
verbiage concerns me even more. It really sounds like industrial areas are for the
bad things. I can't find my stuff, of course, because it's in the back. Here we go,
"...intrinsic function, disposition or configuration cannot conform to one of the
other designated areas and/or may generate noise or odor associated with
production and requires the area to be separated from other uses." I'll point out
that our industrial park; one of the guiding principles there is to encourage green
development. Yet, you've kind of counter defined it with this wordage and
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verbiage. Wordage and verbiage, isn't that good. Ok, I'm much better before
nine or ten o'clock. And that kind of concerns me because I really think this is a
good PR tool for the city. I think we need to encourage industrial residents that
are green, and that is what the industrial park is supposed to do. I don't see it yet
in this map. I'm a little concerned by that, and I certainly, I understand what
Commissioner Trumbo is talking about as well. I think we still have some fine -
turning that might be done. I know that there's incentive to just send it on to
Council but I'm not so sure that we shouldn't keep working a little bit more on
and I will be willing to sit down and meet, if you want to, to go over this stuff so
we have it where we want it to be before we give it to the Council, so they don't
have to do this committee work.
Myres: Where do you want more blue?
Clark: I think I want more, the verbiage is what I'm really having difficulties with
because it's counter to what the industrial park is already defined as. It promotes
green use, that is what we said inside and industrial park. That's not how it read,
this is where all the smelly, noisy stuff is go to and we don't want smelly, noisy
stuff, so..
Myres: But we do have.
Clark: I'm building out there, bite your tongue.
Myres: No, but we do have industrial areas that do smelly, noisy things.
So do you want a light industrial?
Clark: Well, we (overlay in voices) allow them but I'm just saying if I don't have a
smelly, noisy place, and I'm looking for industrial property, and I'll look at that
map, I'll go: "Forget it, I'm not gong to Fayetteville, I'll go someplace else."
Myres: But you're also forgetting the Chamber of Commerce.
Clark: I try to do that on a regular basis.
Myres: I know but...
Clark: But, this is a city tool.
Minkel: Madam Chair, may I respond to Commissioner Clark.?
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Anthes: Yes, and I was going to ask you to clarify, I believe you said something during
the initial discussion about that this is to designate Heavy Industrial areas and if
that's the case, can you suggest verbiage that would clarify it?
Minkel: Right, I was going to say, I think it's a difference in how it should be worded
rather than intent because, we also would encourage green industry and I think
our feeling was that if you were a green industry, you probably could be
integrated with other uses. Therefore, it would fit into the Urban Center area,
possibly. That was our thinking on it, but we did need areas reserve for
industries that couldn't do that. It was challenging to find areas in the city where
this map I think would be welcomed by the majority of population with that
heavy industrial type use. I wonder if something could possibly be added to the
Urban Center area that says something about green industrial uses being
welcomed in those areas, which would open up a lot more room on this map for
the type of industry you are talking about, and I would welcome any suggestions
you would have on possibly rewording our current industrial area description.
Clark: I would also point out that land is reserved especially for green industry and that
why it's priced so low, which is controlled by the city. People need to know. A
lot of people don't even know we have acreage out there for $20 thousand an
acre, could be land run down, but encourage all types of tax place buildings stuff
would be a good thing.
Myres: Now that you've announced it on late night television.
Ostner: Both people watching just perked up.
Ostner: May I have the floor, are you done?
Clark: Sure.
Myres: Sure.
Ostner: I have a question that goes back to Mr. Trumbo's comments, where is the City
Limit, currently? Is it basically between yellow and green?
Minkel: No.
Ostner: Basically into the green a tittle?
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Minkel: No, there is an orange line that is probably difficult to see from were you are
sitting. It's here, the orange line.
Ostner: OK.
Minkel: If you can see here, it comes up though here.
Morgan: And if you can see, it comes from here to here, the red line shows (can't hear
them)
Ostner: Ok, that's our old one that we were discontent with. Right, you are just showing
me the city limit.
Anthes: But that is the sector map that we did adopt.
Minkel: Yes, it's not the Interim Future Use Map.
Ostner: So, it's safe to say that you tried to ignore current City limits and really looked at
land? Because you've got yellow land that is outside our City limits and you've
got green that's inside the City limits.
Clark: Absolutely.
Minkel: That is true.
Ostner: Ok, so you didn't necessarily say the City limit is here and it's all green out
there.
Minkel: No, we looked at it as an entire planning area.
Ostner: Ok, that's a difficult issue. The Council needs to, this will take awhile. I would
wonder though, if this doesn't balance the areas that could be annexed and could
be yellow, especially out west. While trying to preserve the rural atmosphere of
a bunch of that land. I would hope that as we use this, we break the General Plan
all the time now. It's just something that staff looks at. They say, you know
what, this is really not in the General Plan. It's almost, which came first? The
chicken or the egg? If we could agree on something like this, of course we don't
have to do it tonight, but we've got something to change. I guess that's my
point. Maybe there should be more yellow out there eventually. But I think it's,
I think it might give people a sense of security that we are actually putting a line
on a map. Hey today, this is enough yellow, cause there's a bunch of yellow
that's not developed. I don't want to say no to subdivisions. I guess I want to
find a balance.
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Trumbo: I agree with you, I agree and my point is that I know that this could have been
approved unanimously pretty quick, but that's a gray area and my fear is, I just
want to make sure we're not go in and just say no. Can't have it, there's a lot
people involved here, property owners. I would assume the vast majority of
them would want the preservation, protection. But, my message to City Council
is they might want to take a good luck at that and then see what you want there in
these areas. It's been debated in various forms back and forth. I want more to
vote to take a look, and why did one person say no. Everything else is great, by
the way, the commercial, the mixed use, the purples, and the dark blue. I looked
all though that's great, and I love definitions and where were heading and it all
makes sense, including the yellow.
Clark: I think what you two both were pointing out is that it's incumbent upon us to
keep this map relevant and up-to-date. Because I think it will change as City
services encroach further out from the center of town into these developing
areas, some of that's got to change. I mean that's what some of the subdivisions
come in, but right now, I like having that so that when we have somebody out in
the central lands who proposes a two hundred forty- house subdivision we can
say RSF-4, no we can't do that yet, because sewer is not there, water is not there,
we don't have the infrastructure. But I do think this makes it incumbent upon
staff and the City to keep this as a very ongoing updated map and not just let it
sit around until we do a 2035 or 2045 plan. Maybe that will solve some of your
problems. Maybe when you see it gets closer, than ok, these services are there,
we'll change the color.
Anthes: Commission Clark, were you finished?
Clark: Absolutely.
Lack: I remember when Dover Kohl made the presentation for the 2025 Plan and one
question even in the charrettes, when we met with them, with Mr. Dover, the
question that I had was how do you tell Farmer A that his land is suitable for
conservation and Farmer B that his land is suitable for development. This is
something that I expect, I fully anticipate a very health debate over, as this gets
to City Council and obviously nobody anticipates that we are an authority on it,
so they will, because they are not here tonight, they will wait and make their
comments at that time, I'm sure. But, there were several different avenues that
Victor expressed at that time. In the equalization of value, and that's were my
concern comes in, is that when we restrict and regulate where development can
happen and we denied development rights to certain people and not to others,
then we alter values of property inconsistently. His discussion was that as we
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October 23, 2006
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seek to by our 2025 Plan, to densify our downtown, that there would be need for
maybe banking of green space or natural environment and that you could
establish a system in which you get points. Then which you can actually pay
into a land trust a farmer B who we suggested that he not develop his land can
receive funds to hold his land in a land trust to counter and offset a more dense
development elsewhere. I think that the thing I would really to see would be a
more mixed plan so that were not just a concrete city with green fringes. I would
like to see more green area introduced and that become more and more difficult
because the land in the areas that are already developed are already perceived as
having that greater value. That just compounds that problem. I don't know if I
am 100% comfortable with the amount of yellow, amount of green, or the
restriction of regulation in such a hard manner in what we are proposing, but I
do believe that it is consistent with the 2025 Plan that the City has adopted. With
that, I'm comfortable to send the map forward and let that debate begin were it
counts, at City Council.
Anthes: Are there any other comments?
Ostner: I think if you've been the third fastest growing city in America and you are
currently the 12`n/15r' fastest, you shouldn't do this every five years. You should
do it, you should do it every year if you could afford it. Every three years would
be incredible. The amount of time, excuse me, the difference the past five years
have made this map could have changed tremendously, for the better. For us to
have more tools and for the Council to have more tools, I would strongly urge
staff, I know it's expensive, but now that you've got hopefully something like
this I would hope you don't have to completely reinvent the wheel every time. I
would hope the map could be looked at more frequently than the entire
document. I've thought that before, the reason I am comfortable with it, is that if
a package plant were proposed today as we have grappled with, frequently, and
we are going to see a lot more of them, in one of those green areas we have a leg
to stand on. To say "No", not today. Look how far away you are from what we
think is appropriate. We don't have any tools like that now. Now, if he was real
close , we have a line in the sand that we have drawn, no wait a minute, maybe,
you are only two hundred feet of sewer extension. Those package plans are
changing everything and I think this is a good start towards this a leap frog,
domino development that can really ruin our country side. Cause water is lot
easier to obtain out there, with rural water authorities.
Anthes: Thank you Commissioner Ostner, Karen will you read the number one goal of
the 2025 Plan?
Clark: This is a test.
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Minkel: We will make appropriate infill and revitalization our highest priority.
Clark: There you go.
Anthes: I think that when we look at our number one goal of our plan and we start to
formalize that on a map, this does it. When you talk about that your highest
priority is infill development, then other places have to be given lower priority
for development. It goes hand and hand. I appreciate that the staff has looked at
slope and waterways and flood planes and all those other things. Looked at other
groups, like the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Foundation when you start seeing
how the future can lay out on the actually ground that's out there . Its just not
color blocks on flat land that's of equal character from edge to edge. I know
that's pretty much how (inaudible) and zoning was done. So, what we have here
is a tremendous step forward in that it relates to the specifics of, it begins to
relate to the specifics of our region and our place. I also appreciate that it starts
to talk about concurrency and infrastructure development and I know that's in
our plan and I look forward to the City working on that further and planning stuff
coming back to us and talking about what concurrency and development really
means. As we talked about last time, we saw this when we asked you to go back
and we said ok, we looked at a small set area of the city and we looked at these
definitions and we said that the definitions looked good, make these
modifications, and the method you are using looks to be correct, lets see it on a
wide -scale. When I see it on a wide scale, I can wholeheartedly endorse the
work that staff has done and said that the method is absolutely correct that this
is the best embodiment that I could see that we could do on a broad, city-wide
scale, to begin to visualize the patterns that would be created on the ground by
the goals that we've unanimously adopted in City Plan 2025. So, I'm thrilled to
see it, I'm wholeheartedly going to vote to forward this tonight, and my only
question would be on the definitions, just to add heavy industrial areas to the
blue and then maybe not putting it, the green industrial comments into the other
zoning districts but making some clarification at the body of the industrial zoning
page and talk about the fact that we do have areas and would encourage these
other kinds of industrial development and we would be happy to look at those
projects and see where they would fit into the other zoning uses, zoning areas
appropriately.
Ostner: I do have a specific question, why isn't our only I-PZD shown as blue? Another
quick test.
Minkel: I'm not sure.
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Ostner: Karen, you don't have to know it.
Clark: She's like the deer in the headlight look..
Ostner: Our only industrial PZD is at the corner of 6'/540. It's Wal-Mart Optical. It's
not blue.
Clark: Yes it is, you're right.
Andres: But is that considered heavy industrial?
Ostner: I don't know, it's an I-PZD, our only one. I'm not sure if it's called heavy but
right now this is just industrial. I think this covers heavy and light, if you're
altering our current zoning to sort of mesh into this. All of our industrial lands
I,-1,2,3 are all blue, light, medium, and heavy.
Minkel: Right, it wasn't our intention, though, to make sure that light industrial was
specifically included in, but we are calling this the industrial area designation.
We thought there were light industrial uses that would be compatible with
residential, office, and other commercial uses.
Ostner: And that would fit in other colors too? I haven't read this word for word, but it
sounds like you are trying, I just wanted to throw that out that it's zoned
industrial PZD but it's colored, what's Purple?
Minkel: Urban Center.
Ostner: Urban Center, Ok.
Clark: I have no problem if the conclusion of the Commission is to forward this, I have
no problem forwarding it, I think you guys can fix the language and ensure what
we have talked about. I would hope, however, that City Council gets the minutes
of our discussion on this particular item. I don't care if they get the minutes for
the rest of the meeting, but on this particular item, I would very much like to
make sure that they can at least read what we reflected upon and hopefully we'll
elaborate on it and/or fix it.
Motion:
Andres: I may suggest too that they also look at the minutes of the meeting were we
discussed this previously, when we went though the definitions and descriptions.
Ok, we have a motion to forward by Commissioner Myres with the second by
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Commissioner Ostner. Commissioner Myres had to leave and the City
Attorney's not here and I'm not sure about how we act on motion that was made
by someone who's no longer in the room. Does anyone have any thoughts on
that?
Trumbo: I think it would be appropriate to go ahead and vote. There is not much else we
can do. We could vote no against that, her motion, then come up with another
one for approval?
Anthes: However we think is legal, we will just go for it.
Ostner: I think it's fine if we just go down the line. Before we vote I would like to pose
the question, we have never visited with the City Council. If members have
comments that they feel are important, I don't think a personal visit would be out
of bounds. We are not bossing their business, it's very clear that this is their deal
and we're just looking at it. I think they value our opinion and this is our thing.
If other members are amenable, I would be willing to just walk down there and
just talk to them, as a group. Instead of asking them to read our minutes. They
might even ask us questions that group meeting we had awhile back I thought
was fairly productive. It's just a suggestion.
Anthes: Karen, does this go to ordinance review first or directly to Council?
Minkel: It goes to ordinance review.
Anthes: Well, that I might say might be the best time for something like that to happen
and you might tell Mrs. Theil who I believe is still chairing that committee.
Thank you for Mr. Ostner, for the comments and offer.
Ostner: I can't make meetings during hours like ordinance review, but I can come up
after hours to City Council. I believe ordinance review is during the day, right?
Minkel: I know it begins earlier, but I think it usually goes past the typical day.
Ostner: 3 or 4ish?
Anthes: I think I had been to one at night, I think, but I don't know, maybe it was just a
long one. Ok, are there any further comments?
Ostner: Who's going to call the roll?
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Minkel: I have the roll in front of me.
Anthes: Oh, Karen's going to call the roll.
Minkel: I'm doing both.
Roll Call: The item was forwarded by a vote of 6-1-0, with Commissioner Trumbo
voting no.
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ADM 06-2323 (Urban Residential Design Standards): Discussion of Urban Residential
Design standards for staff to prepare an ordinance regarding the same.
Anthes: Our final item this evening is Administrative Item 06-2323. It's about urban
residential design standards. I believe this is here to begin a discussion. We
aren't expected to vote on this evening, but that Staff wants our feed back. And I
guess Karen is going to present it.
Minkel: Karen Minkel stated the background and recommendations for this discussion,
which is stated in the staff report.
Anthes: Thank you Ms Minkel. Again, there are no members of the public to comment.
So we'll start the discussion with the Commission. Commissioner Lack. I know
you have something to say about this.
Lack: I would like to first just start with.... as I told Tim.... I really appreciate the idea
that we are trying to regulate with this modification of the ordinance. The way
buildings and not the style of buildings or the particular materials of buildings.
We see with this a regulation that I think starts to come from an understanding of
quality. Not just as a matter of materiality, but quality as a factor of how we
create good urban space. And I say urban space because when we talk about
space for communion of people, we get into the category of urban space. One
thing that I was going to ask at agenda secession: I believe you mentioned
something about promoting parking on the street.... and.... within our city streets.
I am remiss that I am not seeing that in the comments. And I may have just
missed it. But I wanted to ask. Is that enumerated in some of the guideline that
is before us?
Minkel: We don't specifically address parking in these guidelines. But it is something
that we are open to looking at. When we developed these we were looking at
something that would stand alone and changing parking ratios would touch
another part of the code, which is why it's not included in here. But, we think it
certainly would be appropriate to address.
Lack: I think that that helps the idea of being able to get buildings to face to the street
and not, not be turning their backs to the street. Because I know we are going to
look at... people have to be able to see the door from at least part of the parking.
And if we promote the very urban idea of at least parallel parking on the street,
then we start to have that connection with the car and the door that we know is
going to be important.
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Anthes: I would agree with Commissioner Lack. And perhaps if we look at guideline 3,
on the third page. Requirement 3.1 says "locate parking to reduce its visability
from streets and other public and communal spaces". Maybe we need to say
parking lots. And actually add.... because that would actually be
counterproductive if... and add something that says promote on -street parallel
parking. And you could state several reasons why you should do so. Also with
regards to how this is written. I like statements that give you the words like
`promote', `provide', `incorporate', `vary', and `locate', `employ', `focus', and
for the sake of readability of the document, I would like you to look at the
statements that aren't structured that way, and see if there is a way to parallel
sentence structure. Because then we have... you know, we go from these
statements and then we say like "windows on the ground floor of buildings with
commercial uses shall be predominately transparent" and it doesn't quite read the
same way. Do any Commissioners have any comments about how they fit?
They think this fits with our UDC and how it might be incorporated?
Ostner: Yes.
Anthes: Commissioner Ostner.
Ostner: It's mostly a question. Where do they apply? Is it urban? I mean, these aren't
appropriate out in your average RSF-8 subdivision. RMF -8. Whatever.
Minkel: The way we have defined urban residential is single-family attached. Two-
family, three-family, multi -family dwellings.
Ostner: And that's.... is that in here?
Anthes: It's at the top.
Minkel: It's at the very top. And.... by the asterick.
Ostner: I guess I am still a little confused, because .... um.... if I'm coming in from out of
town with my bags of money... ready to spend it... and I want to buy a piece of
land that is zoned for triplexes. A lot of this isn't appropriate.
Anthes: You don't think?
Ostner: No. Not out in a hayfield. And he's going to see that. Any investor is going to
see that. I love these. They are very appropriate for a lot of spaces. I'm just
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wondering where. I mean it specifically says "urban residential design
standards." It could have said "guide to residential design standards." It didn't.
Anthes: Except I believe when we spoke with Mr. Conklin about that he said that
"Urban" is within the city limits of Fayetteville. That urban is city. And it was
Staff's... correct me if I'm wrong, but it was Staff's recommendation that these
would apply city-wide. And you know, I do think a lot of this is applicable no
matter where something is built. Look at "provide building entrances that are
oriented to the street. You know, you know fencing materials, entrance porches.
How to locate parking. How to screen trash. How to locate vehicular access.
These are, you know, good planning principles no matter whether you are on an
infill or a greenfield site. But I... you might have a different view and be able to
point out a contrast to that.
Ostner: Well. I'm being cynical. I'm trying to put myself in.... As we know, this goes,
this goes in the book of the welcome mat. If you want to bring your bags of cash
here, just check out the book because this is what it takes. So he opens it and
says, "Wow, wait a minute. I just wanted to build duplexes." I'm just struggling
with that. Because I think that this is very appropriate for a lot of stuff we see.
Minkel: Madam Chair
Ostner: And maybe not completely appropriate for all the stuff we see. I was actually
hoping when I first asked the question that you said "yeah, as a matter of fact it's
1/3 out from the town center to our city limits." And I would think "ok. I can
handle that". All the way out to that... way out past 45. Not everything is
Wellspring.
Anthes: Well, that's true.
Ostner: I wish it were.
Clark: Oh, I don't!
Ostner: So, if we had a choice those things work. Can you help me?
Minkel: I have two comments to make, actually. One is that when we first started
looking at this we did have a discussion about whether it should just apply to on
the sector map to what was identified as the infill area. But then we thought that
maybe that wouldn't be fair to some of the other residents who live beyond that
area and would like to see quality design standards applied to all urban
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residential development that happens across the city. That was one of our
concerns. And the second is that I thought you might just be interested to know
that we have taken some of the projects that have come through the Planning
Office and are more typical of, what I guess you'd say, the conventional
subdivision multi -family type development, and had our designers play with the
placement of those buildings to see whether they could be reconfigured in a way
that would comply with these design standards. And so it has been an interesting
exercise for us internally to see if it possible. Um... and it is. To a... to a pretty
high degree in terms of being able to reconfigure building placement and change
it so they do comply with these standards. So, I'm just throwing that out there
because you might... this is for discussion only but you might be interested in
seeing how those can be redesigned in a way that would comply with these
standards. And perhaps, I think in what you were saying... that something like
that should be available to developers who are looking to develop. So maybe
they could see how maybe what they've been doing in other cities could be
reconfigured in a way that they do get the same number of units per acre, but it
is... I guess... a more pedestrian -friendly, urban design.
Ostner: Ok. Here is my follow up. Do y'all remember Aspen Ridge? It hadn't been
built yet. Do you remember sort of the... the lay out? These blocks, they all
have garages. We are seeing a lot of those. Would that fit?
Clark: I mean, at first blush it follows some of these. Again, I am being cynical. I'm
being a developer who looks at this and thinks of a way to comply with it. Um, I
haven't studied these, but I have read through them. Those big blocks, which I
call them apartments with a mortgage. They face the street. They're close.
They all have little porches. Yet, I don't see those as what we are shooting for.
So...
Anthes: Maybe even more so than some of the other things we get.
Ostner: What? Just a question. If you create a big multi -block building, is that going to
fit? And are we going to see more of them? I'm being ugly.
Trumbo: I... kind of..
Anthes: Commissioner Trumbo.
Trumbo: What you point... the point you are trying to get out. I... on a big... big
overview.... there are some apartments that we approved out on Huntsville Rd.
And we didn't have anything really to look at as far as commercial design
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standards. And I drove by them... I guess a month ago... We were looking at
something out there. And I would never approve that. Never. They are just
cookie cutter, flat back, no porches. Bottom line, "we are going to build
something as cheap as we can, and call it affordable. And put people in it.".
And they are cheaply made. They look bad. And I defiantly think we need to
put something in place so we have something to say no to that type of `come in,
throw it down, leave'. And it's not housing that is going to be here in twenty
years. Especially if somebody doesn't take care of it. And this is a big step.
And I haven't even begun. Maybe I'm not... maybe I just don't have the
experience you all do in urban design and things. But I have learned quite a bit.
But, we need to get something in place. Especially with all the condo's and
other things on the peripheral that are coming through. Our big, huge project....
the project next to Lowe's. It is a nice project, but it's huge. And it stands up
very tall. And everyone is going to see it. And we didn't have anything to help.
What if it was just a giant ugly tower. And that's pretty relative... but....
Ostner: It's not.
Trumbo: It can be seen that way. But... we can't even discuss it now....
Anthes: We then lets... Let me follow up with Staff about how this would be
implemented. When we have commercial design standards, we have a list of
things. And as our City Attorney and Staff consistently remind us, you don't
have to meet every one of those things. There is an intent and there is a list, and
if we feel like those projects substantially comply, relative to their particular area
and site and pressure, then we can approve the project as being in compliance.
Perhaps that would go to what you are talking about Commission Ostner when
you say "does this really work in a green -fill site for duplexes?'. Perhaps we can
look at this as a doctrine of intent. There is this list of things that the City likes
to see in residential projects. And then does this project substantially agree with
that intent in its specific site and condition?
Ostner: Sort of like the PZD ordinance. A giant text.... and now, go for it.
Anthes: I think what it really does. It puts predictability on the system. And instead of
telling people what we don't want, we start to show them what we do want. We
make it easier to understand what we are looking for and how to comply with
that.
Clark: Madam Chair. I want... I like what you're saying. And I would go one step
farther. To say if we are going to show folks what we want. Shouldn't we give
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them some incentives to do it? And that dovetails beautifully into affordable
housing. You can through out all the specifications and all the guidelines you
want. But unless you give somebody incentive to do it, why should they? Now
to make it mandatory I would be absolutely against. Because that takes
developmental rights away. But, give incentives for doing it. And maybe make
one of those incentives to make it affordable...
Ostner: What is it?
Clark: To follow guidelines like this. Restrictive guidelines. To meet what we want.
What our planning department says is optimum. This is the type of development
we wish to encourage. We also want part of it to be affordable. So here are the
incentives that maybe we can talk about to encourage developers to do the
package that we would really like to see them do. Until we get off dead center,
and until we offer developers incentives, then I do not think that we will ever
obtain affordable housing, in my lifetime. Why should they? And we continue
to put impediments; I think it would be in the way of affordability. I think that
this would be a wonderful opportunity for us to try to mesh those two objectives.
Optimum design standards plus incentives that also help afford ability.
Ostner: Like what?
Clark: Well, we.... it's 11:30pm. Let's have this discussion when we are all fresh. And
maybe talk about it with other perspectives at the table as well. But I think you
can talk about... you know... we have given people incentive to use a PZD by set
back variances and all types of neat little things that they can manipulate and use.
But we still didn't catch the boat on that one to give them incentive to make
some of it affordable. And I think that that was a missed opportunity. This is
another opportunity where I think much sharper minds than mine can sit down
and come up with some ideas to really give developers, when looking plan A, or
what the City would really like to have; "Ok. We can afford to do what the city
really likes to have because we are going to get some breaks. And we are going
to make some of it affordable.". That's the trade off. That's my... my wish.
Anthes: I agree that this is a... I mean... but to dovetail that discussion makes some sense.
But I also think that these urban residential design standards don't necessarily
add cost to a project. And that they should be applied now, and across the board.
And that... that... you know... how to site your buildings.... like Ms. Minkel says,
she has proven that with just minor modifications and sort of planning efforts
you can achieve the same density units per acre, the same kind of development
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cost, and you can do that immediately. And if I don't see that you need to give
an incentive to do that.
Clark: But it's an opportunity. It's an opportunity.
Anthes: Right. But I guess what I'm saying is that you don't need give an incentive to
comply with these standards if we adopted something similar to this, in this
package. Now, you could take that one step further and say, if we want you to
then provide X number of obtainable units within this formula, then you place
the incentive.
Clark: You are back loading the incentive. I said put the incentive up front. I mean, it's
a lot semantics. A lot of this is semantics. A lot of developers are going to look
at this and say "I'm not going to comply with all that. I want to put up what I am
used to putting up. Even though, comparatively speaking it could still be
financially feasible." Put the incentive up front. Say " this is what we want you
to do here, and here are your incentives to do it. And then we can show you that
you can also save money and provide something that this city desperately
needs.". I don't know, that's just.... we have different perspectives on it. But my
perspective is very dull at this hour of the night.
Ostner: Well they also talk about dropping impact fees. And that is something that
people talk about right off the bat. Impact... you show us true affordable
housing, and you are going to prove it and guarantee it, we'll back off our impact
fees. Cities can do that. And cities do it. In Washington DC they did a very
upscale 200 per sq ft condos, and every 5`h one was affordable. And it was free
because the ones that paid the cash... 200 per sq ft paid for it. Now, nobody likes
that. The thing got filled up before they could turn around. People loved it. The
people paying the 200 per sq ft were all about a real urban experience with
people living near them that were of different economic classes. It all went
great. It's in a magazine. I'll bring it. There are some options right there.
Because a big chunk of money is the key. Big bowl of money.
Anthes: This one... I agree that all of those things, we need to ..... What I don't
understand is that.... Commissioner Clark, do you believe that.... that just like
commercial designs standards are to a commercial project.... that this is not an
equivalent step for the design standards to a residential project?
Clark: Do I? Run that by me again?
Anthes: Well, our commercial design standards around a commercial project...
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Clark: Do we need residential design standards? Yes we do. Yes. I believe that we do.
Ostner: You just see this as an opportunity to..
Clark: I just see this as an opportunity to get some affordable housing out of it. I really
do.
Trumbo: I want to point out too... when we say residential design standards we are not
talking about single-family detached housing. I mean I know when people hear
residential design standards and I don't want to answer all those calls tomorrow.
It's multi -family that we are talking about.
Ostner: You're so popular! (laughing) No one calls me. I guess my feelings should be
hurt.
Anthes: So what are our directives for Staff? To work on, kind of refining the directing
statements. And look at drafting this in an Ordinance in a way like our
commercial design standards fit within our development ordinance?
Ostner: Yeah.
Anthes: Does that make sense? And then also, to look at the attainable housing element
and the attainable housing goal. And start to propose ways how to achieve that
within this structure.
Minkel: And I'll just reiterate what I've been scribbling down as you've been talking.
And I also wanted to mention that we have been receiving some comments from
City Council about this as well, they have received drafts and are eagerly
following what the Planning Commission will do. But what one of the
comments was specifically about was seeing it as an opportunity for attainable
housing. And there has also been a push to do some analysis as to whether and
how much this would increase construction cost for developers. And so we,
Staff actually wants to look at some of the projects that have come through
recently with both sort of styles. Sort of conventional suburban multi -family
development with some of the more urban multi -family development that we
have seen, and compare yield per acre and how that might change. So we are
hoping to have more numbers that maybe will add some meat to what everyone
is discussing. And it sounds like, in terms of incentives, increasing yield per
acre. Possibly allowing something by right. Looking at parking ratios that could
also be an incentive. And also including something about meeting the intent of
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the standards, rather than saying you have to meet everything that is listed here.
And then using strong verbs at the beginning of each statement. Is that... does
that cover it?
Ostner: No.
Minkel: Ok.
Ostner: If you are asking. These pictures don't do it justice. If you take the 20 minutes
to read it, you get a completely different idea than by glancing at the pictures.
These are urban pictures. These are downtown. You have got to go outside of
Fayetteville. You are not going to be able to take them yourself. You've got to
find something that a guy could picture....
Clark: Or a girl could picture.
Ostner: A girl developer. The money bags.
Anthes: There might be site plans attached or some sort of...
Ostner: Maybe ... well, these are very effective. If you could get photos like this of
something that was more greenfield. And these could be green field, but for a
guy to picture that, he's going to go to another town. This is... this is our PR.
And this says "build the multi -family where there is already a city". And that's
important. So yeah, the pictures have got to be different. They have got to go
beyond this.
Clark: And I would. Alan is absolutely right about that. But I would really like to see
Staff knock themselves out with all kinds of ideas for incentive. Throw it open.
Give us something that we can actually discuss no matter how crazy it might
sound on the surface. Go from conservative to ultra, ultra liberal. Please. So we
can find something in the middle of the spectrum that we might be able to put in
place. That would actually accomplish what that goal of the 2025 plan is.
Which is to build affordable, attainable housing.
Ostner: Well, here's a short list of what developers would say. "Don't make me spend
so much on engineering." Which is nuts, but... "Don't make me wait so long at
City Hall."
Clark: That's a big one.
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Ostner: "Don't make me have to spend more on parks and sidewalks than I want to."
They're always begging for this stuff. Could the city do that part? I don't know.
There again it is the big bucket of money.
Anthes: "Why don't wildlife preservation areas count for parks."
Ostner: Maybe. Maybe there is land somewhere else that the City can help broker to get
that area to qualify so they didn't have to give it away. Or stuff like that.
Clark: And we're talking about limited development. Not every development. But only
a development with attainable housing.
Ostner: Exactly. You give us. We'll give you.
Clark: The City can compromise something.
Ostner: So that's just off the top of my sleepy head list of what....
Clark: I'm sure that Planning has heard even more creative suggestions. Some that you
could actually print.
Anthes: Now, can I ask Commissioners? If staff can put together a presentation where
you show us the site plan analysis that you did, and start putting these numbers to
it. We could forgoe a tour after agenda session and look at those.... so we don't
have to do it all. You knowwe can be prepared and look at that information and
then have them come back sometime. Does that sound good?
Minkel: Sure.
Anthes: So is that everything you need. Does anyone else have anything to add?
Minkel: I think it gives us enough to begin an ordinance form.
Anthes: Are there announcements? Just ask Staff. Suzanne and I were talking and we
have changed our bylaws to include some verbiage about timing of presentations
and that will be on the sheets that are at the front starting the next meeting. So
people won't misunderstand.
Ostner: Who's keeping time?
Trumbo: I will.
Ostner: I just had to ask. (general joking and laughing)
Anthes: Alright, so we are adjourned.