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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report MEETING DATE: CASE NO: APPLICANT: PROPERTY OWNER: REQUEST: LOCATION: PHYSICAL FEATURES: STAFF REPORT 94-702 Dennis Garth Flagship Development c/o Clarke/Wyndham Conditional Use Permit to allow the construction of a sorority house Lot 4 Timber Ridge Addition Phase 3; the southwest corner of Rhett Butler and University Oaks Area: 1.54 acres Dimensions: Approximately 300' X 220' Frontage: Approximately 300' along Rhett Butler and 170' along Rhett Butler Depth: Approximately 220' AREA ZONING AND LAND USE: Subject Tract: R-6 High Density Apartments; currently vacant North: R-2 Duplex; developed as duplexes; R-1 Single Family further to the north East: R-6 High Density Apartments; developed as Apartments South: R-6 High Density Apartments; currently vacant West: R-6 High Density Apartments; currently vacant LAND USE PLAN: High density residential ENGINEERING: Water: Sewer: Will be coordinated at time of site. plan Streets: Flood Plain: NOTIFICATION: Legal Notice Publication(s): Advertised Commission Hearing Date(s): 4-21-94 Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 14 Response Received: Three calls in opposition STAFF COMMENTS: Conditional use permits are granted by the Commission, subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards, when the Commission finds: A. That the proposed use meets all the minimum standards established in the Zoning Ordinance for this type of use; ,.,,,. B. That the proposed use is in harmony with the purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance and the plan for physical development of the district as embodied in the comprehensive plan for. the development of the City; C. That the proposed use will not be detrimental to the health, welfare, and safety of the surrounding neighborhood or its occupants, nor be substantially or permanently injurious to neighboring. property. (See sec. 14, Ordinance 1638) The P.R.C. has not yet reviewed a site plan because the applicants are applying for the use only and will follow with a site plan at a later date. This plan will also come before the Commission. The subject property is zoned R-6, which allows apartment buildings at up to 24 dwelling units per acre with the option of higher densities if approved by Council. The applicant does not intend to exceed the maximum density. The area has developed as a mix of mostly .student housing with a concentration of apartment buildings and sorority/fraternity houses. The request is in keeping with the zoning and land use patterns in the area. Several property owners of the R-1 zoned area have voiced concern regarding this request. Apparently the existing sorority houses generate a large amount of street parking especially during rush time. In some areas, the road becomes blocked by cars, preventing the passage of private and emergency vehicles. Most of the other sororities in the area were built before a change in the Zoning Ordinance. made parking more restrictive. There are 12 sorority houses in this area, only two of which were built under the current requirement of one space per resident plus one space for every 30 square feet of meeting room. The requirement before the 1986 change was only one space per dwelling unit. According to one resident, the parking problem is aggravated during rush week by not only the additional parking generated but also by the fact that the parking lots are blocked off and that parking is forced into the streets. The applicant has explained that the front areas of the houses are used for outdoor activities, but that parking in the rear is allowed. Staff will take this information to the next meeting of the Traffic Management Team for discussion. This particular site will have the parking in the rear and will meet the current parking requirement by providing 100 spaces. The Planning and. Zoning Commission does have the discretion to place conditions on approval of the use and site plan.