Mapco is wanting to tear down the old Iberia Bank and garage and put in a gas station. Both Permissible Uses and the Safety Committee have voted to oppose this. Mapco is requesting rezoning from UU (Urban Use District) to PDC (Planned District Commercial)

UU requires all uses to be located inside the building. Mapco is requesting drive through outdoor gas pumps. They are also requesting a variance to allow drives located nearer the property lines than typically allowed and a variance to allow the obstruction to visibility at the intersection of 3rd Street and Arch Street and 3rd Street with Broadway Street. This may cause safety issues regarding left hand turns off of Broadway.

This petition voices our opposition to the Mapco variance request at 3rd and Broadway.

The City Planning Staff recommended against approval.

Judge Villines is against it.

Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley is against it.

Pulaski County Assessor Janet Ward is against it.

The Little Rock, Downtown Partnership is against it.

Quapaw Quarter Association is against it.

If this variance is approved it could potentially open the flood gates to other uses not currently allowed under UU zoning. Then if the City does not allow those future uses it really opens itself up to potential litigation. They should not set a precedent on this.

The following is verbatim from the City Staff:

Staff is not supportive of the request. The UU, Urban Use Zoning District was created to allow for developments within the Urban Use District to provide multiple uses within the same structure and encourage the ground or street level of the structure to include street oriented activity and pedestrian amenities. Staff feels this development is not in keeping with the intent of the UU. The building has been pushed back from the primary streets and there are paved areas and driveways between the proposed building and patio area. In addition the fuel canopy is located along West 3rd Street which is considered a primary street. Parking is located within the front setback and driveways are located inconsistent with the typical ordinance standard. In addition staff has concerns with stacking on the site and access to the site for service vehicles including the fuel truck and garbage collection vehicle. Staff does not feel there is adequate circulation on the site to not disrupt traffic flows on the abutting streets.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: DENIAL OF THE REQUEST

We would like as many people as possible to attend the City Board meeting June 17th at 6PM. Whether you can or cannot attend please fill out your name, email and any comments you may have and press the sign here button. Let your voice be heard.

By signing this petition I ask the City Board to deny the variance request for Mapco.