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Planning Commission approves Oyster Bar employee parking lot rezoning
Summary
The Little Rock Planning Commission approved rezoning of a single-family lot to PDC to allow an 11-space private employee parking lot for the Oyster Bar, subject to staff conditions including employee-only signage, drainage and lighting controls, and a security gate.
The Little Rock Planning Commission on March 13 approved a planned development district rezoning to allow an employee-only parking lot for the Oyster Bar at 109 South Booker Street.
Staff and the applicant said the project would convert an existing single-family lot into an asphalt lot with 11 employee parking spaces, a single electronic gate, a 6-foot wood privacy fence on the south property line, and landscaping. Monty, the planning staff reader, described the project as intended to “provide relief from on-street parking along South Booker Street and the general area.”
Supporters said the lot would remove employee vehicles from the public right-of-way. Applicant David Carpenter told the commission “our application is basically for our employees… it’s a private lot, it’s not open to the public,” and that the site had been designed to meet city requirements. He said engineers would address grading and drainage and that the gate would be electronically controlled so only designated staff could enter.
Neighbors raised concerns during the hearing about lighting spill, runoff and drainage onto adjacent property, and compliance with staff conditions. Mark Stowler (opposition), whose client owns a fourplex directly south of the site, urged strict enforcement of signage and drainage: he said a drainage plan must be approved before a building permit so the new hardscape does not increase runoff onto neighboring lots. Carpenter and staff both told the commission drainage and low, downward-directed lighting would be addressed in the permit process. Staff confirmed the requirement for employee-only signage is part of the applicant’s submittal and would be enforced.
The commission voted to approve the PDC rezoning Z1000117 with the staff-recommended conditions in paragraphs D and E of the staff report. The roll-call includes recorded votes for Commissioner Brown (yes), Commissioner Hart (yes), Commissioner Hodges (yes), Commissioner McDonald (yes), Commissioner Person (yes), Commissioner Russell (no), Commissioner Trimble (yes), Commissioner Baxter (yes) and Commissioner Vickers (yes). Motion carried.
The approval is conditioned on the applicant complying with staff comments and meeting the city’s permitting requirements for drainage, lighting, signage and other standard conditions before construction. The applicant said he would follow the city’s direction on outstanding technical items and that the lot is intended only for employee use.
