Land use planning and zoning processes in Little Rock, Arkansas

Local Land Use Little Rock

This report is on the local land development process for the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, a city that is also the Capital City for the State of Arkansas. The city is found in Pulaski County. The city has fourteen different departments and more than 2,500 employees, including in the police and fire departments (City of Little Rock, 2005).

Jurisdiction

Little Rock, Arkansas

Mayor-City Council form of government

Land Use Proposals and Plans

Development in the Little Rock regio is much affectied by zoning considerations, as discussed below. Development under the heading of Planned Zoning Development is a process for owners/developers to use when it is desirable to present a unified site plan for city reviews. There are four Planned Unit Development districts used in this process for multi-use developments. These are as follows:

PRD" Planned Residential

This district is used when residential uses are proposed in a development of mixed uses permitted.

POD" Planned Office

This district is used when office development is the intended principal use. Some commercial and residential is permitted when made a part of the review process.

PCD" Planned Commercial

This district is used when commercial mixed use development is proposed. A mix of residential, office and commercial is permitted.

PID" Planned Industrial

This district is used when warehousing, manufacturing or similar uses are proposed in a mix of uses.

Environmental Concerns

The state as a whole has certain environmental issues and policies to address those issues. The state's population density is 45 people per square mile, and the overall risk to ecosystems is considered moderate. Population density has increased 4% since 1982, and the amount of developed land increased 8% between 1982 and 1992. The tall grass prairie in the Grand Prairie area of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain is virtually gone given then only 500 acres remain, and some 72% of the state's wetlands have been lost since 1780. The state currently has 25 federally listed threatened and endangered species. The state has several private land conservation programs so that private landowners can have their land set aside as a game, wild bird or other wildlife refuge.. The state gives tax incentives for the creation and restoration of private wetlands and riparian zones, and the state's "Acres for Wildlife" program encourages farmers to take land out of production for the benefit of wildlife (Arkansas, 2007).

Environmental Concerns During Construction

Environmental issues are accounted for in planning and in the granting of permits, usually on the basis of an Environmental Assessment (EA) as required by law. During construction, the provisions of such a statement are to be followed to the satisfaction of city, state, and federal agencies charged with monitoring such issues, depending on the type of construction and jurisdictional considerations.

Public Participation

Public participation is encouraged during the hearings held by the Little Rock Planning Commission in deciding on permits requested by developers and others or by the zoning agency if a variance is sought. The public may also participate in a similar manner when new laws on the subject are contemplated by the City Council or by state agencies and the legislature.

Zoning

The city of Little Rock is divided into 37 zoning districts, with the exception of the State Capitol Zoning District. It is stated by the Zoning and Subdivision Department:

Zoning and Subdivision regulations are the principal tools employed by the City of Little Rock in guiding the city objectives and plans to specified goals. They assure compatibility of uses while directing the placement of infrastructure and public services. Platting, rezoning and site development ordinances in the processes involved with rezoning or developing land are administered by this Division. Additionally, use permits, variances and enforcement are dealt with daily. The Division also acts as a resource agency for developers, realtors and other citizens when presented with requests for current zoning, plat status, development standards or statistical information (Zoning & Subdivision, 2005).

Zoning is part of the master plan for the city and reflects decisions made as to how certain sections of the city should be used in the plan.

Conclusion

Land use in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas is determined by both state and local law, and the fact that this city is the capital of the state gives state agencies a more direct involvement, especially in the area known as the State Capitol Zoning District around the state government buildings. Environmental concerns for the entire state are administered from this area and include such issues as raised with local construction and with changes in zoning and land use. The local planing departments collect filings and make determinations for individual projects and for any large-scale development in the city as well.