CBC_07 06 2017
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
July 06, 2017, at Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Avenue. Chairman, BJ Sanders-Woods called the
meeting to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: BJ Sanders-Woods Wally Loveless
Steve Homeyer Ed Peek
Bobby Cushman Bob Winchester
Chris Hancock Carrie Young
Melissa Henshaw
MEMBERS ABSENT: Starre Haas
Janet Wilson
ALSO PRESENT: Beth Carpenter, City Attorney’s Office
D. Tracy Spillman, Plans Development Administrator, Department
of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock
Dana Carney, Zoning and Subdivision Manager, Department of
Planning and Development, City of Little Rock
Tony Bozynski, Former Director of Planning and Development,
City of Little Rock, Retired
Jamie Collins, Director of Planning and Development, City of
Little Rock
Former Planning and Development Director, Mr. Tony Bozynski introduced Newly Appointed
Planning and Development Director, Mr. Jamie Collins. Mr. Bozynski noted Mr. Collins
experience in the fields of planning and engineering and also thanked the commissioners for their
service. Mr. Collins briefly expanded on his experience and expressed his enthusiasm for his newly
appointed position.
APPROVAL OF THE JUNE MINUTES:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the previous months minutes.
Motion: Commissioner Winchester made a motion that the June 01, 2017 Minutes be approved.
Second: Commissioner Young seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Variance Request: CBC Case # 656, McDonald’s, 10201 N Rodney Parham Rd
FINDINGS:
The C-3 zoned property at 10201 N Rodney Parham Rd is currently occupied by a one-story
McDonald’s restaurant building located within the north central portion of the property. Lot 1,
Block 8 of the Breckenridge Business Addition is comprised of .857 acres and is located in the
northeast portion of the Breckenridge Village development on the corner of North Rodney Parham
Road and Breckenridge Drive.
The applicant is proposing to remove the existing structure and construct a new McDonald’s
restaurant with drive-thru service in a similar footprint as the existing building. Restaurants require
one parking space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area. The new 4,480 square foot building
will be located near the center of the site and would require forty-five (45) parking spaces. The
proposed site plan indicates forty (40) parking bays and stacking space for approximately thirteen
(13) additional cars. There is also existing parking located in close proximity to the development
adjacent to the southwest perimeter of the property. Staff feels that proposed parking and stacking
spaces will be adequate.
The renovated vehicular use area will consist of a drive aisle northeast of the building and
45 degree parking adjacent to the northwest side of the structure. In addition 45 degree parking
will be provided on the northwest, southeast, and southwest perimeters of the complex in a similar
arrangement as the existing parking. The building entrance will be located on the northwest side
of the structure and two (2) drive-thru order boards will be located at the northeast end of the
building with pick-up windows on the southeast side. There is an existing two way drive on
N. Rodney Parham located on northern corner of the site and two separate existing drives located
on Breckenridge Drive. The Rodney Parham and the south Breckenridge site entry/exists will
remain intact while the northern Breckenridge site entrance will be removed and replaced with
landscape.
In order to provide the required parking stall depth and maneuvering area, the minimum required
landscape perimeters are deficient. The applicant is requesting that the required perimeter planting
strips located on the northwest, southeast, and southwest side of the property be less than the
required nine (9) foot minimum. The proposed site plan provides a five (5) foot wide landscape
perimeter along the northwest property line which is adjacent to an existing ten (10) landscape
strip including mature trees on the neighboring property. The southeast perimeter planting strip is
indicated to be mostly six (6) feet in width with the exception of this narrowing to a two (2) foot
landscape area at the northern end the property to allow for an additional parking space. The
southwest perimeter is shown to be six (6) feet in width and narrowing to five (5) feet at the
dumpster enclosure. This perimeter is also adjacent to an existing five (5) foot landscape strip with
mature trees on the bordering parcel.
The applicant has indicated on the landscape plan that all plant material required for the perimeter
landscape strips will be installed in the planting areas provided between the property lines and the
back of the curb. Additionally, all other all other landscape requirements will meet or exceed the
minimum requirements before a building permit is issued for this project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is supportive of the request to allow a reduction in the widths of the perimeter landscape
strips as purposed with the condition that all of the plant material as shown on the landscape plan
will be installed in accordance with the landscape code.
Presentation:
Mr. William “Bear” Pernell from the McDonald’s Corporation introduced himself and inquired if
the commissioners had any additional questions that were not addressed in the findings.
Commissioner Winchester inquired if the forty-five degree parking was a standard parking
configuration recognized by the City code. Staff Member Spillman explained that this is allowable
by code and the reasons why a developer may choose to configure the parking in this manner.
Commissioner Peek inquired if all the required landscape perimeters were being decreased. Staff
Member Spillman explained that the developer was decreasing three of the perimeters while the
Rodney Parham street buffer would meet the code requirements. It was also noted that all of the
required plant material would be installed despite the reduction of the landscape perimeters.
A residential neighbor of the property was present at the meeting and stated that he was in
attendance to learn more about the development. He expressed that he and his neighbors were
concerned about the aesthetics of the project and the amount of “soft” elements that would be
included. Staff Member Spillman explained the proposed landscape.
Commissioner Henshaw inquired why the building could not be smaller to accommodate the
perimeter requirements. Mr. Pernell explained this was a standard size and smallest building that
the McDonald’s Corporation provides. Mr. Pernell also noted that McDonald’s is upgrading their
buildings nationwide.
Commissioner Henshaw also inquired about the procedures to insure that property owners
maintain their landscapes. Staff Member Carney explained that records and plans are kept for new
developments. Mr. Carney further explained if complaints are received the exiting landscape can
be compared to the approved plans for compliance and addressed accordingly. It was also noted
that records are not always available on older projects.
Due to conflict of interest Chairman Sanders-Woods recused.
Vice Chairman Homeyer entertained a motion to approve the variance as proposed.
Motion: Commissioner Peek made a motion that the variance be approved as proposed.
Second: Commissioner Cushman seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Expense Report:
Commissioner Young provided a signature card obtained from the Little Rock City Treasury.
Commissioner Young requested that Chairman Sanders-Woods and Commissioner Peek endorse
this card and be added as signatories for the CBC account. Chairman Sanders-Woods and
Commissioner Peek complied.
Commissioner Young also stated that the interest for the CBC banking account for the year to date
is $1.60 and the new balance is $557.41.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, UPDATES:
Community Projects
City Hall South Yard:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that this project is still on hold.
Public Relations
Commissioner Hancock stated that the CBC Facebook page has received 512 “Likes”. That the
Landscape Award form has been shared (on Facebook) and KLRB, City of Little Rock, and the
Little Rock Chamber of Commerce have been “tagged” in these posts. Commissioner Hancock
also encouraged the Commissioners to share the CBC Facebook on their personal Facebook pages.
KLRB:
Commissioner Henshaw stated that she had attended last week’s KLRB meeting. It was noted that
sixteen (16) new groups have been added to the Adopt-A-Street program for a total of 212 groups
and 157 miles of streets in the program.
It was also noted that the Great Arkansas River Cleanup will be September 9 and KLRB will not
meet in July or August.
Commissioner Loveless requested an update on the living walls that were discussed at last month’s
meeting. Commissioner Henshaw stated that the KLRB Beautification Committee has focused on
the Main Street parking deck and its walls that were designed to be vertical gardens.
Adopt-A-Street:
Commissioner Loveless proposed that the next scheduled cleanup be moved from Saturday
July 15 to Saturday July 22. The commissioners agreed to this change.
Eye of the Beholder:
Commissioner Young stated that she has nominated five landscapes this month. Staff Member
Spillman stated that two of these nominees have called and accepted the award.
Commissioner Hancock nominated a neighbor in close proximity of his home and secured an
award sign from Commissioner Homeyer. Commissioner Hancock stated he would forward the
name and address of this nominee to Staff Member Spillman.
Landscape Awards:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that the Landscape Awards are open through the end of August.
Commissioner Young nominated the Covenant Cove Community entry road, sign and model home
located at 2700 Romine Rd.
T.R.E.E Fund:
Commissioner Homeyer stated after a follow up discussion with Deputy Director of Parks and
Recreation, Mr. Mark Webre he was informed that this project would be put on hold until the fall
of this year. Mr. Webre’s reason for the delay was that he feels the trees would have a better rate
of survival if installed in the cooler months when water requirements would be lower.
Commissioner Hancock stated that he had a discussion with the Capital View and Stiff Station
Neighborhood Association. The topic of a City owned property historically used as a city park
located within the boundaries of this neighborhood was addressed. It was noted that there is a lack
of shade trees on this parcel. The Commissioner suggested this may be a property where T.R.E.E.
Funds could allotted for this section could be used on this property. Commissioner Hancock stated
that he would investigate further.
City Beautiful Exhibit:
Commissioner Hancock stated there is nothing new to report.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business.
ANOUNCEMENTS:
The next meeting will be Thursday, August 06, 2017, at 11:30 am.
Adopt-A-Street Pickup was tentatively set for Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 8:00 am.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: Commissioner Peek made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Hancock seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:46 pm.
LITTLE ROCK CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT - 723 WEST MARKHAM - LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201
PHONE: 501 371-4864 FAX: 501 371-6863 E-MAIL: DSPILLMAN@LITTLEROCK.GOV