CBC_07 12 2018
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
July 12, 2018, at Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Avenue. Chairman Sanders-Woods, called the
meeting to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: BJ Sanders-Woods Michael Harvey
Steve Homeyer Michael Mason
Justin Blagg Ed Peek
Bobby Cushman Bob Winchester
MEMBERS ABSENT: Wally Loveless
Melissa Henshaw
One Open Position
ALSO PRESENT: Beth Carpenter, City Attorney’s Office
D. Tracy Spillman, Plans Development Administrator, Department
of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock.
APPROVAL OF THE MAY MEETING MINUTES:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the June 2018 Minutes.
Motion: Commissioner Blagg made a motion that the June 07, 2018 Minutes be approved.
Second: Commissioner Peek seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
VARIANCE REQUEST: CBC Case #661 - McDonald's - 515 W 6th Street
Variance Requested:
To allow a reduction of the south perimeter planting strip to less than the six (6) feet nine (9) inches
that is typically required for developments in areas designated "mature" by the Department of
Planning and Development and approved by the Planning Commission and the City Beautiful
Commission.
FINDINGS:
McDonald’s USA is proposing to construct a new restaurant on the Urban Use (UU) zoned
property located at the southwest corner of W. 6th and Broadway Streets. The proposed site consists
of a half-block, bounded by W. 6th Street on the north, Broadway on the east and Arch Street on
the west.
The UU district was established to help create a dense, compact distinguishable core area which
allows for a broad mix of uses. While there are large areas of downtown that are pedestrian
urban-oriented, there are also areas that are less so. Broadway south of 6th Street is one such area
that retains its US Highway-vehicle orientated presence. The new “fast food” restaurant is
compatible with how Broadway from 6th Street south to I-630 has developed.
The property at 515 W. 6th Street is currently occupied by a commercial surface parking lot. The
existing site is paved to the south property line and the south neighboring building is constructed
to this same boundary. To develop this property as indicated on the submitted site/landscape plan
the applicant had requested several zoning variances from the City of Little Rock’s Board of
Adjustment (BOA). These request included waivers related to the drive-through facility, street tree
requirements, building and sidewalk orientation, building façade transparency, parking, and
surface area / height of the ground mounted sign. Staff believed these requested variances where
appropriate for this particular development and were supportive of the proposal. On June 25th the
BOA reviewed the applicant’s petition and voted unanimously to approve these appeals.
Interior parking, perimeter, and building landscape areas are not required for developments in the
UU district. However, proposed developments that do include surface level parking areas are
required to meet current zoning and landscape code specifications. As part of this new
development the applicant purposes to provide interior parking. The perimeter planting areas
associated with this new parking area exceed the minimum width requirements on the north, east,
and west street sides of the property by 2 ¼ - 3 ¼ feet while leaving the south perimeter deficient
by three (3) feet nine (9) inches.
The new restaurant parking proposes a perimeter planting strip three (3) feet in width between the
proposed paving and the existing building to the south. This 300 foot vehicular use area adjacent
to the neighboring property would normally require ten (10) trees and thirty (30) shrubs. At both
the east and west ends of this planter are existing trees. There is one adjacent to the Broadway
Street right-of-way at the east and one adjacent to the S Arch Street right-of-way to the west. Both
are willow oaks, in good health, and each forty-seven (47) inches in diameter at breast height
(DBH). In accordance with the T.R.E.E Credit Chart in Sec 15-52 each of these trees would be
equivalent to ten (10) newly planted three 3” inch caliper trees. The development of this property
as shown would require a minimum of thirty-nine (39) trees to satisfy all of the minimum landscape
requirements. The submitted landscape plan shows a total of twenty-seven (27) proposed trees
consisting of three (3) different varieties. If preserved and protected during construction the credit
for the two (2) existing willow oak would provide a surplus of eight (8) trees for the overall project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Due to the additional perimeter planting width provided adjacent to the street right-of-ways and
the adjacent building to the south being constructed to the property line Staff is supportive of the
request to allow a reduction of the south perimeter landscape strip to a minimum width of three
(3) feet. Staff recommends approval of the requested variance with the condition that the existing
willow oak located at the southwest and southeast portion of the site be retained and protected
during construction and that the thirty (30) shrubs required for the south perimeter be provided in
this area or other areas of the site.
Presentation:
The applicant, Mr. Matt Korte of Adams Engineering was present to address any specific
questions. Mr. Korte presented the site and landscape plans to the commissioners and answered
questions while further discussing how the new restaurant property was to be developed.
Commissioner Harvey noted that there were several dead limbs in the tree that is to be saved and
protected adjacent to the Broadway right-of-way. The commissioner further inquired about the
replacement of this tree if it did not survive construction or perished at some other time in
the future.
Staff Member Spillman summarized the preservation section of landscape code and explained the
different remedies to keep the landscape in compliance with the code if any of the plant materials
used to meet the minimum requirements die or are destroyed.
The commissioners generally discussed the three (3) foot wide planting bed on the south side of
the property and inquired if the proposed shrub material would be disrupted by parked vehicles
encroaching into the landscape area. Wheel stops for additional protection and parking islands for
increased planting space was generally discussed by the commissioners.
Staff Member Spillman expressed that the proposed curb and gutter met the minimum wheel
protection requirements. Mr. Korte offered to provide two (2) new parking areas to this south
parking area to provide additional landscape space.
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the variance.
Motion: Commissioner Blagg made a motion that the variance be approved as recommended by
Staff with the condition that two new parking islands be added to the proposed south parking area
to provide additional landscape space.
Second: Commissioner Mason seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Expense Report:
Commissioner Cushman stated that the June 1 balance was $404.35, that the interest in the account
had increased $0.39, and as of July 1 the total of the account was $404.74.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, UPDATES:
Community Projects
City Hall South Yard:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that there was nothing new to report.
Public Relations
Commissioner Blagg requested to be granted administrative rights to the CBC Facebook page so
that he can assume the responsibilities as Co-Chair of the Public Relations Committee.
Commissioner Homeyer indicated he would contact former CBC Commissioner and Public
Relations Chairman, Mr. Chris Hancock for instructions on how this can be accomplished. Staff
Member, Spillman also agreed to contact Co-Chair Ms. Melissa Henshaw for instructions.
The commissioners generally discussed this committee and the status of the CBC trifold brochure
that was being produced. Commissioner Peek indicated that he no longer had access to the software
to continue the brochure production. Commissioner Blagg stated that he had some experience
creating this type of pamphlet and would be able to continue the work that Commissioner Peek
had begun.
KLRB:
In the absence of Commissioner Henshaw there was no new report.
Adopt-A-Street:
In the absence of Commissioner Loveless there was no new report.
Eye of the Beholder:
In the absence Commissioner Loveless there was no new report.
Landscape Awards:
Commissioner Homeyer stated nominations for this award will close in August. He also
encouraged the other commissioners to make any additional recommendations for this award
before the end of next month.
T.R.E.E Fund:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that due to a recent tree protection violation there is the possibility
that of a substantial donation being made to the T.R.E.E. Fund. The commissioner also stated that
this is pending on an upcoming action by the City of Little Rock Board of Directors.
The commissioners generally discussed the area of violation and the possible areas that could
benefit from a decision that would create additional funding.
City Beautiful Exhibit:
In the absence of Commissioner Loveless there was no new report.
Commissioner Cushman presented two cardboard banners that he was given. The banners
(possible panels for the side of a parade car) were found after the recent sale of a residential
property in which Commissioner Cushman was involved. The banners commemorated the
1954 City Beautiful Commission, Beauty Pageant and that year’s winner.
Commissioner Cushman stated that he would deliver these to Commissioner Loveless to be
included in with the other exhibit materials.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, August 02, 2018, at 11:30 am.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to adjourn.
Motion: Commissioner Blagg made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Peek seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25pm.
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