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boa_12 18 1972LITTLE ROCK BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES DECEMBER 18. 197 MEMBERS PRESENT Darrell D. Dover, Chairman S. Spencer Compton, Vice Chairman L. Dickson Flake Capp Shanks, Jr. Lawrence S. Woolsey MEMBERS ABSENT None STAFF PRESENT Don R. Venhaus John L. Taylor Louis E. Barber Richard Wood James Finch Dorothy Light OTHERS PRESENT Perry V. Whitmore, City Attorney R. Armbrust, Democrat Reporter J. Huddleston, Gazette Reporter 2:00 P.M. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 2:00 p.m. A motion was made for approval of the minutes of the last meeting as mailed, which was seconded and passed. Action was taken on the following advertised items: Tract No. 1 - Z-266 Applicant: Location: Description: Classification: Variance: Mrs. C.A. Roth by Dwight Blissard, Jr. 523 East Capitol Avenue All of Lot 523, Trapnall Block of Stevenson Addition "HD" High Density Residential District Request a Conditional Use Permit be granted to allow professional offices as a permitted use of the property The Staff's recommendation was read as follows: "The Staff recommends approval of the application provided that in order to preserve trees in the public right- of-way on Sherman Street that the sidewalk be constructed, on the east side of the property, within the property line. The prhposad development would be a compatible land usage for this inte"ection. This application *s for a Little Rock Board of Adjustment Minutes December 18, 1972 Conditional Use Permit to allow professional office use in a "HR" District. The Little Rock Housing Authority has no objection to the application." Mr. Dwight Blissard, Jr. was present representing the applicant. He stated that they intend to save all the trees and landscaping within this area and to comply not only to this request but to the bulk and area requirements to the livability ratio and any other requirements so that this construction would conform to the city of Little Rock. Mrs.A. R. Tate, 615 East Captiol, was present and stated that she wanted definite assurance that this would be a conservative type building that would fit in with the historical structures in the area. The proposed project will be located between Trapnall Hall and her home. Mr. Blissard stated that the project would fit in with the surrounding Structures. It will be three stories and face Sherman Street. Mrs. Tate said that she would have no objection. There were no objectors present. A motion was made to approve the Staff recommendation, which was seconded and passed. Tract No. 2 - Z-800 Applicant: B. F. Fitzhugh and T. P. Williams, Jr. Location: 1800 North Grant Street Description: Lots 5 and 6, Block 9, Mountain Park Addition Classification: "E-l" Quiet Business District Variance: Requests a Variance from the rear yard setback provisions of Section 43-14 of the Code of Ordinances to permit con- struction of an addition to existing building, two stories in height and on the rear line The Staff's recommendation was read as follows: "The Staff recommends approval of the application provided no parking be constructed on the south side of the building. Existing construction in this area conforms to that within the neighborhood and that parking, though minimal, meets the requirement of the ordinance." Mr. Ed Wimberly, Architect, was present to represent the applicant. He said that there will be no parking on the south side of the building. The parking lot on the north is now being used on a monthly lease basis for service trucks, which will be terminated for the owner's use. - 2 - Little Rock Board of Adjustment Minutes December 18, 1972 Mr. Woolsey asked if the roof line of the new addition would be higher than the existing one-story building. Mr. Wimberly stated that at this stage the design work has not been finished. They contemplate a two-story addition which would be higher than the present building. The owner definitely does. not want to do anything to endanger the appearance of their present building and if this gets to be a problem, they will fall back on a one-story addition. He also stated that the air-condi- tioning unit would have to be moved and would be installed on the roof. There were no objectors present. A motion was made to approve the Staff recommendation, which was seconded and passed. Tract No. 3 - Z-2662 Applicant: Norman Holcomb Location• 7201 Indiana Street Description: Lots 1 and 24 of Block 6, Riffel and Rhoton's Forest Park Highlands Addition Classification: "A" One -family District Variance: Requests permission under the provisions of Section 43-22 (4)-(d) of the Code of Ordinances to permit parking lot in residential zone Requests a Variance from the front yard open space provisions of Section 43-21- (H)-(b) of the Code of Ordinances to allow parking in front yard setback The Staff's recommendation was read as follows: "The Staff recommends denial. of requested variance to allow usage of these lots as parking for apartment use which would in effect permit the expansion of "D" Apartment zoning, across Florida Street, into this "A" zoned single family district. At present the Planning Commission has for their consideration two applications to rezone in this block, one abutting this site, which applications the Staff opposes. Should the Commission recommend approval of the pending applications, the Staff would strongly oppose the rezoning of the south lot of this petition as it is adjacent to an "A" zoned -single family area recently developed with new houses." The Chairman asked the Vice Chairman to preside. Mr. Bob McHenry, Attorney, was present to represent the applicant. He stated that east of the lots in question are the Westmont Apartments. These apartments do not have enough parking spaces at the present time to accommodate the resi- dents. They propose to build a parking lot on two lots across the street which - 3 - Little Rock Board of Adjustment Minutes December 18. 1972 they feel will not only accommodate these residents but will enhance the neighborhood. On the northern lot is a condemned house which will be torn down and the southern lot is vacant. They contend that there will be no increase in traffic on Florida as it runs north and south since there are already parking lots at the Westmont Apartments. There are apartment complexes running from Westmott Apartments all the .way down south to North Hughes Street. They feel that this will be establishing a buffer between a "D" and "A" district: Mr. Shanks asked if the present -owner was the original developer of the apartments. Mr. McHenry said that it was. He further stated that there were more parking spaces than was required by the ordinance but the problem is that the residents have more than one automobile or other vehicle, boat, etc. He presented photos of the area to be placed on file. He said that the neighborhood structures were not in good condition. They will build whatever screening that is necessary around the parking lot and leave as many trees and shrubs as possible. Mr. Frank Cox was present as an objector. He said he also represented Mr. and Mrs. John Culverson who reside directly north of this property. They feel that the proposed use of this lot on the west side of Florida Street would not add anything to relieve their parking problem. There is adequate vacant property north between there and Cantrell Road if they want to have additional parking lots. Also, they own two lots south and one west of this lot which are now under consideration for multi -family zoning. This rezoning would seriously affect the value of these single family dwellings on Indiana Street. Mr. Venhaus discussed the surrounding neighborhood. Most of the houses are sound and well -maintained. There are a few bad structures in the area, but poor structures are relatively few. The neighborhood has shown improve- ment in the past five years. He related the evaluations of some of the houses as listed on the building permits. A motion was made for denial of the application, which was seconded and passed. DEFERRED MATTERS Tract No. 1 - Z-2655 Applicant: Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Inc. Location•620 West 7th Street Description: Lots 4-9, Block 128, original City of Little Rock Classification: "H" Business District Variance: Requests a Variance from the height pro- visions of Section 43-19 of the Code of Ordinances to permit construction of building in excess of permitted height (165.5') or (12 stories) - 4 - Little Rock Board of Adjustment Minutes December 18. 1972 The Staff's recommendation was read as follows: The Staff recommends approval of the application. This case was deferred from the November 20, 1972 meeting at applicant's request in order that the architect might have time to work out any problems resulting from the Staff's recommendations regarding this case." Mr. Robert Taylor of Blue Cross and Blue Shield was present and asked Mr. Wittenberg, Architect, to explain the proposed project. Mr. Wittenberg pre- sented drawings and explained the layout in detail. The new addition will be the main mast of the building and the existing structure will be the wing. Blue Cross owns the block across the street which will be used for parking. Mr. Compton said it seems that the Staff's consideration of this previously was that in order to accomplish what should be accomplised, there should be some setback from Gaines Street similar to what is provided by the existing building. What happened to that recommendation or that feeling of the Staff? What is required in terms of setback? Mx. Venhaus replied that 30 ft. is required. Mr. Taylor said they could go up 100 ft. on the property line. There were no objectors present. Mr. Flake abstained. A motion was made to approve the application, which was seconded and passed. Tract No. 2 - Z-2515 Applicant: J. R. Luten, Jr. Location:' 6600 Baseline Road Description: Lots 1R and 2R of Tract 23, Arnolds Highland Acres Classification: "E-l" Quiet Business District Variance: Requests a Variance from the area provisions of Section 43-6 (9) of the Code of Ordinances to permit erection of two signs in excess of permitted area The Staff's recommendation was read as follows: The Staff recommends denial of the application. This case was deferred at the November 20, 1972 meeting in order that the applicant might reconsider the proposed signs, their location and size. The original application was for two signs. One sign for State Farm Insurance Company which no further information has been filed, and one for Dr. Luten on which a new sign proposal has been received. The sign is a total of 12 ft. _+ high with surface area 21 ft. _+ per face and double face. The Staff is still of the opinion that a low -profile type of sign would be more compatible with the present structure and adjacent resi- dential uses and would therefore be more desirable." - 5 - Little Rock Board of Adjustment Minutes December 18, 1972 Dr. J. R. Luten, Jr.,the applicant, was present. He stated that he was not present at the last meeting when this case was considered. He is agreeable to a low -profile sign. He asked how high would this sign be? Mr. Venhaus replied this means 4 ft. Dr. Luten showed an illustration of his proposed sign. Mr. Venhaus showed an illustration prepared by the Staff of the proposed sign. He stated that there were no conflicting signs in the area and the building does set back from the street. Thisillustration is a scale down drawing that shows what the sign would look like if it complied with the ordinance requirement. It will completely identify the property. Dr. Luten said he had not thought much about a sign until Mr. Fitts of the State Farm office brought it up. He then talked with some of his patients who claim they had passed the place up in trying to locate it. So, they decided they needed a sign up near the street. Mr. Compton asked if there were two buildings involved. Dr. Luten answered that there were two buildings. One building is 100 ft. back from the street. Mr. Compton asked if both buildings were occupied. Dr. Luten said he had two new tenants coming in soon and they would have a sign on their front doors. Also, as they get new tenants, they will add additional names to the existing sign close to the street without increasing the size. Mr. Shanks stated that he assumed the address is very important. Mr. Taylor said that this type sign would be similar to those on Uni- versity where the address is printed in large lettering at the top and the business names below in 4-inch lettering. Dr. Luten asked if this was the same type of sign that Mr. Putnam was going to have. Mr. Venhaus stated that Mr. Putnam's was a different location and different situation. Dr. Luten said all he was interested in was getting a sign. A motion was made to approve two signs, 2x2 ft. in size as recommended by the Staff. - 6 - Little Rock Board of Adjustment Minutes December 18. 1972 Mr. Venhaus amended the motion by stating -- one additional sign which would also comply with the zoning ofdi thnce (a nameplate presently exists on the building). The motion was seconded and appr&vW as amended by the Staff. OTHER MATTERS 1. Approval of 1973 Calendar for the Board of Adjustment A motion was made to approve the 1973 Calendar, which was seconded and passed. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. J" e, 0, "_ Darrell D. Dover, Chairman Don R. enhaus, Secretary