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CBC 03-14-1995The City Beautiful Commission The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 1995 in the City Board Conference Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall. A public hearing was held before the regular meeting. The meeting was called to order by Lin Blair, Chairman at 10.00 a.m. Member Present : Lin Blair Joyce Raynor Joe Robbins Also Present: Steve Cato Frank Riggins Liz Williams Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, Neighborhoods & Planning Richard Wood Zoning & Subdivision Mgr., Neighborhoods & Planning Mark Webre, Project & Design Mgr., Parks & Recreation. Becky Switzer, Executive Secretary, Paris & Recreation Jim Sick, City Beautiful Kids Administrator, Parks & Recreation Mr. & Mrs. George Jett, Owners of George Jett's Gas & Service Station L Roll Call - Five members present. IL Public Hearing - Item No. 1- CBC 552 - New Matters George C. Jett, Jr., George Jetfs Gass & Service Station 3101 West Markham Street Variance Requested - An exemption from the minimum twenty-eight (28) percent landscaping upgrade toward compliance with the Landscape Ordinance. Start' Recommendation - Staff recommends approval of this request considering Mr. Jett has agreed to provide screening of the storage and dmnpster area ;grid ---tire site is covered with thick concrete and has vehicular traffic visibility and maneuverabilty limitations. Liz Williams came in at this time, six members present. 500 West Markham, Room 108 Little Rock, AR 72201 371-4770 Minutes March 14,1995 Meeting Page 2 Frank Riggins made a motion to approve the variance. Motion seconded by Joyce Raynor. Liz Williams stated that the commission needs to set a precedence so that others requesting a variance cannot do the same as the Jetts just because of a concrete situation. Jim Goodhart came in at this time. Seven members present at this time. All commissioners voted in favor of the variance. Item No. 2 - CBC 549 - New Matters Rick L Barger, Barrow Church of Christ, 900 Barrow Rd. Variance Requested - A reduction in the width of a portion of the northern perimeter planting strip two hundred and nineteen (219) feet in length from six (6) feet to two (2) feet and transferring the required landscaping to the interior of the proposed parking area. Staff Recommendation - Since the applicant is willing to provide additional landscaping with the interior of the proposed parking areas exceeding requirements along the heavily wooded northern perimeter, staff recommends approval of this request. After much discussion, Liz Williams made the motion to have the applicant take the driveway down to twenty-four (24) feet, lose one parking space and to put one tree every twenty (20) feet. Frank Riggins seconded. During a lengthy discussion, Liz decided to withdraw her motion and Steve Cato made the motion to table the variance until the next meeting when Mr. Barger or a representative could be at that meeting to explain their side. Jim Goodhart seconded the motion. All in favor. Ill. Approval of Minutes - Bob Brown noted that a change needs to be made in the wording on page 2, second paragraph, should read "120 days from issuance of landscape permit". Liz made the motion to accept the minutes with changes, Joyce Raynor seconded. All in favor. IV. Treasurer's Report - Joe Robbins stated that he will be providing a financial report to each commissioner at all of the upcoming meetings. At this time a representative for the Barrow Road variance come into the room. He had been sent to the wrong area of City Hall. At this time Lin Blair reopened the Public Hearing. Liz Williams stated that her concern is that once the area where the driveway is going in is developed, and what will happen to the land between the church property and the newly developed land. Liz recommends that the road be cut down to 24 feet and have a 6 feet strip sop it can be landscaped. Minutes March 14, 1995 Meeting Page 3 Frank Biggins and Liz Williams concerns is what's going to happen to the area when the property behind it is developed. After the representative presented his side, and a long discussion, Liz moved that the road be reduced down to 24ft. and have a 6 foot wide strip so it can be landscaped and that the variance request be denied. Frank Riggins seconded. All ayes. V. City Beautiful Kids - New Name - Jim Sick reported that he has started contacting last years sponsors. The interviews for the City Beautiful Kids applicants will be held April 22nd and April 29th. Lin Blair asked that the commissioners let her know at the April meeting what day they can work. Tun Sick stated that a survey was taken among the City Beautiful Kids last year. The biggest complaints were about the yellow t-shirts and the name of the group. Jim is open for suggestions. Steve Cato moved not to change the name. Seconded by Joyce Raynor. Two voted in favor of motion, four opposed Tun Goodhart suggested to take a couple of names firm a list of names that Jim Sick provided, and then the commissioners could vote on those names. Liz Williams seconded. All ayes. The names chosen were City Beautiful League, City Beautiful Ambassadors and City Beautiful Corporation. A paper vote was taken and theCity Beautiful League was chosen. VIL Lighting Contest - Frank Biggins passed out information regarding Lighting Contest and asked that the commissioners look over them and get back with Frank or Joe Robbins with their comments and suggestions. Lin Blair asked if the commissioners wanted to continue to be involved in the Lighting Contest. She asked that they think about it and to get back to her at the next meeting. ViII. Projects for 1995 - Lin Blair, Mark Webre and Bill Bunten met and discussed several things. The Adopt -A -Park reception is being planned. A date is yet to be decided. One of the things that Bill, Mark and Lin talked about was if City Beautiful know of someone in the city who has gone beyond the call of duty to help beautify the city, and if so be given an award for their work. A commissioner could give this award on the spot. Bill suggested calling it the "Rock Polishers Award". Minutes March 14, 1995 Meeting Page 4 Lin passed out an article hurn a Dallas, Texas newspaper on how Dallas is handling their tree planting efforts. IX. Parks and Reemation Update - Mark Webre stated that at the meeting with Lin and Bill it was also discussed to have a meeting inviting citizens to come and discuss City Beautiful issues and have it broadcast on the city access channel. More appropriately, Lin Blair stated that Bill Bunten made the suggestion that the City Beautiful Commissioners could go to neighborhood association meetings. One or two of the commissioners could attend and be on the agenda to explain the City Beautiful Commission and to answer questions. Lin asked the commissioners to think about this idea and to bring back to the next meeting any suggestions they may have. Mark informed the group about the "Spruce Up Little Rock" event that will be happening. He is still trying to find out more information on this event and he will pass it on to the commissioners. The fence and entry gate structure is being started at Riverfront Park. In addition, there is a $1.2 million dollar grant due within a year that will go into the Riverfest Amphitheater refinement. The RFP on the outdoor concert facility is due to March 17. The Parks Department is working with the Americorp Grant. This grant is a conservation effort very similar to the Youth Corp that is being done overseas. A group will work on conservation efforts here in certain areas of the city. X. Miscellaneous - Liz Williams stated that she will be moving out of Little Rock but will be keeping her business in Little Rock. She would like to know by the next meeting if she has to give up her place on the commission. Becky will check on. XIL Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m. The City R-36utiU Commission Dear Commissioner: Enclosed you will find a copy of the City Beautiful Kid 1994 Summary, Please read over the summary and if you have any questions contact Jinn Sick at 371-6850. There is also a list of names that have been suggested that could by used in place of Kids in the current name of City Beautiful Kids. Jim also asked that you make note of the dates of April 22nd and April 29th. These are the. dates that the City Beautiful Kids interviews will be held. If you are going to help with the interviews you would need to let dim know and you would need to be in the Parks Department Office by 8:45 a.m. Also included is the minutes from the January meeting. There are no minutes from the February meeting since it was canceled because of the weather. The next City Beautiful meeting is scheduled for March 14. An agenda will be sent out before the next meeting. Sincerely, 63Bts�>\'U� witz 500 West Markham, Room 108 Little Rock, AR 72201 371-4770 The City Beautiful Commission The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Marcie 14,1995 in the City Board Conference Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall at 9:45 A.M. (a public hearing will begin at this time with the regular meeting being held after that). L Roll Call II. Public Hearing see attached ) HI. Approval of Minutes IV. Treasurer's Report V. City Beautiful Kids - New Name VIL Projects for 1995 VIR. Lighting Contest - Report from Task Force IX. Parks and Recreation Update X. Miscellaneous XII. Adjournment 500 West Markham, Room 108 Little Rock, AR 72201 371-4770 March 14, 1995 ITEM NO. 1 - .B. . 5 2 - NEW -MATTERS Applicant: Address: Description: RDINANCE RE MENTS: George C. Jett, Jr. George Jett's Gas and Service Station 3101 West Markham Street Lots 1 and 2, Block 3, C. S. Stifft's Addition All vehicular use areas which were in existence prior to the effective dote of this article may continue in a nonconforming status until such time as a building permit is granted to enlarge or reconstruct a structure on the property exceeding ten (10) percent of its existing gross floor area. At such time, ten (10) percent of the existing vehicular use area shall be brought into compliance with the provisions of this article. This shall continue on a graduated scale until reaching one hundred (100) percent of the required landscaping. 2. It is recognized that unique circumstances may exist in conforming with these standards. However, in no case may the staff waive more than twenty-five (25) percent of these requirements. VARIANCE RE STED: An exemption from the minimum twenty-eight (28) percent landscaping upgrade toward compliance with the Landscape Ordinance. FINDINGS: Recently, Mr. and Mrs. Jett purchased the service station which was formerly known as the Bushmiaers Service Station. Since that time, Mr. Jett has upgraded the exterior of the existing structure and cleaned out the storage holding area in the rear of the property. Mr. Jett would now like to increase the existing structure thirty-seven (37) percent with an additional service bay. However, the building expansion would require a twenty-eight (28) to thirty-seven (37) percent landscaping upgrade. Mr. Jett has agreed to screen the storage and dumpster area with a 6 feet high opaque wooden good neighbor fence. The site is covered in solid concrete. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Considering Mr. Jett has agreed to provide screening of the storage and dumpster area and the site is covered with thick concrete and has vehicular traffic visibility and maneuverability limitations, staff recommends approval of this request. 44 I" = 20' W W 0 19 JO H N S ON STREET - Concrete PRO POS ED VV0cb -SCREENING FENCE _ • ExIsrIN6 vl CANOPY - Ei<►Sr�NG + e SERVICE STATION StoraL - - = Are at - - Concrete = f PROPOSED f ADDITION f .CorraWte., Ditch - Re5ldantlSl Property t u 0 L CL t u h V AW C. B. C. CASE 55Z March 14, 1995 - . 2 - C.B. 4 - - NFW MATTERS Applicant: Address: Description: QHDINANCE REQUIREMENT Rick L. Barger Barrow Road Church of Christ 900 Barrow Road Long Legal A perimeter planting strip shall be required along any side of a vehicular use area that abuts adjoining property. This strip shall be at least six (6) feet wide. 2. One (1) tree and four (4) shrubs or vines for every forty (40) linear feet shall be planted in the perimeter planting strip. VARIANCE REQUESTER: A reduction in the width of a portion of the northern perimeter planting strip two hundred and nineteen (219) feet in length from six (6) feet to two (2) feet and transferring the required landscaping to the interior of the proposed parking area. FINDINGS: The Barrow Road Church of Christ property is located south of a heavily wooded commercially zoned property oVed by the Baptist Medical Center. The applicant proposes to increase the size of the existing church building and install additional parking areas to the west. A steep natural embankment exists immediately south of the proposed driveway increasing the difficulty in providing a six (6) foot wide landscape strip along the northern perimeter. In April of 1994 the City Beautiful Commission granted a waiver allowing a portion of the northern perimeter landscape strip, which is located east of the current proposal, to be reduced to two (2) feet in width. The applicant now requests permission to continue the two (2) foot wide landscape strip westward an additional two hundred and nineteen (219) feet. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Since the applicant is willing to provide additional landscaping within the interior of the proposed parking areas exceeding requirements along the heavily wooded northern perimeter, staff recommends approval of this request. CVGQ l M O b'd V$ O I H 0 W O cc CL n. J O W o_ v1 W Or Z 4 LLI cr- < 10 O O O e rr L-SE ul uj