CBC 08-06-1998MEETING NOTICE
The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting at 8:15 a.m.
on Thursday August 6, 1998 in the Sister Cities Conference Room Center
on the second floor at City Hall.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of July Minutes
IV. Treasurer's Report
V. Special Presentation - CATA Revised Plans
VI. Committee Reports
A. Education - Dottie Funk
B. Landscape Award
VII. New Business
VIII. Miscellaneous Business
IX. Adjournment
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, July
2,1998, in the Sister Cities Conference Room. Chair Frank Riggins
presided.
Members Present: Dottie Funk Frank Riggins
Dave Roberts Randall Stocks
Molly Satterfield Carolyn Lawrence
Nash Abrams
Also Present Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, Planning and
Development
Gayle Owens, Admin. Asst., Parks & Recreation
Mr. James Donnelly, General Mgr., Carter Tire & Oil
Mrs. June Riddick, Owner, Riddick Office Building
Mr. Bob East, East -Harding, Inc.
Mr. Robert Brown, Agent for CATA
Approval of Minutes: Dottie Funk requested that the following be added
to the June minutes: that a letter be written to City Planning Commission
expressing our opinion on the Kanis Road Overlay District. Motion made
to approve minutes as amended, seconded, and carried.
Treasurer's Report: Randy said the Treasurer's report is the same as last
month. No transactions during the month of June.
Carolyn Lawrence reported that she had two checks to give to Commission,
one for $838.50 from the grant, the second is a $50.00 check from the
antique club. These funds are earmarked for the fountain. This makes a
total of $1,098 earmarked for the fountain.
Reception: Frank Riggins said he thought everyone had a good time at the
reception. He had received several good comments on it
Billboard Meeting: Dottie reported that she had gone to the Billboard
Meeting following the reception. About 10 people attended Director
Kelley's meeting at the library regarding the billboard ordinance. Dottie
distributed copies of a 1997 report on billboards from Charles Nickerson to
the Mayor and the Board of Directors.
Open Public Hearing. Frank Riggins called the Public Hearing to order
Item No. 1 - CSC 559 - New Matters James M. Donnelly, Gen. Mgr,
Carter Oil and Tire
13625 Vimy Ridge Road
Variance Reguested: To determine appropriate reinstallation of a mostly destroyed land
use buffer.
Presentation: Bob Brown made presentation to the Commission. Site located near the
end of the city limits; County Line Road and Vimy Ridge at the North east corner. Staff
recommends approval of the nine (9) trees but that they be installed immediately.
Additionally, staff recommends that at least seventeen (17) shrubs with a minimum height
at planting of thirty (30) inches and with the ability to grow to at least six feet in height be
planted before the site is granted a certificate of occupancy.
Applicant Presentation: Mr. James Donally with Carter Oil Company stated that Mr.
Brown was correct. Mr. Donally took full responsibility for sending the bull dozer to the
property. Once he found out he was in violation, the clearing was stopped. He sent an
employee of the company to the site, showed him on the blueprints what needed to be
done. He did not make it clear to him to stay out of the buffer zone. We are willing to go
from saplings to trees with a minimum of 2 inch caliper. We have no objection to
accepting the 17 shrubs with a minimum of 30 inch height at planting. We will take care
of it.
Bob Brown said that staff recommends that the trees be installed now, and that the shrubs
should be installed at least before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
Mr. Donnally requested thirty days before planting the trees. He said he wanted to go
back in that area and straighten it up because it is rough. He wants to smooth the area
before planting the trees. If trees are planted right now, there will be erosion.
Bob Brown said that staff would not have a problem with 30 days. The property would
need some preparation.
Motion: Dave Roberts moved to accept the application with the amendment that the
miscellaneous saplings be changed to white pine to meet the minimum of 2 inch caliper
and the seventeen shrubs. Motion seconded, and carried.
Item No. 1 -- CSC 560 -- New Matters June Riddick, Owner
Riddick Office Building
2300 Cottondale Lane
Variance Requested: To not require the minimum four (4) foot wide perimeter
landscape strip and associated trees along the southern, western and a portion of the
eastern perimeter of the proposed parking areas.
Presentation: Bob Brown made presentation. Staff recognizes the difficulty with
development when not over fifty (50) percent of the site is allowed to be disturbed. Staff
recommends a reduction in perimeter landscaping width but not a deletion. Staff will
support a reduction in perimeter landscape width to two (2) feet provided the applicant
will (in addition to landscaping proposed):
1. Install a total of three (3) additional trees between those proposed along the perimeter
of the sump.
2. Replace fallen Bradford pear tree within the public right-of-way.
3. Provide shrubs or trees along the top of sump around proposed eastern parking lot.
AnRlicant Presentation: Mrs. Riddick said that they would not cut down a single tree.
Every precaution will be made to save all the trees. We want the property to be a wildlife
sanctuary.
Chair Riggins asked if there was anyone else present who would like to speak on this
issue. Bob Brown introduced Mr. Bob East owner of the Edgewater structure
immediately to the East. Mr. East stated his concerns regarding the development of this
property.
Chair Riggins ended discussion. He said he would entertain a motion at this time. Our
options are to table it, to vote on the waiver requested, or vote that they meet minimum
standards, unless there are any options that I do not see. I will entertain a motion as to
the pleasure of the commission. Molly Satterfield moved to deny the waiver requested.
Motion seconded, motion carried.
Item No. 1 - CBC 561 - New Matters CATA Bus Transfer Center
Robert Brown, Agent
310 East Capitol Avenue
Variance Requested: To not require the six (6) foot wide perimeter landscape strip and
the associated shrubs and the fifty (50) percent live plant ground cover.
Presentation: Bob Brown made presentation. Staff acknowledges this site is unique in
nature and is in overall agreement with the applicant's proposal provided:
1. At least fifty (50) percent of the proposed raised planter areas have evergreen shrubs
of a height of at least eighteen (18) inches at planting.
2. That all trees will be of at least two (2) inch caliper at planting.
3. That water sources be made available to water plants.
Applicant Presentation: Robert Brown said that Central Arkansas Transit Authority
currently does bus transferring on public streets downtown. This really is not a typical
"open to public' parking lot design. A key issue is security such as lighting at night and
on -site security. Visibility for the police when they come around is a major concern. We
do not want to create hiding spots for people who might want to mug someone.
Chair Riggins asked for a motion. Randy Stocks moved to conditionally approve the
variance request subject to revised plan to be presented at August meeting. Motion
seconded and carried.
Chair Riggins declared Public Hearing closed.
Chair Riggins excused himself. Vice chair Dottie Funk assumed the chair
Landscape Awards: Commissioners discussed the method of voting on the 1998
Landscape Awards. Members said that they could not find some of the locations
nominated. In the past, photographs of the sites were provided. Molly Satterfield and
Randy Stocks volunteered to take photographs of the nominated sites. Carolyn Lawrence
moved that we postpone our voting until the next meeting, motion seconded. Randy
Stocks asked to add, that we get photographs of the sites" to the motion. Addition to the
motion seconded, motion carried.
Dottie asked if the letter to the Mayor regarding task force was sent to the Mayor. She
also asked if the letter to the Airport Commission was sent.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
CITY BEAUTIFUL
C O M M I S S I O N
500 WEST MARKHAM
ROOM 108
LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201
(501) 371-4770
Treasurer's Report
Checking account balance:
Less contributions for fountain:
Arkropolis
Wildflowers
Antique Club
Net balance
June 4, 1998
$ 1,239.93
$ (150.00)
$ (50.00)
$ (10.00)
$ 1,029.93