CBC 03-01-2001The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, March 1, 2001 at
11:30 a.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room at City Hall. Meeting was called to
order by Chair Dottie Funk.
Members Present: Nash Abrams Tim Heiple
Dottie Funk Troy Laha
Ann Ivey Karol Zoeller
Sharon Vogelpohl Billie Callaway
Also Present: Bob Brown, PIans Development Administrator, Planning Dept.
Gayle Owens, Admin. Asst., Parks and Recreation
Scott Carter. Cultural Affairs Administrator
Barry Williams. ASLA, Agent, Dassault Falcon Jet
Director Johnnie Pugh
Neighbors of Dassault Falcon Jet: Rosie Lee Jackson, Mae W.
Jones, Ethel Petties, L. Petties, Diane Bowens, Michael L.
Robinson.
Open Public Hearing — Chair Dottie Funk declared the Public Hearing Open.
Item No. 1— C.B.C. 566 — New Matters
Address:
Description:
David Mitchell of Dassault Falcon Jet
Barry Williams, ASLA, Agent
3801 East I& Street
Little Rock Regional Airport Property
Variance Reaucsted
1. Deletion of street perimeter trees.
2. Deletion of street screening shrubs.
3. Deletion of the requirement to distribute interior islands generally throughout the
paved area.
4. Deletion of the requirement to have one (1) tree for each twelve (12) parking spaces.
5. To not have to irrigate landscape areas.
FindinEs
The applicant proposes to construct an expanded parking area immediately east of the
existing parking. The expanded parking area is to be used for employees of Dassault
Falcon Jet. Within the interior of the parking lot, the applicant proposes to preserve a
City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770
City Beautiful Commission Minutes
March 1, 2001 Meeting
Page 2
very large interior landscape island, which contains four large trees. This site is Regional
Airport property and zoned for industrial use, as is all the adjacent property. However,
the property to the north has a residential use. A chain link fence is to be constructed
along the northern and eastern perimeters of the site.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Landscape Ordinance requirements be satisfied with the
exception of the interior distribution of interior trees and islands. In this case, and since
the applicant is preserving such a large interior island, staff recommends only requiring
the northern interior islands and associated trees which are closest to I0'h Street.
Presentation
Bob Brown, Plans Development Administrator, made the staff presentation to the
Commission.
Applicant Presentation
Mr. Barry Williams, ASLA, Agent for Dassault Falcon Jet, presented the applicant's
position.
Comments from Neighbors
A representative from the neighborhood said they wanted the trees and shrubs planted.
Motion ��IC�'�''"�
Tim Heiple moved to deny variance request/ Motion seconded by Karol Zoeller. Motion
carried unanimously.
Close Public Hearing.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the February 1, 2001, meeting were approved as
distributed.
Old Business
• Discussion — Commission Merger. Tim Heiple and Sharon Vogelpohl submitted
their recommendation for the proposed merger with the Arts and Humanities
2e Commission. The report included the formation of a five member Landscape Review
�-Ekra , This board would be responsible for hearing and granting variance request for
the Landscape and tree preservation ordinances. The board would operate out of the
Planning Department. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the plan. Motion
failed. Sharon Vogelpohl moved that the dissenters of the plan meet and devise their
own plan. Motion seconded and carried. A meeting was set for Tuesday, March 13
at the home of Karol Zoeller.
,k
City Beautiful Commission
Minutes of March 1 Meeting
Page 3
+ Polish the Rock. Gayle asked for a clarification on who the Polish the Rock
Award shoo d go. Sharon Vo elpohl said s ould work with Gayle on the
project. ,�w�-
Miscellaneous Business
+ Parks & Recreation Report. None
+ Land Alteration Task Force. Dottie Funk distributed copies of the Land Alteration
Task Force Final Report. She also reported that the task force had received the
Citizens Planner Award by the Arkansas Chapter of the American Planning
Association on February 22.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Draft Ordinance
Transition of City Beautiful, Abolition of Arts and Humanities Promotion and
Formation of Natural and Cultural Resources Commission
SECTION 1. The City Beautiful Commission of"the City of Little Rock as constituted pursuant to Article
xxx of Chapter xx of the Code of Ordinances is hereby divided and modified with duties to be assigned
in part to the newly fornned City Beautiful Design Review Coilunittee and to the entity formed by this
ordinance. See attached modified ordinance for City Beautiful Commission. The Arts and Humanities
Promotion Commission of the City of Little Rock as constituted pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 27 of
the Little Rock Municipal Code is hereby abolished and the said Article I of the Code repealed in its
entirety. The provisions of this -ordinance shall be substituted: therefor.
SECTION 2, That Article I of Chapter xxx of the Little Rock Municipal Code is hereby established to read
as follows:
Chapter xxx, Article I- Little Rock Natural and Cultural Resources Commission
Section 1. Commissi n Established There is hereby established a Natural and Cultural Resources
Commission of the City of Little Rock to promote and encourage the appreciation and enhancement of
the natural and cultural resources of the City of Little Rock.
SECTION 3: MembeFship- Auuoirrtment,. TgFm The-Comniission-shall- be -composed of eleven (1-1)-membvrsm
who shall be qualified electors of the City of Little Rock. They shall be appointed by the Board of
Directorx upon. the rec mmerldatiOn of a.nomin. i»RcppAm flee of the commission. The composition of
and rules governing the nominating committee are contained within this ordinance. The initial
appointments to the Commission shall be for one, two and three year terms and thereafter all
appointments shall be for a term ofthree years or until a successor is qualified; provided no person shall
be appointed for more than two consecutive full terms. A member of the City Board of Directors shall
be appointed to serve as an ex-oflicio member. The Board member shalt fall under attendance
requirements of the Commission and if the board member fails to attend the required meetings may be
replaced by request to the -City Board: Tho-commissian may, of any time, appoint any rumba of
persons to serve on committees as ex-offtcio members.
PKagraph coricermag removal_ of commissioner.
SECTION 4. Organi ation The Commission shall organize and select the officers as specified in the Bylaws.
The commission sha11 adopt such Bylaws as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes for their
organization, which said Bylaws shall be effective upon adoption by the Commission and approval by
the Office of the City Manager, and subsequent notification of the Board of Directors of the City of
Little Rock.
SECTION 5. i]uties and, P
(a). To hold regular monthly public meetings and keep a written record of its proceedings which shall be
public record.
(b). To promote public interest in the enhancement of the natural and cultural resources of the City of Little
Rock and its environs.
(c). To prepare and transmit to the City Board of Directors recommended policies implementing the plans
prepared by and/ or for the Commission.
(d). To establish, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, regulations of aesthetic and
environmental quality for public and private lands and improvements, and to encourage the
development of gateways; entrances, am ritectural elemems, open- space -and con-ridors utilizing -
landscaping, streetscapes and public an by means of preservation, conservation and creation.
To generally stimulate, facilitate„ c .ordinate and cooperate with. exist-- organizations for the
development of the cultural traditions and historical significance of the City and to irritate proposals of
encouragement for promotion and development of the culture, heritage, eauty, enhanced public
appearance and tradition of the City of Little Rock.
(f). To advocate to the City in connection with such other cultural and aesthetic activities and as may be
referred to it by the City of Little Rock.
SECTION 6. Nominating Committt
(a). The City Board of Directors authorizes the Commission to establish a nominating committee for the
purposes of conducting the process of filling vacancies on the commission. The Commission is hereby
assigned the responsibility for announcing its vacancies, soliciting applications, reviewing and
interviewing candidates and forwarding recommendations for any and all vacancies in a timely manner
to the City Board of Directors.
(b). The irinial membership -shall- be -comprised of current members of the -abolished. City.Beautiful:
Commission and Arts and Humanities Promotion Commission. Those remaining members will form the
initial Gamtxtiss�a�exs, will sec out.theic Ienaakni teas �ud.will fill vacancies.to UWWtairk
Commission size as stipulated above.
SECTION 7. Financial Authority
(a) The Department of Parks and Recreation shall be responsible for relaying any budget requests of the
3M Commission to the City Manager and the Board of Directors. The Commission shall have the
authority to accept any and all donations, and the City shall establish and maintain separate accounts to
receivo-such f md&
(b) There shalt be provided from Parks and Recreation Department an annual funding allotment to perform
the duties of this Commission in the amount of $10,000.
LAA'DSCAPING AND TREE PROTECTION
ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Secs. 15-1-15-25. Reserved.
ARTICLE il. CITY $EAti"T1FUL
Sec. 15-26. Created.
There is created a ceiea to be known as
the "city beautiful ' 'it L1 cemm,
(Code 1961, § 26-18) G.er
Sec. 15-27. Members.
r'IvG �5� (a) The city beau&d commission shall be com-
posed ofrjrr� members who shall be qualified
electors of the city. Two (2) members of the com-
mission shall be chosen from any of the following
Sec. 15-29. Meetings.
1 15-31
Meetings of the city beautiful commission shall
be held majority of the tot member-
ship of the commission shall constitute a quorurx
for the transaction of business, and the concur-
ring vote of a majority of all members of the
commission shall represent the. action of the com-
mission. The commission shall adopt bylaws for
the conduct of its meetings.
(Code 1961, § 26.19(b))
Sec. 15-30. Aims and goals.
The city beautiful commission is accountable
directly to the board of directors and under the
general supervision of the city manager. The com-
mission shall be responsible for.the establishment
and maintenance of plans to ensure a high level
of visual aesthetic quality --The goal of the city
beautiful commission shall be to raise the level of
professions. lr�I community expectations for the quality of its
�tj G>�3 Wn. env -iron went.
(1) professional civil engineer. ( (Code 1961, § 26-18)
(2) Professional urban planner.
(3) Registered architect.
(4) Registered lan �� e te�A `
m(b` Numbs hba�Il,iKL to boar of -
directors for terms of three My
-ears each. Should
any commission member fail to attend three (3)
successive commission. meetings, his term shall
be automatically terminated and a new member
appointed by the board of directors for the re-m:
mainder of the unexpired terms- -M
(Code 1961, § 26-19)
Sec. isds. Officers.
officers of the city beautiful commission shall
be elected by full membership of the commission
and shall include a chairman, vice-chairman and
treasurer. Terms of.officers shall be for one (1)
year, and officers may succeed themselves.
(Code 1961, § 26-19(a))
'Cross reference —Boards and commissions generally, 1
2-261 et sec.
Supp. No. 9
Sec. 15-31. Roll, duties and responsil-ilities.
Wh-r,
(a) The roll of the city beautiful commission is
to be responsible for the establishment and. main-
tenance of plans to control litter, weeds, aban-
doned vehicles and appliances, soil erosion and to
otherwise ensure a high level of visual aesthetic
quality, specifically including but not limited to
thevisual appearance of parks and open spaces,
streams and other bodies of water, drainage ditch .
es, structure, hillsides, riverfront, utilities, signs,
vehicle parking and sales lots, outdoor storage,
trees and other natural vegetation, natural land-
scaping, streets and railroads.
('b) The commission has the following duties>
responsibilities and powers:
849
(1) To promote public interest in the general
improvement of the appearance of the city.
(2) To prepare and transmit to the board of
directors recommended policies implement-
ing the plans prepared by or for the com-
mission.
LrME ROCK CODE
(3) . To establish, subject to approval of the board
of directors, regulations of aesthetic qual-
ity for public and private lands and im-
provements.
(Code 1961, § 26-21)
Cross reference —Appeals of certain decisions to city beau-
tiful commission, § 15-88.
Sec. 15-32. Fiscal procedure.
The city beautiful commission is subject to all
fiscal procedures of the city.
Sec. 15-9 l undin.g.
V ayl^11'f-
The department shall'be
responsible for relaying budget xeguests of the
city beautiful commission to the city manager
and board of directors. The co**+rd ion shall have
the authority to accept any and all donations, and
the city shall establish and maintain separate
accounts to receive such funds.
(Code 1961, § 26-20)
Sec. 15-34. Committees.
The city beautiful commission may appoint any
number of citizens to serve on committees as ex
officio members.
(Code 1961, § 26-19(b))
Sec. 15-35.. Article cumulative.
This article shall not in any manner supersede
the authority or duties of any other co*n*n'ion,
board or agency duly established by ordinances or
resolutions of the board of directors, and shall not
in any manner be interpreted to interfere with,
such duties that have been established by such:
ordinances or resolutions of any such corrrr,,.'_=off
board or agency.
(Code 1961, § 26-22) -
Secs. 15.36-15-50. Reserved_
ARTICLE III. TREE PROTECTION
Sec. 15-51. Penalty.
Any person convicted of a violation of any of
the provisions of this article shall be punished as
provided in section 1-9.
Supp. No. 9
850
Sec. 15-52. Exemptions.
This article does not apply to the maintenance
of overhead or underground utility lines, nor does
it apply to the development of subdivisions, in the
construction of streets, curbs, gutters, storm sew-
ers and overhead or underground utility lines,
although it is expected that these persons use
proper care and planning in order that all trees
possible can be conserved. This article does not
apply to properties used for city parks.
(Code 1961, § 25-118(a), (h))
Sec. 13-53. Appeals.
Any person aggrieved by this article may ap-
peal in the time and manner prescribed for ap-
peals from issuance of a building permit.
(Code 1961, § 25-118(g))
Sec. 15-54. Tree cutting permit.
(a) No person shall cut down or destroy any
tree more than six (6) inches in caliper and more
than. twenty (20) feet tall located on public right-
of-way or other city-0wned property without a per-
mit to do so issued by the city department desig-
nated by the city manager. Such permit may be
applied for in conjunction with the application for
a building or demolition permit.
(b) No permit for the cutting down and removal
of trees shall be granted, unless the city depart-
ment designated by the city manager finds that
one (1) of the following conditions exists in regard
to such trees: -
(1) The tree is less than six (6) inches in cali-
per and less than twenty (20) feet ta1L
(2) The tree is diseased or injured and is sic-
cordingly unlikely to live for a much longer
period of time.
(3) The. tree is within the area of a proposed
structure.to be constructed upon the lands,
or so close to same as to render -it danger-
ous to the structure, or unlikely to survive-
(4) That the tree is not one (1) of the following
species, which the board of directors finds
should be preserved if at all possible.
BOTANICALNAME CONMON NANZ
Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo .
Liriodendron-lulipifera Tulip poplar
f1NRLREPORT
LRNO RLTERRTI ON TRSK FORCE
to C ITV BERUTI FUL COMM I SS I ON
3/1/01
(1) Background, Statement ,of Need /Motivation for project
In 1997 the City Beautiful Commission contacted the Little Rock
Board of Directors and Planning Commission about unsightly development
in the city of Little Rock.
In early 1998 the clearcutting of Napa Valley/Mara Lyn hillside and
Chenal Boulevard created an outcry from citizens concerning clearcutting
of trees and removal of hills and mountains in west Little Rock.
As a result of this citizen outcry, in August,1998, the Little Rock
Board of Directors created the Land Alteration Task Force, commissioning
citizens of the community to examine and recommend changes to update
the current landscape, tree preservation, and excavation ordinances.
These ordinances had not been reviewed in 10 years, and in the case of the
tree preservation ordinance, was non-existent.
(2) Execution of Program
In September, 1998, the Task Force began meeting with the goal of
recommending ordinance changes that would result in more attractive city
development without sacrificing economic gain.
The Task Force compiled a Mission Statement:
"To provide to the city of Little Rock a set of guidelines that protects and
enhances the natural and cultural landscapes with consideration to the economy
and the environment."
The Task Force chose three areas to focus on in order to narrow the
task at hand:
1 TREES (protection, clearing, replanting, enforcement)
2 EXCAVATION (hillside removal, erosion)
3 LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
The Task Force broke into 3 subcommittees, meeting weekly and
working with city staff and other experts in the three fields of focus.
These meetings continued on a weekly basis throughout 1998, 1999, and
part of 2000. Some members served on more than one subcommittee.
Tree preservation subcommittee included: Ramsay Ball, Mina
Drause, John Baker, Dottie Funk, Bob Callans, David Gillespie, with LR
Planning Department's Bob Brown, and Tony Bozynski.
Excavation proposals were compiled after initially consulting with
engineer Mazan Rahman, a member of LR Planning Commission.
Subcommittee members included: Mina Drause, Mary Underwood, Troy
0
.L-aha, Dottie -Funk, assisted -by-Bab Turner -of -Public Works.
Landscape subcommittee included: landscape architects Bob Callans
and Dave Roberts with staff member, Bola Brown-.
Ordinances from 31 cities were obtained and studied in order to
-examine what -other -communities were doing to -address these -issues.
Specific attention was given to regulations of cities who shared similar
topogr-ahy, climate, tree species, economy. No- ordinance items- were
created. All items were "borrowed" from other communities' regulations.
-Among -expert speakers .invited: St -eve Giles, Attorney for Qty -of
Little Rock; Andrew Pouncey, Urban Planner/Landscape Architect for City
of Germantown, TN; Jim Northum, Urban' Forester, Arkansas Forestry
Commission; Bryan Day, Director LR Parks & Recreation.
In January, 1999, a representative from the Task -Force addressed
the quarterly meeting of all LR neighborhoods to apprise them of the
efforts- being- undertaken to revise ordinances.
A representative from the Task Force addressed the Little Rock
Board of Directors in January, 1999, to give a progress report.
January, 1999: citizen input was solicited at a public meeting.
Announcements of meeting were put in newsapers and mailed to citizens.
Meeting was attended by 80 citizens, which were divided into small
groups. Input was solicited from and compiled from -these groups and
taken into consideration while recommending ordinance changes.
May, 1999: a working draft of the tree preservation ordinance was
presented to and discussed by the City Beautiful Commission. This open
meeting was announced in Arkansas Democrat -Gazette and attended by
Planning Commissioners, developers and public. Suggestions were noted.
September, 1999: two engineering firms were invited to review the
proposed ordinance changes and submit their reactions and quantify how
these ordinances would impact the development community. -After two
meetings, ordinance changes were implemented according to their
recommendations. It was at these meetings that the Task force noted the
potential for misinterpretation of ordinance proposals.
October, 1999: proposed. ordinances were presented twice to the
members of the development community. Changes were made to
ordinances at the recommendation, of those attending these meetings.
November, 1999: the revised ordinances were presented to the
public at a community meeting.
January, 2000: Ordinances were presented to the City Planning
Commission for approval (the step before being sent to Little Rock Board
of Directors for final approval). At this meeting, at the urging of several
3
developers, the Planning Commission ordered a financial impact study of
the ordinances on several specific sites that had already been developed in
the city of Little Rock. In April, a local engineering firm was chosen by
the Task Force and hired by the developers to study the difference in cost
to develop a site if the new ordi,n,ances were applied to these sites. The
cost differences proved negligible but the developers were still not
comfortable with the changes proposed.
March, 2000: Task force members and city support staff met with
representatives from Entergy to appeal tree trimming practices in the
city and to investigate any changes in policy possible.
April, 2000: The Little Rock Planning Commission ordered a
mediation process to settle the differences in what the Land Alteration
Task Force recommended for ordinance changes and what the developers
thought was appropriate. In a history -making move, the Task Force
volunteered to find private funding for a third party private mediator
rather than have the issue settled by city employees. During this
mediation process, 5 Task Force members and 5 members from the
development sector chosen by their peers adjusted the ordinances and
offered compromises in order to get the ordinances passed by the city
Board of Directors. Task Force members were Dottie Funk, John Baker, Bob
Callans, Mark Johnson, and Ramsay Ball. Representing the developers of
Little Rock were Hank Kelley, Dixon Flake, Eugene Pfeifer, Ron Tabor, and
Tim Daters. City staff advisors were Bob Brown, Bob Turner, Tony
Bozynski, Jim Lawson, Steve Giles.
August and September, 2000: Tree, Excavation and Landscape
Ordinances were passed unanimously by the Little Rock Planning
Commission and Board of Directors.
(3) Budget, Impact and Community I nuoluement
The city of Little Rock supplied the following: meeting places, city
support staff to advise and take minutes, postage to mail minutes,
duplication of documents in process, newspaper releases advising citizens
of public meetings, legal advice.
Individuals from the Task Force presented a slide show to various
groups in the community, including Greater Little Rock Rotary, The
Neighborhood, Coalition, Little Rock Neighborhood Association, League of
Women Voters, Jr Departmental Club, Shadowlawn Garden Club, Little Rock
Garden Club, River Ridge Neighborhood Association, Serra Club, Sierra
Club, Christ the King Ladies Guild, Ozark Society, Shepherd Center, AARP,
SouthWest Little Rock United for Progress, Arkansas Flower and Garden
Show, Marlowe Manor Neighborhood Association, Association of Catholic
Business Women, Little Rock New Party, Little Rock Engineers Society,
Parkway Village Retirement Center. Slide show was compiled at Task
Force volunteers' expense. Photos were provided by professional
photographer Matt Bradley. Estimated volunteer hours: 190
Task Force volunteers were chosen by the city manager's office, with
recommendations from City Beautiful Commission, neighborhood
associations, and other sources.
Members of the Task Force and organizations they represented:
(co-chair) Dottie Funk - City Beautiful Commission
(co-chair) Herb Hawn - Planning Commission
Mina Drause - River Mountain Neighborhood Association
John Baker - Tree Streets
Russ McDonough III - Winrock Development
Mark Johnson - Rock Creek Neighborhood Association
Beth Long - at large representative
Mary Underwood - League of Women Voters
Bob Callans- Landscape Architect
Robert Brown - Landscape Architect/Developer Consultant
Ramsay Ball - commercial developer
The following support staff were provided by the city of Little Rock:
Bob Turner - Director of LR Public Works
Bryan Day - Director of LR Parks & Recreation
Gayle Owens - LR Parks & Recreation, recording secretary
Mark Webre, LR Parks & Recreation
Tony Bozynski - Assistant Director of LR Planning & Development
Bob Brown - LR Planning Department, Landscape consultant
Bob Trevino - liaison to LR City Manager and Board of Directors
The Task Force and city support staff met weekly and at times
several times a week to research and compile ordinances. Task Force met
with LR Board of Directors, LR Planning Commission and City Beautiful
Commission, both as groups and as individuals; held two public input
sessions; held two presentations to developers and two to engineers;
attended 10 meetings with mediation groups.
The number of hours volunteered for the city is estimated at 27 mo (108
wks) x 12 individuals X 3 hrs/wk + presentations= 4084 hours community
service.
Other community volunteers spawned from the efforts of the
Task Force were:
David Gillespie, an attorney who contributed hundreds of volunteer
hours putting the ordinance sections into legal language.
5
Matt Bradley, photographer for National Geographic and other high -
profile magazines, provided, gratis, professional quality photographic
slides for Task Force presentations developed to show to community
organizations what was happening in the city and how the ordinances were
addressing these problems.
Dave Roberts, landscape architect, helped revise landscape
ordinance requirements.
Monsignor David LeSieur, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Souls
Church, donated a slide projector to be used for the slide presentations
throughout the community.
The $500.00 which was necessary for the private mediator, was
contributed by private citizens and raised by Task Force members. The
developers later contributed a matching amount when it was determined
more time would be necessary to reach a concensus of opinion.
The mediator, Nancy Mathews of Little Rock, donated time to see
that the process of passing the ordinances was completed.
Developers provided funding for site cost impact study.
Concerned Citizens for the Land Alteration Ordinances, a group of
citizens spontaneously formed to support the ordinances, incorporating
the following: held educational programs for children and adults,
presented a living tree to the Little Rock Board of Directors, promoted
public attendance at City Board and Planning Commission meetings,
printed stickers for ordinance supporters to wear, staged several peaceful
demonstrations, held press conferences, issued statements, solicited
hundreds of post cards and letters to be mailed to Board and Planning
Commission in support of ordinances, printed post cards at their expense,
provided postage for these post cards, and monitored the mediation
process. Number of volunteer hours estimated at 500.
The Little Rock Board of Directors showed their support for the
ordinances by implementing a moratoriam on all tree clearing without a
permit during the last phases of the ordinance process. This protected the
natural resources of the city by preventing rash land clearing as a panic
response to the upcoming tree ordinance.
Over 800 letters of support for the ordinances were mailed to the
Board of Directors and the Planning Commission. These were generated by
the Task Force, the Citizens for the Land Alteration Ordinances, League of
Women Voters, The New Party, other individuals and groups. Expenses for
post cards, postage, flyers, newsletters, stickers, schoolchildrens'
posters, were all contributed by private citizens.
O
(4) Results and Sustainability
Little Rock has a newly revised set of landscaping, excavation and
buffer regulations, along with a newly created ordinance for trees. The bar
has been raised. Expectations are higher. Quality of life has improved. As
land is developed, the appearance of the city will be improved. Four new
employees, with higher qualifications and experience will serve the city.
Commercial sites over 2 acres are required to have the seal of a landscape
architect before plans are approved. More and larger trees will be planted
along streets, in parking lots. An expanded list of trees recommended for
planting exists. Larger planting areas for trees and shrubs. Sprinkler
systems and sources of water for plantings. Greater penalties for
infractions. More hillsides will be preserved. Trees designated as
intended to be preserved on construction sites will be protected by
stricter regulations. Sites cannot be cleared without an approved
building plan, which includes tree preservation and/or replacement
measures. Areas between commercial and residential areas will be larger
and more protected. Three new tree programs have been created for Little
Rock.
An In -lieu provision was created for funds to be deposited into an
account if tree regulation numbers cannot be met. Funds will be used to
plant trees on other sites close by. Waiving requirements will no longer
be possible; the city will profit from more plantings.
Many people got interested in what was happening around them, the
political process, what they could do as citizens, and took action.
Citizens are more empowered and now feel they have more control over
their environment. It was a learning experience for many.
(5) Other activities
Organizations and services created to serve citizens as a
direct result of Land Alteration Task Force's ordinances:
Trees for Tomorrow program was created by LR Parks & Recreation
to replace trees lost to storms. Trees will be planted in public spaces
(parks, medians, roadsides) throughout the city. Funds are solicited from
citizens when they pay their water bills.
The Urban Forestry Program of the Little Rock Parks and
Recreation Department is a direct result of the Task Force's efforts. The
need for this program surfaced with the research done by the Task Force
and the discovery of what other communities were doing all over the
United States. This permanent program is very comprehensive and will
serve all the citizens of Little Rock.
Addition of staff in the Planning Department to oversee and enforce
7
ordinances. Staff will be better qualified.
The formation of Little Rock Tree Foundation, a 501 c3 organization.
Their mission is to further educate the public and- promote the value of
trees to the community. They also serve as advisory board to the Urban
Forestry Program 'of Little Rock Parks and Recreation.
Advice and assistance has been sought from LR Task Force from
Maumelle, Jacksonville, Memphis, Baton Rouge in crafting their
tree/landscape/excavation ordinances.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
® Periodic review and updating of these ordinances.
-� Keep -abreast ,of ord.i,nance -developments in -other cities.
Provide sufficient, qualified staff to oversee and
enfo-rce these ordinances.
Be reminded that these ordinances are set as minumum
standards,- agreed on by engineers,- developers -and -Task Force
members.
• Assure that re -quests for variances b.e heard by -citiz-ens'
group, such as City Beautiful Commission.
• - Be- re -minded --of the--mis-s-ion -statement--developed, by the
Task Force.
.- Give priority to acquisition of green spaces for passive
park areas. Public should take more financial responsibility in
--acquisition/donation -of Ian-d.
A-DDENDUM:
On February 22, 2001, the Land Alteration Task Force was presented
the Citizens-Planner--Award-by -the--Arkansas Chapter--of=the -American
Planning Association. "In an effort to encourage better planning in
Arkansas and in recognition of the time and effort contributed to the
development of improved landscape and land alteration ordinances for the
-City -of L-itt-le -Rock."
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MEETING NOTICE
The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
March 1, 2001, in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor at City Hall.
This will be a brown bag lunch meeting.
AGENDA
Call to Order — Dottie Funk, Chair
Roll Call
Open Public Hearing — CBC 566 — New Matters —Dassault Falcon Jet
David Mitchell A 4p
Barry Williams, Agent
Little Rock Regional Airport
Property
Close Public Hearing
Approval of the Minutes — February 1, 2001 Meeting
Treasurer's Report - Randy Stocks
Old Business
e Continue Discussion of Merger
• Polish the Rock Awards
Miscellaneous Business
• Parks & Recreation Report — Scott Carter
Adjournment
City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770
March 1, 2001
ITEM NO. 1 - C.B.C. 566 - NEW MATTERS
Applicant:
Address:
Description:
ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS:
David Mitchell of Dassault Falcon Jet
Barry Williams, ASLA, Agent
3 801 East loth Street
Little Rock Regional Airport Property
Trees shall be planted within the perimeter planting strip adjoining any street with an average
linear spacing of not less than thirty (30) feet.
2. Street screening shrubs should normally be spaced three (3) feet apart to achieve continuous
screening. Breaks may be incorporated in the screen for esthetic or security reasons.
Interior landscaping should be generally distributed throughout the vehicular use areas.
4. Trees shall be included in the interior landscape areas at the rate of one (1) tree for every twelve
(12) parking spaces.
5. All property subject to the requirements of this ordinance shall be irrigated with an adequate
supply of water in accordance with good horticultural practices.
VARIANCE REQUESTED:
1. Deletion of street perimeter trees.
2. Deletion of street screening shrubs.
Deletion of the requirement to distribute interior islands generally throughout the paved area.
4. Deletion of the requirement to have one (1) tree for each twelve (12) parking spaces.
5. To not have to irrigate landscape areas.
FINDINGS:
The applicant proposes to construct an expanded parking area immediately east of the existing parking.
The expanded parking area is to be used for employees of Dassault Falcon Jet. Within the interior of the
parking lot, the applicant proposes to preserve a very large interior landscape island which contains four
large trees. This site is Regional Airport property and zoned for industrial use, as is all the adjacent
property. However, the property to the north has a residential use. A chain link fence is to be constructed
along the northern and eastern perimeters of the site.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Landscape Ordinance requirements be satisfied with the exception of the
interior distribution of interior trees and islands. In this case, and since the applicant is preserving such a
large interior island, staff recommends only requiring the northern interior islands and associated trees
which are closest to loth Street.
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