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CBC 02-06-2003The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, February 6 h, 2003, at 11:30 a.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall. Chair Nash Abrams called the meeting to order. MEMBERS PRESENT: Nash Abrams John Beneke Jan Hicks Troy Laha Ann Ivey Lynn Mittelstaedt Warren Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl Karol Zoeller Tim Heiple ALSO PRESENT: Stacey Hurst, Board of Director, Liaison Bob Brown, Plans Development Administrator, Department of Planning and Development Christy Marvel, Landscape Specialist, Department of Planning and Development Phylis Saddler, Twin City Bank, Project Manager Bob Birch, Twin City Bank, President Braum Keahey, Taggart Foster Currence Gray Architects, Inc. Keith Jones, Director of Central Arkansas Transit Authority Terry Davis, Planning Manager with Central Arkansas Transit Authority Jamie Bunch, Kimley Horn Engineering, Project Manager Dottie Funk, award recipient OPEN PUBLIC MEETING C.B.C.-574 Motion: Troy Laha made a motion to defer case number 574 until next scheduled meeting. Request made by applicant and city staff. Second: Lynn Warren seconded and it passed unanimously. C.B.C.-576 Christy Marvel began the meeting regarding the landscape variance request located at 10400 Mabelvale Plaza. Currently the site is vacant with a an approximate tree cover of sixty-five percent (65%). These trees are small in caliper and consist of both hardwoods and pines. This site is approximately four feet below the grade of the Interstate Access Road. The applicant proposes a bank, one-story, 3700 square feet, with five service window lanes. The commissioners inquired about the reasoning for having five bays and asked why they couldn't City Beautiful Commission ♦ 723 West Markham ♦ Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 ♦ (501) 371-4864 simply deduct one bay and shift everything back to meet the landscape requirement. The applicant explained that they had done research that revealed the need for five bays in this area. In doing so, the task force had given up more than half during the compromise to developers. The applicant also noted that in addition to the berming that they would agree to increasing tree numbers substantially above ordinance requirements. The closest bank branch would be Rodney Parham from this location. By reducing the bay by one, approximately ten (10') feet would be gained in the buffer/landscape area. Dottie Funk, interested attending citizen, was recognized by Chair Abrams and she expressed her feelings regarding the variance request. Dottie reminded the commissioners of the time, energy, and effort that had gone into the landscape ordinance. Motion: Troy Laha made a motion to approve the landscape variance provided that the building setback was aligned with the neighboring businesses. Second: Tim Heiple seconded the motion. Motion Failed with 5 nays and 4 ayes Motion: John Beneke proposed that the landscape strip be increased to approximately twenty- two (22') feet in width, allowing for an eight (8') foot reduction of the thirty (30') foot ordinance requirement. Then, Bob Brown could approve the plan with conditions set aside by the Board of Adjustment. Second: Lynn Warren seconded the motion, and it passed with eight ayes and one nay. Guest Speaker -Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA): Keith Jones gave a PowerPoint presentation to reveal history, agenda, and plans for an electric car system to be implemented in the year 2004. This system will connect North Little Rock and Little Rock via the Main Street Bridge. The river rail, as its formally known, will consist of 2.5 miles of rail, 9 platforms, 3 vintage cars, and a trolley barn. The last street car ever to run in the city of Little Rock was street car number 407. Therefore, the first new streetcar will be number 408. The greatest incline will be at 8%, which is going over the bridge. All the existing trees are to remain with minor trimming/pruning as needed. All trimming/pruning is to be supervised by the City of Little Rocks Urban Forester, Pete Rausch. Also accompanying Mr. Jones were Terry Davis, planner with CATA and Jamie Bunch with Keenly Horn Engineering, a resident engineer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion: Troy Laha moved that the minutes from January 91h, be approved as submitted. Second: Jan Hicks seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Stacy Hurst has been confirmed as the CBC's liaison per Board of Director appointment on January 7, 2003. DOTTIE FUNK EYE OF THE BEHOLDER AWARD PRESENTATION: Ann Ivey presented Dottie Funk with the Eye of the Beholder award. Her dedication and her leadership to the commission were recognized. TREASURER'S REPORT: Ann Ivey reported the following: Little Rock City Beautiful Commission Treasurer's Report 02-06-03 Beginning Balance as of January 9, 2002 Credits Interest on Account $ .10 Cash (CBC Members) $ 46.00 Total $2 250.10 Debits Bojangle's (Retreat) $ 48.44 Tim Heiple (Refreshments) $ 31.55 Total $ 79.99 Ending Balance as of February 6, 2003 $2,204.19 TOTAL $2,170.11 (The beginning and ending balance includes the donation for the City Beautiful Celebration donated by the LR Convention Bureau. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Networking Committee —spoke with Elisha Crouch with the Democrat/Gazette and Bob Hightower. Called the landscape award recipients to congratulate. Plans to meet with the Environmental Coalition next Thursday. During the month of March, Nash asks that each commissioner write a letter to the editor. To raise awareness of the City Beautiful Commission, its role in the community and government during 2003. Nash Abrams 2. Adopt -A -Street Committee — Calling/corresponding with POA's. Need for mail - outs soon or as needed per commissioner. Karla Davenport with Pulaski Bank wants either Tim or Troy to contact her at 661-7700. Will check with David Hathcock regarding possibility of Public Works paying for Adopt -A -Street mail -outs. To secure at least five (5) new participants for the Adopt -A -Street program in each key segment by June 30, 2003. Karol Zoeller Co -chair -Jan Hicks 3. Landscape Awards -no report. To receive at least 100 nominations from the community for the 2003 landscape awards. Troy Laha Co -chair -price for a 12" X 18" silkscreen sign, one color was $25.00 each. Tim will check on other types/sizes/prices. Tim Heiple 4. Eye of the Beholder Award -Presented the Eye of Beholder Award to Dottie Funk. To present at least 100 Eye of the Beholder Awards in 2003. Ann Ivey S. Polish the Rock Award -will try to meet with the boy scouts this month. Talked to Steve West end regarding a public art walking trail downtown. Seek opportunity to recognize outstanding contributions with the Polish the Rock Award in 2003. Tim Heiple 6. Grants & Fundraising- Be thinking of a project for a grant. To prepare and submit one grant application for a new initiative in 2003 and to support existing initiatives by lending assistance in securing sponsorships and for in -kind donations. Lynn Warren 7. Strategic Planning & Publicity Committee —Brought strategic plan for this committee outlining goals and objectives. Will serve all committees in publicizing their activities within the community during 2003. Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl Staff Responsibilities- (Christy)- order landscape awards, PowerPoint presentation OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: Motion: John Beneke made a motion to adjourn. Second: Troy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: 1:45 (J