CBC 09-05-2002LITTLE ROCK
CITY BEAUTIFUL
COM M ISSION
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday September 5th , 2002,
at 11:30 a.m. in the Board of Directors Room, City Hall. Chair Nash Abrams called the meeting
to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ann Ivey Nash Abrams
Karol Zoeller Troy Laha
Dottie Funk Tim Heiple
Lynn Mittelstaedt Warren Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl
ALSO PRESENT: Joe White Jr., of White-Daters & Associates, Agent
Dave Roberts, Russell & Roberts Ltd.
Dana Carney, Zoning & Sub -Division Manager, Department of
Planning and Development
Bob Brown, Plans Development Administrator, Department of
Planning and Development
Christy Marvel, Landscape Specialist, Department of Planning
and Development
OPEN PUBLIC MEETING C.B.C.-573:
Bob Brown began the meeting regarding the landscape variance request located at # 18 .
Freeway Drive. Currently this site is vacant and adjoins a mini -storage facility that is also
owned by the applicant. The proposal is for the extension of the mini -storage facility. The
applicant is requesting permission to reduce the width of a portion of the perimeter landscape
strip adjacent to an expressway. The ordinance requires a perimeter -planting strip adjacent to
an expressway of 30 feet. The current proposal is nine feet in width for approximately 260
linear feet. The applicant explained, both verbally and visually, the intentions for the site.
The site is substantially below grade and not seen from I-630 but in minimal areas. Large
pine trees screen the majority of the area in question and are planned to remain upon
completion of construction. Applicant agreed that any trees disturbed in this area would be
replaced one for one of a native variety. Also, the applicant agreed to plant eight additional
trees where aesthetically feasible on site.
Motion: Sharon Vogelpohl moved that the variance be allowed with the following conditions
met: Eight (8) additional trees to be planted somewhere aesthetically feasible on site. Also, any
trees that are lost during the construction phase or due to the construction to be replaced
comparably.
Second: Troy Laha seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
Guest Speaker:
City Beautiful Commission ♦ 723 West Markham ♦ Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 ♦ (501) 371-4864
Tree Celebration/Fall Arbor Day/Update
Pete Rausch, City of Little Rock, Urban Forester, Parks & Recreation Department.
Pete announced that his department the Parks & Recreation Department had donated the section
of street from 171h Street from Main to State. He asked for any volunteers for the "Who at the
Zoo" . INAC, which Pete is to administer and give out in the form of grants equaling fifty
thousand dollars to interested parties within the city of Little Rock. The date for the -Fall Arbor
Day is November the 61', which is on a Wednesday, 2002. Mayor Dailey is expected to
proclamate the first Wednesday in the month of November, every year, as Arbor Day. Expect to
have additional nursery space due to the donation, by Central Arkansas Water, of Adams Field
plant and Fourche Creek plant. Central Arkansas Water plans to help maintain the area which
includes the use of their equipment. Scheduled to meet with Entergy regarding the use of
smaller trees in right-of-way areas. Entergy may also donate 50-100 acres for a carbon sink area
in the city. Pete plans to discuss reforestation of the highway departments right-of-way areas.
Entergy recently helped Pete and his crew clean city parks recently. Plans include planting more
trees in McArthur Park. Morehart park is to be thinned out and the money to go towards play
equipment. Pete is meeting with the Master Gardener's group on 09-10-02 at the extension
office on University Avenue. Pete will take landscape award nomination forms provided by city
staff. Pete has information on applying for various grants should anyone be interested.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion: Karol Zoeller moved that the minutes from August I", be approved as submitted.
Second: Ann Ivey seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Ann reported the following:
Little Rock City Beautiful Commission
Treasurer's Report
09-05-02
Beginning Balance as of July 11,20021,737.08
Credits
Interest on Account $ .07
Debits
Total $12737.15
Generation Prod. $12.32
(name badge)
U. S. Postmaster $298.38
(Landscape Nomination form)
Total $305.70
Ending Balance as of September 5, 2002 TOTAL $1, 431.45
The beginning and ending balance includes the donation for the Ci!Y Beautiful Celebration
donated by the LR Convention Bureau.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Networking Committee —no report. Will compose a letter of recommendation for
Matthew Lyon and e-mail to staff.
Will focus on establishing and building mutually beneficial relationships
within the community on behalf of the CBC. Dottie Funk
2. Public Recognition Committee — Asked city staff to compose letter to the Board of
Directors, regarding support of our annual landscape awards. Alisha Crouch will be
running an article on the adopt -a -street program. Those interested, a clean up has
been scheduled for Sunday, September the 15'h at 2:00 p.m. Meet at the Faded Rose
parking lot area. Asked that Tim Heiple write the next letter to the editor.
Will be responsible for all efforts designed to recognize outstanding efforts
in all segments that support the mission of the CBC. This committee will
be headed up by the CBC Chairperson who will be supported by sub -
chairs heading up the following projects: Nash Abrams
Landscape Awards -Nash, Ann, Tim, Troy, Karol and staff met
and the landscape award brochures have been mailed. The sponsor
this year is Chenal Properties, for the amount of $1,000.00. Again,
the tentative time to inspect sites is the 1st week in November.
Troy Laha.
• Polish the Rock -no report.
• Spontaneous Public Recognition Program- Ann asks that all
members contribute their nominations for an Eye of the Beholder
Award. Ann Ivey
3. Strategic Planning & Publicity Committee — Cancelled the September 7tn
announcement. Decided that too much was going on and to get better publicity and
response, she is negotiating with the local television stations regarding air time for us
to speak about the adopt -a -street program.
Will serve all committees in publicizing their activities within the
community. Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl
4. City Beautiful Celebration Committee — Tim invited all to help clean up the River
Market district this weekend. Tim will also agreed to write the next letter to the
editor.
Responsible for establishing City Beautiful Day and planning/executing
all attendant activities. Tim Heiple
5. Special Projects Committee —no report.
Responsible for researching, planning and recommending annual special
projects in which the CBC will participate. Karol Zoeller
6. Grant/Fundraising Committee —no report.
Researches, recommends, and coordinates fundraising and grant -writing efforts on
behalf of the CBC. Lynn Warren
OLD BUSINESS: none
NEW BUSINESS:
ADJOURNMENT: 1:15
MEETING NOTICE
The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
September 5th, 2002, in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall.
This will be a brown bag meeting. Please, try to make a site visit prior to our meeting.
AGENDA
Call to Order: Nash Abrams, Chair
Roll Call:
Open Public Meeting: C.B.C. 573-New Matters -Freeway Business Park
Joe White, Jr. P. E., Agent
Dave Grundfest, Owner
18 Freeway Drive
Close Public Meeting:
Tree Celebration: Pete Rausch, Parks and Recreation Urban Forester on Tree USA,
Fall Arbor Day
Approval of the Minutes: August 1st, 2002
Treasurer's Report: Ann Ivey
Committee Reports:
■ Networking Committee -Dottie Funk
■ Landscape Awards — Troy Laha
■ Strategic Planning & Publicity — Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl
■ Spontaneous Public Recognition Program -Ann Ivey
■ Special Projects — Karol Zoeller
■ City Beautiful Celebration — Tim Heiple
■ Adopt -A -Street Committee -each member to discuss their assignments.
Karol Zoeller
Sharon Tallach Vogelphol
Nash Abrams
Old Business:
New Business:
Adjournment:
City Beautiful Commission ♦ 723 West Markham ♦ Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 ♦ (501) 371-4864
September 5, 2002
ITEM NO. 1- C.B.C. 573 - NEW MATTERS
Applicant:
Address:
Description:
ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Freeway Business Park
Joe White, Jr., P.E., Agent
U-Storit, Inc., Owner
18 Freeway Drive
South of I-630, beginning approximately
0.1 miles east of Rodney Parham Road and
extending east to Hughes Street
A perimeter planting strip adjacent to freeways or expressways shall be at least
thirty (30) feet in width.
VARIANCE RE VESTED:
A reduction in the width of a portion of the perimeter landscape strip adjacent to an
expressway.
FINDINGS:
The applicant proposes to add three additional mini -warehouses and associated drives to the
existing mini -warehouse complex. Currently lot 5, the site for this development, is vacant, with
site work having been done in the past. Interstate 630 is located along the property's north
boundary. The grade of the proposed development is far below the grade of the adjacent
expressway. There are numerous pine trees located mostly in the right-of-way between I-630
and the proposed driveway.
The applicant proposes a nine (9) foot wide perimeter landscaping strip for approximately
260 feet in the area of the thirty (30) foot width requirement.
A thirty (30) foot wide buffer, when adjacent to an expressway, is also a requirement of the
zoning ordinance. On August 8, 2002 the Planning Commission granted the applicant a variance
of this requirement when it approved a revision to the Planned Office Development. The Board
of Directors is scheduled to hear this case at its September 17th meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Since the area in question is far below the grade of the expressway, the majority of pine trees are
to be preserved and the Planning Commission approved the Plan as submitted, staff recommends
�� approval of this request.
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