CBC 06-04-1998 (2)CITY BEAUTIFUL
C O M M I S S I O N
500 WEST MARKHAM
ROOM 108
LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201
(501) 371-4770
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, June 4,1998
in the Sister Cities Conference Room. Chairman Frank Riggins presided.
Members Present
Also Present
Dottie Funk Frank Riggins
Dave Roberts Randall Stocks
Pat Torevestad Nash Abrams
City Director Linda Joyce
Bob Callans, Former Chairman of the CBC
Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, Planning and
Development
Gayle Owens, Admin. Assist. I, Parks & Recreation
Jake Sandlin, Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Approval of Minutes: Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes of
the May 7, 1998 meeting with no corrections. Motion carried.
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Randy Stocks gave Treasurer's Report,
checking account balance is $1, 239.93, $210.00 of that is earmarked for the
fountain, leaving a net balance of $1,029.93.
Special Presentation: Frank Riggins asked Bob Callans to update the
commission on some things that he is working with and has seen and collected
on what other cities have been doing in terms of preservation of natural areas,
buffers, landscape ordinances. Things that we might want to consider in
thinking about revisions to the present ordinance. Bob said he had been
involved with the landscape ordinance all the way back to the very beginning.
"In 1987, we worked on an upgrading, Bob was part of that., Richard Wood,
Julius Breckling and others. Bob said he had some thoughts on the upgrading
and how to deal with it. He then passed around several booklets, for the
commissioners to look at. (These will be copied and distributed to
commissioners at next meeting.) He said there is no reason to reinvent the
wheel, it has been invented and it's in good shape. It's just a matter of updating
the landscape ordinance along with the excavation ordinance and making them
mean something. There is no reason to have these ordinances if we cannot
enforce them. Over the years I have gotten very upset on many occasions
about the way the landscape ordinance is dealt with and the enforcement and that type of thing.
Another thing I get upset about is the maintenance. I think we have, in Arkansas, pretty horrible
maintenance. Most of the maintenance you see is done wrong or not done at all. I think the
secret to any landscape ordinance is proper maintenance and how it's dealt with.
I think this is a real opportunity to include the excavation ordinance. I have some personal
comments that I want you to think about. I think the requirement for a permit to do excavation
on a site is limited to five (5) acres, I argued against that at the time. I showed several examples
around town of where you had just small lots that developers had gone in and bulldozed out the
area and left huge cuts and erosion problems. If you were looking at the excavation ordinance, I
would highly recommend that you look at that end of it and maybe try to get that to cover smaller
areas than five (5) acres. Also, within the excavation ordinance they discussed buffer zones.
You need good definitions for what buffers are. A buffer may mean 25' of utility lines. A buffer
screens, covers and hides a particular area.
Another thing that I think needs to be included in the landscape ordinance is consideration for the
natural environment, rock outcroppings, native plantings, and trees. You need strong incentives
for protecting the natural landscape."
Bob then went over a list of eighteen suggested items (included in packet) to be included in the
landscape ordinance revision. Bob then opened for questions. Several members asked questions
and discussions followed on several aspects of Bob's presentation.
Commission members asked Frank to write a letter to the Mayor suggesting possible candidates
to serve on the Ordinance Review Task Force.
Frank thanked Bob Callans for his presentation and asked him to come back and visit any time.
Reports of Committees:
Dottie Funk thanked Lin Blair for sending out the information on the Kanis Road Report. Dottie
then distributed a copy of a letter to the editor by Nash Abrams.
Frank was asked to draft a letter from the Commission to the City Board of Directors in support
of the sign ordinance issue as presented by City Director Paul Kelly.
New Business:
Reception Recctiriiaing Forrtier Commission Members. Dottie Funk reported that the
reception will be at 5:00 p.m., June 18, 1998 at the Tower Plaza at the west end of the River
Market. She, Carolyn Lawrence, Gayle, and Jon Light,. City Refreshment Operations Supervisor
had met and plans were made for approximately 50 people. Invitations will be mailed to the
former members, Planning Commission members, City Board of Directors and city staff this
afternoon. Dottie asked that commissioners assist in making follow up calls to those invited.
Landscape Awards. Bob Brown distributed a list of nominees for the Landscape Awards.
Members are free to add to the list.
Miscellaneous Business:
Nash Abrams reported that he had attended the Environmental Task Force meeting and told the
commissioners about projects they were working on. He said he thought the CBC should adopt
some projects of their own.
No further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
City of Little Rock
Department o Planning an eve opmen Planning
Zoning and
723 West Markham Subdivision
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
(501) 371-4790
M-E-M-O-R-A-N-D-U-M
TO: MEMBERS OF THE CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
FROM: ��I3OB BROWN, PLANS REVIEW SPECIALIST
SUBJECT: ANNUAL CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION LANDSCAPE AWARD RECOMMENDED
CONSIDERATION LIST OF COMMERCIAL PROJECTS NOT PREVIOUSLY
RECEIVING AN AWARD
DATE: JUNE 4, 1998
EXCEEDING ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Arkansas Heart Hospital - 1701 S. Shackleford Road
Arksys Plaza - 17500 Chenal Parkway
Chenal Village Shopping Center -11500 Financial Center Parkway
Cypress Plaza - 2200 Rodney Parham Road
Embassy Suites = 11301 Financial Parkway
First Little Rock Plaza -10800 Financial Centre Drive
McDonald's Restaurant - 8820 Baseline Road
Morgan Keegan and Co., Inc. - 100 Morgan Keegan Drive
Pulaski Mortgage - 700 Hardin Road
The Grove Apartment Homes -11901 Pleasant Ridge Road
VOLUNTARY UPGRADING OF EXISTING SITES:
Chevaux Court -17500 Cantrell Road
Pulaski Bank and Trust - 301 Broadway Street
St. Marks Episcopal Church -1000 Mississippi
Trellis Square Chopping Center -10720 Rodney Parham Road
University Mall - 300 S. University
Village Shopping Center - Asher and University Avenue
Whispering Oaks Apartments -1812 Reservoir Road
PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS WITH CONTINUED EXCELLENCE:
Arkansas State Capitol Grounds
Austins Wood Grill -10825 Hermitage Road
Dillard's Corporate Offices - 1600 Cantrell Road
GMAC Center -16101 LaGrande Drive
Koger Office Park -10809 Executive Center Drive
(Although won this award in 1989 its exceptional condition may warrant additional consideration.)
R and & Sloan Manufacturing Co., Inc. - 777 Sloane Drive
Roller - Chenal Funeral Home -13801 Chenal Parkway
* Added to list June 11,1998.
cc: Jim Lawson, Director
Tony Bozynski, Assistant Director
Richard Wood, Zoning & Subdivision Manager
CITY BEAUTIFUL
C O M M I S S I O N
500 WEST MARKHAM
MEETING NOTICE
ROOM 108 The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting at 8:15 a.m.
on Thursday June 4, 1998 in the Sister Cities Conference Room Center on
the second floor at City Hall.
LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201
AGENDA
(501) 371-4770
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes of the May Meeting.
IV. Treasurer's Report.
V. Special Presentation
VI. Reports of Committees.
VII.New Business
VIII. Miscellaneous Business.
IX. Adjournment.