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CBC 01-17-2011o d N s d CD 5 O LITTLF ROCK CITY BEAUTIFUL C0MMiss10N The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, December the 1st, 2011, at 11:30 a.m. at Curran Hall. Chair Wiedower called the meeting to order. MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Homeyer Julleah Johnson Bill Wiedower Herb Dicker Jennie Cole Lynn Warren Carrie Young Linda Bell Chris Minor MEMBERS ABSENT: vacancy vacancy ALSO PRESENT: Dana Carney, Zoning & Subdivision Manager, Department of Planning & Development, City of Little Rock Christy Marvel, Plans Development Administrator, Department of Planning & Development, City of Little Rock Beth Blevins Carpenter, Deputy City Attorney, City Attorney's Office, City of Little Rock Larry Crain, Owner of Crain Automotive Dealership Ali Shawkat, Engineer for ETC Engineers APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER MINUTES: Motion: Vice -chair Dicker made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections. Second: Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER MINUTES: Motion: Commissioner Cole made a motion to accept the minutes with changes noted. Second: Vice -chair Dicker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. OPENING OF PUBLIC HEARING: CBC Case 616-B 9911 I-30, Crain Automotive Staff opened the hearing for the variance request located at 9911 Interstate 30. The property located at 9911 Interstate 30, is zoned C-3, and is approximately twenty-three acres in size. The dealership sales, displays, and performs repairs on the automobiles at this location. On July 0 1,20 10 the applicant came before the City Beautiful Commission and requested a variance to their site plan/landscape plan, per CBC Case number six hundred and twenty (620). At the meeting, the applicant agreed to install four -inch (4") evergreen `Little Gem' Magnolias along Interstate thirty (30) per the approved landscape plan; however, the trees were installed in a different location than initially agreed. The applicant did install four -inch (4") caliper Red Bud Trees, Cercis Canadensis) within the Interstate Perimeter strip. In addition to the change in the approved landscape plan the ordinance requires that one half of the trees along the interstate be of an evergreen variety. The tree quantity is sufficient to meet the minimal ordinance requirements. Due to the change to the approved landscape plan the City Beautiful Commission must determine whether or not the change(s) are permissible. Staff recommended approval of the revised site plan. Beth Carpenter, Deputy City Attorney, explained the various options to the City Beautiful Commission, which follow: 1. The Commission may grant this second variance request to keep the trees as they are now on the property. Like with the first variance approval, the Commission could also impose conditions in approving this second variance request. 2. The Commission may not grant the second variance request. The applicant should be given a time frame in which to comply with the original variance approval and the conditions placed on the variance by the CBC. 3. The applicant may appeal the Commission's decision to the City Board of Directors if done so within 30 days from the action of the Commission. 4. After the 30-day appeal time frame, if the applicant does not appeal to the City Board of Directors and does not comply with the original variance as approved by the Commission, or appeals and does not comply with the Board's decision, the Planning Department may issue a citation to the applicant to appear in Environmental Court regarding a violation of the Landscape ordinance and the variance as approved by the CBC. City staff made record of one complaint being registered by Mr. Luke Skrable. Mr. Luke Skrable noted there was trash strewn throughout the property; there are rotten hay bales still onsite, and that he wanted to go on record reflecting such. Owner, Mr. Larry Crain explained he didn't understand the ordinances nor the process to begin with. Initially, he wanted to use the original building, the existing setbacks; however, the dealership had other pre -determined criteria that he had to meet. In doing so, at the last hearing Mr. Crain confused proposed trees as proposed shrubs when agreeing to the previous landscape plan that was both submitted and approved by the CBC. Once the installation of the large, `Little Gem' Magnolia's, the massive size tree was more screening than Mr. Crain wanted. Therefore, Larry Crain chose to relocate the trees as shown on the revised landscape plan. Mr. Crain requested to leave the trees and the landscaping, as is. Mr. Crain distributed before and after photos of the site. Mr. Crain distributed a copy of a list of nine (9) issues recently responded by applicant to city staff which follow: 1. We will keep all automobiles off all unpaved surface areas. 2. We will re -hydro seed the area that has been parked upon with winter grass. 3. We intend to expand parking to the east of the building in the future (2012 or 2013). We will place parking bumpers to restrict access to the grassy area. 4. The 1 dsc er has agreed to replace all the dead trees this spring. 5. We 11yut hedge shrubs along the portion of the fence that does not currently have iand api to help screen the parking area from Baseline Road. 6. We agree that all dead and diseased plant material will be replaced and have the landscaper's commitment to do so. However, I understand I will be responsible for replacing the materials under any circumstance. 7. As suggested by Mr. Dana Carney, we will leave the I-30 landscape area with the existing 4" trees. There are evergreen bushes in the I-30 planting areas and evergreen trees along the sides of the building and other perimeter and interior landscape areas. 8. Trees within the interstate perimeter have been damaged by our landscaper. Our landscaper put 6" pipe along the bottom of the trees to prevent future damage. 9. I understand that the ordinance requiring one half of all the trees along the interstate to be evergreen was effective on 01/01/10. I request that we not add any evergreens to the I- 30 perimeter. Commissioner Warren noted the optimal tree planting time is now. Commissioner Warren also inquired about reasoning behind the change from the previously approved landscape plan. Mr. Larry Crain explained he simply didn't understand what he was agreeing to. Chair Wiedower ask how viable would it be to move those trees at this point in time. Mr. Crain responded, "difficult and he'd prefer to simply plant new, evergreen trees if he had to; although, he'd prefer not to add any additional evergreen vegetation along his Interstate frontage." Chair Wiedower inquired about the approximate number of trees that would be required in that area. City staff noted eight (8) would be half. Chair Wiedower noted he'd driven around and looked at other dealerships in town and noticed it seems to be the dealerships "showroom". Trees types were discussed. Discussion of a revised landscape plan commenced including a newly revised landscape plan. The applicant explained, he'd prefer to leave the plan, as is. Larry Crain explained he had met with Mr. Dana Carney and they had come to an agreement on the site, as it is currently in place. Commissioner Bell asks, "Can you not plant some evergreen FA trees?" Options were discussed. Chair Wiedower explained, the CBC would've preferred asking initially for the variance of zero evergreen trees. Commissioner Warren inquired if the applicant can present a new landscape plan to the CBC at next months meeting. The plan should show all the dead trees and all the newly proposed trees. Commissioner Johnson noted a decision really needed to be made today so the trees get planted before the optimal tree planting season is past. Chair Wiedower ask about whether the applicant had considered a tree fund donation. Commissioner Cole noted that most of the tree cost was in the man-hours to install the trees. City staff noted the donation would include the cost of the trees, staking, mulch, and man- hours to install the trees. Larry Crain noted that he felt like that was a viable option because visibility is more of an issue than money is. Chair entertains a motion. Motion: Commissioner Warren made a motion to approve the application under the conditions of infill of the three (3) holes in the perimeter and to replace all of the dead trees with evergreen trees. Motioxi+dHMl. V is U� k04 Motion: Commissioner Young made a motion to allow Mr. Crain to leave the trees as is along Interstate 30, to replace all of the dead trees, to donate a quantity of eight (8) evergreen trees, all four inch caliper (4") in size and to include all associated costs to install the trees. Commissioner Homeyer added a time frame of no later than February 01, 2012; including the comments (1-9) to city staff, the tree donation, and all the hay bales and trash be removed from the site by the deadline date. Second: Commissioner Bell seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Motion passes. Eight (8) ayes and one (1) recuse (Dicker). CBC Case 6215700 Markham, Amir Qureshi, M.D Staff began the variance request for the 5700 W. Markham. The site contains a medical office building, which has been a medical office for a number of years and is located within an Office zoning district. The applicant plans to redevelop the building. Three (3) doctors will occupy the new facility. The site contains an existing 4,458 square foot office building and the applicant is proposing an addition to the existing structure containing 7,680 square foot for a total building size of 12,138 square feet. The building is proposed to be a maximum of thirty-five (35') foot in height. There are a number of uses in the area including St. Vincent' s Hospital, multi -family residential, War Memorial Park Golf Course and additional office uses. To the west of the site is an elderly housing development, which is currently undergoing renovations. Further west is the West Markham Street and University Avenue intersection, which contains retail and office uses including Park Plaza Mall and Park Avenue Shopping Center. The site is located within the Mid -town Design Overlay District, which requires redevelopment in excess of fifty percent (50%) to be reviewed through the planned zoning development process. On October the 61h the Planning Commission approved the Planned Office Development (POD) and all the associated zoning variances. The existing site conditions restrict the options for redevelopment of the parking lot. The applicant has worked diligently with city staff to address all the issues. The only issue outstanding is located along the western perimeter of the site. The parking lot extends to the property line allowing zero landscape perimeter. However, additional interior islands are being added on both sides of this parking aisle which will increase the green space in the area. This site is an existing condition and overall the site is being upgraded with landscaping. Asphalt is being removed, additional landscaping installed, and large existing trees are being saved. Although, the trees are not required to remain, it is included with this proposal. With the calculation of the existing trees sizes, the applicant is exceeding the required number of trees. The required shrubs are also being planted; they are simply being shifted to the eastern perimeter of the site. Overall, the development will be an upgrade to the area while also saving large, existing trees. Staff recommended approval of the proposed landscape variance. Commissioner Cole inquired about the existing on site green space available and whether the site had an automatic irrigation system. City staff noted it wasn't required due to the size of the property being less than one acre in size. Commissioner Homeyer ask if this building was already owned by the same tenant or a recent purchase. The shrub choice was discussed. Commissioner Homeyer inquired about the amount of green space next door. Ali Shawkat explained the building next door sat where there was ample green space between the properties; however, the green space is simply located on the adjacent property only. Mr. Shawkat noted the applicant was saving all the onsite existing trees and the plant material was all on the site; it has simply been shifted to another location on the site. Commissioner Young asks if the applicant intended to install an automatic irrigation system and he stated, most likely not. However, the CBC recommended to Mr. Shawkat that he highly encourage the applicant to install one; although, it was not required or part of this application. Motion: Commissioner Cole made a motion to accept the landscape plan as submitted to the CBC with the variances shown. Second: Commissioner Bell seconded the motion and it passes unanimously. TREASURER'S REPORT: Commissioner Bell noted the CBC account had $1,402.05 and the City account has approximately 2,085.00. COMMITTEE REPORTS: UPDATES: OLD BUSINESS: Community Projects no report. I-630 Trees -no report. Website (L-ynn)-no report. Library Exhibit- Julleah -Commissioner Johnson noted the mission statement had been reprinted and also had new frames to display items. Noted how other cities had photos sometimes in the airport. Additional photos were requested please send those to Commissioner Bell or to Commissioner Johnson. A plant being added to the exhibit was also discussed. Additional litter picker -up tools and additional reflector vests were discussed. Commissioner Homeyer will check on the vests and Commissioner Manor will check on the picker -up tools. KLRB (Wiedower)_no report. Ado t-A-Street icker, and Yountr - Vice -chair Dicker noted the photo for the CBC had been taken and Commissioner Warren noted she would post online. Communications- (Cole)- no report. Eve of the Beholder -(Young) - Commissioner Young inquired about the normal time frame to award an Eye Award. It was noted spring was optimal. Discussion commenced on awarding citizens the Eye Award for Christmas Lights. It was decided it wasn't within the CBC's purview; i.e. landscaping; however, if a Commissioner sees something they like simply send Chair Wiedower a photo and address and he may be able to send them a nice letter from the City Beautiful Commission. Commissioner Warren noted the CBC had given all prior Commissioners the award when their time frame of office had expired. In the past, the Commissioner(s) would come to the next meeting, an Eye Award was given, and the CBC would have cake and ice cream. Landscape Awards Honiever-, Johnson)- no report. NEW BUSINESS: 2012 Retreat The Annual CBC retreat is tentatively set for January the 18"' from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Commissioner Warren noted she'd sent out the minutes from last year. Commissioners look over your goals from last year and see how close we came to the attainment. It was discussed the prior CBC members could be invited to the retreat, and an Eye Award given at the beginning or end of the retreat. ADJOURNMENT: Motion: Commissioner Bell made a motion to adjourn. Second: Commissioner Young seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m. o a o,,u oYM�A rn e, hake- - tY1C-� e�Y �V�C4A LWSc ce . we- _ OlUl a� UV��uys en —�o C;�e) G . V\ru V1..�. Nv 6 IV) N� �(�LSCe-Y\Aecl` cY ,;�Nwe, me ne)) (XJ\AVV-t - V, , k cip, 6 "Al (RS covveaed u� S �Co � �-e2 05 00 1pjj bv- j 4�V ajT%MJrA-k 2CV '? a cam' 2A-- lJS 1 S S Ca1rikS -�-po -