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Z-8615 Staff AnalysisFILE NO.: Z-8615 NAME: Arkansas Museum of Discovery Short -form PCD - LOCATION: Located at 500 President Clinton Avenue DEVELOPER: Arkansas Museum of Discovery c/o AMR Architects 201 East Markham Street, Suite 150 Little Rock, AR 72201 SURVEYOR: Brooks Surveying 20820 Arch Street Pike Hensley, AR 72065 AREA: 1.21 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 zoning lot CURRENT ZONING: UU, Urban Use District FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF ALLOWED USES: Residential, Office, Commercial —all indoors PROPOSED ZONING: PCD PROPOSED USE: Museum — Signage — located in the River Market Design Overlay District VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT'S STATEMENT: The proposal is for the enclosure of the loading dock area with signage and landscaping at the Arkansas Museum of Discovery. The enclosed area will be used for the primary entrance to the Arkansas Museum of Discovery and a gift shop. The addition will be one story and utilize the existing roof over the loading dock. A sidewalk will be replaced in front of the addition as well as the addition of street trees. There is one sign proposed for the museum on the awning. FILE NO.: Z-8615 (Cont. The building will feature brick "fins" — walls of brick that are perpendicular to the street — built with brick that will match the buff brick of the Terminal Building. The fins are located within the property and not in the right of way. A curtain wall of glass will be inset 3'-5" from the front of the fin. The east elevation of the building will feature an aluminum composite panel wall system for the additional space. The nine (9) pane large window in the elevation will be set in an angled bay arrangement. Awnings will be set into these alcoves and project 2'-0" over the sidewalk. The custom designed awnings will be a 1-1/2" metal grating installed horizontally. At the entrance, the awning will extend seven feet (7') over the sidewalk for twenty feet (20') along the sidewalk. Section 36-357(b)(3) states awnings may project no more than five feet (5) from the building fagade. The awning at the entrance is a variation from the typical DOD standard. Part of the awning will be the metal mesh, but the part closest to the building will be of patterned glass to provide rain protection while entering the building. Section 36-357(a)(4) states awnings are to be composed of canvas, vinyl coated canvas, acrylic fabrics or other architectural materials compatible with the building and the district. Currently, the majority of awnings in the district are canvas on a metal frame. This material proposed is compatible with the building, but is a new material to the district. As part of this application, a previously approved sandwich board sign will no longer be used. Also, the large banners and hangers will be removed from the Terminal Building that was also previously approved for the Arkansas Museum of Discovery. A sign being considered is the "Museum of Discovery" sign that is located on top of and below the awning. The sign measures 2'-8" tall (32") and is about forty-six feet (46') in length for a total square footage of one hundred twenty-three (123) square feet. Section 36-353(a)(1)(c) states wall signs are to be confined to the flat surface of the building and are not to project more than five (5) inches from the building facade. The sign is proposed on the front edge of the awning which is located three feet five inches (3'5") from the glass wall fagade. Since the sign sits on top of the awning and is not attached to the wall the sign is considered a roof sign. Section 36-543 states roof signs, or any sign that is not mounted on a vertical surface is prohibited in all zoning districts. The sign as proposed does not conform to the typical standards of the DOD or the City's sign ordinance. Section 36-353(c)(2) states signs shall not exceed one-half (1/2) of a square foot of sign area for each linear foot of primary street building frontage, not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet per sign. The sign as proposed is approximately five times the permitted size. The sign is proposed internally illuminated. Section 36-353(c)(3) and Section 36-353(a)(2)(f) state internally lit signs are prohibited and when signs are externally lit, they are to be illuminated from a concealed source of light or a decorative source that is integral to the design of the sign. The sign, as proposed, is a variation from the typical standards of the River Market DOD. 2 FILE NO.: Z-8615 (Cont.) There are six changeable fabric banners of approximately 2' x 7' that will be attached to the front of the "fins". These are considered artwork since they will not have the text "Arkansas Museum of Discovery" on the banners. These banners will have an 8'-6" clearance from the sidewalk. Section 36-353(e)(1)(a) states projecting signs are to maintain a nine foot (9') clearance in all pedestrian walkways and a thirteen foot (13') clearance over vehicular use areas, i.e. alleys and driveways. Section 36-354 states balconies over the public right of way shall have a minimum clearance of nine (9) feet above the sidewalk. One (1) inch of projection is permitted for each additional inch of clearance above eight (8) feet, provided that no such projection shall exceed a distance of four (4) feet. Banners are not specified with a minimum clearance. There will be a sign on the entrance door indicating hours of operations and forms of payment. This is an informational sign and does not count against the total number of sign nor is reviewed by this committee. The existing curb cut for the loading dock will be removed and replaced with sidewalks to match the River Market typical sidewalk in construction and appearance along with the Tree Planting Strip. The tree grates will match the typical River Market tree grate and the trees will match the Autumn Blaze Red Maples along President Clinton Avenue. The trees are proposed to be placed 40'-0" on center instead of 30' as prescribed in the ordinance. They are proposing to add three (3) new trees. The spacing between the existing trees as proposed would be forty-five feet (45') from the existing tree to the west to the first proposed tree, forty feet (40') between the proposed trees and forty feet (40') to the existing tree to the east. Section 36-358(c)(1) states trees shall be thirty (30) feet on center and two (2) feet off back of curb. The ordinance would typically require the placement of four (4) trees. The tree spacing as proposed is a variation from the typical standards of the River Market DOD. The irrigation will be modified to have a full circle tree bubbler instead of the four (4) irrigation bubbler heads as required. This is a variation from the typical DOD standard. Section 36-358(d)(1) states irrigation systems are to provide four (4) irrigation bubbler heads per tree well. Drainage under the tree wells will conform to the ordinance. Section 36-359(a)(1) states pedestrian posts and luminaries are to be Antique Lighting "Capitol" Series or pre -approved substitute. In addition to the street lighting required by the DOD the applicant is proposing the placement of a bollard manufactured by Lumiere, model 1900-IL Aspen series. The existing black steel picketed fence to the east of the building will be removed and replaced with a handrail that will match the architecture of the building and is proposed with a powder coat finish in gray. t FILE NO.: Z-8615 (Cont. The variations to the DOD that have the most impact on the District are the tree spacing, and the sign. The streetscape of sidewalk, brick planting strip, trees with tree grates, streetlights and street furniture all contribute the streetscape that is the River Market. The DRC has reviewed the request and has made a recommendation to approve the application as submitted with the condition of adding one River Market streetlight and having a minimum of 8'-6" clearance from the sidewalk to the bottom of the artwork banners that are placed on the fin walls. The project can also install the bollard lights as proposed in addition to the River Market streetlight. The request is to allow items inconsistent with the River Market DOD including signage and the awning projection. The item was not routed to Public Works and the various utility companies for review and comment. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The Arkansas Museum of Discovery is located within the River Market District, a commercial and entertainment district. To the north of the Museum is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Nature Center and the Arkansas River, South of the site is a hotel and west of the site is Interstate 30 and further west is the President Clinton Library and the head quarters for Heifer International. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has not received any comment from area resident. All property owners located within 200-feet of the site, all residents, who could be identified, located within 300 feet of the site and the River Market District Neighborhood Association were notified of the public hearing. D. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (November 24, 2010) The applicant's were present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the request stating there were no outstanding technical issues associated with the development in need of addressing prior to the Commission acting on the request. Staff stated the River Market Design Review Committee had reviewed the request and approved the request based on minor alterations to the original submission. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. E. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the conditions as indicated by the River Market DRC minute record dated November 9, 2010. El FILE NO.: Z-8615 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (DECEMBER 16, 2010) The applicant was present representing the request. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the conditions as indicated by the River Market DRC minute record dated November 9, 2010. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for approval of the item as presented by staff. The motion carried by a vote of 9 ayes- 0 noes, 0 absent and 2 open positions. 5 December 16, 2010 ITEM NO.: 18 NAME: Arkansas Museum of Discovery Short -form PCD LOCATION: Located at 500 President Clinton Avenue DEVELOPER: Arkansas Museum of Discovery c/o AMR Architects 201 East Markham Street, Suite 150 Little Rock, AR 72201 SURVEYOR: Brooks Surveying 20820 Arch Street Pike Hensley, AR 72065 LE NO.: Z-8615 AREA: 1.21 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 zoning lot FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF CURRENT ZONING: UU, Urban Use District ALLOWED USES: Residential, Office, Commercial — all indoors PROPOSED ZONING: PCD PROPOSED USE: Museum — Signage — located in the River Market Design Overlay District VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: None requested. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT'S STATEMENT: The proposal is for the enclosure of the loading dock area with signage and landscaping at the Arkansas Museum of Discovery. The enclosed area will be used for the primary entrance to the Arkansas Museum of Discovery and a gift shop. The addition will be one story and utilize the existing roof over the loading dock. A sidewalk will be replaced in front of the addition as well as the addition of street trees. There is one sign proposed for the museum on the awning. The building will feature brick "fins" — walls of brick that are perpendicular to the street — built with brick that will match the buff brick of the Terminal Building. The December 16, 2010 4i iRnwi.ginm ITEM NO.: 18 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z-861 fins are located within the property and not in the right of way. A curtain wall of glass will be inset 3'-5" from the front of the fin. The east elevation of the building will feature an aluminum composite panel wall system for the additional space. The nine (9) pane large window in the elevation will be set in an angled bay arrangement. Awnings will be set into these alcoves and project 2'-0" over the sidewalk. The custom designed awnings will be a 1-1/2" metal grating installed horizontally. At the entrance, the awning will extend seven feet (7) over the sidewalk for twenty feet (20') along the sidewalk. Section 36-357(b)(3) states awnings may project no more than five feet (6) from the building facade. The awning at the entrance is a variation from the typical DOD standard. Part of the awning will be the metal mesh, but the part closest to the building will be of patterned glass to provide rain protection while entering the building. Section 36-357(a)(4) states awnings are to be composed of canvas, vinyl coated canvas, acrylic fabrics or other architectural materials compatible with the building and the district. Currently, the majority of awnings in the district are canvas on a metal frame. This material proposed is compatible with the building, but is a new material to the district. As part of this application, a previously approved sandwich board sign will no longer be used. Also, the large banners and hangers will be removed from the Terminal Building that was also previously approved for the Arkansas Museum of Discovery. A sign being considered is the "Museum of Discovery" sign that is located on top of and below the awning. The sign measures 2'-8" tall (32") and is about forty-six feet (46') in length for a total square footage of one hundred twenty-three (123) square feet. Section 36-353(a)(1)(c) states wall signs are to be confined to the flat surface of the building and are not to project more than five (5) inches from the building facade. The sign is proposed on the front edge of the awning which is located three feet five inches (3'5") from the glass wall facade. Since the sign sits on top of the awning and is not attached to the wall the sign is considered a roof sign. Section 36-543 states roof signs, or any sign that is not mounted on a vertical surface is prohibited in all zoning districts. The sign as proposed does not conform to the typical standards of the DOD or the City's sign ordinance. Section 36-353(c)(2) states signs shall not exceed one-half (1/2) of a square foot of sign area for each linear foot of primary street building frontage, not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet per sign. The sign as proposed is approximately five times the permitted size. The sign is proposed internally illuminated. Section 36-353(c)(3) and Section 36-353(a)(2)(f) state internally lit signs are prohibited and when signs are externally lit, they are to be illuminated from a concealed source of light or a decorative source that is integral to the design of the sign. 2 December 16, 2010 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 18 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8615 The sign, as proposed, is a variation from the typical standards of the River Market DOD. There are six changeable fabric banners of approximately 2' x 7' that will be attached to the front of the "fins". These are considered artwork since they will not have the text. "Arkansas Museum of Discovery" on the banners. These banners will have an 8'-6" clearance from the sidewalk. Section 36-353(e)(1)(a) states projecting signs are to maintain a nine foot (9') clearance in all pedestrian walkways and a thirteen foot (13') clearance over vehicular use areas, i.e. alleys and driveways. Section 36-354 states balconies over the public right of way shall have a minimum clearance of nine (9) feet above the sidewalk. One (1) inch of projection is permitted for each additional inch of clearance above eight (8) feet, provided that no such projection shall exceed a distance of four (4) feet. Banners are not specified with a minimum clearance. There will be a sign on the entrance door indicating hours of operations and forms of payment. This is an informational sign and does not count against the total number of sign nor is reviewed by this committee. The existing curb cut for the loading dock will be removed and replaced with sidewalks to match the River Market typical sidewalk in construction and appearance along with the Tree Planting Strip. The tree grates will match the typical River Market tree grate and the trees will match the Autumn Blaze Red Maples along President Clinton Avenue. The trees are proposed to be placed 40'-0" on center instead of 30' as prescribed in the ordinance. They are proposing to add three (3) new trees. The spacing between the existing trees as proposed would be forty-five feet (45') from the existing tree to the west to the first proposed tree, forty feet (40') between the proposed trees and forty feet (40') to the existing tree to the east. Section 36-358(c)(1) states trees shall be thirty (30) feet on center and two (2) feet off back of curb. The ordinance would typically require the placement of four (4) trees. The tree spacing as proposed is a variation from the typical standards of the River Market DOD. The irrigation will be modified to have a full circle tree bubbler instead of the four (4) irrigation bubbler heads as required. This is a variation from the typical DOD standard. Section 36-358(d)(1) states irrigation systems are to provide four (4) irrigation bubbler heads per tree well. Drainage under the tree wells will conform to the ordinance. Section 36-359(a)(1) states pedestrian posts and luminaries are to be Antique Lighting "Capitol" Series or pre -approved substitute. In addition to the street 3 December 16, 2010 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 18 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z-8615 lighting required by the DOD the applicant is proposing the placement of a bollard manufactured by Lumiere, model 1900-IL Aspen series. The existing black steel picketed fence to the east of the building will be removed and replaced with a handrail that will match the architecture of the building and is proposed with a powder coat finish in gray. The variations to the DOD that have the most impact on the District are the tree spacing, and the sign. The streetscape of sidewalk, brick planting strip, trees with tree grates, streetlights and street furniture all contribute the streetscape that is the River Market. The DRC has reviewed the request and has made a recommendation to approve the application as submitted with the condition of adding one River Market streetlight and having a minimum of 8'-6" clearance from the sidewalk to the bottom of the artwork banners that are placed on the fin walls. The project can also install the bollard lights as proposed in addition to the River Market streetlight. The request is to allow items inconsistent with the River Market DOD including signage and the awning projection. The item was not routed to Public Works and the various utility companies for review and comment. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The Arkansas Museum of Discovery is located within the River Market District, a commercial and entertainment district. To the north of the Museum is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Nature Center and the Arkansas River, South of the site is a hotel and west of the site is Interstate 30 and further west is the President Clinton Library and the head quarters for Heifer International. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has not received any comment from area resident. All property owners located within 200-feet of the site, all residents, who could be identified, located within 300 feet of the site and the River Market District Neighborhood Association were notified of the public hearing. D. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (November 24, 2010) The applicant's were present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the request stating there were no outstanding technical issues associated with the development in need of addressing prior to the Commission acting on the request. Staff stated the River Market Design Review Committee had reviewed the request and approved the request based on minor alterations M December 16, 2010 ci innniicinni ITEM NO.: 18 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z-8615 to the original submission. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. E. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends. approval of the request subject to compliance with the conditions as indicated by the River Market DRC minute record dated November 9, 2010. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (DECEMBER 16, 2010) The applicant was present representing the request. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the conditions as indicated by the River Market DRC minute record dated November 9, 2010. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for approval of the item as presented by staff. The motion carried by a vote of 9 ayes 0 noes, 0 absent and 2 open positions. k