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