HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC_09 06 2018The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
September 06, 2018, at City Hall Board Room, 500 W Markham St. Chairman, BJ Sanders-Woods
called the meeting to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: BJ Sanders-Woods Wally Loveless
Steve Homeyer Michael Mason
Justin Blagg Ed Peek
Michael Harvey Bob Winchester
Melissa Henshaw
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bobby Cushman
One Open Position
ALSO PRESENT: Beth Carpenter, City Attorney’s Office
Dana Carney, Zoning and Subdivision Manager, Department of
Planning and Development, City of Little Rock.
D.Tracy Spillman, Plans Development Administrator, Department
of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock.
APPROVAL OF THE MAY MEETING MINUTES:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the previous months minutes.
Motion: Commissioner Blagg made a motion that the August 02, 2018 Minutes be approved.
Second: Commissioner Henshaw seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
VARIANCE REQUEST: CBC CASE #662 - 5615 Kavanaugh
Variance Requested:
To allow the proposed new development for the property located at 5615 Kavanaugh Blvd. to
continue as nonconforming by not requiring the perimeter planting strip, associated trees, and
shrubs between the proposed parking and the neighboring east property.
FINDINGS:
The C-3 property located at 5615 Kavanaugh Blvd., is occupied by a one-story
frame commercial/office building. The property is located on the south side of Kavanaugh
Blvd., between N. Fillmore and N. Taylor Streets. A paved alley is located along the rear
(south) property line. A small parking area, (nine (9) spaces) with alley access is located on
the south side of the existing building. The existing parking is angled and requires backing out
onto the alley for exiting. The existing commercial/office building is located 0.8 to 1.2 feet
back from the front (north) property line, 5.4 feet from the east property line and 10.2 feet
from the west property line.
The applicant proposes to remove the existing building from the site and construct a new
two-story office building. The proposed building will contain 3,629 square feet of floor
area. It will be located one (1) to 1.2 feet back from the front (north) property line, 7.4 feet
from the east side property line, and 7.67 feet from west side property line. The
redevelopment of the property purposes eight (8) parking spaces.
To develop this property as indicated on the submitted site plan the applicant had requested
several zoning variances from the City of Little Rock’s Board of Adjustment (BOA). These
request included waivers related to off street parking, and buildings setbacks. Staff was
supportive of this request with conditions, one of which included a dedication of cross access
easement between this property and the property to the west. This cross access easement would
eliminate the requirement of a perimeter planting strip between the vehicular use area and the
property to the west.
On August 27, 2018 the Board of Adjustment approved the requested variances with all of the
conditions requested by Staff.
The redevelopment of any property requires that nonconforming parking areas be brought into
compliance with the current code. This project would only require a perimeter planting strip and
the associated landscape material between the vehicular use area and the east property line. This
planting strip would be approximately sixty (60) feet in length with a width of 6.75 feet and
depth. The required plant material would include two (2) trees and six (6) shrubs.
The new parking area proposed for the rear of the building will not be within view of any street
right-of-way and will only be accessible from the adjacent alley. This alley acts primarily as
a service area for the retail and office spaces that front on Kavanaugh Blvd and R Street. The
BOA approved the site plan with eight parking bays, one less than would normally be required
for an office building of the proposed square footage. To provide the required landscape to this
primarily utilitarian area would eliminate more parking.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff is supportive of the applicant’s request and recommends approval. Landscape areas which
are not required have been provided on the public oriented north side of the building
facing Kavanaugh Blvd. Staff also feels this project will be better served by not eliminating an
additional parking space in the service area to provide landscape.
Presentation:
Mr. Phil Purifoy of Fennell Purifoy Architects was present to address any specific questions.
Mr. Purifoy indicated that he had no additional information to add to the findings.
The commissioners briefly discussed the purposed development and presented no additional
inquires.
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the variance.
Motion: Commissioner Peek made a motion that the variance be approved as recommended by
Staff.
Second: Commissioner Blagg seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
VARIANCE REQUEST: CBC CASE #663 - 201 -203 Van Buren
VARIANCE REQUESTED
To allow the proposed new development for the property located at 201 & 203 Van Buren Street to
continue as nonconforming by not requiring the perimeter planting strip, associated trees, and
screening shrubs between the proposed parking and the A Street right-of-way.
FINDINGS:
The property located at 201 & 203 N. Van Buren is located one block north of the Van Buren/
W.Markham Street intersection. This area contains a number of commercial, office, and
government uses. The surrounding properties include War Memorial Stadium, the Arkansas
Health Department, medical offices, convenience store, restaurants and an extended stay hotel.
The area east of the site is single-family.
In August 2011 the Little Rock Planning Commission reviewed a request to rezone this property
from R-3, single-family to PCD, Planned Commercial Development. The request was to
recognize an existing beauty shop use and to add a mobile canteen at 201 N. Van Buren Street.
The two story building also included a residence on the second floor above the beauty salon. The
203 N Van Buren Street portion of the site included a three bedroom dwelling. The applicant had
requested the allowance of single-family and general/professional office uses for this structure.
Staff recommended approval of the rezoning and requested that at the time of change in use the
installation of a paved parking area be required and that all improvements comply with the City’s
landscape ordinance requirements.
There were no exterior modifications proposed to the site and parking was proposed to remain as
existed. The Planning Commission approved this request and it was adopted by the Board of
Directors in September 2011.
The applicant now proposes to amend the previously approved PCD to add a bakery as an
allowable use. The applicant is proposing to rehabilitate both buildings and restore them to their
original lap-siding and historic look. Both buildings will be utilized, a bakery/restaurant in the
larger building and storage on the first floor with an efficiency apartment upstairs of the smaller
building.
The bakery will offer limited seating inside as to not encourage prolonged parking but to be able
to offer a limited number of clients the ability to eat on premises. The site plan indicates the
placement of ten (10) parking spaces to serve the site.
The existing graveled parking area will be paved and a driveway into the back yard is proposed
for additional paved parking. The building proposed for the restaurant contains approximately
1,000 square feet. Parking for a restaurant is typically based on one (1) space per 100 gross
square feet of floor area. This would result in the need for ten (10) parking spaces. Parking for
the efficiency apartment would typically result in the need for one (1) parking space.
The site plan indicates the placement of a 20-foot drive isle along A Street and parking stalls
20-feet in depth. The plan does not include placing curb, gutter or sidewalk along A Street. The
applicant notes this section of A Street only serves this lot and the single-family residence to the
east. Along the south side of A Street improvements were installed with the bank construction at
the intersection of A and Jackson Streets. The sidewalk that was put in place with the
development of the bank dead-ends into a retaining wall. The property immediately south of this
site is developed as an office use. There is no sidewalk in place along A Street adjacent to the
office development.
The applicant is requesting a waiver of the street buffer requirement along A Street. The
applicant notes based on the depth of the property there is not adequate room to install the
landscape strip and allow for maneuverability within the proposed parking area.
A new paved areas is proposed within the rear yard area of the site. The plan indicates the
placement of four (4) parking spaces. The landscape and buffer ordinance would typically
require a landscape strip of 6-feet 9-inches adjacent to the paved area. The plan indicates the
placement of landscape strip less than four (4) feet in width.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff is not supportive of the applicant’s request and recommends denial. Based on the
applicant’s redevelopment plan, the site does not provide the required right of way dedications,
landscaping and proper buffering. Staff feels the development as proposed is too intense for this
site.
Presentation:
The applicant, Mr. Scott Loye was present to address any specific questions from the
commissioners. Mr. Loye further summarized the project, the existing conditions, and his
intention for the site. He also noted that the Planning Commission approved the request to
amend the PCD. In addition Mr. Loye stated that his intentions are to improve the property with
paving while maintain the existing landscape adjacent to the Van Buren right-of-way.
Commissioner Homeyer inquired if the applicant was planning to provide any additional
landscape.
Mr. Loye indicated that he would provide additional landscape but does not yet have a plan.
Commissioner Harvey inquired about a large existing tree in the back the property and if it
would be removed and if so would it be replaced.
Mr. Loye indicated that to develop the site as presented this tree would need to be removed.
Mr. Loye also stated that he would provide additional landscape.
The commissioners inquired to how this landscape would be applied without a landscape plan
showing the improvements.
Staff Member Spillman explained that a building permit would not be issued until landscape
plans and all other site, and building documents were submitted for review. Part of this review
process would include checking these plans for code compliance and any action taken by the
Planning Commission, City Beautiful Commission, and the Board of Directors.
The commissioners briefly discussed if the property would remain delinquent if the variance is
not approved. In addition they discussed possible conditions that could compensate for the
required landscape and buffer areas that will not be installed.
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the variance.
Motion: Commissioner Loveless made a motion that the variance be approved with the
condition that an adequate landscape plan be submitted and approved before a building permit is
issued.
Second: Commissioner Blagg seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Expense Report:
In the absence Commissioner Cushman there was no new treasury report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, UPDATES:
Community Projects
City Hall South Yard:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that due to the variances and Landscape Awards on the docket for
this month’s meeting there would be no new information presented. The commissioner also
indicated that an update will be presented at next month’s meeting.
Public Relations
Commissioner Blagg stated that his recent post to the CBC Facebook page has generated a spike
in interest with sixty-three people responding to the latest publication.
KLRB:
Commissioner Henshaw reported that a new KLRB Beautification Committee project has been
initiated. This will involve a bridge to be constructed in Allsopp Park known as the Rainbow
Bridge. Patrons will be able to purchase a “tag” inscribed with a deceased pet’s name. This tag
will then be permanently attached to the bridge as a memorial.
Adopt-A-Street:
Commissioner Loveless stated that the last pickup was successful. In addition he noted that
markings had been placed on street in assumption that widening project of Bowman Rd. was
about to begin. Commissioner Homeyer stated that he had spoken with the contractor and was
informed that the utilities were being moved and that the widening of the street would not
begin until sometime in 2019.
Commissioner Blagg inquired about the process for groups to acquire an Adopt-A-Street
appointment. Commissioner Henshaw stated that this information could be obtained from the
KLRB website.
Commissioner Mason noted there was an abundance of trash in the creek on Bowman Rd.
and inquired how the City could be notified. The commissioners then discussed how to obtain
and use the City’s 311 App.
Eye of the Beholder:
Commissioner Chairman Sanders-Woods stated that after two residences in Pleasant Valley
received the Eye of the Beholder Award she was informed the neighborhood POA will compose
feature for their newsletter. The recipients of the award and the CBC will be publicized in this
article.
It was also suggested that pictures of these residences be posted to the CBC Facebook page.
Landscape Awards:
Commissioner Homeyer presented an invoice to Staff from Mizell Signs for $277.95 for the cost
of last year’s award presentation.
Commissioner Homeyer entertained a motion to approve the payment to Mizell Signs for
the production of Landscape Award posters and frames.
Motion: Commissioner Loveless made a motion to appropriate $277.95 to be used for the
production the Landscape Award posters and framing.
Second: Commissioner Winchester seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Staff Member Spillman provided a PowerPoint Presentation of the 2018 Landscape Award
nominees. The commissioners voted and selected the following properties.
•J.A. Riggs Tractor Co.
9125 I-30
(Ward 2)
•South Village Apartments
1301 Louisiana
(Ward 5)
•Winrock International
2101 Riverfront Dr.
(Ward 3)
The commissioner’s then reviewed photos from a previously compiled Parks Department PDF of
Little Rock landscape photos for the Landscape Award recipient poster.
The commissioners voted and selected photo #12 from the PDF. This photo shows the north
side of the State Capitol from 3rd St.
Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion to appropriate a maximum of $400.00 to be
used for the production the Landscape Award posters and framing.
Second: Commissioner Loveless seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
T.R.E.E Fund:
Commissioner Homeyer there was no new report.
City Attorney Carpenter reported that Parks and Recreation Deputy Director, Mr. Mark Webre had
been contacted about the street trees and their maintenance on John Barrow Road. City Attorney
Carpenter was informed that Parks and Recreation or Public Works was not responsible for the
ongoing maintenance of this project. It was also stated that Director Wright would be the
responsible party since this project was installed at the Directors request.
Attorney Carpenter suggested that a letter addressing the care of the trees be sent to Director
Wright or the neighborhood association.
Motion: Commissioner Blagg made a motion that a draft letter discussing the care and watering
of the trees along John Barrow Road be composed by Chairman Sanders-Woods and presented to
the other Commissioners at next month’s meeting for approval.
Second: Commissioner Loveless seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
City Beautiful Exhibit:
Commissioner Loveless stated that he had nothing new to report.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, October 04, 2018, at 11:30 a.m.
The next Adopt-A-Street pickup will be decided at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to adjourn.
Motion: Commissioner Peek made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Blagg seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:58 p.m.
LITTLE ROCK CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT - 723 WEST MARKHAM - LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201
PHONE: 501 371-4864 FAX: 501 371-6863 E-MAIL: DSPILLMAN@LITTLEROCK.GOV