HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC_06 06 2019The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
June 06, 2019, at Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Avenue. Chairman, Harvey called the meeting to
order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Harvey Robert Walker
Steve Homeyer BJ Sanders-Woods
Phillis Anderson Bob Winchester
Troy Laha
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bobby Cushman
Melissa Henshaw
Two Open Positions
ALSO, PRESENT: Beth Carpenter, City Attorney’s Office
D.Tracy Spillman, Plans Development Administrator, Department
of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock.
APPROVAL OF THE MAY MEETING MINUTES:
Chairman Harvey entertained a motion to approve the May 2019 Minutes.
Motion: Commissioner Laha made a motion that the May 02, 2019 Minutes be approved.
Second: Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
VARIANCE REQUEST: CBC CASE #667 - 7200 Indiana Ave. – Flagship Homes
Variance Requested:
To allow a reduction of the north, east, and portions of the west perimeter planting strips to less
than the nine (9) feet as typically required by the department of planning and development and
approved by the Planning Commission and the City Beautiful Commission. In addition, relocate
any associated plant material to other areas of the site due to space or topography restraints
imposed by the planting strip reduction.
FINDINGS:
The property at the northwest corner of Florida and Indiana Avenue’s is included within the
Riffel and Rhoten subdivision which is generally located south of Cantrell Road, east of
Mississippi Street, north of Evergreen Avenue, and west of N. Bryant Street. The
immediate surrounding properties are zoned R4, PD-R or R5 and characterized with duplexes,
townhomes, and apartments. The subject lot is approximately 150 feet in depth and 50 feet
in width and totals .17 acres and currently zoned R4. Previously the property included a
single-family home that was being utilized as rental property.
The single-family structure has been removed from the site and the lot is now vacant. The
applicant proposes to construct a two story, three-unit townhome. The new structure will occupy
a space approximately thirty-two (32) feet in width and fifty-seven (57) feet in depth and be built
to the minimum front set back line of twenty-five (25) feet. The City of Little Rock Planning
Commission has been petitioned to request that the property be rezoned to PD-R which will
allow for this type of development and the zoning development hearing has been scheduled for
June 6th.
This development purposes seven (7) off street parking spaces at the north end of the property
with access from Florida Ave. To provide the required parking stall depth and maneuvering area,
the minimum required landscape perimeters are deficient. The applicant is requesting that the
required perimeter planting strips located on the north, east, and west sides of the property be
less than the required nine (9) foot minimum. The proposed site plan provides an eight (8) foot
wide landscape perimeter along a portion west property line. The remainder of this perimeter is
reduced to three (3) feet due to a vehicle backout area and an equipment storage unit. The north
perimeter is indicated to be five (5) feet in width. This area is characterized by steep terrain and
dense mature vegetation located on the subject and neighboring properties. The southeast
perimeter is shown to be seven (7) feet in width and includes a screen wall south of the entry
drive.
The west perimeter would require plant materials at the rate of two (2) trees and six (6) shrubs.
The north perimeter will require one (1) tree and four (4) shrubs and the east perimeter will
require one (1) tree and twelve (12) shrubs. A small amount of landscape will be required
between the building and the parking area and between the building and the Indiana and Florida
Avenue rights-of-way. The applicant is proposing to install these materials within the
appropriate perimeter planting strips but is also requesting for it to be allowable for the required
perimeter landscape to be adjusted to other areas of the site if the terrain, space limitations, or
neighboring existing plant materials do not allow for the optimum planting conditions.
Additionally, all other landscape requirements will meet or exceed the minimum requirements
before a building permit is issued for this project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is supportive of the request to allow the reduced perimeter landscape strip and the
relocation and planting of the required perimeter trees and shrubs to other areas of the site as
purposed.
Presentation:
The applicant Mr. Jim Harney of Flagship Homes was present to address any specific questions
from the commissioners. Mr. Harney described the property and briefly discussed the thirty-three
(33)other properties that he has developed in this neighborhood.
Commissioner Walker inquired about sidewalks and Mr. Harney responded stating that a portion
of the site would have sidewalks. He then briefly discussed the Little Rock Public Works
requirements that will be provided in the public right-of-way as part of the overall development.
Commissioner Homeyer inquired if there was a landscape plan. Staff responded noting that a
landscape plan was not required for the variance hearing but would be submitted and approved
before a building permit could be acquired. Mr. Harney then described the exiting trees he
wishes to retain, the landscape he has provided on his adjacent properties, and how he plans to
landscape the subject property.
Commissioner Homeyer then asked if an irrigation system would be installed. Staff stated that
this was not required for a project of this size. Mr. Harney also stated that he was not planning to
provide a sprinkler system at this time.
The commissioners generally discussed the proposed development.
Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion that the variance be approved as
recommended by Staff.
Second: Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Expense Report:
In the absence of Commissioner Cushman there was no new report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, UPDATES:
Community Projects
City Hall South Yard:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that there was nothing new to report.
Public Relations
In the absence of Commissioner Henshaw there was no new report.
KLRB:
In the absence of Commissioner Henshaw there was no new report.
Adopt-A-Street:
The commissioners generally discussed the date for the next pickup and decided on Saturday
June 08, at 8:00 a.m.
Chairman Harvey agreed to send out an email to all the commissioners reminding them of the
date, time and meeting location for the pickup.
Eye of the Beholder:
Commissioner Sanders-Wood distributed nomination cards to the other commissioners and
delivered a reimbursement receipt for the printing of these cards to Staff for $45.50.
The commissioners generally discussed the award.
Landscape Awards:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that nominations are open through August and encouraged the
other commissioners to make nominations.
Chairman Harvey nominated Dillard’s Corporate Headquarters.
T.R.E.E Fund:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that the street work at Bowman Road and Markham is near
completion and will inform the commission when the T.R.E.E. fund = project for this location
can resume.
Commissioner Homeyer discussed the 16th Street and Gains T.R.E.E Fund project and presented
Staff with an estimate from Bemis Tree Farm for $245.45. This provided an option for three (3)
Pink Crabapple, three (3) White Crabapple, or three (3) Chinese Pastiche 1 ½” in caliper.
The commissioners discussed the different tree species.
Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion that three (3) Pink Crabapple 1 ½” in caliber
be purchased from Bemis Tree Farm for $245.25 and installed in the public right-of-way at 16th
and Gaines Streets by Little Rock Parks and Recreation with the approval of Little Rock Public
Works and any required Public Works franchise agreement if applicable.
Second: Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners continued to discuss the selection of the tree species for this project and
decided on another selection.
Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion to expunge the previous vote.
Second: Commissioner Laha seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion that three (3) Chinese Pastiche 1 ½” in caliber
be purchased from Bemis Tree Farm for $245.25 and installed in the public right-of-way at 16th
and Gaines Streets by Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department with the approval of
Little Rock Public Works and any required Public Works franchise agreement, if applicable.
Second: Commissioner Winchester seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
City Beautiful Exhibit:
Commissioner Winchester stated that he had been in contact with former Commissioner,
Mr. Wally Loveless concerning the location of the exhibit items. It was stated that Mr. Loveless
will inquire of another former commissioner, Mr. Chris Hancock who was last in position of
these items. Commissioner Winchester stated that has not received any information from either
of the former commissioners but will keep the commission updated of any new developments.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be July 11, 2019, at 11:30 a.m.
The next Adopt-A-Street pickup will be Saturday, June 08 at 8:00 a.m. The
commissioners agreed to meet in the parking lot of Senior Tequilas on Bowman Road.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: Commissioner Winchester made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Laha seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:12 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