HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC_07 11 2019The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
July 11, 2019, at Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Avenue. Chairman, Harvey called the meeting
to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Homeyer Robert Walker
Bobby Cushman BJ Sanders-Woods
Troy Laha Bob Winchester
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Harvey
Phillis Anderson
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 JUNE MEETING MINUTES:
Vice Chairman Homeyer entertained a motion to approve the June 2019 Minutes.
Motion: Commissioner Sanders-Woods made a motion that the June 06, 2019 Minutes be
approved.
Second: Commissioner Winchester seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
VARIANCE REQUEST: CBC CASE #668 – 3900 W. 65th – Singh Convenience Store
Variance Requested:
To allow the removal of the required six (6) feet nine (9) inch perimeter landscape strip on the
south side of the property that is required between the vehicular use area and the 65th Street right-
of-way and to allow removal of the required six (6) feet nine (9) inch perimeter landscape strip
on the north side of the property that is required between the vehicular use area and the
neighboring property.
FINDINGS:
This site at the northwest corner of W. 65th Street and Scott Hamilton Drive is located within an
area of mixed commercial and industrial zoning uses. Buildings on the adjacent properties
include retail and medical related facilities. In addition, there are several vacant buildings in close
proximity of the site. The property currently contains an unmanned fueling operation with a small
building in the northwest corner of the property and a gas pump canopy between the building and
the south property line.
The applicant proposes to remove the existing building and construct a new 2,560 square foot
convenience store building at the northwest corner of the property. The existing gas pump canopy
will be refurbished and reused and one (1) access drive from each of the two (2) frontage streets
will be maintained. The parking area will provide approximately twelve (12) onsite parking
spaces which conforms with ordinance standards.
The applicant recently requested a conditional use permit for this I-2 zoned property to allow the
development of a convenience store with gas pumps. Also, requested with this CUP were two
zoning variances. The first was to locate the buildings walk-in cooler closer to the property line
than the 25-foot rear setback would allow, and the second variance was to allow the land use and
street buffer standards to be less than the nine (9) foot minimums. On June 20, 2019 the Little
Rock Planning Commission approved this request with the condition that the City Beautiful
Commission must approve any landscape ordinance variance(s) prior to a building permit being
issued.
With the reuse of the gas pump canopy and the proposed location of the new building and
associated service areas, portions of the north and south perimeter landscape strips will fall below
the required minimum of six (6) feet nine (9) inches. There is approximately twenty-five (25) feet
of vehicular use area adjacent to the north property line west of the access drive. Due to the
proposed location of the dumpster and the associated paving the perimeter planting strip has been
eliminated in this area. There is an excess of greenspace east of this access drive that will
compensate for the loss of this small perimeter landscape strip.
A portion of the south perimeter adjacent to the W. 65th Street right-of-way is currently paved and
is proposed to remain this way due to the location and reuse of the existing gas pumps and
associated canopy. However, there is approximately fourteen (14) feet of right-of-way
greenspace between the parking curb and the W. 65th Street curb. The applicant is proposing to
install all required landscape materials in this area. In addition to the right-of-way greenspace an
excess of landscape area is provided at the southeast corner of the site.
As shown on the attached landscape plan the applicant intends to meet or exceed the minimum
landscape requirements for this development. Any trees or shrubs that are required for the
eliminated planting strips will be relocated to other areas of the site. A franchise is required for
plantings and irrigation to be placed in the public right-of-way. Before a building permit can be
issued the applicant shall provide a final landscape plan and obtain a franchise agreement from
Little Rock Public Works for any landscape or irrigation planned for installation in the public
right-of-way.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is supportive of the request to allow the elimination of the north perimeter landscape strip
and a portion of the south perimeter landscape strip providing that the placement of all required
landscape and irrigation be installed elsewhere on site and that a franchise agreement be obtained
from Little Rock Public Works for any landscape or irrigation placed in the public right-of-way.
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance.
Presentation:
The applicant Mr. Vernon Williams of GarNat Engineering was present to address any specific
questions from the commissioners. Mr. Williams briefly described the property and stated that he
has worked with both Staff and his client to find a solution that would be agreeable to both
parties.
The commissioners generally discussed the proposed development and had no additional
questions concerning the variance request.
Motion: Commissioner Laha made a motion that the variance be approved as recommended by
Staff.
Second: Commissioner Winchester seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
VARIANCE REQUEST: CBC CASE #669 – 4819 Baseline – Templo Christiano
VARIANCE REQUESTED
To allow a reduction of the south perimeter planting strip and a reduction of a portion of the east
perimeter planting strip to less than the nine (9) feet as typically required to comply with
the minimum ordinance standards.
FINDINGS:
This C-3 zoned property located at 4819 Baseline Rd is occupied by a former residential
structure that is now serving as a church. The surrounding properties include an office use
adjacent to the east, and single-family homes located to the south and west. In addition, there are
a variety of commercial uses located across Baseline Rd to the north.
The existing building being utilized as a church is approximately 2,000 sq. ft. with a paved
parking area located at the front of the site. The applicant is proposing to add a one story
2,660 sq. ft. sanctuary building and an additional parking behind the existing structure. The
parking at the front of the site will be rehabbed. The driveway and parking areas will be asphalt
with concrete curbing. The existing building will be used for classrooms and office.
The applicant petitioned the Little Rock Planning Commission and requested site plan review
approval to allow for the construction of a second building. As part of this review zoning
variances were requested to reduce buffers for the south and the west perimeters and to reduce
the side yard setback on the west. Zoning buffers are required at six (6) percent of the average
depth/width of the lot but no less than nine (9) feet when the property is adjacent to those of a
more restrictive use. The purposed development would require and eighteen (18) foot buffer on
the south and a nine (9) foot buffer on the west. Staff supported these requests and noted that an
additional landscape variance would be required before the south and west perimeters could be
developed less than nine (9) feet in width. On June 06, 2019 the Planning Commission approved
the site plan and associated zoning variances with the condition that a landscape variance be
sought from the City Beautiful Commission for any perimeter planting strip less than nine
(9) feet in width.
The purposed reconditioned parking area at the front of the property and the newly planned
parking adjacent to the west property line encroaches into the nine (9) foot perimeter planting
strip approximately two feet at their widest points and four (4) feet at its narrowest. This presents
a seven (7) foot planting strip adjacent to the end parking bays and a four (4) foot planting strip
twenty (20) feet in width in both parking areas to allow for a vehicle backup area. The purposed
parking area adjacent to the south property line encroaches into the perimeter planting strip three
(3) feet with the vehicle back-up area leaving a six (6) feet of planting space, twenty (20) feet
wide. This is the only area on the south perimeter planting strip that is deficient.
As shown on the attached site plan the perimeter planting strips do fall below the minimum nine
(9) foot width required for planting perimeters. However, additional land area between the
purposed development and the south and west property lines often exceeds this nine (9) foot
minimum width allowing enough space for all required plant materials to be installed. In
addition, the applicant intends to meet or exceed the minimum landscape requirements for this
development. Any trees or shrubs that cannot be planted within the reduced perimeters due to
space restraints will be relocated in close proximity of the vehicular use areas adjacent to the
south and west property lines. The applicant understands that before a building permit can be
issued a final landscape plan that meets or exceeds the minimum landscape code requirements
must be submitted and approved.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is supportive of the request to allow the reduction in width of the west perimeter landscape
strip and a portion of the south perimeter landscape strip providing that the placement of all
required landscape and irrigation be installed between the new development and the south or
west property line.
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance.
Presentation:
The applicant Mr. Terry Burruss of Terry Burruss Architecture was present to address
any specific questions from the commissioners. Mr. Burruss briefly described the project and
stated that he had spoken with the adjacent residential property owner who had expressed
satisfaction that there would be a new privacy fence placed on the shared property line.
Commissioner Laha inquired if there would be playground incorporated with the new
development and expressed his thoughts of the importance of a fenced play area in close
proximity to Baseline Rd.
Mr. Burruss responded that there were no day school or day programs planned at this
time but noted that there was an area on site that could possibly be dedicated as a playground
if the need arose.
The commissioners generally discussed the proposed development and had no additional
questions concerning the variance request.
Vice Chairman Homeyer entertained a motion to approve the variance as recommended by staff.
Motion: Commissioner Winchester made a motion that the variance be approved as
recommended by Staff.
Second: Commissioner Cushman seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Expense Report:
Commissioner Cushman stated that the account activity between May 01, and July 11 began with
a balance of $320.24. The commissioner also noted that an interest payment of $1.06 occurred
since the last report netting the account an ending balance of $321.30.
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.
It was noted that Commissioner Henshaw has not been in attendance for four (4) of the past seven
(7) meetings for 2019 and has automatically been removed from the commission. It was then
generally discussed who would assume the chair position of the Public Relations and KLRB
committees. It was then decided that this topic will be discussed further next month when
Chairman Harvey returns.
Adopt-A-Street:
It was noted that only Commissioner Sanders-Woods and Commissioner Walker attended the last
pick-up.
Eye of the Beholder:
Commissioner Sanders-Woods inquired how many awards have been presented in 2019. Staff
responded that there have been eight (8) recipients this year as of July 11.
Landscape Awards:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that nominations are open through August and encouraged the
other commissioners to make nominations.
Commissioner Winchester nominated Curran Hall.
T.R.E.E Fund:
Commissioner Homeyer discussed the 16th Street and Gaines T.R.E.E Fund project and presented
a copy of the franchise agreement that Chairman Harvey had obtained to place the trees in the
public right-of-way. Commissioner Homeyer further explained that Chairman Harvey had applied
for franchise agreement and would need to sign and return to Little Rock Public Works
The commissioners discussed the franchise agreement processes and Staff explained why this was
required to install any items in the public right-of-way.
Vice Chairman Homeyer entertained a motion to that Chairman Harvey be authorized by the
City Beautiful Commission to sign the franchise agreement.
Motion: Commissioner Winchester made a motion that Chairman Harvey be authorized by the
City Beautiful Commission to sign the franchise agreement for the Gaines and 16th Street
T.R.E.E Fund project.
Second: Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
City Beautiful Exhibit:
The commissioners discussed the possible locations of the City Beautiful Commission archive
materials. Staff agreed to research the past minutes records to find the possible location of these
exhibit items. Once located the commissioners have agreed to discuss how to proceed with this
collection at future meetings.
NEW BUSINESS:
City Attorney, Beth Carpenter informed the commissioners of the House Bill 1928, an Act to
amend the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act which requires all open public meetings to be
recorded. It was explained that this Act was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly this past
Legislative Session and becomes effective ninety-one days from April 24, 2019.
It was also conveyed that this Act further requires that a recording of an open public meeting be
maintained by the public entity for a minimum of one (1) year from the date of the open public
meeting, and that the recording must be maintained in a format that may be reproduced upon a
request pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be August 01, 2019, at 11:30 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
Vice Chairman Homeyer entertained a motion to adjourn.
Motion: Commissioner Winchester made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Cushman seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 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