HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC_12 05 2019The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 05,
2019, at Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Avenue. Chairman BJ Sanders-Woods called the meeting to
order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: BJ Sanders-Woods Troy Laha
Phillis Anderson Robert Walker
Shelby Linck Bob Winchester
MEMBERS ABSENT: Steve Homeyer
Bobby Cushman
Louise Miller
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 NOVEMBER MEETING MINUTES:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the November 2019 Minutes.
Motion: Commissioner Walker made a motion that the November 07, 2019 Minutes be
approved.
Second: Commissioner Laha seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
VARIANCE REQUEST: CBC CASE #670 -1509 Rebsamen Park Road
VARIANCE REQUESTED
To allow a reduction of the north, south, and east perimeter planting strips to less than the six (6) feet nine
(9) inches that is typically required for developments in areas designated "mature" by the Department of
Planning and Development and approved by the Planning Commission and the City Beautiful
Commission.
FINDINGS:
This C-3 zoned property at 1509 Rebsamen Park Road is located on the east side of the street and south
of the intersection of Old Cantrell Road. The surrounding properties are comprised of mixed commercial
and industrial zoning uses including retail and restaurant related facilities. Until recently this site had
been occupied by a one-story commercial building and associated parking.
Earlier this year the applicant petitioned the Board of Adjustment requesting variances concerning the
building setback requirements for a new development. Staff was supportive of these requests and they
were approved on April 29th. However, it was noted that a variance from the City Beautiful Commission
would be required for the perimeter planting strips to be less than the required six (6) feet nine (9) inch
minimum width.
The applicant proposes to provide a new building with 3,800 square feet of restaurant space, including an
interior courtyard area for seating, and 5,200 square feet for food and drink production. The proposed
building is approximately fourteen (14) feet narrower and approximately 2,000 square feet smaller than
the previous building that occupied this site. The square footage of the purposed building requires 45 off-
street parking spaces. The site plan exceeds this requirement showing 48 parking bays. However, for the
parking space size and maneuvering areas to function properly and comply with the code requirements
the perimeter planting strips adjacent to the vehicular use areas will need to be reduced to a width less
than the required six (6) feet nine (9) inch minimum.
Not unlike the proposed development the previous building was located on the southwest corner of the
site with a drive on the north leading to parking located behind the building at the east end of the site.
This initial development did not include any perimeter landscape strips or other landscape areas and was
either built or paved to the property lines. The adjacent north property provides a perimeter planting strip
between parking along the shared property line. The east property line is adjacent to a railroad easement
that is mostly vegetated with volunteer trees, shrubs, and groundcover. The property to the south is
mostly a vacant paved lot with a perimeter planting strip next to an area previously used for parking
along the shared property line.
The purposed development provides a perimeter planting strip on the north property line that ranges in a
width of two (2) feet at its narrowest point to approximately seven (7) feet at its widest. The plan does
show a small amount of landscape adjacent to the south and east perimeters but most of the perimeter
planting strips have been eliminated in these areas to allow for the proper vehicular circulation.
The applicant purposes to relocate any trees or shrubs that are required for the reduced or eliminated
planting strips to be installed on other areas of the site. Also, as shown on the attached landscape plan the
interior, building, and right-of-way landscape areas meet or exceed the minimum landscape requirements
for this development. Additional green space is shown to be provided from the west property line / street
sidewalk to the front of the building and a large mature sycamore tree is shown to be retained in this area
at the southwest corner of the site.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is supportive of the request to allow the reduction of the north perimeter landscape strip and partial
elimination of the south and east perimeter landscape strips providing that the placement of all required
landscape and irrigation be installed elsewhere on site.
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance.
Presentation:
The applicant Mr. Sam Kincannon of Cromwell Architects and Engineers and Rebecca Yan of
Haybird restaurant were present to address any specific questions from the commissioners. Mr.
Kincannon briefly described the property and stated that he has worked with both Staff and his
client to find a solution that would upgrade the property and be agreeable to both parties.
Ms. Yan stated that the property was the location of the old Marshall Clements building and the
intention was to remodel the existing structure. However, it was determined that it would not be
cost effective to renovate and the structure was razed. Ms. Yan also stated that the new building
would serve as a restaurant, Saki brewery, and production facility for her other restaurants.
Commissioner Laha inquired about the location of the railroad easement. Staff provide the
survey to Mr. Laha for review.
The commissioners generally discussed the proposed development and had no additional
questions concerning the variance request.
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the variance.
Motion: Commissioner Winchester made a motion that the variance be approved as
recommended by Staff.
Second: Commissioner Laha 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:
Public Relations
In the absence of Commissioner Miller there was no new report.
KLRB:
Commissioners Sanders-Woods stated that she was unable to attend the last KLRB meeting
and had nothing new to report.
Adopt-A-Street:
Commissioner Winchester stated that four commissioners were able to participate in the November
23rd pickup.
The commissioners generally discussed the portion of Bowman Road that is designated as the
CBC’s area of concentration. It was agreed that this strip included both sides of Bowman
from Kanis Road at the south to the intersection of Mara Lynn at the north.
Eye of the Beholder:
Chairman Sanders-Woods stated that there were no new awards presented in the month
of November. Chairman Sanders-Woods also stated that she would bring additional
presentation cards to the other commissioners at the next meeting.
Landscape Awards:
In the absence of Commissioner Homeyer there was no new report.
The commissioners discussed the opening and closing dates of the awards and
Chairman Sanders-Woods suggested the commissioners to start looking for properties to
consider for nominations when traveling through the city.
T.R.E.E Fund:
In the absence of Commissioner Homeyer there was no new report.
NEW BUSINESS:
Staff reminded commissioners that the next regularly scheduled meeting would be held on
Thursday January 2nd the day after a holiday and that there would a variance hearing.
The commissioners discussed the 2nd being the week of a holiday and suggested that the meeting
be moved to the following Thursday January 09, 2020.
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to move the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Winchester made a motion that the next regularly scheduled meeting be
moved from Thursday, January 02 to Thursday January 09.
Second: Commissioner Laha seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Staff stated that reserving Curran Hall for this meeting change would need to be confirmed with
the Curran Hall Staff and that the commissioners would be informed by email when the regular
meeting space has been retained.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Commissioner Winchester stated that the next Bowman Road pickup would be discussed at the
next meeting.
Staff stated that there would be a variance hearing at the next meet and encouraged all
commissioners to attend if possible.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to adjourn.
Motion: Chairman Winchester made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Winchester seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:57.
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