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HomeMy WebLinkAboutstaff report 2004-10-07 with minutesOctober 7, 2004 ITEM #2: 601 South Rock Street MINUTE RECORD STAFF REPORT (prepared by the housing department) APPLICANT: Robert Fegtly and Don Terry ADDRESS: 601 South Rock Street, Little Rock, AR 72202 COA REQUEST: Install Signage PROJECT BACKGROUND, DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS: The subject property is located west of I-30, on the corner of Sixth and Rock Streets. The subject project's legal description is North 3 feet of the South 15 feet of the East 50 feet Lot 2, Block 151, Original City of Little Rock, Arkansas, Pulaski County. The purpose and intent of this project is install signage. There is one criteria in the district's design guidelines for consideration. 2. Signs a. If historic (original or early to the district) should be preserved. b. Which flash or rotate should not be used. c. Should be kept to a minimum, one per house or two per commercially - used residential building. d. That are free standing may be used where necessary but should be low and small and constructed of wood or a non -shiny finish. e. Attached to a building should be painted on windows or doors, small identification panels at entrances, small signs hung on porches between posts, flush -mounted small signs on building wall, small projecting signs, or as part of an awning. f. Should not cover or obscure architectural features. g. Of neon or internal lighting should not be used on dwellings or commercially -used residential buildings. h. Should not be illuminated with visible bulbs or luminous paints, but with remote sources. i. Should be of traditional materials such as finished wood, glass, copper, or bronze, not plywood, plastic, or unfinished wood. j. Should be of a size proportionate to the building, not oversize. k. Should utilize logos or symbols for businesses. 1. Should have no more than three colors and use colors that coordinate with the building colors. October 7, 2004 m. Should have traditional lettering such as serif, sans serif, or script and -- letters which do not exceed 18 inches in height or cover more than 60 percent of the total sign area. n. For mounting on masonry walls should be anchored into the mortar, not masonry. o. Should otherwise comply with the Little Rock sign ordinance provisions. NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were no objections to this project request either in writing or by phone. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of this project. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION ACTION: (OCTOBER 7, 2004) The same applicant owns items two and three and the sign request are similar. Discussion will for both applications will occur simultaneously, and separate vote counts will relate to each item. The applicant's made a brief presentation and indicated that they currently own four buildings along 6th Street. They are all residential buildings used for a business and are requesting two signs at two of the properties. They believe that these signs will help identify their businesses. Commissioner Newbern commented that the dimensions of the signs are well within the guidelines specifications. She also added that they have done a good job with preserving all of the different types of residential structures that they owned. She asked if they had ever entertained the idea of making the surrounds and postings relate to the architecture of corresponding signs. The applicant responded, "No," and said that they would like to be consistent with the other sign on their property. For the first business signage they used an existing sign post and frame. Commissioner Newbern had concerns about making the sign look better. The applicant responded that they were open to "whatever" they (the Commission) felt and that they initially thought the Commission would have accepted their design since the were using an existing sign design in the area. Commissioner Peters asked if this was the Harold King. The applicant clarified that Harold is 411 East 6`'' Street. Additional conversation continued on homes on the street and businesses in them. October 7, 2004 The applicant noted that the sign on the property at 409 East 6`h would be off to the side of the house and angled towards the street. The applicant said the sign would be to the west side, and just off of the parking lot. Commissioner Newbern asked where they would put the one on Rock Street. The applicant replied that most people access the area on 6`h Street and would prefer it to be visible from 6`h Street. He further said it would be on the north side of the property and single sided facing 6t' Street. The applicant added that the sign would be on the east side of Rock Street facing 6`h Street. Commissioner Newbern made comments on the sign placement referring to a map. The applicant referred to a map and pointed out specific locations. Commissioner Newbern had concerns about how the sign would look on Rock Street. The applicant said it may not be easily visible. Commissioner Walls asked about the sign placement again. Again the applicant stated that the sign would be angled toward East 6`h Street. Commissioner Newbern said if she owned the house she would like to make the front of it look very nice. She indicated that she felt that the sign at an angle did not fit the character of the house. She suggested that it be parallel to Rock Street and double sided. The applicant responded by saying it would not be easily visible from 6t' Street. The Commissioners clarified their concerns of the angle of the sign. The applicant said the Commission knows more about historical homes and is open to suggestions of new placement. Commissioner Weems said that maybe they should move the sign back to help screen an air conditioner. The applicant also noted that they would be modeling the sign off of the property at 521 Sixth Street. Commissioner Newbern said that would be nicer. Additional discussion began regarding sign designs and hiding the air conditioner units. Commissioner Newbern moved to approve the sign at 601 South Rock Street be approved with the recommendation that it be placed close to the rear of the building on the 6t' Street side with proportions and placement so it will partially obscure the air conditioning unit. Commissioner Walls seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Newburn began a motion for additional signage allowances. Deputy City Attorney noted that the application was only for one sign. Commissioner Newbern withdrew her motion. Andre Bernard noted that any change in design needs to be presented to staff. Andre summarized the previous vote and it was agreed that it was accurate. October 7, 2004 The applicant clarified the proposed placement of the sign at 411 East 6`h Street. Commissioner Peters made a motion that the sign be approved for 411 East 6,' Street as submitted on the northwest corner of the lot as so submitted with keeping with the guidelines, and properly obtaining all necessary permits. Commissioner Weems seconded the motion, the motion passed unanimously.