HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC_10 01 2020The City Beautiful Commission held a planned meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday,
October 01, 2020, at The Robinson Center, 426 West Markham St, William Still Grant
Ballroom. Simultaneously the meeting was virtually held online using the WebEx format.
Chairman, Sanders-Woods called the meeting to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: BJ Sanders-Woods Suzanne Peyton
PHYSICAL LOCATION Steve Homeyer Robert Walker
MEMBERS PRESENT: Phillis Anderson Louise Miller
WEBEX (VITURAL – Bobby Cushman Bob Winchester
ONLINE) Shelby Linck
MEMBERS ABSENT: Zachery Renfro
Troy Laha
ALSO, PRESENT: Beth Carpenter, City Attorney’s Office
(Online – WebEx)
Jamie Collins, Department Director, Department of Planning and
Development
D. Tracy Spillman, Plans Development Administrator, Department
of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock.
Walter Malone, Planning Manager, Department of Planning and
Development, City of Little Rock.
LaSonya Slade, Development Specialist, Department of Planning
and Development
APPROVAL OF THE MARCH MEETING MINUTES:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to approve the March 2020 Minutes.
Motion: Commissioner Peyton made a motion that the March 05, 2020 Minutes be approved.
Second: Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
VARIANCE REQUEST: CBC CASE #672 – 412 East 21st Street – Pettaway Business
District
Chapter 15, Sec. 15-96. Perimeter planting strips.
(a) A perimeter planting strip is required along any side of a vehicular use area that abuts
adjoining property or the right-of-way of any street, highway or freeway. This strip
shall be at least nine (9) feet wide. The perimeter planting strip adjacent to freeways
or expressways shall be at least thirty (30) feet wide except within mature areas.
(A twenty-five (25) percent reduction of the landscape provisions can be taken for
developments within mature areas. In these areas it is allowable for perimeter
planting strips to be a minimum of six (6) feet nine (9) inches wide.)
VARIANCE REQUESTED
To allow a reduction of all the south and west perimeter planting strips to less than six (6) feet
nine (9) inches as typically required by the Department of Planning and Development and
approved by the Planning Commission and the City Beautiful Commission and in accordance
with Chapter 15 – Landscaping and Tree Protection. Sec 15-96 – Permitting Planting Strips.
FINDINGS:
In June of 2020 the applicant petitioned the Little Rock Planning Commission to rezone the
property at 412 East 21st Street from C-3 and R-4 to PCD, to allow a multiple building, mixed
use development. The proposed development is to include the construction of six (6) two-story
buildings within the east two-thirds of the property. Paved parking will be located within the
west third of the property, with an access drive from East 21st Street. The proposed use mix for
the development as submitted included retail units, business/office units, coffee shop, residential
units, and an interior area within the site which will be utilized as a farmer’s market type use.
Paved off-street parking for 22 vehicles will be located within the west one-third of the overall
property. The ordinance would typically require approximately 38 parking spaces for the
proposed buildings and uses. The applicant notes that the property owner also owns additional
property across East 21st Street to the south and across Rock Street to the west which could be
rezoned for additional parking if the need ever arises. On-street parking is also allowed on the
surrounding streets in this general area.
Staff recommended approval of the PCD with the condition that the City Beautiful Commission
must review and approve the variance for reduced perimeter landscape strips. The item was
placed on the consent agenda and unanimously approved as recommended.
The off-street parking on the west side of the property will be constructed within the
dimensional code requirements to allow for proper vehicular maneuvering. However, to
accomplish this in conjunction with the other proposed site features the west perimeter planting
strip will need to be reduced to less than the required six (6) feet (9) nine inches. The site plan
indicates a reduction of this perimeter to a width of four (4) feet seven (7) inches on the south
end of the parking area and decreasing to a width of three (3) feet on the north end. The small
south perimeter planting strip between the parking and the 21st Street right-of-way is slightly
less than the requirement at approximately six (6) feet in width.
The proposed vehicular use area adjacent to the west perimeter is approximately 140 feet in
length. This would require plant materials to be installed at the rate of five (5) trees and fourteen
(14) shrubs. The south perimeter adjacent to the street right-of-way is approximately twenty (20)
linear feet, requiring one (1) tree and seven (7) shrubs. The plant materials for these areas will be
required to be installed in the reduced landscape perimeters or near these perimeters if space
restrictions do not allow for proper layout and growth.
In addition to the reduced perimeter planting strips the attached site plan also indicates other
perimeter, interior, and building areas designated for landscape that will either meet or exceed the
code requirements. Before a building permit can be issued for this project a landscape plan will
be required to be submitted for review and shall comply with all other landscape code
requirements.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is supportive of the request to reduce the width of the west and south perimeter landscape
strips providing that the placement of all required landscape and irrigation be installed in the
reduced perimeter planting strips or in close proximity of these designated areas.
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance.
Presentation:
The owner / applicant Mr. Mike Orndorff was present and Mr. Vernon Williams, the owner’s
representative of GarNat Engineering was present virtually to address any development or
engineering questions. Mr. Orndorff stated that he did not have anything to add to the Staff
Report and could answer any specific inquiries concerning the development.
The commissioners generally discussed the plan as presented and asked questions concerning
when a landscape plan would be delivered, the widths of the reduced perimeters, and if the
landscape would be required in these reduced areas.
Staff addressed the commissioner questions stating that a landscape plan would be required
before a building permit could be approved and that the minimum landscape materials quantities
required would not be affected by the variance.
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
Public Relations
Commissioner Miller stated she had been approached by several people concerning murals and
requested information of how to obtain approval for these kinds of projects.
Director Collins addressed this question stating that any project in the public right-of-way would
require approval of Little Rock Public Works. In addition, the owner of the structure for the
proposed mural would also be required to provide approval. It was further stated that if a proposal
for a mural is located on private property the city request that installation be art based and not a
form of advertising. It was also stated that projects of this type would be reviewed by Little Rock
Zoning before consent would be allowed.
KLRB:
Chairman Sanders-Woods introduced Mr. Norm Berner from KLRB.
Mr. Berner spoke to the commissioners about possibly partnering his organization with the City
Beautiful Commission on future city beautification projects. Mr. Berner went on to describe a few
of the projects that KLRB has been involved with in the past as well as current ongoing projects.
Mr. Berner also discussed the KLRB partnership with Little Rock Public Works and the Adopt-
A-Street program.
Staff requested that Mr. Berner contact the CBC liaison to his group, Chairman Sanders-Wood’s
for additional discussions about involving the two organizations as a project partner. Chairman
Sanders-Woods will then be able present any proposals to the CBC for further consideration.
Adopt-A-Street:
Commissioner Winchester stated that he had spoken with Mr. Glenn Haley in Little Rock Public
Works about continuing with the Adopt-A-Street pickups through the COVID pandemic. It was
relayed to the commissioner that other participant groups have continued with their trash collection
through this quarantined period.
After discussion with the other commissioners it was decided that a running date should be picked
to continue this project until the CBC meetings are returned to a normal monthly schedule.
Staff Attorney Carpenter noted that Little Rock Public Relations will need to be contacted prior to
each pickup
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion that the CBC schedule their Adopt-A-Street pick
up every other month until regularly scheduled CBC meetings begin again.
Motion: Commissioner Peyton made a motion that the CBC hold their Bowman Road Adopt-A-
Street pick up the 2nd Saturday of every other month beginning in November 2020 and continue
this schedule until the CBC returns to their regular monthly meetings.
Second: Commissioner Homeyer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Eye of the Beholder:
Staff noted that a link to the new Eye of the Beholder nomination card has been provided to the
commissioners for review. Staff explained if this card is approved by the commission it could be
printed out or copies could be obtained at the Department of Planning and Development upon
request. This certificate noting the explanation of the award and instructions for acceptance can be
delivered to possible deserving recipients.
The commissioners generally discussed the card and the award.
Motion: Chairman Sanders-Woods made a motion that the new Eye the Beholder nomination
card be accepted as presented by Staff
Second: Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Election of City Beautiful Subcommittee Officers:
After some discussion Chairman Sanders-Wood’s entertained a motion that the officers elected
for 2020 continue to serve as the officers for 2021.
Motion: Commissioner Walker made a motion that all the subcommittee chairpersons elected
for the 2020 year remain the same for year 2021
Second: Commissioner Homeyer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Landscape Awards:
Commissioner Homeyer stated that the past Landscape Award winners have been presented at the
Board of Directors meeting. The commissioner also inquired if the same ceremony would be
allowed due to COVID social distancing requirements or would another form of delivery be
required.
Director Collins stated that the Board of Directors presentation should be allowable. It was also
discussed that an agenda meeting should be requested due to a usual lower attendance. Mr. Collins
also stated that the award presentation could possibly be set for December and would discuss this
with the Mayor and City Manager.
Staff provided a PowerPoint presentation of the 2020 Landscape Award nominees.
The commissioners voted and selected the following properties. There was a tie in between the
Kirk-Rd Round-A-Bout and Modern Storage.
Chairman Sanders-Wood’s entertained a motion that the tie be accepted, and a fourth recipient
be added to the awards this year.
Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion that the tie between the Kirk-Rd Round-A-
Bout and Modern Storage be accepted and a fourth recipient be added to the 2020 Landscape
Award winners.
Second: Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The 2020 Landscape Award Winners follow:
•Arkansas Food Bank
4301 W 65th Street
(Ward 2)
•Cromwell Architects and Engineers
1300 E 6th Street
(Ward 1)
•Kirk Road Round-A-Bout
Kirk Rd and Arkansas Systems Dr
(Ward 5)
•Modern Storage
601 Autumn Rd
(Ward 6)
Commissioner Homeyer stated that with the addition of the fourth award recipient supplementary
funds would be required to provide the additional award yard sign and poster.
Motion: Commissioner Walker made a motion to appropriate a maximum of $450.00 to be used
for the production of the yard signs, posters, and framing.
Second: Commissioner Peyton seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Staff presented the photos from a previously compiled Parks Department PDF of Little Rock
landscapes to be used as the artwork award recipient poster.
The commissioners selected photo #12 depicting a view of the north side of the Arkansas State
Capitol and fountain as viewed from 3rd Street. The commissioners voted and
unanimously accepted this choice.
Commissioner Homeyer requested that Staff provide contact information for the reward recipients.
T.R.E.E Fund:
In the absence of Commissioner Cushman there was no new report.
Director Collins noted that the ordinance has been changed to allow for a broader installation
area of T.R.E.E Fund reserves. Trees to be planted within the original township, section, and
range
requirement of the fund donation site has been changed to include a one-mile radius or as
approved by city staff.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next meeting will be announced at a later date.
The next Adopt-A-Street pickup will be held on November 14, at 8:00am.
Staff will send a reminder to the commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Sanders-Woods entertained a motion to adjourn.
Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm.
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