HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8278-B Ordinance 030322OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION
JANUARY 18, 2022 AGENDA
Subject
An Ordinance approving
a Planned Zoning
Development titled The
District at Midtown —
Revised Long -Form PCD
(Z-8278-B) located at 500
S. University Avenue.
Submitted by:
Department of Planning and
Development
SYNOPSIS
FISCAL IMPACT
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND
Action Required
Ordinance
Resolution
Approval
Information Report
Approved By
Bruce Moore
City Manager
The applicant proposes to rezone the 7.21 acre property
from "PCD" Planned Commercial District to "Revised
PCD" to allow for the installation of three (3) new 480
square foot wall signs on the north, south and east facades
of an existing parking deck.
None
Approval of the Ordinance
The applicant proposes to revise the existing PCD zoning
to allow for installation of three (3) new 480 square foot
wall signs upon the north, east, and south facades of the
existing parking deck building at 500 South University
Avenue.
The applicant proposes to install three (3) new 480 square
foot wall signs on the existing parking deck structure. The
proposed wall signs will be placed on the North, South, and
East parking deck facades. The proposed signage will
include the names of tenants located on the property. The
applicant previously installed the sign frames in
anticipation of the future sign placement.
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
The applicant provided the following information with
respect to the request for wall signage:
"In order to provide greater exposure to the
tenants we would like to install individual
tenant signs on three sides of the detached
parking deck along University Avenue. Two
tenants have agreed to have their signs
displayed and the owners would like to have
spaces available for four additional signs to
offer other current or future tenants. Once the
tenant has agreed to display their sign the same
sign would be repeated at each of the three
proposed locations on the parking deck."
The proposed wall signs on the north and south parking
deck facades will occupy approximately 12.5 percent of
each fagade area. The proposed sign on the east fagade will
occupy approximately 5.9 percent of the total east fagade
area. The City's Zoning Ordinance typically allows wall
signage to occupy up to 10 percent of a building fagade
area.
On December 9, 2021, the Planning Commission voted
9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent, as part of the Consent Agenda,
to approve the Revised PCD rezoning. There were no
objectors present.
All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site
and all neighborhood associations registered with The City
of Little Rock were notified of the public hearing.
Please see the attached Planning Commission minute
record for the complete staff analysis.
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ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A PLANNED ZONING
DEVELOPMENT AND ESTABLISHING A REVISED PLANNED
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT TITLED THE DISTRICT AT
MIDTOWN — REVISED LONG -FORM PCD, LOCATED AT 500 S.
UNIVERSITY AVENUE (Z-8278-B), CITY OF LITTLE ROCK,
PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL
ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK; AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE
ROCK, ARKANSAS.
SECTION 1. That the zoning classification of the following described property be
changed from PCD, Planned Commercial District, to Revised PCD, Planned Commercial
District:
Z-8278-B — Described as Lot 1 of the final plat of Lots 1— 8, The District
at Midtown Addition, City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
filed for record as Document No. 2019027280 of the Real Property
Records of Pulaski County, Arkansas.
SECTION 2. That the preliminary site development plan/plat be approved as
recommended to the Little Rock Planning Commission.
SECTION 3. That the change in zoning classification contemplated for The
District at Midtown — Revised Long -Form PCD, located at 500 S. University Avenue
(Z-8278-B) is conditioned upon obtaining final plan approval within the time specified by
Chapter 36, Article VII, Section 36-454 (e) of the Code of Ordinances.
Page 1 of 2
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SECTION 4. That this Ordinance shall not take effect and be in full force until the
final plan approval.
SECTION 5. That the map referred to in Chapter 36 of the Code of Ordinances of
the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, and designated district map be and is hereby amended to the
extent and in the respects necessary to affect and designate the change provided for in Section
1 hereof.
SECTION 6. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item,
sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or
unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of the
ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged
invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of the ordinance.
SECTION 7. Repealed. All laws, ordinances, resolutions, or parts of the same
that are inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of
such inconsistency.
PASSED:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
31 City Attorney
APPROVED:
Mayor
Page 2 of 2
FILE NO.: Z-8278-B
NAME: The District at Midtown — Revised Long — Form PCD (Lot 15)
LOCATION: 500 South University Avenue
DEVELOPER:
Midtown Doctors Building, LLC
500 South University Avenue
Little Rock AR 72205
OWNER/AUTHORIZED AGENT:
Midtown Doctors Building, LLC (Owner)
Terry Watson — AIA (Agent)
Cromwell Architects
1300 East 6th Street
Little Rock AR 72202
(501) 372-2900
SURVEYORIENGINEER:
Terry Watson — AIA (Agent)
Cromwell Architects
1300 East 6th Street
Little Rock AR 72202
(501) 372-2900
AREA: 7.21 acres
WARD: 3
CURRENT ZONING:
NUMBER OF LOTS: 1
PLANNING DISTRICT: 3
PCD
VARIANCEIWAIVERS: None requested.
A. PROPOSALIREQUESTIAPPLICANT'S STATEMENT:
FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF
CENSUS TRACT: 21.03
The applicant proposes to revise the existing PCD to allow for installation of three
(3) new 480 square foot wall signs upon the north, east, and south facades of the
existing parking deck building.
FILE NO.: Z-8278-B Cont.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The parking deck currently has existing sign structure on the top level along with
a wall mounted sign structure at the proposed location of the new signage at the
northeast corner and south fagade of the parking deck.
The existing parking deck structure is located at the southwest corner of University
Avenue and Midtown Avenue within the Midtown Design Overlay District. The
parking structure is approximately three (3) levels and has facades fronting
University Avenue, Midtown Avenue, and District Avenue. The north, east, and
south facades currently have existing sign mounting frame systems anchored to
the facades which are proposed to mount the new signage.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site and all neighborhood
associations registered with the City of Little Rock were notified of the public
hearing.
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: No comment.
E. UTILITIES/FIRE DEPARTMENT/PARKS/COUNTY PLANNING:
Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority: No comments received.
Enter : No comments received.
CenterPoint Energy: No comments received.
AT & T: No comments received.
Central Arkansas Water: No objections.
Fire Department:
Maintain Access:
Fire Hydrants.
Maintain fire apparatus access roads at fire hydrant locations as per Appendix D
of the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section D103.1 Access road
width with a hydrant. Where a fire hydrant is located on a fire apparatus access
road, the minimum road width shall be 26 feet, exclusive of shoulders.
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FILE NO.: Z-8278-B(Cont.)
Grade
Maintain fire apparatus access roads as per Appendix D of the 2012 Arkansas Fire
Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section D103.2 Grade. Fire apparatus access roads
shall not exceed 10 percent in grade except as approved by the fire chief. If
the grade exceeds 10 percent, approval will be denied and the applicant must
submit request to be reviewed by Fire Chief for Approval.
Loading
Maintain fire apparatus access road design as per Appendix D of the 2012
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section D102.1 Access and loading.
Facilities, buildings or portions of buildings hereafter constructed shall be
accessible to fire department apparatus by way of an approved fire apparatus
access road with an asphalt, concrete or other approved driving surface capable
of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds.
Commercial and Industrial Developments - 2 means of access. -
Maintain fire apparatus access roads as per Appendix D of the 2012 Arkansas Fire
Prevention Code Vol. 1.
Section D104.1 Buildings exceeding three stories or 30 feet in height.
Building or facilities exceeding 30 feet or three stories in height shall have at least
two means of fire apparatus access for each structure.
Section D104.2 Building exceeding 62,000 square feet in area. Buildings or
facilities having a gross building area of more than 62,000 square feet shall be
provide with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.
Exception: Projects having a gross building area of up to 124,000 square feet
that have a single approved fire apparatus access road when all building are
equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems.
D104.3 Remoteness. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, they
shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one half of the length of the
maximum overall diagonal dimension of the lot or area to be served, measured in
a straight line between accesses.
30' Tall Buildings - Maintain aerial fire apparatus access roads as per
Appendix D of the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Vol. 1 Section D105.1
- D105.4
D105.1 Where Required. Where the vertical distance between the grade plane
and the highest roof surface exceed 30', approved aerial fire apparatus access
roads shall be provided. For the purposes of this section the highest roof surfaces
shall be determined by measurement to the eave of a pitched roof, the intersection
of a roof to the exterior wall, or the top of the parapet walls, whichever is greater.
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FILE NO.: Z-8278-B Cont.
D105.2 Width. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum
unobstructed with of 26', exclusive of shoulders, in the immediate vicinity of the
building or portion thereof.
D105.3 Proximity to building. At least one of the required access routes meeting
this condition shall be located within a minimum of 15 feet and a maximum of
30 feet from the building, and shall be positioned parallel to one entire side of the
building. The side of the building on which the aerial fire apparatus access road is
positioned shall be approved by the fire code official.
D105.4 Obstructions. Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located over
the aerial fire apparatus access road or between the aerial fire apparatus road and
the building. Other obstructions shall be permitted to be places with the approval
of the fire code official.
Fire Hydrants
Locate Fire Hydrants as per Appendix C of the 2012 Arkansas Fire
Prevention Code. Section C101 — C105, in conjunction with Central Arkansas
Water (Daniel Tull 501-377-1245) and the Little Rock Fire Marshal's Office
(Capt. Tony Rhodes 501-918-3757, or Fire Marshal Derek N. Ingram
501-918-3756 Number and Distribution of Fire Hydrants as per Table C105.1.
Parks and Recreation: No comments received.
County Planning: No comments received.
F. BUILDING CODES/LANDSCAPE:
Building Code: No comment.
Landscape: No comment.
G. TRANSPORTATIONIPLANNING:
Rock Region Metro: No comments received.
Planning Division:
The request is in the West Little Rock District. The Land Use Plan shows Mixed
Use (MX) for the requested area. The Mixed Use (MX) category provides for a
mixture of residential, office and commercial uses to occur. A Planned Zoning
District is required if the use is entirely office or commercial or if the use is a mixture
of the three. The application is to revise an existing PCD (Planned Commercial
Development) District to approval of a new sign on the site (Lot 15). This site is
within the Midtown Design Overlay District.
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FILE NO.: Z-8278-B (Cont.)
Surrounding the application area, the Land Use Plan shows Mixed Use (MX) to the
south, north, and west of the site. Public Institutional (PI) land use is shown to the
northeast (across University Avenue) of the application area. Across University
Avenue to the east is shown for Park/Open Space (PK/OS). The Mixed Use (MX)
category provides for a mixture of residential, office and commercial uses to occur.
A Planned Zoning District is required if the use is entirely office or commercial or if
the use is a mixture of the three. This area to the north is the Park Avenue mixed
use development. To the south and west is 'The District at Midtown' development
(which is still mostly undeveloped). This development is proposed as a mixed
office and commercial development. The Public Institutional (PI) category includes
public and quasi -public facilities that provide a variety of services to the community
such as schools, libraries, fire stations, churches, utility substations, and hospitals.
This is the site of the St. Vincent's Hospital campus. The Park/Open Space
(PK/OS) category includes all public parks, recreation facilities, greenbelts, flood
plains, and other designated open space and recreational land. This is a City park
- War Memorial Park.
Master Street Plan: To the east is University Avenue and it is shown as a Principal
Arterial on the Master Street Plan. To the north is Midtown Avenue and it is a Local
Street on the Master Street Plan. A Principal Arterial is to serve through traffic and
to connect major traffic generators or activity centers within the urbanized area.
Entrances and exits should be limited to minimize negative effects of traffic and
pedestrians on University Avenue since it is a Principal Arterial. The primary
function of Local Streets is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets
that are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than
duplexes are considered as "Commercial Streets". These streets may require
dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and
exits to the site.
Bicycle Plan: There is a Class III Bike Route shown on Midtown Avenue. Bike
Routes require no additional right-of-way, but either a sign or pavement marking
to identify and direct the route.
H. ANALYSIS:
The applicant proposes to revise the existing PCD zoning to allow for installation
of three (3) new 480 square foot wall signs upon the north, east, and south facades
of the existing parking deck building at 500 South University Avenue.
The applicant proposes to install three (3) new 480 square foot wall signs on the
existing parking deck structure. The proposed wall signs will be placed on the
North, South, and East parking deck facades. The proposed signage will include
the names of tenants located on the property. The applicant previously installed
the sign frames in anticipation of the future sign placement.
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FILE NO.: Z-8278-B (Cont.
The applicant provided the following information with respect to the request for wall
signage:
"In order to provide greater exposure to the tenants we would like to
install individual tenant signs on three sides of the detached parking
deck along University Avenue. Two tenants have agreed to have
their signs displayed and the owners would like to have spaces
available for four additional signs to offer other current or future
tenants. Once the tenant has agreed to display their sign the same
sign would be repeated at each of the three proposed locations on
the parking deck."
The proposed wall signs on the north and south parking deck facades will occupy
approximately 12.5 percent of each facade area. The proposed sign on the east
facade will occupy approximately 5.9 percent of the total east facade area. The
City's Zoning Ordinance typically allows wall signage to occupy up to 10 percent
of a building facade area.
Staff is supportive of the Revised PCD to allow wall signs on the existing parking
deck. Staff views the request as reasonable. The property is located in an area
of heavy commercial uses and zoning along South University Avenue, between
West Markham Street and 1-630. The proposed wall signs will occupy a relatively
small area of the parking deck's overall north, south, and east facades. Staff
believes the proposed signage will have no adverse impact on the general area.
Any future signage located on the property must comply with the Midtown Design
Overlay District standards.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the revised PCD, subject to compliance with the
comments and conditions outlined in paragraph E, and the staff analysis, and the
agenda staff report.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (DECEMBER 9, 2021)
The applicant was present. There were no persons present registered in support or
opposition. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval as outlined in the
"staff recommendation" above. There was no further discussion. The item was placed
on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff, including all staff
comments and conditions. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent.
C