HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOA Action Letter - Approved With Conditions 072622JULY 21, 2022
ITEM NO. 4 Z-9693
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File No.: Z-9693
Owners: North Street Properties, LLC
Applicant: Jenifer King
Address: 909 North Street
Legal Description: Lots 2R, and 3R, W.B. Worthen’s Company Subdivision
Zoned: UU Urban Use District
Present Use: Office
Proposed Use: Office
Variance(s) Requested: The sign provisions of Sec. 36-342.1 to allow a ground
mounted sign.
Justification: The applicant’s justification is presented as per the attached
letter dated May 13, 2022
STAFF REPORT
A. Planning and Development Civil Engineering Comments: No Comments
B. Buffering and Landscape Comments: No Comments
C. Building Codes Comments: No Comments
D. Staff Analysis:
The property at 909 North St. is currently occupied by a frame structure that
was originally constructed as a single-family home in 1948. Since construction
the structure has served different uses and is now occupied by an Allstate
insurance agency. Located on the south side of the street, east of N Chester
and west of N Izard Street the approximate 1600 square foot building is
centered between the New Hope Korean Methodist Church to the west and an
existing surface parking to the east. The properties to the north are undeveloped
or occupied by the Cliffs Condominiums and bordered by the Arkansas River
further north. The adjacent southern property is occupied by the Effective Touch
Spa and Salon that faces Garland St. and La Harpe Blvd. Additionally, the
properties located at this northwest edge of the downtown UU District have not
yet developed as zero lot line buildings as is the intent of the Urban Use District.
JULY 21, 2022
ITEM NO.: 4 (CON’T.) Z-9693
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The existing frame office building maintains the aesthetic of a single-family
residence with a manicured lawn and shrubbery. The applicant has stated that
the sign cannot be placed on the building without blocking a doorway or a
window and is requesting that a free-standing sign be allowed at the front of
their business. The proposed small wooden sign is shown to be placed in the
lawn area on the west side of the centrally located entrance. The graphic
provided indicates the sign will be 24-inches in height and 36-inches in width
and provide the name and logo of the business. Section 36-342.1(c)(11) of the Little Rock Municipal Code states, “Ground mounted
signs are discouraged and may only be permitted as a variance per division 2 of this
chapter.” Therefore, the applicant is requesting to install a ground mounted sign. The proposed post and panel ground mounted sign will be approximately 3-feet in
total height, with approximately 6-square feet of sign face area. The subject ground
sign is proposed within a context of lower-volume commercial, industrial, and
residential area that does not function as a typical UU District development. Within
the above-described context, the requested ground mounted sign is not
inappropriate for pedestrian- and motorist-level wayfinding in the surrounding area. Based on the above assessment and analysis, staff finds the requested variances
to be reasonable.
E. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested ground mounted sign as per the above
staff analysis and as reflected in the submitted plans and elevations, with the
following condition:
1. Add street addresses to the ground mounted (monument) sign per Section 36-
557(f): “All on-premises ground-mounted signs shall have located on the face
of the sign, in characters no less than six (6) inches in height, the street address
number of the business identified by the sign.
Board of Adjustment (JULY 21, 2022)
The applicant was present. There were no persons registered in opposition. Staff
presented the item and a recommendation of approval as outlined in the “Staff
Recommendation” above. There was no further discussion.
The item remained on the Consent Agenda for approval. A motion was made and
seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.