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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC 06-01-2006LITTLE ROCK CITY BEAUT1FUL COM MISSION MEETING NOTICE The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, June the 1 st, 2006, in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall. AGENDA Call to Order: Karol Zoeller, Chair Roll Call: Approval of the Minutes: May 04, 2006 Open Public Meeting: ITEM NO.1 C.B.C. 595-New Matters The Capital Hotel P. Allen Smith & Associates, agent 100 Main Street Presentation by City Staff: Applicants Comments: Comments from other interested parties: Call for a motion: Close Public Meeting: Treasurer's Report: Ann Ivey Old Business: • Landscape Awards New Business. - Informative meeting on upcoming landscape variance requests by city staff Adjournment: City Beautiful Commission ♦ 723 West Markham ♦ Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 ♦ (501) 371-4864 I LITTLE ROCK CITY BEAUTIFUL C0MMIssI0N The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, May the 4th, 2006, at 11:30 a.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall. Chair Karol Zoeller called the meeting to order. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jan Hicks Cita Cobb Karol Zoeller Ann Ivey Ross Piazza John Beneke ALSO PRESENT: Christy Marvel, Plans Development Administrator, Department of Planning & Development, City of Little Rock Joe White, Engineer with White-Daters and Associates, agent Dave Roberts A.S.L.A., Roberts & Williams Associates, agent OPEN PUBLIC MEETING: ITEM NO. 1 C. B.C. 594-NEW MATTERS -Cal -Ark International STAFF REPORT: The site is currently developed as a truck facility for Cal Ark International. The property extends from the I-30-Frontage Road to Otter Creek Road and is bordered by a utility transmission line and easement to the west. Other uses in the area include industrial, commercial and office uses located at the I-30/I-430 interchange. Cal Ark Trucking Company is located at 12024 I-30; a 30+ acre, C-4 zoned tract bounded by Otter Creek Road on the north and I-30 on the southeast. Cal Ark, the applicant, is proposing an expansion of their existing operation to add a maintenance building, wash bay, truck entrance guard shack and 32 trucks Idleaire facility. Cal Ark is requesting a variance for the required 30-foot buffer along I-30. In -lieu of the buffer, Cal Ark will landscape along I-30 and Otter Creek Road to screen their existing truck operation. Currently, there is a 40-foot grass strip that lies between the frontage road and the Cal Ark parking area with a 12-foot landscape strip located on the applicant's property. A variance for the required 30-foot buffer along I-30 is being requested. The landscaping along I-30 and Otter Creek Road has been designed to screen their existing truck operation and the new construction. Currently, there is a 40-foot grass strip that lies between the frontage road and the parking area with 12-feet of the grass strip located on the applicant's property giving the appearance of a larger landscaped area. Along the I- 30 Frontage Road the Landscape Plan indicates the placement of both larger quantities and larger sizes of plant material. The proposed plan includes nine (9) Andorra Juniper shrubs, six (6) Burning Bush shrubs, seven (7) compacta holly shrubs and fifty-four (54) loropetalum shrubs. Fifteen (15) Savannah Holly trees and thirteen (13) Shumard Oak trees are planned. The Savannah Hollies are proposed at a minimum of 10 — 12 feet in height and 2-inch minimum caliper, full to the ground and the Shumard Oaks are proposed at a minimum of 14 — 16 feet in height and 2 % to 3-inch minimum caliper, full to the ground. The loropetalum and the Burning Bush are proposed at a minimum of 7-gallon plantings 30 to 36 inches in height and 36-inch minimum spread. The entire area will be sodded with Bermuda Sod. The plantings along the eastern perimeter include eighty-seven (87) loropetalum shrubs, seven (7) Savannah Holly trees, twelve (12) Shumard Oak trees and six (6) Southern Magnolia trees. The Savannah Hollies are proposed at a minimum of 10 — 12 feet in height and 2-inch minimum caliper, full to the ground, the Shumard Oaks are proposed at a minimum of 14 — 16 feet in height and 2 '/2 to 3-inch minimum caliper, full to the ground and the Southern Magnolias are proposed 14 — 16 feet in height and 2 '/z to 3-inch minimum caliper, full to the ground. The loropetalum are proposed at a minimum of 7-gallon plantings 30 to 36 inches in height and 36-inch minimum spread. The area will be sodded and hydroseed with Bermuda. Plantings along Otter Creek Road include the placement of 46 loropetalum shrubs, fourteen (14) Savannah Holly trees and twelve (12) Shumard Oak trees. The loropetalum are proposed at a minimum of 7-gallon plantings 30 to 36 inches in height and 36-inch minimum spread. The Savannah Hollies are proposed at a minimum of 10 — 12 feet in height and 2-inch minimum caliper, full to the ground, the Shumard Oaks are proposed at a minimum of 14 — 16 feet in height and 2 '/2 to 3-inch minimum caliper, full to the ground. The area will be hydroseed with Bermuda. According to the minimum Landscape Ordinance requirements one (1) tree shall be planted for every seven hundred fifty (750) square feet of landscaped or buffer area with an average linear spacing of not less than thirty (30) feet. Three (3) shrubs or vines for every thirty (30) linear feet shall be planted in the perimeter planting strip. Massing is permitted as long as trees are spaced not more than one (100) linear feet apart including the width of driveways. The indicated plantings are more than adequate to meet the typical minimum size requirements of the Landscape Ordinance. Phase two and phase three construction have not been built as shown on the approved site plan and the approved landscape plan. Staff feels phase four completion needs to be included with any additional landscaping requirements not currently being met. Staff feels that these outstanding issues will need to be resolved prior to the final certificate of occupancy or a temporary certificate of occupancy being issued on any of the projects. The planning commission approved the requested variance to allow a reduced street buffer adjacent to I-30 on March 30, 2006. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval with the conditions noted above including the completion of all landscaping for all phases of construction prior to the issuance of any type of certificate of occupancy. f COMMISSION ACTION: Dave Roberts presented the commission with a colored rendering of the property and the associated landscape plans. Cal -Ark International intends on planting larger sized plantings and a larger quantity of plants than required by the City of Little Rock's, Landscape Ordinance. The Commission inquired about the implementation of an automatic irrigation system. The applicant responded that it would have an automatic irrigation system also per city code requirements. Commissioner Beneke inquired about the applicant's likelihood to allow the plants to grow naturally and not be pruned back, i.e. the loropetalum shrubs. The applicant stated they would be fine with allowing them to grow naturally. The object being to create and maintain an opaque screening of the parking area. Motion: John Beneke moved to approve the variance request with staff recommendations also allowing the loropetalum to grow to eight foot (8'); not to be pruned. This is to screen the parking area of the eighteen wheelers. Second: Ann Ivey seconded the motion. Motion passes. Chair Zoeller recused; otherwise motion passes unanimously (5 - 0). CLOSE PUBLIC MEETING: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Motion: Chair Karol Zoeller made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Second: Vice -chair Jan Hicks seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. TREASURER'S REPORT: City staff noted the following per Ann Ivey: Little Rock City Beautiful Commission Treasurer's Report 05-04-2006 Beginning Balance as of April 6, 2006 $3,359.44 Credits Interest on Account •76 Total credits $0.76 $3,360.20 Debits Lynn Warren(gifts bags for BOD, etc.) 39.42 Total debits $ 39.42 $3,320.78 Ending Balance as of May 04, 2006 OLD BUSINESS: $3,320.78 2006 Landscape Awards Committee Head needed: Recently, Commissioner Lynn Warren stated the need for another commissioner to become the landscape award committee head due to the unforeseen popularity of the pocket ashtrays. Mrs. Warren would be able to help this individual; however, could not allocate the amount of time that is needed for this task. Motion: Jan Hicks made a motion for Cita Cobb to be the new landscape award committee head. Second: John Beneke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Cita Cobb noted she would need some help due to time restraints and unfamiliarity of the process. The date of the deadline for nominations was moved to August 1st, 2006. All CBC members contact your associated board member for nominations soon. There was discussion regarding the use of the landscape award signs for the 2006 fiscal year. It was decided that the new chair, Cita Cobb, could make those kinds of decisions at a later date. Adopt -A -Street Program: Jan Hicks spoke with Steve Haralson, in the Public Works Department and they are still fired up about the adopt -a -street program. The Public Works Department will be advertising the program on the city garbage trucks once again. Lamar advertising has also agreed to continue the free advertising via billboards. Keep America Beautiful Update: Chair Zoeller noted a recent article in the newspaper congratulating former CBC Chair, Nash Abrams. Mr. Abrams was noted as doing the most for keeping a city beautiful at the recent Keep America Beautiful Banquet. Karol Zoeller explained the litter index, how it worked, and that the group recently compiled it as a part of the paperwork. Once the paperwork has been completed, the newly formed group will officially become the Keep America Beautiful Affiliate. NEW BUSINESS: Ann Ivey requests new Eye of the Beholder nominations from the Commissioners. Staff noted the possibility of a landscape variance for next month for the site at Capitol Hotel, downtown. Adjournment: 12:25 p.m. June 01, 2006 ITEM NO.1 - C.B.C. 595 - NEW MATTERS Applicant: Address: Description: ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS: The Capital Hotel The Capital Joint Venture/LDRP/LLC P. Allen Smith & Assoc., Inc. -Agent 100 Main Street 100 Main Street, East 1/2 Block 78, Original City of Little Rock 1. A perimeter planting strip is required along any side of a vehicular use area that abuts right-of-way of any street or highway. This strip shall be at least nine (9) feet wide. Sec. 15-96(a.) 2. One (1) tree shall be planted for every seven hundred fifty (750) square feet of required landscape or buffer area with an average linear spacing of not less than thirty (30) feet. Three (3) shrubs or vines for every thirty (30) linear feet shall be planted in the perimeter planting strip. Sec. 15-96(b.) 3. Interior landscape areas shall comprise at least eight (8) percent of any vehicular use area containing twelve (12) or more parking spaces. Sec. 15-97 (a.) 4. Trees shall be included in the interior landscape areas at the rate of one (1) tree for every twelve (12) parking spaces. 5. The city official may waive not more than twenty-five (25) percent of the requirements. VARIANCE REQUESTED: 1. Permission to allow a portion of the perimeter landscaping strip to be located within the public right-of-way. 2. Permission to allow a reduction of the minimum landscape strip, behind the public right- of-way, from 6.9 feet to 4.5 feet. 3. Permission to allow a reduction in the minimum interior landscaping requirement from 3,430 square feet to 1,511 square feet. 4. Permission to allow a reduction in the minimum number of interior trees to be planted from 13 to 4. FINDINGS: The UU zoned property located at 100 Main Street is currently occupied by a multistory building which contains office space and a parking deck. The building occupies the entirety of the half block on the west side of Main Street, from Markham to Second Streets. The property owners propose to remove the building and construct in its place a surface parking lot to serve as valet parking for the adjacent Capitol Hotel. The parking lot is to contain 173 spaces, with access drives from both Markham and Second Streets. Portions of the parking lot will allow for double and triple stacked parking. The lot will be enclosed with an ornamental brick and steel fence and landscaping. On April 24, 2006, the Board of Zoning Adjustment approved several variances from the Zoning Ordinance in conjunction with the proposed parking lot. A variance was approved to allow the surface parking lot to be located between the building and the abutting street. A variance was approved to allow a reduced street buffer width of 4.5 feet on the Main Street perimeter. A variance was approved to allow the double and triple stacked parking spaces, with some of the spaces having a reduced depth. A variance was approved to allow a sidewalk design different than that required in the Uu district. The last variance allowed the elimination of street trees due to the overhead power lines for the trolley system. The property owner is now requesting several variances from the Landscape Ordinance to allow development of the proposed parking lot. The first variance requested is from the perimeter planting strip requirement of Section 15-96 (a) to permit a reduced planting strip along the Main Street perimeter. The Code requires a width of 6.9 feet for this strip based on a twenty-five percent reduction for development in the mature area of the City. The applicant proposes a 14.5-foot wide planting strip, only 4.5 feet of which is located on the property. The remaining 10-foot portion is located in the public right-of-way. The second variance is from the perimeter planting strip requirement of Section 36-96 (b) to permit a reduction in the number of trees within the three street perimeter planting strips. The Code requirement is 5 trees on the Markham Street perimeter, 10 trees on the Main Street perimeter and 5 trees on the Second Street perimeter. The applicant proposes to plant 2 trees on the Markham Street perimeter, 5 trees on the Main Street perimeter and 2 trees on the Second Street perimeter. The third variance is from the interior landscape area requirement of Section 15-97 (a) to permit a reduction in the area of interior landscaping. The Code quires a total area of 3,430 square feet of interior landscape area for this parking lot. The applicant proposes a total area of 1,511 square feet. The final variance is from the interior landscape area tree ratio requirement of Section 36-97 (c) to permit a reduction in the number of required interior trees from 13 to 4. Staff is supportive of the requested variances. The property is currently occupied from property line to property line by a building that contains a parking deck. Any landscaping around the site is minimal at best. The proposed redevelopment, even with the requested variances, should result in a more attractive site. The width of the planting strips on the Markham and Second Street perimeters are 11 feet and 10 feet respectively, exceeding the 9 feet required by the landscape ordinance. Although the Main Street perimeter planting strip is only 4.5-feet in width on the applicant's property, an area 14.5-feet in width will be landscaped, including the area within the right-of-way. The applicant has proposed to help mitigate the reduction in numbers of plants and area of landscaping by increasing the size of trees and shrubs to be planted. Within the perimeter planting strips, the applicant has proposed to plant October Glory Red Maples with a 3-1/2 inch caliper; larger than the 2-inch caliper required by Code. Within the street perimeter planting strips, the applicant proposes to plant Needlepoint Hollies 4 feet on center with a height of 48 inches at planting; taller than the 30 inches required by the Code. Seven -gallon size Evergreen Clematis vines will be planted along the street perimeters to grow up on the decorative fence. Additional plantings consisting of a Yoshino Cherry tree and azalea shrubs will be located at the corner of Main and Second Streets. Each of the interior islands will contain two Tulip Poplar trees with a caliper of 3-1/2 inches and nine Needlepoint Hollies with a height of 48 inches at planting. Landscaping on the Louisiana Street perimeter of the site, west of the hotel, will also be upgraded. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested variances subject to compliance with the following variances: 1. Compliance with the approved plan, including plant size. 2. A franchise must be obtained for all improvements located in the public right-of-way. 2ND STREET M lalf _rT--- REMOVE EXISTING TREE Din SITE LAYOUT PLAN . p. 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