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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC 03-06-2014The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, March 6, 2014, at 11:30 at Curran Hall. Commissioner Ed Peek acting as chair called the meeting to order. MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT Ed Peek Bill Weidower Lynn Warren Cassie Toro Steve Homeyer Chris Minor Chip McCulley One open position Wally Loveless Chris Morgan Carrie Young ALSO PRESENT: Beth Carpenter, City Attorney's Office Dana Carney, Zoning and Subdivision Manager, Department of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock. D. Tracy Spillman, Plans Development Administrator, Department of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock. Frank Riggins, Crafton Tull John Reese, Developer Tim Daters, White Daters Engineering. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY MINUTES: Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion that the Minutes be approved. Second: Commissioner Warren seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF THE 2013 RETREAT MINUTES: Commissioner Warren called for a revision of the Minutes to include information on the Library Display and the KLRB liaison. Motion: Commissioner Warren made a motion that the Minutes be approved with the changes. Second: Commissioner Weidower seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Variance Request: CBC Case 630, 16900 and 1700 Chenal Parkway Staff opened the public hearing for the variance request located at 169000 and 17000 Chenal Parkway. The 16900 Chenal Parkway property is being developed as a small commercial center. The proposed use for this site is compatible with the uses and zoning in the area. Two points of entry will allow access to the site. A private street that will tie into the Chenal-Kanis intersection is proposed to the west, separating this lot from the 17000 Chenal Parkway property. An entrance/exit driveway will allow access to the site off of this private street. A driveway off of a private drive located at the rear (north) of the site will allow access at the northeast. The 17000 -Chenal Parkway property is located in an area that is either primarily zoned or currently developed as a variety of commercial uses. Areas of undeveloped C-3 or PCD zoned properties surround the site. The applicant has requested approval of a conditional use permit to allow for the construction of a tunnel -type car wash building. The proposed use for this site is compatible with the uses and zoning in the area. Access to the site will be via a single driveway off of a private drive located at the rear (north) of the site. In addition a private street is proposed to the east of this site, separating this 1 +/- acre lot from the adjacent property. The private street will tie into the Chenal-Kanis intersection. The site plan review filed with the Planning Commission has been deferred several times as the applicant has been working through issues related to the 100 foot wide Entergy easement through the rear of the site. The currently proposed plan has removed all structures and equipment from that easement. Only the driveway and parking will be within the area of the easement Entergy has stated that it will not allow any plantings that exceed a height of six (6) feet in their easement. It is estimated the number of trees to be vacated is seventeen (17), fifteen (15) perimeter trees and two (2) interior trees. The applicant is offering to plant a number of large of evergreen shrubs and perennial grasses in lieu of the required trees. The applicant understands that a contribution to the T.R.E.E. fund may also be required. Staff Recommendations: Staff is supportive of the requested variance. Commissioner Homeyer requested to recuse from voting due to a conflict of interest. Vice Chairman Peek granted this request. Commissioner Weidower inquired if this had been approved. City Staff Member Carney stated that this has not been approved and will be presented at the March 20, 2014 Planning Commission Meeting. Presentation: Owner representative Frank Riggins explained the plant material choices to the commission and noted the deficiencies that Entergy will not allow in their easement. Commissioner Weidower ask for a clarification of perimeter trees located adjacent to a private drive. City Staff Member Carney explained the requirement is the same as if this where a public street. Commissioner Peek noted that it appeared the landscape plan had accomplished everything that is allowed with the exception of what Entergy will not allow. Developer Reese explained that they have worked extensively with the city as well as Entergy to satisfy both parties. He further stated that if trees are planted in the easement Entergy has expressed that they will be removed. Commissioner Weidower stated that he would like to see a contribution to the T.R.E.E. Fund in lieu of the required plantings but does not believe it should be in the amount of the full seventeen (17) trees that will be deleted from the project. Commissioner Toro stated that since it will not be allowed by Entergy to plant the seventeen (17) trees a compromise should be made to the number of trees to be placed in the T.R.E.E. Fund. Motion: Commissioner Loveless moved for seven (7) trees to be allocated to the T.R.E.E Fund. Second: Commissioner Weidower seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. It was then clarified that the variance request was approved with the contribution of seven (7) trees allocated to the T.R.E.E Fund. Variance Request: CBC Case 631, The Village at Rahling Road Lots 1A, 1B,1C, &7 Staff opened the public hearing for the variance request located at Rahling Circle. The project as planned is consistent with the proposed development framework originally proposed for the Village when first approved in 1997. When originally proposed the Village included dense urban development inside and around Rahling Circle, with large expanses of landscape and buffer along Chenal Parkway and Rahling Road. The current request includes a review of Lots 1A, 1B, 1C, and 7, the Village at Rahling Road. Lot lA contains an existing building with 10,900 square feet. The site plan indicates a total of 41 parking spaces and a total lot area of 49,926 square feet. The development for Lot 1B is for a multi -use event center as defined by the City of Little Rock Ordinances. The building will contain 10,300 square feet. The site plan indicates a total of 91 parking spaces with a total lot area of 74,730 square feet. The center will operate from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm with the exception of Friday and Saturday when the hours may be extended to 12:00 am. All signage is to comply with the Chenal Architectural Design Elements for the Village at Rahling Road and the City ordinance. The site plan indicates a maximum ground mounted sign height of six feet and a total sign area not to exceed forty square feet. Building signage will not exceed signage allowed in commercial zones or a maximum of ten percent of the fagade area. The building is proposed with a maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet. All site lighting will be low level and directed downward into the site and away from adjacent properties. Parking for a lodge hall, exhibition hall, club and similar places of public assembly is one space per 100 gross square feet of floor area. Based on the building square footage the typical parking required would be 103 spaces. Staff is supportive of the parking as purposed. Within this area there is street parking and a large shared parking lot is located on proposed Lot 1 C. Lot 1 C contains a shared parking area. With this site plan the area is indicated for future development. The development proposed on Lot 7 is a strip center containing 16,140 square feet of building area with a 1,760 square foot covered outdoor deck. The site plan indicates 78 on -site parking spaces with a total lot area of 99,879 square feet. Based on typical parking required for a mix use development a total of 79 spaces would be required. The development has been constructed with parallel spaces on the street and a centralized parking area to serve the users. Staff feels with available parking the parking proposed is adequate to serve the proposed use and will not impact the remainder of the development. The site plan indicates the placement of landscape strips between Lots 1A, 113, and 1C less than the 9 feet typically required. The plan indicates each of these areas with a 6.5-foot landscape strip allowing a total of 13-feet between the two lots. In addition the street buffer on each of the lots as well as Lot 7 is indicated as less than the 9-feet typically required to comply with the minimum ordinance standards. Landscaping will be installed as per ordinance requirements. On February 20, 2014, the Little Rock Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the PCD. Staff Recommendations: Staff is supportive of allowing the landscape as indicated on the site plan. The overall development has been constructed with reduced landscape strips and in most places no street buffer is in place. Presentation: Owner representative Tim Daters stated that his firm had started work on the Village at Rahling Road in 1996 —1997. He further explained the history of the development, existing features, and future uses. He stated that the landscape strips between Lots IA, 1B, and 1C are proposed to be six and a half (6.5) feet in width. The combined width of the adjoining strips would be thirteen (13) feet. This would be in lieu of the two (2) nine (9) foot wide strips required by the city. In addition he stated that the amount of landscape materials required by the city would not be reduced. Trees are to be located in the center of this strip to give the appearance of one continuous landscape strip and not two (2) separate six and a half (6.5) foot strips. In addition Mr. Daters stated that the street buffers on each of the lots as well as Lot 7 would be reduced to be less than nine (9) feet as typically required to comply with the minimum ordinance standards. In conclusion Mr. Daters stated The Village is a dense development with large buffers on the perimeters. Commissioner Homeyer inquired about the parallel parking on the road. Mr. Daters explained how he developed these areas based on parking at 4t' and Victory. Commissioner Peek inquired about the width of the parallel parking. Mr. Daters explained the parking design in all of the areas located within The Village at Rahl.ing Road and.stated that it is in compliance with the city ordinances. Commissioner Weidower asked if all of the development shown on the proposed plan will be built at the same time. Mr. Daters stated that what is shown on the plan will not be constructed all at once but is included in the same PCD. Motion: Commissioner Weidower moved to accept the variance as submitted Second: Commissioner Homeyer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS: UPDATES: OLD BUSINESS: Expense Report: Commissioner Loveless stated that he had used the CBC checking account to purchase a $50.00 gift certificate for Julie Robbins in appreciation of acting as facilitator at the CBC retreat. I-630 Trees: Commissioner Loveless stated that he had mentioned the possibility of using T.R.E.E Fund money for the of planting trees between University Avenue and Fair Park Boulevard adjacent to War Memorial Golf Course at the last KLRB meeting. He also stated that he had spoken with Mark Webb at the Parks Department about this proposal. Commissioner Weidower suggested that they visit the site in the upcoming weeks. It was also suggested that the property line be located with the Parks Department. T.R.E.E Fund: The Commissioners inquired about the status of the War Memorial T.R.E.E. Fund project. City Staff Member Carney stated that this was still in the bidding process and it appeared that work would begin in the later part of April. City Hall South Yard: Commissioner Homeyer stated that he was preparing to move forward with this project in the spring. Public Relations: Commissioner Warren noted that the website is up to date. In addition she stated that Aristotle had Contacted her and proposed a onetime fee for Google Analytics. It was discussed that Commissioner Warren would speak with Aristotle's representative and inquire if this service could benefit the CBC website. Commissioner Warren stated she would report on this at the next meeting. Commissioner Homeyer inquired if Dr. Kumpuris is still the CBC liaison. He then suggested that he be included in the press release for the T.R.E.E. Fund War Memorial project. Library / History Exhibit: It was noted that at the CBC retreat the Library/History Exhibit committee was to be grouped in with Marketing. Commissioner Loveless suggested that the CBC investigate other City Beautiful Commissions websites from similar size cities for ideas of how to promote the Little Rock CBC. Adopt -A -Street: Commissioner Loveless stated that there are approximately seven hundred and fifty (750) volunteers for the upcoming weekend's city wide cleanup. It was noted that a reporter from the Democrat Gazette was present at the CBC meeting and covering this event. KLRB: Commissioner Loveless reported on the following. Otter Creek has been selected as the next design contest recipient; this will be a nationwide competition. It was stated that the area within the design perimeters will include the divided median island at Otter Creek Parkway and the roadway from Bass Pro Shops. As part of the competition a design for a statue/sculpture will be selected and placed in the Otter Creek Parkway median. The landscape area at the 36th and Romine round -a -bout is in poor condition. Over the next few months a landscape plan will be implemented for improvements. The Kavanaugh round -a -bout is progressing. The Heights, Camack Village, and Kingwood neighborhood groups have met and asked to be involved with this project. It was noted that a portion of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church street frontage will be acquired to implement the round -a -bout plan. Commissioner Loveless passed out a preliminary landscape design for the center of the round -a -bout and stated that other plans will be developed over the next year to eighteen months. It was stated that several years ago Alltel had donated a Barry Thomas painting to KLRB to be sold as a fundraiser. The painting was valued at $25,000.00 at the time of donation and is on display and under contract to sell at the Greg Thompson Gallery in North Little Rock. The contract time limit will expire soon and an extension will need to be obtained if the painting is not sold or relocated. The cost to move this 5'x5'painting is $2,000.00. Commissioner Loveless asked if information on this painting could be added to the CBC website and suggested that a commission may be possible for the CBC if a buyer was found through CBC efforts. Communications: Commissioner Morgan stated that he had spoken to Ben Thielemier with the City of Little Rock Public Relations. It was stated that Mr. Thielemier had suggested that a value proposition be conducted to determine if social media could accomplish the CBC goals. In conclusion Commissioner Morgan stated that Mr. Thielemier could offer his expertise in social media alld communications but in turn would need leadership from the commission. Commissioner Morgan also stated that he had contacted Justin Lewis with KATV who had given him the email addresses of several producers that could be contacted with any forthcoming news from the CBC. In addition Commissioner Morgan stated that he would be meeting with the editor of Soiree Magazine, Amada Hoelzeman and would discuss the possibilities of covering Eye of the Beholder and the Landscape Awards. Commissioner Warren stated that CBC should use KATV for a media release for the War Memorial T.R.E.E Fund project. Commissioner Homeyer stated that the CBC should also contact the media when the City Hall project begins. Commissioner Peek inquired how the before mentioned "value proposition" could be conducted. Commissioner Morgan stated he would investigate this further with Mr. Thielemier. City Attorney Carpenter interjected that before a value proposition be conducted that the CBC should make a request from the city manager's office to use social media. She further stated that in the past a separate social media webpage form the City of Little Rock has not been allowable. Commissioner Morgan stated in his experience there probably is not an advantage for the CBC to have a Facebook page. Commissioner Warren stated that our website is probably sufficient however, there may be some benefit to using Instagram. Eye of the Beholder: Commissioner Young stated that she is updating the cards that will go out when the nominations open. Landscape Awards: Commissioner Homeyer stated that everything is in place and waiting for the nomination period to open. Commissioner Warren inquired if the CBC will have an event to open the awards. Commissioner Homeyer stated we could have a press release. Commissioner Loveless suggested that we post a video of last year's recipients to the website. NEW BUSUINESS: Commissioner Peek stated that the next trash pick-up date needed to be set. Commissioner Warren stated that the City of Little Rock $2,500.00 annual budget to the CBC has been allocated. Commissioner Warren also stated that the T.R.E.E Fund should be added to the committee reports. in addition she requested that maps showing the T.R.E.E Fund sections and the totals for each area be updated and presented to the CBC. Commissioner Homeyer stated that Home Depot has changed their donation policies. They will now require a letter of request on CBC letterhead before florescent safety vest or any other materials can be donated. ADJOURNMENT: Motion: Commissioner Homeyer made a motion to adjourn. Second: Several commissioners seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 12:59pm LITTLE ROCK CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSIOM DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT - 723 WEST MARKHAM - LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201 PHONE: 5013714864 FAX: 501 371-6863 E-MAIL: I)SPiLLMANCUITTLE OCK.ORG WEBSITE: WWW.LRCITYBEAUTIFULCOMMISSION.ORG