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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-3933-B Staff AnalysisMay 15, 2014 ITEM NO.: NAME: Super 8 Zoning Site Plan Review LOCATION: Located at 11701 1-30 DEVELOPER: Jason Eby Ace Signs 11935 Interstate 30 Little Rock, AR 72209 CURRENT ZONING: C-2, Shopping Center District PLANNING DISTRICT: 16 — Otter creek CENSUS TRACT: 41.03 FILE NO.: Z -3933-B VARIANCEMAIVERS: A variance from Section 36-555 to allow the sign height to be increased to a maximum height of 50 -feet. A. PROPOSAUREQUEST/APPLICANT'S STATEMENT: Andy Patel, Owner of Super 8, would like to request a variance to raise the existing sign height 15 -feet. According to the applicant currently the sign is partially blocked by the Otter Creek overpass. The applicant states raising the sign to a height of 50 -feet will give better visibility while traveling east on 1-30. The existing sign face will be retained. Only the height of the pole will be extended. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The hotel occupies the site and was recently rebranded from a LaQuinta to a Days Inn. Within this area there are a number of uses including a hospital, City of Little Rock Fire Station, offices, office -warehouse and truck and tractor sales. Across 1-30 there is the recently opened Bass Pro Shop and currently under consideration is the development of a 300,000+ square foot outlet mall. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has not received any comment from area residents. All property owners located within 200 -feet of the site along with Southwest Little Rock United for Progress were notified of the public hearing. May 15, 2014 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: D Cant. FILE NO.: Z -3933-B D. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (December 5, 2013) The applicant was not present. Staff presented the item stating the request was to allow an increase in the height of the sign from the current 35 -feet to a maximum height of 50 -feet. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. E. ANALYSIS: There were no outstanding technical issues in need of addressing raised at the December 5, 21013, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant is seeking approval of a zoning site plan review application to allow ars increase in the pole height of the existing ground sign. Section 36-554 states signs shall not exceed a height of 36 -feet and a total sign area of 160 square feet. The applicant is seeking approval to raise the overall height of the sign to a maximum of 50 -feet. The site is currently under enforcement of a violation related to landscaping. Staff has issued a courtesy notice for removing a minimum of six trees which appeared to be 13 to 18 -inches in diameter. In addition there are areas the required landscaping was either missing or in poor condition. This notice was issued on September 26, 2013. On September 30, 2013, the owner provided staff with a letter indicating they would work with a design professional to prepare a mitigation plan to off -set the removal of the required landscaping. As of this writing the plan has not been submitted and there has been no contact by the applicant with staff concerning the progress of the mitigation plan. Due to the current enforcement issues related to this site and the applicant's non -responsiveness staff cannot support the approval of this application request. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of the request. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 9, 2014) The applicant was not present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item stating the applicant had submitted a deferral request on December 27, 2013, requesting the item be deferred to the February 20, 2014, public hearing. Staff stated they were supportive of the deferral request. There was no further discussion of the item. The Chair entertained a motion for approval of the item as presented by staff. The motion carried by a vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, 4 absent and 1 open position. 7 May 15, 2014 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.. D Cont. FILE NO.: Z -3933-B AFF UPDATE: The applicant has not contacted staff concerning the Mitigation Plan for the landscaping previously removed on this site. Staff recommends withdrawal of this item due to the lack of responsiveness from the applicant. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 20, 2014) The applicant was not present. There were registered objectors present. Staff stated the property was under a court mandate to develop a mitigation plan. Staff stated the court had allowed a couple of months for the preparation of the mitigation plan. Staff presented a recommendation of deferred of the item to the April 3, 2014, public hearing to allow for resolution of staffs previous concerns. There was no further discussion of the item. The Chair entertained a motion of approval of the item as presented by staff. The motion carried by a vote of 10 ayes 0 noes and 1 absent. TAFF UPDATE: This item is due back before the Judge on April 10, 2014. Staff recommends deferral of this item to the May 15, 2014, public hearing to allow sufficient time for resolution of the current enforcement action related to the removal of landscaping. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (APRIL 3, 2014) The applicant was not present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item stating the item was due back before the Judge on April 10, 2014. Staff presented a recommendation of deferral of the item to the May 15, 2014, public hearing to allow sufficient time for resolution of the current enforcement action related to the removal of landscaping. There was no further discussion of the item. The Chair entertained a motion for approval of the item as presented by staff. The motion carried by a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent. STAFF UPDATE: The applicant has satisfied staffs previous concerns and corrected all previously stated landscaping issues. Staff is in support of the request. Staff recommends approval to allow the existing pole sign height to be increased to 50 -feet. 3 May 15, 2014 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: D Cont. FILE NO.: Z -3933-B PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 15, 2014) The applicant was present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item stating the applicant had satisfied their previous raised concerns and resolved all previously stated landscaping issues. Staff stated they were in support of the request. Staff presented a recommendation of approval to allow the existing pole sign height to be increased to 50 -feet. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for approval of the item as presented by staff. The motion carried by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. ITEM NO.: 4. Z-3933-13 NAME: Super 8 Zoning Site Plan Review LOCATION: located at 119351-30 Planning Staff Comments: 1. Provide notification of the abutting property owners including the certified abstract list, notice form with affidavit executed and proof of mailing. The notice must be mailed no later than December 25, 2013. The Office of Planning and Development must receive the proof of notice no later than January 3, 2014. 2. Will the existing sign face be maintained and only the height of the pole be increased. Variance/Waivers: A variance from Section 36-555 to allow an increased pole height from 36 -feet in height to 50 -feet in height. Revised plat/plan: Submit four (4) copies of a revised preliminary plat/plan (to include the additional information as noted above) to staff on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. Item # 4.