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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4336-RR Staff AnalysisFebruary 22, 2018 NAME: Arkansas Children's Hospital Zoning Site Plan Review LOCATION: Located at 1 Children's Way DEVELOPER: Arkansas Children's Hospital Attn. Ms. Amy Cress, PhD Vice President Facilities and Support Services 1 Children's Way Little Rock, AR 72202 OWNERIAUTHORIZED AGENT: Amy Cress on behalf of Arkansas Children's Hospital, Owner Cromwell Architects and Engineers, Agent SURVEYOR/ENGINEER: Cromwell Architects and Engineers Attn. Kent W. Taylor 101 South Spring Street Little Rock, AR 72202 rn MUM zZ4336-R AREA: 30 City Blocks NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 zoning lot FT, NEW STR EET: 0 LF WARD: 1 PLANNING DISTRICT: 8 —Central City CENSUS TRACT: 45 CURRENT ZONING: 0-2, Office and Institutional VARIANCENVAIVERS: A variance from the provision of Article X of Cha Little Rock Code of Ordinances to allow the signage as proposed. Chapter 36 of the BACKGROUND: On January 18, 2007, the Little Rock Planning Commission approved Plan Review request to allow the replacement of a portion of the signage I Zoning Site Arkansas Children's Hospital Campus. The project included the lace g g located on the Beacon Sign" and building mounted identification sign which would be placement of "The Optimize the hospital brand exposure. Signs were a separated to Placement of signage with heights and area in excess pof the maximum heightt allow the typically allowed in office zones. and area February 22, 2,018 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 5 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -4336 -RR A. PROPOSAVREQUEST/APPLICANT'S STATEMENT: The scope of the project is to replace the exterior wayfinding signage on the Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) campus. These signs direct visitors and patients where to enter, where to park, and how to find the services or people they need. As part of the previous project, the hospital replaced the primary signage identifying the campus from 1-630, the main and some secondary entry campus entry points and the main hospital building. This project includes identification of more secondary campus entries; ground, pole or moment and building mounted signs to identify both specific buildings and functions within them (for example, the Emergency Department, Clinics, the daycare, the gathering spaces, etc.); and allowed users for almost twenty (20) parking lots. All of the signs are new; however, some are one -for -one -replacements of existing signs; even using the existing foundations and power supplies. Some of the existing signs are being removed without replacement, and others are replaced in different locations or are wholly new locations. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: The sign locations are proposed at various locations around the Arkansas Children's Hospital Campus. The signage is proposed along the perimeters of Arkansas Children's Hospital property and within the main campus. Uses in the area include the Arkansas Children's Hospital campus both medical facilities and parking areas, residential, commercial and office uses not owned by ACH. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: All property owners located within 200 -feet of the site along with the Central High Neighborhood Association and the Downtown Neighborhood Association were notified of the public hearing. D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITION 1. Obtain a franchise agreement from Public Works, Bennie Nicolo, at 501.371.4818 or bnicolo@littlerock.gov for the private improvements located in the right-of-way. 2. The proposed signage should be located no closer than 15 -feet from the back of curb and be placed to provide sufficient sight distance for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. K February 22, 2,018 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 5 Cont. E. Utilities/Fire Department/Parks/County Plannin : F G H Little Rock Water Reclamation Authorit : No comment. FILE NO.: Z -4336 -RR Entergy: Entergy does not object to this signage package proposal. There do not appear to be any conflicts with existing electrical utilities. Contact Entergy in advance to discuss electrical service requirements for any of the signage, or adjustments to existing facilities (if any) as this project proceeds. Centerpoint Energy: No comment received. AT & T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: No objection. Fire Department: No comment. Parks and Recreation: No comment received. County Planning: No comment. Building Codes/Landscape: Building Code: No comment. Landscape: No comment. Transportation/Planning: Rock Region Metro: The site is located on Rock Region Metro Route #3, Baptist Medical Center. Planning Division: No comment. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT - (January 31, 2018) The applicant was present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the item stating there were no additional items necessary to complete the review process. Public Works comments were addressed. Staff stated a franchise agreement from Public Works was required for any private improvements located within the public right of way. Staff requested all signs be located no closer than 15 -feet 3 February 22, 2018 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont. pi Z from the back of curb and be placed to provide sufficient sight distance for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Staff noted the comments from the various other departments and agencies. Staff suggested the applicant contact the departments or agencies directly with any questions or concerns. There were no more issues for discussion. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. ANALYSIS: The proposal is to review and approve the signage plan for Arkansas Children's Hospital. The plan does require variances from Article X of Chapter 36 of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances with regard to the size of a number of the proposed signs located on Office zoned property. Typically the maximum sign height is six (6) feet and the maximum sign area is sixty-four (64) square feet. A number of the ground mounted signs exceed the typical sign height and area. In addition directional and informational signage is defined as signs of two (2) feet square or less, and having no more than six (6) feet in height, giving direction to a specific location, instructions or facility information. The sign may contain the business name or logo and an arrow for direction of travel, but no advertising or commercial copy. A number of the directional signs exceed the typical height and area allowed within the office zones. The majority of the proposed signage either meets or exceeds staff's request to locate the signs no closer than 15 -feet from the back of curb, There are however six (6) signs where the applicant is requesting exception to this requirement. Sign PID 108, located on Bishop Street at the Adolescent Center does not allow sufficient distance between the sidewalk and the parking lot to place the sign at 15 -feet. This sign replaces an existing sign in a new, but similar location. The proposed location has been moved as far back as possible and still remains within the dedicated landscape buffer, while maintaining visibility for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Sign PID 101, located on Wolfe Street at the Clark Center does have sufficient room between the curb and sidewalk to place the sign at 15 -feet. The proposed location is in the widest portion provided within the dedicated landscape buffer and still visible for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Sign EP 83, located at Residents Parking Lot on Battery Street does not allow sufficient room between an existing retaining wall and parking lot. This sign replaces an existing sign in the same location. El February 22, 2018 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 5 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -4336 -RR Sign PY 80, Emergency Sign located at Battery Street and 10th Street, would be visually impaired by an existing building and is one of the most important signs on the campus and main directional for emergencies. This sign replaces and existing sign in the same location. Sign P 81, located at Emergency Parking on 10th Street, does not allow the sign to be placed 15 -feet off the curb due to an existing retaining wall. This sign replaces an existing sign in the same location. Sign TD 89, located on Battery Street at the Service Entrance would be visually impaired by an existing building if moved back. This sign replaces an existing sign at this location. The applicant is also proposing to replace a number of the wall signs located on the campus buildings. The signs as proposed will comply with the sign area typically allowed in office zones or a maximum of ten (10) percent of the fagade area of the wall on which the sign is located. Some of the signs will be placed without direct public street frontage. Staff is supportive of the wall signage placement as proposed. Staff is supportive of the signage as proposed and the indicated locations of the proposed signs. Staff feels the signage as proposed will not adversely impact the area. The signage is proposed to visually appeal to the clients of the hospital. To staff's knowledge there are no outstanding issues associated with the request. J. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff recommends approval of the variance request from the provision of Article X of Chapter 36 of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances to allow the signage as proposed. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (FEBRUARY 22, 2018) The applicant was present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the agenda staff report. Staff presented a recommendation of approval of the variance request from the provision of Article X of Chapter 36 of the Little Rock Code of 5 February 22, 2018 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 5 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -4336 -RR Ordinances to allow the signage as proposed. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and approved as recommended by staff by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. R ITEM NO.; 5 Nomu: Arkansas Children's Hospital Zoning ----Z-4336-RR ng Site Plan Review - LOCATION: located at 1 Children's Wa Plannin Staff Comments; y �. Provide notification of all pro p perty owners located within 200 -feet of the site certified abstract list, notice form with affidavit e must be mailed no later than Februaryit including the must receive the proof of notice no later executed and proof i mailing, e 7, 2018. The Office of Planning The notice Variance/Waivers: than February 16, 207g• 9 and Development A variance from the provision of Article X of Chapter 36 of the Little Rack Code of Ordinances to allow the signage C En ineerin as proposed. Comments: Public Works conditions: 1• Obtain a franchise agreement from bni taro a ifrancck Public Works, 2' The proposed si gov for the private improvements located lin the°io' at 501.371.4818 or be placed to signage should be located no closer than 15 -feet P sufficient sight distance for vehicular right -of --way from the back of curb and UtilitieslFire pe ar and pedestrian traffic. a�mentlParkslCount Plannin Little Rock Water Reclamation Authori N •comment. be any Entergy does not abject to this signage package proposal. There do no electrical service requirements for an g electrical utilities. Contact Entergy in advance any) as this project Y of the signage, t appear to p � ct proceeds. g g or adjustments to existing facilitiesto discuss Center pint Ener (if No comment received. Ate: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water. No objection. Fire De artment; No Comment. Parks and Recreation: No comment received. Count Plannin : No comment.