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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4336-AA Staff AnalysisJanuary18, 2007 ITEM NO.: 8 FILE NO.: Z NAME: Arkansas Children's Hospital Zoning Site Plan Review for the Placement of Directional Signage LOCATION: Located at various locations within the Arkansas Children's Hospital Campus DEVELOPER: Arkansas Children's Hospital Attn: Mr. Scott Gordon, COO 800 Marshal Street Little Rock, AR 72202 ENGINEER: Cromwell Architects and Engineers Attn: Kent Taylor 101 South Spring Street Little Rock, AR 72201 AREA: 1.64 acres CURRENT ZONING: PLANNING DISTRICT CENSUS TRACT: NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 zoning lot Various Zoning Classifications 8 —Central City 10 FT. NEW STREET: 0 VARIANCESIWAIVERS REQUESTED: A variance from the provision of Article X of Chapter 36 of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances to allow the signage as proposed. A. PROPOSAUREQUEST: The request includes the approval of the site plan review for a project contained entirely on the Arkansas Children's Hospital Campus. The scope of the work includes the support of Arkansas Children's Hospital in regard to their on-going contract with FMG Design of Huston. FMG is the designer of the interior, exterior and campus wide signage, monuments and other aspects .to identify buildings, rooms and even the campus limits. The primary thrust of the project is to make it clear to visitors to the campus where to enter, where to park and how to find the services or people they need. January 18, 2007 SUBDIVISION y ITEM NO.: 8 Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -4336 -AA The project includes the placement of "The Beacon Sign" and building mounted identification sign which will be separated to optimize the hospital brand exposure. The "Beacon Sign" will be placed at the northeast corner of the Friday Tower which allows for sight lines from the north, east and west, as well as limited exposure from the south. The size of the "Beacon Sign" will approximately 28 -feet in height with the individual blocks being approximately 7 - feet high with a total of four blocks. The hospital mounted brand is proposed 14 - feet high and 23 -feet in length located along the southeastern portion of the building. The ground mounted identification sign is proposed in two locations. The first location is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. and 8th Street. The property is owned by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department and ACH is requesting permission for placement of the sign on State owned property. The alternative location is at the southwest corner of Maryland Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The sign is proposed with' a maximum height of 18.7 feet and a total length of 69.3 feet. The sign contains metal framed painted blocks with a lettered surface in vinyl to match. The sign will contain three blocks a pylon with the ACH logo and lettering spelling Arkansas Children's Hospital. A Ground Mounted Ceremonial Identification sign is proposed at the entrance to the hospital. The sign is proposed of three blocks lettered A, C and H. The Blocks are six feet tall and six feet across. The blocks are proposed as metal frame painted and lettering of vinyl to match the painted surface. A number of primary vehicular directional signs are proposed. All the vehicular directional signs are proposed with a maximum height of 18.8 feet and a total width of 6.2 feet. The cabinets will be internally illuminated with aluminum block frame. The Secondary Vehicular Directional signage will be a maximum of 12.6 feet with a total width of 5.6 feet, The signage will also be internally illuminated with aluminum block frame. The secondary vehicular directional signage will be a maximum of 12.6 -feet and 5.6 -feet in width. The sign will also be internally illuminated with an aluminum block frame. The primary parking identification signage is proposed to be a maximum of 12 - feet in height and shaped as a crayon. The sign area on the pole will be a maximum of 5.7 -feet the signage indicating parking and the color of the crayon representative of the parking lot which are also indicated as colors (blue parking lot, red parking lot, green parking lot, etc). Secondary parking identification signage is proposed with a maximum height of 9 feet % inches and a maximum width of 2.6 feet. Again the signs are proposed with aluminum cabinets. Lettering is proposed as vinyl graphics. 2 January18, 2007 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: LlCont. FiI_E NQ.: �_4330_A,q A ceremonial entrance identification sign is proposed on the Roy and Christine Sturgis Building. The sign is proposed with %" letterforms with natural aluminum finish clear coated with polyurethane sealant. The total sign height is three feet three inches. The primary building identification sign is proposed with -a maximum letter height of two feet one inch. All Jeffers are proposed of aluminum skin fastened to an aluminum framework. Neon tubes will be used to illuminate the lettering. Pageantry signage is proposed throughout the campus. The locations are primarily along Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Vilest 10th Street, 8th and 91h Streets. A total of 66 banners are proposed. The banners are proposed to read Care Lave Nope with the silhouette of a child and a logo for ACH or provide information to the patrons of the hospital. The banners are a total of 16.9 feet with a total width of 5.9 feet. 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 ACH property and within the main campus. Uses in the area include the ACH campus both medical facilities and parking areas, residential, commercial and office uses not owned by ACH. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has received several informational phone calls from area residents, All property owners located within 200 -feet of the site and the Downtown Neighborhood Association, the Central High Neighborhood Association, the Wright Avenue Neighborhood Association and the Capitol Hill Neighborhood Association were notified of the public hearing. D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS: PUBLIC WORKS CONDITIONS: 1. Due to wind -goad factors affecting structural integrity, traffic signal poles or mast -arms cannot be used for hanging banners or other signage. 2. For hanging banners and signage on streetlight poles in public right-of-way, it is the responsibility of the Hospital to obtain permission from owners of the poles (such as Entergy). Traffic Engineering cannot authorize such installations. 3. in accordance with Section 32-8, no obstruction to visibility shall be located within a triangular area 50 feet back from the intersecting right-of-way line (or intersecting tangent lines for radial dedications) at intersections. 4. For further assistance, contact Nat Banihatti, Traffic Engineering, at 379-1818. �3 January18, 2007 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 Cont. FILE NO.; Z -4336 -AA E. UTILITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT/COUNTY PLANNING: Wastewater: There may need to be adjustments in the location of the light posts and signs. The applicant MUST contact One Call and have the utilities located prior to construction. There may be conflicts with existing wastewater lines in the area of construction. The light posts and signs must be placed at least five feet from the lines that crosses in that area. The applicant will be responsible for any damage to Little Rock Wastewater facilities. Entergy: No comment received. Center -Point Energy: No comment received. AT --& T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: There may need to be adjustments in the location of the light posts and signs. The applicant MUST contact One Call and have the utilities located prior to construction. There may be conflicts with existing water mains in the area of construction. The light posts and signs must be placed at least five feet from the water main that crosses in that area. The applicant will be responsible for any damage to Central Arkansas Water facilities. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is located on CATA Bus Routes #11 and #3. The Martin Luther King Jr. and the Baptist Medical Center Bus Routes. F, ISSUES/TECHNICAL/DESIGN: Planning Division: No comment. Landscape: No comment. G. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (December 28, 2006) The applicant was present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the proposed development stating there were few outstanding technical issues associated with the request. Public Works comments were addressed. Staff stated all banners and signage on streetlight poles in the public right of way would require approval from the owners of the poles. Staff stated no obstruction to visibility would be allowed L! January 18, 2007 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -4336 -AA within a triangular area of 50 -feet back from the intersecting right of way line at intersections. Staff noted comments from the various other reporting departments and agencies suggesting the applicant contact them directly for additional information and clarification. There was no further discussion of the item. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. H. ANALYSIS: There are no outstanding issues associated with the request remaining from the December 28, 2006, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant has indicated they will contact the utility companies for permission to place the banners on the proposed poles and indicated no obstruction to visibility will be placed within the triangular area as required by Public Works. The proposal is to review and approve the signage plan for Arkansas Children's Hospital. The plan does require a variance 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 feet and the maximum sign area is sixty-four square feet. The ground mounted signs as proposed exceed this typical sign area. In addition directional and informational signage is defined as signs of two feet square or less, and having no more than six 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. The request includes the placement of the ground mounted identification sign on property currently owned by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as excess right of way for 1-630 located at the southwest corner of West 81hStreet and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The applicant has proposed an alternate location for this sign should an agreement not be reached with the Highway Department for placing the sign in their excess right of way. 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, the youth. To staff's knowledge there are no outstanding issues associated with the request. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS; Staff recommends approval of the request subject to compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraphs D, E and F of the above agenda staff report. 5 January 18, 2007 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 8 [Cont. FILE NO.: Z PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 18, 2007) 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. Chairman Stebbins requested the applicant work with the neighborhood to open dialogue and create a design which the neighborhood residents could buy into. Mr. Kent Taylor addressed the Commission on behalf of Arkansas Children's Hospital. He stated he was familiar with the design of developments which had been referred to by Mr. Paul Dodd and the cost of development was expensive in both land cost and building construction. He stated Children's Hospital had made a decision to put money into facilities to serve the patients and not into the extra cost of construction as proposed by Mr. Dodd. There was no further discussion of the item. The chair entertained a motion for approval of the item. The motion carried by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. 9 ITEM NO.: 8. Z -4336 -AA NAME: Arkansas Children's Hospital Zoning Site Plan Review for the Placement of Directional Signage LOCATION: located at various locations within the Arkansas Children's Hospital Campus Planning Staff Comments: 1. Provide notification of all property owners located within 200 -feet of the site, complete with the certified abstract list, notice form with affidavit executed and proof of mailing. The notice must be mailed no later than January 3, 2007. The Office of Planning and Development must receive the proof of notice no later than January 12, 2007. Variance/Waivers: Public Works Conditions: 1. Due to wind -load factors affecting structural integrity, traffic signal poles or mast - arms cannot be used for hanging banners or other signage. 2. For hanging banners and signage on streetlight poles in public right-of-way, it is the responsibility of the Hospital to obtain permission from owners of the poles (such as Entergy). Traffic Engineering cannot authorize such installations. 3. In accordance with Section 32-8, no obstruction to visibility shall be located within a triangular area 50 feet back from the intersecting right-of-way line (or intersecting tangent lines for radial dedications) at intersections. 4. For further assistance, contact Nat Banihatti, Traffic Engineering, at 379-1818. Utilities and Fire Department/County Planning: Wastewater: There may need to be adjustments in the location of the light posts and signs. The applicant MUST contact One Call and have the utilities located prior to construction. There may be conflicts with existing wastewater lines in the area of construction. The light posts and signs must be placed at least five feet from the lines that crosses in that area. The applicant will be responsible for any damage to Little Rock Wastewater facilities. Entergy: No comment received. Center -Point Energy: No comment received. Item # 8 AT & T: No comment received. Central Arkansas Water: There may need to be adjustments in the location of the light posts and signs. The applicant MUST contact One Call and have the utilities located prior to construction. There may be conflicts with existing water mains in the area of construction. The light posts and signs must be placed at least five feet from the water main that crosses in that area. The applicant will be responsible for any damage to Central Arkansas Water facilities. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No comment. CATA: The site is located on CATA Bus Routes #11 and #3. The Martin Luther King Jr. and the Baptist Medical Center Bus Routes. Plannina Division. No comment. Landscape. No comment. Revised plat/plan: Submit four (4) copies of a revised site plan (to include the additional information as noted above) to staff on Wednesday, January 6, 3007. Item # 8