HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6493 Staff AnalysisMay 18, 1998
Item
File No.-
Owner -
Address:
Descrintion•
Zoned:
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Z-6493
Presley Melton/David Sargent, Agent
301-303, 305-307 East Markham
West 2/3 of Lots 1, 2 and 3, Block
36, Original City of Little Rock
GB
Variances are requested from the
projecting sign location provisions
of Section 36-353 to permit
additional projecting signs which
extend past the sill of the second
story windows.
Applicant's Statement: As owner of
a multi -tenant, two-story property
in the River Market District it is
important that each tenant have
his/her individual signage in order
to visually advertise their
location in the building. Second
floor tenants find it especially
frustrating and a hardship if not
allowed to have signage indicating
their place of business. Without
signage, they lose business and
clientele. For these important
reasons we are requesting a
variance to allow for three
additional signs beyond the one per
one hundred linear feet that is
currently allowed.
When we were faced with this
problem we consulted the River
Market Design Review Committee and
asked for their advice and
recommendations. They responded
that they felt that the additional
signage would not detract from the
district (as long as it matched
what we have designed) but in fact
would show an excitement and
vitality in the district. We hope
that you will concur and grant our
variance.
May 18, 1998
Item No.: 8
Present Use of Property: Commercial Office/Retail
Proposed Use of Property: Commercial Office/Retail
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Issues:
No issues.
B. Staff Analysis:
The "GB" zoned property located at 301-303, 305-307 East
Markham Street is occupied by an older, 100 foot wide, two-
story brick building. The building is being remodeled for
occupancy by a variety of retail uses. The site is located
within the River Market District and signage is regulated by
the River Market Design Overlay District. The applicant is
proposing to place 4 projecting signs on the building's
facade, 1 at the first floor level and 3 on the second floor
level. Section 36-353 of the River Market Design Overlay
District standards states that the number of projecting
signs shall be limited to one sign per 100 feet of primary
street frontage per building. Additionally, the height of
projecting signs shall not extend past the sill of the
second floor windows. Projecting signs in the River Market
District are limited to 12 square feet in area.
Staff believes the variance requests to be reasonable. The
applicant proposes one small, 218" X 3' projecting sign at
the first floor level to identify the building and to locate
the elevator and stairs to the second floor. The remaining
3 projecting signs will identify tenants of the building.
Each of the these 3 projecting signs are 2.2" X 518" in
area, within the 12 square feet permitted. All of the
projecting signs are externally illuminated and project no
more than 3 feet from the facade of the building. Although
this building is 100 feet wide, the facade is designed so as
to look like multiple buildings. Since the building will be
occupied by multiple tenants, it seems reasonable to allow
signage for each tenant. The one, 12 square foot sign
permitted by the Ordinance would most likely not be adequate
for all tenants to share. Allowing the 3 extra signs to be
placed on the second floor elevation, above street level,
should help to alleviate visual clutter.
The River Market Design Review Committee has reviewed and
recommended approval of the proposal.
The signs project into the public right-of-way and a
franchise will be required.
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May 18, 1998
No.. 8 (Cont.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variances to
allow a total of 4 projecting signs, 3 of which will be
mounted above the sill of the second floor windows subject
to compliance with all other applicable sign regulations
required by the River Market Design Overlay District and a
franchise being obtained.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(MAY 18, 1998)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to compliance with all other applicable sign regulations required
by the River Market Design Overlay District and a franchise being
obtained.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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