HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6614 Staff AnalysisJanuary 25, 199-9
Item No.: 3
File No.
Owner:
Address•
Description:
zoned•
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Z-6614
Wal-Mart Properties, Inc.
10800 Colonel Glenn Road
Long Legal
C-2
Variances are requested from the
tower height provisions of Section
36-201 and the area regulations of
Section 36-300 to permit
construction of a tower exceeding
75 feet in height and placement of
satellite dishes with reduced
setbacks.
_Applicant's statement: This
tower's purpose is an absolute
necessity of operation as we
combine our five radio and two
television stations under one roof.
More specifically:
TOPOGRAPHICAL CHALLENGES - We have
evaluated a variety of sites in
Little Rock, with this particular
site offering the greatest
elevation to reach our two
broadcast transmission sites
(Shinall Mountain and Redfield,
Arkansas).
REDUCTION IN TOWER SITES - This one
tower would serve the purpose of
all our broadcast operations
allowing the towers on Cantrell
(RSSN Studios) and West Markham and
Bowman (FOX16 Studios) to be
dismantled.
ELECTRONIC NEWS GATHERING (ENG)_ -
Our intent is to build a facility
that is capable of producing Local
News Programming for FOX16 and
UPN38. Our News Operation would
need a site capable of receiving
regional microwave transmissions
for LIVE breaking News Reports.
Our engineers have told us a 300'
tower will serve our needs.
January 25,- 1999
Item No.: 3 (Cont.
Present Use of_Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Issues:
Vacant building, former Sam's Club
Store
Radio and Television Studios and
Offices
1. Colonel Glenn Road is listed on the Master Street as a
principal arterial, dedication of right-of-way to 55 feet
from centerline will be required.
2. Property frontage needs to have the sidewalks and ramps
brought up to the current City ADA standards.
3. Repair or replace any curb and gutter or sidewalk that is
damaged in the public right-of-way prior to occupancy.
4. Plans of all work in right-of-way shall be submitted for
approval prior to start of work.
B. Staff Analysis:
The C-2 zoned, 10.67± acre tract located at 10,800 Colonel
Glenn Road is occupied by a large, vacant commercial
building and a several hundred space parking lot. The site
is the former location of Sam's Club before it relocated to
Bowman Road at Chenal Parkway.
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. proposes to occupy the
building and convert it into offices and broadcast studios
for the variety of media outlets the company owns in Little
Rock. The company operates radio station Magic 105, KSSN,
K -DUCK, Q100 and KOOL95 as well as television stations FOX16
and UPN38. These outlets are located at various points in
the City. It is Clear Channel's desire to combine all
operations at one location.
In addition to remodeling the building, Clear Channel
proposes to construct a 300 foot tall tower and 8,5m
satellite dishes on the property. The tower and satellite
dishes will be located very near the rear property line,
farthest away from the street. The Code limits the height
of metal ground -mounted towers to 75 feet. A 40 foot
setback is required in the C-2 district.
Staff believes the setback and tower height variances are
reasonable. The height of the tower is necessary to
accommodate the several users who must be able to transmit a
signal to the company's broadcast towers on Shinnall
Mountain and in Redfield. A ridge rises directly behind the
site and the proposed tower height will allow a signal to be
sent over the ridge. Three tall, monopole, cellular towers
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January 25; 1999
item No.: 3 Wort.)
are located on the ridge to the northwest and northeast of
the site. The proposed tower will not be incompatible with
other uses in the area. Large areas of vacant property
extend to the north and, across Colonel Glenn, to the south.
The property to the west is undeveloped and I-430 is beyond
that. New, office/warehouses have been built on the I-1
zoned property to the east. Allowing the height and rear
yard setback variances should have no impact on these nearby
properties.
On May 18, 1998, the Board approved these exact same
variances for Clear Channel at a site on Executive Center
Court. At that time, Clear Channel proposed to build a new
office building with the associated tower and satellite
dishes. Since that time, Clear Channel has backed away from
the Executive Court site and selected this Colonel Glenn
Road site.
The applicant had previously stated that towers on Cantrell
Road (KSSN Studios) and Markham Street (FOX16 Studios) would
be removed once those operations relocated to the new
combined site. Staff assumes that same condition to still
be valid.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested tower height
variance for the 300 foot tower and the setback variance for
the tower and satellite dishes subject to compliance with
the following conditions:
1.Compliance with applicable FAA regulations for lighting
the tower.
2. There are to be no signs or logos on the tower.
3. The tower is to be a neutral color such as light blue or
gray to blend with the skyline.
4. Compliance with Public Works Comments
S. The towers on Cantrell Road (KSSN Studios) and West
Markham (FOX16 Studio) are to be removed once this tower
is operational.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(JANUARY 25, 1999)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval,
subject to compliance with the conditions noted in the "Staff
Recommendation" above.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
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January 25, 1999
Item No.. 3 (Cont.)
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 3 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent and
1 open position.
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