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DEVELOPMENT
April 14, 2023
Little Rock Board of Zoning Adjustment
723 W Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Re: 322 Broadway Street — Application for Sign Variance
Dear Sir or Madam,
DD17 Broadway LLC, an Arkansas limited liability company ("DYNE"), hereby submits an
application for a sign variance for the real property located at 322 Broadway Street in Little
Rock, Arkansas (the "Property"). The Property consists of approximately 0.50 acres located at
the northwest corner of Broadway Street and 4th Street. DYNE has leasehold interest in the
Property, which is owned by Metropolitan Land Company, LLC, an Arkansas limited liability
company.
Plan for the Property and Request for Sign Variance
DYNE, whose sibling company is the largest Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee in the nation and
is headquartered in Little Rock, is constructing a Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurant on the
Property. The new cafe is a relocation of the former Broadway location situated inside the
office building at the intersection of Broadway and 6th Street. The new cafe at the Property will
fill the demand for an affordable and convenient healthy restaurant option in the downtown
area with easier access for customers than the former location.
DYNE hereby requests one sign variance from the literal provisions of the Little Rock City
Code ("City Code") Section 36-342.1, which provides the regulations for the UU urban use
district. Specifically, DYNE requests a variance from:
a. City Code Section 36-342.1(c)(11), to permit a 12' high ground mounted monument sign
Pursuant to City Code Section 36-69(b)(2), the Board of Zoning Adjustment has the power to
hear requests for variances where strict enforcement of the zoning code would cause undue
hardship due to circumstances unique to the individual property under consideration.
Additionally, the Board may grant such variances only when such action would be in keeping
with the spirit and intent of the zoning code. These criteria are discussed for each variance
request herein.
II. Undue Hardship
— 301 Main Street, Suite 6 1 Little Rock, AR 72201
www.dynehg.com
DEVELOPMENT
Applicants for variances must show that strict enforcement of the zoning code would cause
undue hardship due to circumstances unique to the property in question.
a. Placement of 12' high ground mounted monument sign
City Code Section 36-342.1(c)(11) states: "Ground -mounted signs are discouraged and may only
be permitted as a variance as per division 2 of this chapter. Otherwise, permitted signs shall be
as in Section 36-553, signs permitted in institutional and office zones, of this chapter." A
freestanding sign is permitted in institutional and office zones. Therefore, a variance is required
for DYNE to place a 12' high ground mounted monument sign on the Property.
DYNE has been granted approval for a variance for a 6' high ground mounted monument sign;
however, we are instead requesting a variance for a 12' high ground mounted monument sign
on the Property. This would allow for better visibility considering the federal building across 4th
Street has an approximate 4' retaining wall and berm diminishing our sign visibility.
III. Spirit and intent of the zoning code
Applicants must also show that the requested variance will be in keeping with the spirit and
intent of the City Code. We believe that our proposed design will not negatively impact the area
while still providing the restaurant maximum visibility. It is important to note, DYNE requested
a variance for a freestanding 20' pylon sign and were denied but were advised by the Board of
Adjustment to reapply for a taller ground mounted monument sign.
IV. Conclusion
I have enclosed with this letter the application for the variance discussed herein. DYNE's
adjoining parcel and neighbor on the 300 block of Broadway Street, the Hatcher Agency, is
supportive of our variance request. It is our joint intent as partners and neighbors to improve
and beautify the 300 block of Broadway Street. Thank you in advance for your consideration of
our application, and please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Stuart McLendon
Managing Director
Enclosures
301 Main Street, Suite 6 1 Little Rock, AR 72201
www.dynehg.com