HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7037 Staff AnalysisMay 21, 2001
Item No.: 11
File No.: Z-7037
Owner: Arkansas Repertory Theater
Address: 601 Main
Description: Long Legal, Original City
Zoned: UU
Variance Re ested: Variances are requested from the
sign provisions of Section 36-557
and the Development Criteria of
Article V, Division 6 of Chapter
36.
Justification: The applicant's justification is
presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property:
Professional
Live
Theatre
Proposed Use of Proper
Professional
Live
Theatre
Staff Re ort:
A. Public Works Issues:
Franchise will be required for banners extending over or
located within the public right-of-way.
B. Staff Analysis:
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre is located in the building on
the UU zoned property at 601 Main Street. In an effort to
increase the theatre's visibility and to enhance the visual
appeal of the block, the theatre proposes to hang decorative
banners on the building's fagade. The theatre proposes to
hang five, 3 feet by 5 feet banners to hang perpendicular to
the building on the second level; two, 4 feet by 12 feet
banners to hang at the corner on the third level and one
banner to hang on the street lamp pole outside the front
door. Article V, Section 6 of Chapter 36, the UU District,
prohibits ground -mounted signs but states that otherwise,
signs are to be regulated and permitted as elsewhere in the
City. Section 36-557 of the Code limits the placement of
May 21, 2001
Item No.: 11 (Cont.)
banners to one per street frontage, for a specific length of
time. permit guidelines require the banners to be mounted
flush against the wall.
Staff is supportive of the requested variances. The
Repertory Theatre is a cultural attraction that will benefit
from the increased visibility and enhanced visual atmosphere
created by the banners. The banners will not advertise
hours of operation or individual events. Each banner will
simply read "The Rep -Share the Experience." Encouraged by
the success of the River Market District, staff is hopeful
that similar revitalization can begin to occur on the
north/south streets, particularly Main Street. There is a
large "gap" in activities available on Main Street, between
the Markham intersection and the South Main area that
includes Juanitas and Community Bakery. The recent
announcement that the Center Theater will be renovated and
reopened adds to the hope that the "Mid -Main" area is on the
verge of rebirth.
Staff would suggest that the banners be approved for a
period of 2 years, with Board of Adjustment review for
possible continuation. The Board can then review the issue
in the context of any changes which may occur along Main
Street. All of the proposed banners are located either over
or in the public right-of-way and a franchise will be
required to coincide with the Board's approval. Again,
staff's support is based on the Repertory Theatre being a
cultural attraction and the banners not having a commercial
message.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variances to
allow the Banners for a period of two years only, with
additional Board action required to allow placement beyond
that point subject to compliance with the following
conditions:
1. A franchise must be obtained to coincide with the
Board's approval.
2. The banners must be maintained in good condition,
otherwise they must be removed.
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May 21, 2001
Item No.: 11 (Cont.)
3. The banners are to contain no commercial message and
are to only include the identification of the location
as "The Rep, Share the Experience."
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(MAY 21, 2001)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to compliance with the conditions outlined in the "Staff
Recommendation" above.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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