HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7079-A Staff AnalysisMay 20, 2002
ITEM NO.: 6
File No.:
Owner:
Address:
Description:
Zoned
Z -7079-A
Lewis Gardner
8921 Fourche Dam Pike
Tract C, Area 203, Little Rock Port
Industrial Park
C-3
Variance Requested- Variances are requested from the sign
provisions of Section 36-555 to permit a
ground -mounted sign which exceeds the
maximum height and area allowed by
ordinance.
Justification:
Present Use of Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments.
B. Staff Analysis:
The applicant's justification is presented in
an attached letter.
Convenience store with gas pumps (under
construction)
Convenience store with gas pumps
A new convenience store with gas pumps is being constructed on the C-3
zoned property at the northeast corner of Fourche Dam Pike and Lindsey
Road. The convenience store development will have access points from
Fourche Dam Pike and Lindsey Road. Little Rock Port railroad property is
located immediately north of the site, with Interstate 440 further north.
The applicant proposes to construct a ground -mounted sign at the
northwest corner of the development. The sign is proposed to have a
height of 60 feet and an area of 370 square feet. Section 36-555 of the
City's Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum ground -mounted sign height
May 20, 2002
of 36 feet and a maximum area of 160 square feet in C-3 zoning. Based
on the fact that the elevation of 1-440 is approximately 20.64 feet above
the elevation of this property, Staff could allow a sign height of 56.64 feet.
Therefore, the applicant is requesting variances for the proposed ground -
mounted sign height and area.
Staff has no problem with the proposed sign height, however, staff is not
supportive of the requested variance to allow the ground -mounted sign to
exceed the maximum area allowed by ordinance. Although several
variances (sign area and height) have been granted for signs on the north
side of 1-440 (Exxon, Texaco and McDonald's/Travelodge) by the former
Sign Appeal Board and the Board of Adjustment, the Total convenience
store sign on the south side of 1-440 complies with ordinance standards.
The Total store development is located across Fourche Dam Pike to the
west. The Total sign is approximately 63 feet in height (based on 1-440
elevation measured at that time) and 150 square feet in area. It is
apparent that the Total convenience store has thrived at this location for a
number of years with this signage. Therefore, staff feels that it would be
appropriate to allow similar sized signage for this new convenience store
development.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends denial of the requested variance to allow the ground -
mounted sign to exceed the maximum area allowed by ordinance. Staff
supports the requested variance to allow a ground -mounted sign height of
60 feet.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MAY 20, 2002)
Jim Hill was present, representing the application. There were no objectors
present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of denial.
Jim Hill addressed the Board in support of the application. He noted that other
ground -mounted signs in the area exceed the maximum height and area allowed
by ordinance. He noted that most of the business generated by the convenience
store will come from 1-440 and explained why the larger sign was needed. He
explained that the convenience store was in direct competition with the other
convenience stores in the area and other nearby cities.
Vice -Chairman Gray asked if the applicant would consider a smaller price sign.
Mr. Hill noted that the reason for the requested sign size was the distance of the
property from 1-440.
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May 20, 2002
Item No.: 6 (Cont.
There was a lengthy discussion pertaining to the size of the Total store signage
in relation to the signage proposed for this property and the location of this
property in relation to 1-440. Staff noted that the proposed sign area was 320
square feet instead of the 370 square feet as was mentioned previously.
There was a motion to approve the application as filed. The motion failed by a
vote of 0 ayes and 5 nays. The application was denied.
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