HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7079-B Staff AnalysisJuly 29, 2002
ITEM NO.: 3
File No.: Z -7079-B
Owner: Lewis Gardner
Address: 8921 Fourche Dam Pike
Description: Tract C, Area 203, Little Rock Port
Industrial Park
Zoned: C-3
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from 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.
On May 20, 2002 the Board of Adjustment denied variances for a
proposed ground -mounted sign at this location. The proposed sign had a
height of 60 feet and an area of 320 square feet. Staff supported the
proposed sign height, but opposed the proposed sign area.
July 29, 2002
Item No.:
Since that time the applicant has been working with staff on scaling down
the area of the denied ground -mounted sign. The applicant is now
proposing to construct a ground -mounted sign at the northwest corner of
the development, with a height of 60 feet and an area of 241 square feet.
Section 36-555 of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum ground -
mounted sign height of 36 feet and a maximum area of 160 square feet.
Based on the fact that the elevation of 1-440 is approximately 20.64 feet
above the elevation of this property, staff could approve a sign height of
56.64 feet. Therefore, the applicant is requesting variances for the
proposed ground -mounted sign height and area.
Given the fact that this property has two (2) street frontages, the applicant
would be allowed to install two (2) ground -mounted signs (one along each
frontage), each having a maximum height of 36 feet and a maximum area
of 160 square feet. In order to aid in the justification for the proposed _
variances, the applicant is willing to limit the height and area of the second
ground -mounted sign. The applicant has stated that the second ground -
mounted sign will be a monument -type sign, with a maximum height of 10
feet (including the base) and a maximum area of 78 square feet. The sign
will be oriented to Lindsey Road.
With the limitation proposed by the applicant for the second ground -
mounted sign, staff is supportive of the requested variances to allow the
ground -mounted sign to exceed the maximum sign height and area
allowed by ordinance. The total ground -mounted sign area allowed by
ordinance is 320 square feet (2 signs) for this corner property. The total
sign area proposed by the applicant is 319 square feet. Staff feels that
the ground -mounted signage as proposed will have no adverse impact on
the adjacent properties on the general area. Several variances (height
and area) were previously 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.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the variances to allow a ground -mounted
sign which exceeds the maximum height and area allowed by ordinance,
subject to the following conditions:
1. The ground -mounted sign will have a maximum height of 60 feet
and a maximum area of 241 square feet.
2. The second ground -mounted sign on this property must be a
monument -type sign, with a maximum height of 10 feet (including
base) and a maximum area of 78 square feet.
3. Sign permits must be obtained for all signage.
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July 29, 2002
Item No.: 3 (Cont.
4. The ground -mounted signs must be set back at least five (5) feet
from any property line, as measured from the nearest edge of the
sign.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JULY 29, 2002)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by
staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
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