HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7087-A Staff AnalysisJanuary 26, 2004
ITEM NO.: B
File No.:
Owner:
Address:
Description:
Zoned:
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Present Use of Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments.
B. Staff Analysis:
Z -7087-A
BG Excelsior, LTD.
3 Statehouse' Plaza
Part of Blocks 79 and 80, Original City
of Little Rock
UU
A variance is requested from the
development provisions of Section
36-342.1 to allow a ground -mounted
sign.
The applicant's justification is presented in
an attached letter.
Hotel
Hotel
The UU zoned property at 3 Statehouse Plaza is occupied by the
Peabody Hotel facilities. The development includes a multi -story hotel
building, with a large porte cochere in front of the hotel along West
Markham Street. There is a landscaped area between the porte cochere
and West Markham Street.
The applicant proposes to install a ground -mounted sign within the
existing landscaped area which will advertise a restaurant (Cappricio's)-
and bar (Mallard's Bar) located within the hotel building. The sign will
have a height of approximately nine (9) feet and an area of approximately
20 square feet. The sign will have internal fluorescent illumination.
January 26, 2004
ITEM NO.: B (Cont.
Section 36-342.1(c)(11). of the City's Zoning Ordinance, prohibits ground -
mounted signs in the UU (Urban Use) zoning district. Therefore, the
applicant is requesting a variance from this ordinance standard to allow
the ground -mounted sign as described above.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance. Staff feels that the request
is reasonable, based on the relatively small size of the proposed sign.
Given the location and size of the porte cochere structure, other types of
signs (projecting sign, wall sign, etc.) would probably have very little
visibility. Therefore, staff feels that a small ground -mounted sign as
proposed is the best option for signage at this location. The proposed
sign should have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the
general area. Staff is unable to determine where the sign is located with
relation to the front property line, based on the graphic information
submitted by the applicant. The proposed sign must be located at least
five (5) feet back from the front property line/right-of-way line, as
measured to the closest edge of the sign.
C. Staff Recommendations:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance, subject to the
following conditions:
1. The sign will have a maximum height of 9'— 1" and a maximum area of
20.34 square feet.
2. The sign must be set back at least five (5) feet from the front property
line.
3. A sign permit must be obtained for the proposed sign.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (DECEMBER 22, 2003)
Staff informed the Board that the applicant had requested the application be
deferred to the January 26, 2004 Agenda. Staff supported the deferral request.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and deferred to the January 26,
2003 agenda by a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
January 26, 2004
ITEM NO.: B (Cont.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JANUARY 26, 2004)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval.
Staff noted that additional information had been received from the applicant
indicating that the proposed sign would be located in the right-of-way. Staff
stated that Public Works had reviewed the proposed sign location and had no
problems with it. Staff revised its recommendation for approval with the following
conditions:
The sign will have a maximum height of 9'— 1" and a maximum area of
20.34 square feet.
2. A franchise permit must be obtained for the proposed sign.
3. A sign permit must be obtained for the proposed sign.
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.
3