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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7103-B Staff AnalysisSeptember 30, 2002 ITEM NO.: 7 File No.: Owner: Address: Description: Zoned: Z -7103-B City of Little Rock as trustee for the Central Arkansas Library System 120 Commerce Street Lots 1-3, Block 8, Pope's Addition Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the sign provisions of Section 36-557 to allow a sign without street frontage. 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. Commercial/Office Commercial/Office The property at 120 Commerce Street is zoned UU and is occupied by the Cox Building, which contains a mixture of office and commercial uses. The Board of Adjustment recently approved variances to allow banner signs to be placed on the building. A new building tenant, Boulevard Bread Company, wishes to place a sign on (under) the west metal canopy of the building. The sign would be 3 feet by 8 feet in area and face President Clinton Avenue. There is an alley and public parking lot located between the Cox Building and President Clinton Avenue. September 30, 2002 Item No.: 7 (Cont.) Section 36-557(a) of the City's Zoning Ordinance reads as follows: "(a) All on -premises wall signs must face required street frontage except in complexes where a sign without street frontage would be the only means of identification for a tenant." Based on the fact that there is private property between the north side of the Cox Building and President Clinton Avenue, the applicant is requesting a variance from this ordinance standard. Staff is supportive of the variance request. Staff feels that the proposed sign will not be out of character with existing signs in the River Market District. The sign should provide the restaurant with adequate identification as viewed from the high traffic River Market area to the north. As noted in an attached letter, the River Market Design Review Committee approved the proposed sign without street frontage on September 3, 2002. The revised sign as noted in the DRC letter dated September 10, 2002 was for a change in background color only. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested variance to allow a sign without street frontage, as revised and approved by the River Market Design Review Committee. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (SEPTEMBER 30, 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. 2