HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7117 Staff AnalysisDecember 17, 2001
ITEM NO.: 2
File No..
Owner:
Address:
Z-7117
J. Chandler. Co., Inc.
119 Main Street
Description: The south 26 feet of Lot 4 and
all of Lots 5,and 6, Block 2,
Original City of Little Rock
Zoned:
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Present Use of Property:
UU
A variance is requested from the
sign provisions of Section 36-
553 and the development criteria
of Section 36-342.1 to permit an
under canopy sign which extends
into the public right-of-way.
The applicant's justification is
presented in an attached letter.
Mixed Office/Commercial
Proposed Use of Property: Mixed Office/Commercial
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No issues.
B. Staff Analysis:
The UU zoned property at 119 Main Street contains an
office/commercial building which is immediately south
of the old Wallace Building. One of the ground floor
tenants (Club International) is requesting variances to
allow an under -canopy sign, which extends over the
property line and into the public right-of-way. The
building at this location sits on the property line.
The sign will be nine (9) square feet in area and
mounted under the existing canopy, with a clearance of
December 17, 2001
Item No.: 2
approximately ten (10) feet above the existing
sidewalk.
According to Section 36-342 .1 (c) (9) a. (W District
Development Criteria), "objects shall not project from
the building fagade over the public right-of-way except
for awnings and balconies." In addition, Section 36-
342.1(c)(11) permits signage in the W District as
allowed in Section 36-553, signs permitted in
institutional and office zones. Section 36-553 allows
one (1) under -canopy sign per occupancy, not to exceed
12 square feet in area, with a minimum setback of five
(5) feet from property lines. The sign is required to
have a minimum clearance of nine (9) feet over
sidewalks. In summary, the applicant is requesting a
variance from Section 36-342.1(c)(9)a. to allow an
under -canopy sign which projects into the public right-
of-way, and a variance from Section 36-553 to allow an
under -canopy sign which has no setback from the
property line.
The applicant has applied for a franchise permit for
the sign. The franchise application has gone through
the review process, with approval by the Board of
Adjustment being the only outstanding issue. Once the
Board approves the variances associated with the sign,
the franchise can be granted.
Staff believes that the requested variances are
reasonable and supports the application. The proposed
under -canopy sign should aid in the identification and
location of the business, and would not out of
character with other signs in the general area. Staff
feels that the under -canopy sign will have no adverse
impact on the adjacent properties.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance to
allow an under -canopy sign subject to the following
conditions:
1. A franchise must be obtained for the sign.
2. A sign permit must be obtained.
3. The sign should not exceed 12 square feet in area.
2
December 17, 2001
Item No.: 2
4. The sign must maintain a minimum nine (9) foot
clearance over the sidewalk.
5. Only one (1) under -canopy sign will be allowed for
this occupancy.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(DECEMBER 17, 2001)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval.
Fred Gray asked about the proposed orientation of the
under -canopy sign (parallel to the street). Willie Hadley
noted that the sign was proposed parallel to Main Street in
order to be visible to the vehicular traffic along the
street.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff by a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.