HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7149-A Staff AnalysisMARCH 26, 2018
ITEM NO.: 2
File No.:
Owner:
Applicant:
Address:
Description:
Zoned:
Z -7149-A
Little Rock Union Plaza, LLC
Jennifer Lester, Union Plaza Building
124 W. Capitol Avenue
Northeast corner of W. Capitol Avenue and S. Louisiana Street
UU
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the sign provisions of Section
36-342.1 to allow a ground -mounted sign in the UU zoning
district.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Office
Proposed Use of Property: Office
STAFF REPORT
0
Public Works Issues:
No Comments
Staff Analysis_
The UU zoned property located at 124 W. Capitol Avenue is occupied by a 20 story
office building within the south half of the property. The property is located at the
northeast corner of W. Capitol Avenue and S. Louisiana Street. A three-story annex
addition and a five -story parking deck are located within the north half of the
property. An outdoor plaza area, including large above ground planters, is located
on the south side of the office building, between the building and the W. Capitol
Avenue right-of-way. Jennifer Lester of Union Plaza Commercial Real Estate is the
authorized applicant for the property owner, Little Rock Union Plaza, LLC.
The applicant is proposing to install a ground -mounted sign within the plaza area,
as noted on the attached site plan. The proposed ground -mounted sign will be 5.58
feet in height, with a sign area of approximately 60 square feet. The proposed sign
will be located on the west side of the large planters within the plaza area, and
between the building's main entrance and the W. Capitol Avenue right-of-way. The
proposed sign will be for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery which has office space
within the high-rise building.
MARCH 26, 2018
ITEM NO.: 2 CON'T. Z -7149-A
Section 36-342.1(c)(11) of the City's Zoning Ordinance requires that ground -
mounted signs in the UU zoning district be reviewed and approved by the Board of
Adjustment. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the ground -
mounted sign within the outdoor plaza area at 124 W. Capitol Avenue.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance to allow a ground -mounted sign at 124
W. Capitol Avenue. Staff views the request as reasonable. The proposed sign will
be located within a plaza area on the south side of a high-rise office building. The
plaza area is a pedestrian use area, and the proposed sign will be similar to art work
which will add to the pedestrian experience. Additionally, the proposed sign is
relatively small, with a height of 5.58 feet and an area of approximately 60 square
feet, which is compatible to signage typically allowed in office zones. Staff believes
the proposed ground -mounted sign at 124 W. Capitol Avenue will have no adverse
impact on the adjacent properties or the general area.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance to allow this specific ground -
mounted sign in the UU zoning district, subject to the sign being located at least five
(5) feet back from any property line.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
(March 26, 2018)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
application with a recommendation of approval. There was no further discussion.
The application was placed on the Consent Agenda for approval as recommended by
staff. The Consent Agenda passed by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent and 1 recusal
(Allison). The application was approved.
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