HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7208 Staff AnalysisApril 29, 2002
ITEM NO.: 11
File No.:
Owner:
Address:
Zoned:
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Present Use of Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
Z-7208
Deltic Timber Corporation
Chenal Valley — Various Locations
Various zonings
Variances are requested in conjunction with
the Chenal Valley Sign Master Plan.
The applicant's justification is presented in
an attached letter.
Various uses
Various uses
1. Signs should not obstruct corner line -of -sight. Refer to Section 32-8 of
Traffic Ordinance. (Signs should not extend into the triangular area
between the property lines and a diagonal line joining points on the
property line fifty- (50) feet from the point of intersection.)
B. Staff Analysis:
The applicant, Deltic Timber Corporation, requests approval of a Sign
Master Plan for the Chenal Valley area of west Little Rock. The issue is
before the Board of Adjustment based on the fact that most of the signs
will be located in the public right-of-way and variances are needed for
some of the signs. A total of 14 sign locations are proposed as noted on
the attached plan. All of the proposed signs will be monument -type signs,
except for banner signs on light poles which are proposed for The Village
At Rahling Road development. The signs will identify various subdivisions
and developments in the Chenal Valley area. The applicant notes that
eight (8) of the signs are existing.
According to Section 36-530 of the City's Zoning Ordinance, the definition
of an off -premise sign is as follows:
April 29, 2002
Item No.: 11 (Cont.
"Off -premises sign means a sign structure advertising an
establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment,
which is not sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at
the property on which the sign is located, e.g., billboards
or outdoor advertising."
The first issue before the Board is an interpretive issue as to whether or
not the monument -type signs are considered off -premise signs. Although
the signs are located in the public right-of-way, staff believes that the
signs should not be interpreted as off -premise signs. This is based on the
fact that the signs are located within the overall Chenal Valley
development and identify specific areas of the overall development.
According to Section 36-552, subdivision identification signs are allowed a
maximum area of 32 square feet. Three (3) of the existing monument
signs (#3, #7 and #10 as shown on the attached site sketch) exceed the'
32 square foot maximum area. These signs range in size from 36 square
feet to 64 square feet. Therefore, the applicant requests a variance for
these signs. Staff is supportive of this variance. The two (2) signs with
the largest area are main entry signs to the Chenal Valley development,
with the other sign identifying a number of the small developments within
Chenal Valley.
The last variance relates to the 41 banner signs attached to lamp posts
within The Village At Rahling Road commercial/office development. Each
banner sign is attached to two (2) poles which extend horizontally from
each the lamp pole. The banners are approximately eight (8) square feet
in area.
Section 36-557(d) of the City's Zoning Ordinance limits the placement of
banner signs to four (4) events in a calendar year, with a limit of six (6)
weeks per event, for a total of 24 weeks. The applicant is requesting that
the banners be allowed to remain up on a year-round basis.
Staff also supports the variance to allow year-round use of the banner
signs. Staff feels that the request is reasonable and should have no
adverse impact on the general area, given the small size of the banner
signs proposed. Staff does however recommend that the banner signs be
for the identification of "The Village At Rahling Road" development only.
The banners must not advertise an individual business, sale/promotion,
specific merchandise or product line.
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April 29, 2002
Item No.: 11
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Chenal Valley Sign Master Plan
including variances, subject to the following conditions:
1. A franchise must be obtained for all signs located in the public right-of-
way.
2. Sign permits must be obtained as per the City Zoning Ordinance.
Staff also recommends approval of the variance to allow year-round use
of banner signs within "The Village At Rahling Road" development subject
to the following conditions:
1. The banner signs are for the identification of "The Village At Rahling
Road" development only.
2. There is to be no wording on the banner signs which advertise a
specific business, sale/promotion, specific merchandise or product
line.
3. The banner signs are to be attached only to the light poles within "The
Village At Rahling Road" development, with limitation of the size and
number of signs as described in the "Staff Analysis."
4. Any banner sign that becomes torn or damaged must be promptly
removed.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (APRIL 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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