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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7931 Staff AnalysisSEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 File No.: Z-7931 Owner: Central Arkansas Library System Applicant: Ed Sergeant, Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects Address: 404-411 President Clinton Avenue Description: South side of President Clinton Avenue, between Commerce Street and Ottenheimer Plaza Zoned: UU Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the development and sign provisions of Sections 36-11, 36-342.1 and 36-353-357 associated with development of the Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy (Central Arkansas Library System) facilities. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use of Property: Existing commercial buildings and undeveloped property Proposed Use of Property: Library STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: 1. Modifications to roads and sidewalk shall be approved by Public Works 2. Height of awnings and signs must be at least 9 ft. above pedestrian areas and 14 ft. above vehicular travel areas. B. Landscape and Buffer Issues: Adherence to the River Market Design Overlay District standards will be required. Those standards include spacing trees thirty feet on center two feet off the back of street curbs. Adequate site distance at the intersection will be necessary. Four irrigation bubble heads per tree well within a four -foot by four -foot tree grate will be required. Autumn blaze maple trees along President Clinton Avenue is the requirement. Prior to obtaining a construction permit, it will be necessary to provide landscape plans in compliance with the River Market Design Overlay District standards. SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 (CON'T.) C. Utility Issues: Little Rock Wastewater Utility — No objection to encroachment. Central Arkansas Water — No objection to encroachment. If minor facilities, such as meters, are found in this area and if they need to be retained, they will need to be relocated at the developer's expense. Entergy — No objection to encroachment. If it is necessary to relocate any Entergy facilities, it will be at the developer's expense. CenterPoint Energy — CenterPoint Energy has a 2" plastic gas main on the east side of Rock Street and a 2" plastic gas main on the south side of Clinton Avenue. CenterPoint would have no objection to the abandonment of the Street ROW adjacent to the proposed Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy as long as 20' easement was reserved for our facilities and a restriction included that did not allow any structures to be built on that easement. Should the Center need the gas lines relocated CenterPoint will be accommodating but will request that the cost of that relocation be borne by the party requesting the relocation. In regards to the building at 405 East Clinton Avenue, our Measurement Department states that the meter for this building has been removed but there is a 1 Y2" gas riser still there. Southwestern Bell — No comments received. D. Staff Analysis: The proposal is for a new building, renovation of existing buildings and signage at the Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy. The property is located at 401-411 President Clinton Avenue, between Commerce Street and Ottenheimer Plaza. This includes the adaptive reuse of the Budget Office Furniture building and the Geyer and Adams building in addition to a new building at the southeast corner of Rock and President Clinton Avenue. The Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy is a joint venture between the Central Arkansas Library and the University of Arkansas. The Budget Office Furniture Building will have some exterior changes to it. The building has five bays (with windows or doors) currently on the front of the building. For discussion, the eastern most bay will be number 1 and the western most will be number five. Number five will have a door that replicates the existing front door to the business with one door and sidelights that is currently at bay number 2. The existing single door to the business in bay number 2 will be changed to a double door to be a design that is compatible 2 SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 CON'T. with the door that is being replaced. The overhead garage door in number four will be turned into a window to match the windows in bays number one and three. There will be retractable fabric awnings on the east side of the building for a yet to be determined exterior use. New windows will be installed on east side to match existing windows in the building. The dock door on the east side will be relocated to the north and the existing dock door will be filled with matching brick. The paint on at least the north fagade, will be removed with technique as approved by DRC Staff. If not removed, the existing brick will be repaired and painted. Color will be similar to the brick of the north facade. A new non-functional water tower will be added on the existing steel frame. The tank will be about 14'X 14' (depending upon the size of the original tank - photos have not yet been found). It will be galvanized steel. Historically, there was a water tank in that location. The new water tank will have artwork or a logo for the center painted on it. There is to be an equipment screen on the roof that will duplicate the water tower structure. The structure and cross bracing shall be similar to the existing water tower support. The structure shall be infilled with a metal screen which will obscure the view of the equipment,. The rear of the building will have some changes also. The existing dock to the west will be extended to the east with stairs to the ground. There will be large windows installed (aluminum curtain wall with glass) on the western edge of the building that extend all floors of the building. The brick will be repaired and repainted. The Geyer and Adams building will have minimum changes to the front of the building. The transoms on the first floor will be re -glazed. The basement (which is partially located under the sidewalk) will be filled in, a street tree will be planted in the appropriate spot, with a tree and brick strip. All materials and techniques of installation for existing hardscape will be matched. The existing brick will be cleaned and overpaint removed. The techniques to be used are subject to approval by the DRC Staff. An equipment screen will be placed on the roof to be similar to the screen on the Budget Office Building. See description prior. There are to be three sets of new double doors on back to replace dock doors. The dock doors in the outside wall will be removed. These are to be painted aluminum. . 3 SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 (CON'T. Lease space is for an unnamed tenant. Signage will be filed for that tenant when that information is known. The Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy is the new building to be added at the west end of the project. The building will be four (4) stories in height. All three buildings will be opened up to each other and serve as one continuous space or series of spaces. On the north fagade, a painted steel structure will be visible on the facade of the building. It will be painted a charcoal grey color. Within this steel structure, the new building is primarily aluminum curtain wall with clear glass, which will give the effect of one large glass wall. This is in contrast with the district's historic buildings that are mostly brick with wood double hung windows with clear glass panes. A column of brick is included on the north facade with the color of the brick to be similar to the Geyer and Adams brickwork. The building also has aluminum composite panels on the facade. On the west fagade, the painted steel frame wraps around the corner and supports the large sign. Aluminum composite panels encase the steel frame to the south and on the top floor. The balance of the building on that facade is the aluminum curtain wall with clear glass panels. There are to be aluminum sunscreen panels with information banners on them. The information is shown in Detail 2 and will show all of the past Arkansas governors that have exhibits in the building. It will have a photo (or likeness), name, dates served, and a quote from the governor. These sunscreens will extend from the first floor to the roof. Another design feature will be a series of steps that extend to the old Rock Street right-of-way. The slope of the land drops to the south, so that approximately seven steps are required from the sidewalk level to the first floor level. Rock Street was closed by Ordinance #16,829 (Rock Street is not a public street anymore, the Central Arkansas Library System owns the land it is a private street. They do however have utility easements that occupy the space where the street was.) None of the public utility companies has an objection to the proposed easement encroachment. The south fagade of the new building is similar to the north. This fagade is primarily an aluminum curtain wall with clear glass, which will give the effect of one large glass wall. A column of brick is included on the south fagade with the color of the brick to be similar to the Geyer and Adams brickwork. This mirrors the column on the north facade. Entry doors face the south. A large tree is planned to be saved on the southwest corner of the building. On the roof of the building are the elevator penthouse and the rooftop terrace. The terrace also has the painted steel structure as an arbor. Rock Street will be transformed into a brick paved street with stone speed bumps. The islands with the two bald cypress trees on the west side of the 4 SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 (CON'T. street will be renovated and changed in shape. It is staff's opinion that the trees should be transplanted to another site and new trees to be placed in the remodeled islands. The ordinance calls for Bald Cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) on north -south streets between Cumberland Street and 1-30. The existing trees are of such a size and age that they will not withstand the shock of the construction. Light bollards will be placed on the eastern curb line to illuminate the transition between the street pavers and the sidewalk pavers. Variances are requested from Sections 36-356(a)(2), 36-356(c )(1), 36-356(c )(3) and 36-356(d)(2) of the River Market Design Overlay District requirements for the proposed development and re -development. Also, Section 36-11(f) of the City's Zoning Ordinance requires that encroachments into utility easements be reviewed and approved by the Board of Adjustment. The application includes several signs: A. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy" at the northwest corner of the building facing west. The "C" in Center will be 6-0" tall and all other capital letters will be 2'8" tall. The lower case letters will be 2'-0" tall. The overall size of the sign is 22 feet tall and 18 feet wide. The top of the sign is 20'above the second level window sills. The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be pin mounted to the sunscreen. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below "History". Since Rock Street is a private street, the sign has a non -street frontage. Variances are requested from Sections 36-353(a)(1)h., 36-353(a)(2)j., 36-353(c )(1)a., 36-353(c )(1)b., 36-353(c )(2)a., 36-353(c )(3)a. and 36-353(c )(4)a. for this sign. B. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy" at the northeast corner of the building facing east. The "C" in Center will be 5'-0" tall and all other capital letters will be 2'8" tall. The lower case letters will be V-10" tall. The overall size of the sign is 20' feet tall and 16' feet wide. The top of the sign is 18' above the second level window sills. The letters will either be fritted light colored letters on a new glass wall or aluminum with a clear coating on the existing masonry "repair" wall. If they are aluminum, they will be pin mounted to the wall. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below "History". The sign has non -street frontage since its fronts onto the alley. Variances are requested from Sections 36-353(a)(1)h., 36- 353(a)(2)j., 36-353(c )(1)a., 36-353(c )(1)b., 36-353(c )(2)a., 36-353(c )(3)a and 36-353(c )(4)a. for this sign. C. "A joint partnership by Central Arkansas Library System and University of Arkansas at Little Rock" on the west fagade on the first floor eye level. (non street frontage.) The overall size of the sign is 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide. The sign is clear plexiglass with charcoal grey letters. There is no illumination. Variances are requested from Sections 36-353(a)(1)h. and 36-353(c )(1)b. for this sign. 5 SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 CON'T. (There is no sign D.) E. "Lower Arkansas River Valley Museum" a tentative wording for the museum space at the northeast corner of the Budget Office Furniture building. On the east fagade of the building, the overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 16' wide. The letters will either be fritted light colored letters on glass or aluminum with a clear coating. If they are aluminum, they will be pin mounted to the wall. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non -street frontage. Variances are requested from Sections 36-353(a)(1)h. and 36- 353(c )(1)b. for this sign. F. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy" transfer letters on glass on the President Clinton Avenue side at the northwest corner of the new building on the north fagade at eye -level. The overall size of the sign is 2'- 8"feet tall and 2'-0" feet wide. Transfer vinyl letters on glass. There is no illumination. A variance is requested from Section 36-353(c )(1)b. for this sign. G. "Center for Arkansas History" at the southwest corner of the new building above the door. The overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 12 feet wide. The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be pin mounted to the top of the steel beam. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non -street frontage. Variances are requested from Sections 36-353(a)(1)h.; 36-353(c )(1)a., 36-353(c )(1)b. and 36-353(c )(4)a. for this sign. H. "Center for Arkansas History" at the southeast corner of the Budget Office building above the awning. The overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 12 feet wide. The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be pin mounted to the top of the steel beam. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non - street frontage. Variances are requested from Sections 36-353(a)(1)h.; 36-353(c )(1)a., 36-353(c )(1)b. and 36-353(c )(4)a. for this sign. I. "Lower Arkansas River Valley Museum" a tentative wording for the museum space at the northeast corner of the Budget Office Furniture building. On the north fagade of the building, the overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 16' wide. The letters will either be fritted light colored letters on glass or aluminum with a clear coating. If they are aluminum, they will be pin mounted to the wall. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non -street frontage. A variance is requested from Section 36-353(c )(1)b. for this sign. Detail 2: Sunscreen with graphics: There will be several sunscreens on the west facade of the new building that feature sketches of the busts of the 6 SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 (CON'T. governors, with their names, and dates of service. The images and text will be fritted onto frosted glass panels. The panels are mounted onto a painted steel frame. The overall size of each sign is 44 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights. Since Rock Street is a private street, the signs have a non -street frontage. The top of the signs are 33 feet above the second level window sills. Variances are requested from Sections 36-353(a)(1)h.;36-353(a)(2)j., 36-353(c )(1)a., 36-353(c )(1)b. 36- 353 (c )(2)a., 36-353(c )(3)a. and 36-353(c )(4)a. for the sunscreen signs. Water Tower artwork or sign (logo): A sketch of a typical governor will be placed on the water tower facing the southeast. The tank will be galvanized steel with a possible logo for the center painted on the tank. Illumination will be by a small spot light. Variances are requested from Sections 36- 353(a)(1)h.; 36-353(c )(1)a., 36-353(c )(1)b. and 36-353(c )(4)a. of the River Market Design Overlay District requirements for the logo (sign) if placed on the tower. Additionally, a variance will be needed from Section 36-543(7) which prohibits roof signs. If a logo (sign) is placed on the tank, staff will consider it a roof sign. The project also includes other variances: 1. The sidewalk on the Clinton Avenue side north of the main entrance to the new addition will be stone instead of concrete. The brick strip will remain in place. The finish of the stone will be similar to the finish of the concrete and provide a safe walking surface. Variances are requested from Section 36-342.1(c )(6)a. of the UU (Urban Use District) standards and 36-355(b)(1) of the River Market standards for the sidewalk. 2. Glass awnings over Budget Office doorways. These glass awnings will project approximately 8 inches out from the brick surface of the wall. They will be laminated translucent glass with painted metal channels on the ends. They will primarily protect the door from the weather. There will be a small light fixture above them to provide illumination of the awning and to diffuse light onto the sidewalk. A variance is requested from Section 36-357(a)(4) for the glass awnings. 3. Retractable canvas awnings will be located over the first floor windows on the east side of the building. These awnings will be several feet wider than the individual windows. A variance is requested from Section 36-357(b)(1) for these awnings. 4. Four (4) doors on the north side of the existing buildings will swing into the public right-of-way. The applicant has noted that if the doors were moved inward, the historic fabric of two (2) existing buildings would be changed. A variance from Section 36-342.1(c )(7) is requested for the doors. 7 SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 CON'T. Below are selected sections of the ordinance from which this application will require a variance. Sec. 36-353. Signs. (a) Signs in general. 1. Location. C. Wall signs shall be confined to the flat surface of the building and shall not project more than five (5) inches from the building fagade. h. All signs must face public street right-of-way except those permitted on facades facing the Arkansas River. 2. Appearance. j. Letters on signs shall not exceed one foot six inches (1'-6") in height. (c) Wall signs located on or facing public street rights -of -ways or private streets. (1) Location. a. Except as permitted in subsection (b), the maximum sign height on a building shall not extend above the second floor windowsill or above the overhang of a single story building. b. Signs shall not number more than three (3) per business. (2) Appearance. a. Signs shall not exceed one quarter (1/4) of a square foot of sign area for each linear foot of primary street building frontage, not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet per sign. (3) Lettering. a. Letters shall not exceed one and one-half (1 '/2) feet in height (4) Sign illumination. a. Light fixtures for signs shall not be readily visible from the street or sidewalk. Sec. 36-355. Sidewalks. (b) Width and clearance. (1) Sidewalks shall consist of a seven and one-half (7'-6") concrete walk in addition to a four (4'-0") feet red brick paving planting strip. (2) Sidewalks shall provide adequate clearance for ease of pedestrian traffic and movement. Sec. 36-556. Building Form (a) Materials. (1) Non -applicable (2) The type of materials and their color, texture, scale and detailing shall be compatible with those of buildings on adjacent sites. 8 SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 (CON'T. (3) Surface cleaning of historic structures shall be done with the gentlest possible method. Physical or chemical treatments, such as sandblasting or high-pressure water cleaning that cause damage to historic material, shall be prohibited. (c ) Openings. (1) Historical upper fagade windows shall retain original dimensions and details. (3) New construction shall have a pattern of windows and doors that resemble similar patterns of facades on adjacent buildings. (d ) Style and form. (1) Non -applicable (2) Buildings shall maintain the distinction between upper and lower levels. Sec. 36-557. Awnings. (a) Appearance. (4) Awnings shall be composed of canvas, vinyl coated canvas, acrylic fabrics or other architectural materials compatible with the building and the district. (b) Location. (1) Awnings shall cover only the storefront display windows, balconies or transom above the main entrance. Upper facade details shall not be obscured. Sec. 36-342.1 Urban Use District (c) Development criteria. (6) Sidewalks. a. Sidewalks shall consist of a minimum five-foot concrete walk, excluding the first two (2) feet from the curb. Sidewalks shall provide a minimum seven -foot horizontal clearance at a height of four (4) feet from the ground. (7) Building orientation. Buildings must be oriented to the street. The primary entrance of the building shall be at street level on the street at the sidewalk. Entrances shall be designed so that the door will not swing beyond the property line. Staff is supportive of the variances associated with the proposed Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy development. Staff believes the development and redevelopment plan for this property is a quality one, which will be a very nice addition to River Market District and overall downtown area. The River Market Design Review Committee reviewed the application on September 13, 2005 and approved all aspects of the proposed development. 9 SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 ITEM NO.: 8 CON'T.) E. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the variances associated with the proposed Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy, subject to the following conditions: (1) Compliance with the Public Works requirements as noted in paragraph A. of the staff report. (2) Compliance with the Landscape and buffer requirements as noted in paragraph B. of the staff report. (3) Compliance with the utility requirements as noted in paragraph C. of the staff report. (4) A franchise permit must be obtained from Public Works for any improvements in the right-of-way. (5) A sign permit must be obtained for each sign. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (SEPTEMBER 26, 2005) 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 5 ayes and 0 nays. ,To September 13, 2005 ITEM NO.: 3 Name: Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy Location: 401 - 411 Pres. Clinton Ave. Request: New building, renovation of existing buildings and signage Source: Ed Sergeant, Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The proposal is for a new building, renovation of existing buildings and signage at the Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy. This includes the adaptive reuse of the Budget Office Furniture building and the Geyer and Adams building in addition to a new building at the southeast corner of Rock and Pres Clinton Ave. The Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy is a joint venture between the Central Arkansas Library and the University of Arkansas. The Budget Office Furniture Building will have some exterior changes to it. The building has five bays (with windows or.doors) currently on the front of the building. For discussion, the eastern most Uh-Wwill be number 1 and the western most will be number five. Number five will have a door that replicates the existing front door to the business with one door and sidelights that is currently at bay number 2. The existing single door to the business in bay number 2 will be changed to a double door to be a design that is compatible with the door that is being replaced. The overhead garage door in number four will be turned into a window to match the windows in bay number one and three. There will be retractable fabric awnings on the east side of the buildings for a yet to be determined exterior use. New windows will be installed on east side to match existing windows in the building. The dock door on the east side will be relocated to the north and the existing dock door will be filled with matching brick. L� Remove paint on north fagade at least, with technique as approved by DRC Staff. IF not removed, repair and paint existing brick. Color will be similar to the brick of the north fagade. A new non-functional water tower will be added on the existing steel frame. . The tank will be about 14' x 14' (depending upon the size of the original tank — photos have not yet been found). It will be galvanized steel. Historically, there was a water tank in that location. The new water tank will have a logo for the center painted on the tank. That logo can be considered as artwork. There is to be an equipment screen on roof that will duplicate the water tower structure. The structure and cross bracing shall be similar to the existing water tower support. The structure shall be infilled with a metal screen which will obscure the view of the equipment. The rear of the building will have some changes also. The existing dock to the west will be extended to the east with stairs to the ground. There will be large windows installed (aluminum curtain wall with glass) on the western edge of the building that extend all floors of the building. The brick will be repaired and repainted. The Geyer and Adams building will have minimum changes to the front of the building. The transoms on the first floor will be re-glazed. The basement (which i� partially located under the sidewalk) will be filled in, a street tree will be planted in the appropriate spot, with a tree and brick strip. All materials and techniques of installation for existing hardscape will be matched. The existing brick will be cleaned and overpaint removed. The techniques to be used are subject to approval by the DRC staff. An equipment screen will be placed on the roof to be similar to the screen on the Budget Office Building. See description prior. There are to be three sets of new double doors on back to replace dock doors. The dock doors in the outside wall will be removed. These are to be painted aluminum. Lease space is for an unnamed tenant. Signage will be filed for that tenant when that information is known. L The Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy is the new building to be ~�h added. All three buildings will be opened up to each other and serve as one continuous space or series of spaces. On the north facade, a painted steel `1 structure will be visible on the fagade of the building. It will be painted a charcoal grey color. Within this steel structure, the new building is primarily aluminum curtain wall with clear glass, which will give the effect of one large glass wall. This is in contrast with the district's historic buildings that are mostly brick with wood double hung windows with clear glass panes. A column of brick is included on the north fagade with the color of the brick to be similar to the Geyer and Adams brickwork. The building also has aluminum composite panels on the facade. o, On the west fagade, the painted steel frame wraps around the corner and supports the large sign. Aluminum composite panels encase the steel frame to the south and on the top floor. The balance of the building on that fagade is the aluminum curtain wall with clear glass panels. There are to be aluminum sunscreen panels with information banners on them. The information is shown in Detail 2 and will show all of the past Arkansas governors that have exhibits in the building. It will have a photo (or likeness), name, dates served, and a quote from the governor. These sunscreens will extend from the first floor to the roof. Another design feature will be a series of steps that extend to the Rock Street. The slope of the land drops to the south, so that approximately seven steps are required from the sidewalk level to the first floor level. Rock street was closed by Ordinance # 16,829. (In other words, Rock Street is not a public street anymore, the Central Arkansas Library System owns the land and it is a private street. They do however have utility easements that occupy the space where the street was.) The south facade of the new building is similar to the north. This fagade is primarily an aluminum curtain wall with clear glass, which will give the effect of one large glass wall. A column of brick is included on the south fagade with the color of the brick to be similar to the Geyer,and Adams brickwork. This mirrors the column on the north fagade. Entry doors face the south. A large tree is planned to be saved on the southwest corner of the building. On the roof of the building are the elevator penthouse and the rooftop terrace. The terrace also has the painted steel structure as an arbor Rock Street will be transformed into a brick paved street with stone speed bumps. The islands with the two bald cypress trees on the west side of the street will be renovated and changed in shape. It is staff's opinion that the trees should be transplanted to another site and new trees to be placed in the remodeled islands. The ordinance calls for Bald Cypress tress (Taxodium distichum) on north -south streets between Cumberland Street and 1-30. The existing trees are of such a size and age that they will not withstand the shock of the construction. Light bollards will be placed on the eastern curb line to illuminate the transition between the street pavers and the sidewalk pavers. ot— The application includes several signs: A. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy' at the northwest corner of 21 3 `1 the building facing west. The "C" in Center will be a�=M tall and all other capital letters will be 2'8" tall. The lower case letters will be 2'-0"" tall. The (tel ` overall size of the sign is 22 feet tall and 18 feet wide. The top of the sign is 20' above the second level window sills. The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be -pin mounted to the sunscreen. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below "History". Since Rock Street is a private street, the sign has a non -street frontage. B. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy' at the northeast corner of the building facing east. The "C" in Center will be 6-0" tall and all other �� 14( capital letters will be 2'8" tall. The lower case letters will be V-10" tall. The overall size of the sign is 20' feet tall and 16' feet wide. The top of the �_i ,—1, ` sign is 18' above the second level window sills. The letters will either be fritted light colored letters on a new glass wall or aluminum with a clear coating on the existing masonry "repair" wall. If they are aluminum, they will be pin mounted to the wall. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below "History". The sign has non -street frontage since it fronts onto the alley. C. "A joint partnership by Central Arkansas Library System University of Arkansas at Little Rock" on the west fagade on the first floor eye level. (non street frontage.) The overall size of the sign is 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide. The sign is clear plexiglass with charcoal grey letters. There is no illumination. E. "LowerArkansas River Valley Museum" a tentative wording for the museum space at the northeast corner of the Budget Office Furniture building. On the east facade of the building, the overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 16' wide. The letters will either be fritted light colored letters on glass or aluminum with a clear coating. If they are aluminum, they will be pin mounted to the wall. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non -street frontage. The project also includes several other variances: 1. The sidewalk on the Clinton Avenue side north of the main entrance to the 14 4' stew addition will be stone instead of concrete. The brick strip will remain in place. The finish of the stone will be similar to the finish of the concrete and provide a safe walking surface. 2. Glass awnings over Budget Office doorways. These glass awnings will S✓� project approximately 8 inches out from the brick surface of the wall. They will be laminated translucent glass with painted metal channels on q the ends. They will primarily protect the door from the weather. There will be a small light fixture above them to provide illumination of the awning and to diffuse light onto the sidewalk. Below are selected segments of the ordinance from which this application will require a variance. Sec. 36-353. Signs. (a) Signs in general. (1) Location. 74 F. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy' transfer letters on glass on the President Clinton Ave. side at the northwest corner of the new building ' (%1 on the north fagade at eye -level. The overall size of the -sign is 2'-8" feet tall and 2'-0" feet wide. Transfer vinyl letters on glass. There is no illumination. "Center for Arkansas History" at the southwest corner of the new building (k above the door. The overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 12 feet wide. The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be pin ilk, mounted to the top of the steel beam. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non -street frontage. H. "Center for Arkansas History" at the southeast corner of the Budget Office 1 building above the awning. The overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall t and 12 feet wide. The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be pin mounted to the top of the steel beam. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non - street frontage. Detail 2: Sunscreen with graphics: There will be several sunscreens on the (fj west fagade of the new building that feature sketches of the busts of the governors, with their names, and dates of service. The images and text i will be fritted onto frosted glass panels. The panels are mounted onto a painted steel frame. The overall size of each sign is 44 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights. Since Rock Street is a private street, the sign has a non -street frontage. The to oft `0 the signs are 33 feet above the second level window si Water Tower artwork: a sketch of a typical governor will be placed on the r� water tower facing the southeast. The tank will be galvanized steel with a logo for the center painted on the tank. Illumination will be by a small spot light. The project also includes several other variances: 1. The sidewalk on the Clinton Avenue side north of the main entrance to the 14 4' stew addition will be stone instead of concrete. The brick strip will remain in place. The finish of the stone will be similar to the finish of the concrete and provide a safe walking surface. 2. Glass awnings over Budget Office doorways. These glass awnings will S✓� project approximately 8 inches out from the brick surface of the wall. They will be laminated translucent glass with painted metal channels on q the ends. They will primarily protect the door from the weather. There will be a small light fixture above them to provide illumination of the awning and to diffuse light onto the sidewalk. Below are selected segments of the ordinance from which this application will require a variance. Sec. 36-353. Signs. (a) Signs in general. (1) Location. ., h. All signs must face public street right-of-way except those permitted on facades facing the Arkansas River. (2) Appearance. j. Letters on signs shall not exceed one foot six inches (1'-6") in height. (c) Wall signs located on or facing public street rights of ways or private streets. (1) Location. -a. Except as permitted in subsection (b), the maximum sign height on a building shall not extend above the second floor windowsill or above the overhang of a single story building. b. Signs shall not number more than three (3) per business. (2) Appearance. a. Signs shall not exceed one quarter (1/4) of a square foot of sign area for each linear foot of primary street building frontage, not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet per sign. (3) Lettering. a. Letters shall not exceed one and one-half (1 1/2) feet in height. (4) Sign illumination. = a. Light fixtures for signs shall not be readily visible from the street or sidewalk. Sec 36-355. Sidewalks. (b) Width and clearance. (1) Sidewalks shall consist of seven and one-half (7'-6") concrete walk in addition to a four (4'-0") feet red brick paving planting strip, all rovide.adequate clearance.for ease of pedestrian-- r�-a ent. Sec. 36-356. Building Form (a) Materials. (1) Non -applicable (l — (2) The type of materials and their color, texture, scale and detailing shall be compatible with those of buildings on adjacent sites. t (3) Surface cleaning of historic structures shall be done with the gentlest possible method. Physical or chemical treatments, such as sandblasting or high-pressure water cleaning that cause damage to historic material, shall be prohibited. (c) Openings. l-7 _ (1) Historical upper fagade windows shall retain original dimensions and details. (� f (3) New construction shall have a pattern of windows and doors that resemble similar patterns of facades on adjacent buildings. (d) Style and form. (1) Non -applicable ,(2) Buildings shall maintain the,distinction between upper and lower levels. Applicant will be responsible for obtaining a sign permit for each sign and a franchise for the glass awnings and sign support/wall extending into the right of way of President Clinton Avenue on the northwest corner of the building. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval. AGENDA RIVER MARKET DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 8:30 AM 2nd Floor Conference Room, River Market 1. Roll call — finding of quorum II. Presentation of Items: a. Hollywood Sports b. 10000 Villages c. Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy September 13, 2005 ITEM NO.: 1 Name: Hollywood Sports Location: 120 Ottenheimer Plaza Request: Awning Signage Source: Randy or Mickey Smyly, Hollywood Sports PROPOSAL / REQUEST: The proposal is for Awning Signage at the Hollywood Sports. The striped awnings were installed prior to the current business locating there. The Hollywood Sports simply added their name to a dark green panel on the front of the awning. The signage itself fits all of the ordinance criteria, and will not require any variances. Staff feels that when the material of the awning needs to be replaced in it's entirety, the awning should be replaced in a solid dark green fabric to be compatible with the rest of the district. That action will need to be heard by the DRC. Applicant will be responsible for obtaining a sign permit for each sign. No sign permits have been issued to date. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the signage with a staff review of the awnings every two years for maintenance of the fabric. -A(- HOLLIWOOD _- Al r•' r Awnings as installed STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the signage with a staff review of the awnings every two years for maintenance of the fabric. September 13, 2005 ITEM NO.: 2 Name: Ten Thousand Villages Location: 305 Pres. Clinton Ave. Request: Projecting Sign and Sign on door Source: Jamie Garret, Big Impressions PROPOSAL / REQUEST: Ten Thousand Villages came before the DRC in May of this year for approval of the awnings with signage, a sandwich board and a sign in the window. None of the signs that were previously approved required any variances. The request on this agenda is for two additional signs: a projecting sign and a sign on the door. The business already has the maximum of three signs allowed. Any additional signage will require variances as stated in Section 36- 353 (c)(1)b Signs shall not number more than three (3) per business." The projecting sign is a 28" by 70" (13.611 square feet in area). The sign is cream background with red stripes on the top and bottom with the logo centered in the sign. The words "Ten Thousand Villages" are in the lower section of the sign immediately under the logo. This projecting sign will require two variances: Section 36 353 (e)(1)b. states the "Height of projecting signs shall not extend past the sill of the second story windows," and Section 36 353 (e)(2)a states that "Projecting signs shall have a maximum of twelve (12) square feet of sign face per sign." The sign will be illuminated with lighting that will be compatible with existing lighting on other projecting signs. Other projecting signs are located in the district above the windowsill of the second story windows. These businesses are either located entirely on the second floor (the old Starr's Guitars"), have rented space on the second floor (Ernie Biggs's) or are located on a side street with no frontage on Pres. Clinton Avenue (Bosco's). In no way, do any of the previous actions of the DRC act as precedence, but the application in review does not fit the criteria of the previous actions. As shown in the photos, the projecting sign will be obscured by trees within a few years and will be rendered useless. The other sign is located on the door and Measures 8" by 8" (0.44 square feet in area). It has the logo in white vinyl applied to the glass with he words "Ten Thousand Villages" beneath the logo. The sign is on the right door in the center. Staff feels that with the placement of the sandwich board in the brick strip near the door and the awning sign directly over the door, (both were previously approved), there is sufficient signage on the street level without the sign on the door. The three other signs on the street level are well done, tasteful, and should serve the intent well. - Applicant will be responsible for obtaining a sign permit for each sign. The applicant has sign permits for the following signs: #24160 for the wall sign in the window and #24159 for the sandwich board. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Door Staff recommends approval of the application as filed, with a suggestion to remove one of the wall signs on the glass, preferably the one of the door. September 13, 2005 ITEM NO.: 3 Name: Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy Location: 401 - 411 Pres. Clinton Ave. Request: New building, renovation of existing buildings and signage Source: Ed Sergeant, Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The proposal is for a new building, renovation of existing buildings and signage at the Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy. This includes the adaptive reuse of the Budget Office Furniture building and the Geyer and Adams building in addition to a new building at the southeast corner of Rock and Pres Clinton Ave. The Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy is a joint venture between the Central Arkansas Library and the University of Arkansas. The Budget Office Furniture Building will have some exterior changes to it. The building has five bays (with windows or doors) currently on the front of the building. For discussion, the eastern most one will be number 1 and the western most will be number five. Number five will have a door that replicates the existing front door to the business with one door and sidelights that is currently at bay number 2. The existing single door to the business in bay number 2 will be changed to a double door to be a design that is compatible with the door that is being replaced. The overhead garage door in number four will be turned into a window to match the windows in bay number one and three. There will be retractable fabric awnings on the east side of the buildings for a yet to be determined exterior use. New windows will be installed on east side to match existing windows in the building. The dock door on the east side will be relocated to the north and the existing dock door will be filled with matching brick. Remove paint on north fagade at least, with technique as approved by DRC Staff. IF not removed, repair and paint existing brick. Color will be similar to the brick of the north facade. A new non-functional water tower will be added on the existing steel frame. . The tank will be about 14'x 14' (depending upon the size of the original tank — photos have not yet been found). It will be galvanized steel. Historically, there was a water tank in that location. The new water tank will have a logo for the center painted on the tank. That logo can be considered as artwork. There is to be an equipment screen on roof that will duplicate the water tower structure. The structure and cross bracing shall be similar to the existing water tower support. The structure shall be infilled with a metal screen which will obscure the view of the equipment. The rear of the building will have some changes also. The existing dock to the west will be extended to the east with stairs to the ground. There will be large windows installed (aluminum curtain wall with glass) on the western edge of the building that extend all floors of the building. The brick will be repaired and repainted. The Geyer and Adams building will have minimum changes to the front of the building. The transoms on the first floor will be re -glazed. The basement (which is partially located under the sidewalk) will be filled in, a street tree will be planted in the appropriate spot, with a tree and brick strip. All materials and techniques of installation for existing hardscape will be matched. The existing brick will be cleaned and overpaint removed. The techniques to be used are subject to approval by the DRC staff. An equipment screen will be placed on the roof to be similar to the screen on the Budget Office Building. See description prior. There are to be three sets of new double doors on back to replace dock doors. The dock doors in the outside wall will be removed. These are to be painted aluminum. Lease space is for an unnamed tenant. Signage will be filed for that tenant when that information is known. The Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy is the new building to be added. All three buildings will be opened up to each other and serve as one continuous space or series of spaces. On the north facade, a painted steel structure will be visible on the facade of the building. It will be painted a charcoal grey color. Within this steel structure, the new building is primarily aluminum curtain wall with clear glass, which will give the effect of one large glass wall. This is in contrast with the district's historic buildings that are mostly brick with wood double hung windows with clear glass panes. A column of brick is included on the north facade with the color of the brick to be similar to the Geyer and Adams brickwork. The building also has aluminum composite panels on the facade. On the west facade, the painted steel frame wraps around the corner and supports the large sign. Aluminum composite panels encase the steel frame to the south and on the top floor. The balance of the building on that facade is the aluminum curtain wall with clear glass panels. There are to be aluminum sunscreen panels with information banners on them. The information is shown in Detail 2 and will show all of the past Arkansas governors that have exhibits in the building. It will have a photo (or likeness), name, dates served, and a quote from the governor. These sunscreens will extend from the first floor to the roof. Another design feature will be a series of steps that extend to the Rock Street. The slope of the land drops to the south, so that approximately seven steps are required from the sidewalk level to the first floor level. Rock street was closed by Ordinance # 16,829. (In other words, Rock Street is not a public street anymore, the Central Arkansas Library System owns the land and it is a private street. They do however have utility easements that occupy the space where the street was.) The south facade of the new building is similar to the north. This facade is primarily an aluminum curtain wall with clear glass, which will give the effect of one large glass wall. A column of brick is included on the south facade with the color of the brick to be similar to the Geyer and Adams brickwork. This mirrors the column on the north fagade. Entry doors face the south. A large tree is planned to be saved on the southwest corner of the building. On the roof of the building are the elevator penthouse and the rooftop terrace. The terrace also has the painted steel structure as an arbor Rock Street will be transformed into a brick paved street with stone speed bumps. The islands with the two bald cypress trees on the west side of the street will be renovated and changed in shape. It is staffs opinion that the trees should be transplanted to another site and new trees to be placed in the remodeled islands. The ordinance calls for Bald Cypress tress (Taxodium distichum) on north -south streets between Cumberland Street and 1-30. The existing trees are of such a size and age that they will not withstand the shock of the construction. Light bollards will be placed on the eastern curb line to illuminate the transition between the street pavers and the sidewalk pavers. The application includes several signs: A. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy' at the northwest corner of the building facing west. The "C" in Center will be 6'-0" tall and all other capital letters will be 2'8" tall. The lower case letters will be 2'-0"" tall. The overall size of the sign is 22 feet tall and 18 feet wide. The top of the sign is 20' above the second level window sills. -The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be -pin mounted to the sunscreen. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below "History". Since Rock Street is a private street, the sign has a non -street frontage. B. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy' at the northeast corner of the building facing east. The "C" in Center will be 5-0" tall and all other capital letters will be 2'8" tall. The lower case letters will be V-10" tall. The overall size of the sign is 20' feet tall and 16' feet wide. The top of the sign is 18' above the second level window sills. The letters will either be fritted light colored letters on a new glass wall or aluminum with a clear coating on the existing masonry "repair" wall. If they are aluminum, they will be pin mounted to the wall. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below "History". The sign has non -street frontage since it fronts onto the alley. C. "A joint partnership by Central Arkansas Library System University of Arkansas at Little Rock" on the west fagade on the first floor eye level. (non street frontage.) The overall size of the sign is 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide. The sign is clear plexiglass with charcoal grey letters. There is no illumination. E. "Lower Arkansas River Valley Museum" a tentative wording for the museum space at the northeast corner of the Budget Office Furniture building. On the east fagade of the building, the overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 16' wide. The letters will either be fritted light colored letters on glass or aluminum with a clear coating. If they are aluminum, they will be pin mounted to the wall. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non -street frontage. F. "Center for Arkansas History and Genealogy' transfer letters on glass on the President Clinton Ave. side at the northwest corner of the new building on the north fagade at eye -level. The overall size of the sign is 2'-8" feet tall and 2'-0" feet wide. Transfer vinyl letters on glass. There is no illumination. G. "Center for Arkansas History" at the southwest corner of the new building above the door. The overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 12 feet wide. The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be pin mounted to the top of the steel beam. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non -street frontage. H. "Center for Arkansas History" at the southeast corner of the Budget Office building above the awning. The overall size of the sign is 10 inches tall and 12 feet wide. The letters will be aluminum with a clear coating. They will be pin mounted to the top of the steel beam. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights mounted below the text. The sign has a non - street frontage. Detail 2: Sunscreen with graphics: There will be several sunscreens on the west fagade of the new building that feature sketches of the busts of the governors, with their names; and dates of service. The images and text will be fritted onto frosted glass panels. The panels are mounted onto a painted steel frame. The overall size of each sign is 44 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Illumination will be by a series of small spot lights. Since Rock Street is a private street, the sign% has a non -street frontage. The top of the signs are 33 feet above the second level window sills. Water Tower artwork: a sketch of a typical governor will be placed on the water tower facing the southeast. The tank will be galvanized steel with a logo for the center painted on the tank. Illumination will be by a small spot light. The project also includes several other variances: 1. The sidewalk on the Clinton Avenue side north of the main entrance to the new addition will be stone instead of concrete. The brick strip will remain in place. The finish of the stone will be similar to the finish of the concrete and provide a safe walking surface. 2. Glass awnings over Budget Office doorways. These glass awnings will project approximately 8 inches out from the brick surface of the wall. They will be laminated translucent glass with painted metal channels on the ends. They will primarily protect the door from the weather. There will be a small light fixture above them to provide illumination of the awning and to diffuse light onto the sidewalk. Below are selected segments of the ordinance from which this application will require a variance. Sec. 36-353. Signs. (a) Signs in general. (1) Location. C. Wall signs shall be confined to the flat surface of the building and shall not project more than five (5) inches from the building facade. h. All signs must face public street right-of-way except those permitted on facades facing the Arkansas River. (2) Appearance. j. Letters on signs shall not exceed one foot six inches (1'-6") in height. (c) Wall signs located on or facing public street rights of ways or private streets. (1) Location. a. Except as permitted in subsection (b), the maximum sign height on a building shall not extend above the second floor windowsill or above the overhang of a single story building. b. Signs shall not number more than three (3) per business. (2) Appearance. a. Signs shall not exceed one quarter (1/4) of a square foot of sign area for each linear foot of primary street building frontage, not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet per sign. (3) Lettering. a. Letters shall not exceed one and one-half (1 1/2) feet in height. (4) Sign illumination. a. Light fixtures for signs shall not be readily visible from the street or sidewalk. Sec 36-355. Sidewalks. (b) Width and clearance. (1) Sidewalks shall consist of seven and one-half (7'-6") concrete walk in addition to a four (4'-0") feet red brick paving planting strip. (2) Sidewalks shall provide adequate clearance for ease of pedestrian traffic and movement. Sec. 36-356. Building Form (a) Materials. (1) Non -applicable (2) The type of materials and their color, texture, scale and detailing shall be compatible with those of buildings on adjacent sites. (3) Surface cleaning of historic structures shall be done with the gentlest possible method. Physical or chemical treatments, such as sandblasting or high-pressure water cleaning that cause damage to historic material, shall be prohibited. (c) Openings. (1) Historical upper fagade windows shall retain original dimensions and details. (2) (3) New construction shall have a pattern of windows and doors that resemble similar patterns of facades on adjacent buildings. (d) Style and form. (1) Non -applicable (2) Buildings shall maintain the, distinction between upper and lower levels. Applicant will be responsible for obtaining a sign permit for each sign and a franchise for the glass awnings and sign support/wall extending into the right of way of President Clinton Avenue on the northwest corner of the building. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval.