HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8015 Staff AnalysisMARCH 27, 2006
ITEM NO.: 9
File No.: Z-8015
Owner: Kerry Kemp
Applicant: Kerry Kemp
Address: 917 West 7th Street
Description: Part of Lots 1-3, Block 249, Original City of Little Rock
Zoned: UU
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the sign provisions of Sections
36-342.1, 36-553 and 36-557 to allow an awning sign without street frontage.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Commercial
Proposed Use of Property: Commercial
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments
B. Staff Analysis:
The UU zoned property at 917 West 7th Street is occupied by a two-story brick
commercial building. The building burned a few years ago and has been in the
process of being repaired. There is a small parking lot on the west side of the
building which serves the business(s) located within the commercial building.
A driveway from West 7th Street is used to access the parking lot.
With the restoration of this commercial building, the applicant placed a canvas
awning on the building's west side, over the first floor entry door. The door is
located near the northwest corner of the building and provides for handicap
accessible entry to the building from the parking lot. With the awning
MARCH 27, 2006
ITEM NO.: 9 CON'T.
construction, the applicant placed a small sign ("Art Outfitters") on the awning,
as noted in the attached photos. The sign's primary purpose is to identify the
building to persons parking in the adjacent parking lot to the west.
Section 36-342.1(11) of the City's Zoning Ordinance (UU District development
criteria) allows signage, except ground -mounted signs, as permitted in Section
36-553 of the Code. Section 36-553 (sign permitted in office and institutional
uses) does not list awning signs as permitted signs. Section 36-557 requires
that all signs face an adjacent street. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a
variance to allow an awning sign in the UU zoning district and the sign to have
no direct street frontage.
Staff is supportive of the requested variances. Staff views the request as very
minor. The proposed awning sign is less than 10 square feet in area. Staff
feels the awning sign will aid in identifying the building's side entrance to
persons parking in the adjacent parking lot. Staff believes the awning sign will
not be out of character with other signs in the UU zoning district and should
have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or general area.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested sign variances, subject to the
following conditions:
1. There is to be no additional signage on the building's west fagade.
2. A sign permit must be obtained for the awning sign.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MARCH 27, 2006)
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.
K