Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8332 Staff AnalysisMAY 19, 2008 ITEM NO.: B File No.: Z-8332 Owner: Demp and Paula Dempsy Applicant: David Bevans Address: 323 S. Cross Street Description: Lots 4-6 and part of Lot 3, Block 293, Original City of Little Rock Zoned: UU Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the development criteria of Section 36-342.1 to allow addition to a ground -mounted sign and open display in the Urban Use Zoning District. 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 (Urban Use) zoned property at 323 S. Cross Street is occupied by a one-story masonry commercial building. The property is located at the northeast corner of S. Cross and W. 4t Streets. There is vehicular access to the rear (east) of the building from W. 4th Street. There is also vehicular access to the northwest corner of the building from S. Cross Street. There is a ground -mounted sign along the west property line which extends into the right- of-way and overhangs the sidewalk along S. Cross Street. Additionally, there is a rock -covered area along a portion of the west building frontage, between the sidewalk and the building. Electric Transportation of Arkansas (ETA) occupies the south portion of the commercial building, with Diamond Bear Brewing Company within the north portion of the building. MAY 19, 2008 ITEM NO.: B (CON'T.) The applicant, Electric Transportation of Arkansas, is requesting two (2) variances from the UU zoning district criteria. The first variance request is from Section 36-342.1 (c)(1 1) of the City's Zoning Ordinance which requires ground -mounted signs within the UU zoning district to be reviewed and approved by the Board of Adjustment. The applicant is proposing to add to the existing nonconforming ground sign, above the "Diamond Bear" sign. The addition will be 35 square feet in area (7' x 5') with a height of 24 feet to the top of the sign addition. The overall height of the existing sign pole is 24.5 feet. The proposed sign addition will be affixed to the existing vertical and horizontal sign poles. The second variance is from Section 36-342.1(d)(1) which states that all uses within the UU district be "inside or enclosed". The applicant is proposing to display electric/solar products within two (2) "indentions" along the west side of the building on the rock covered areas between the building and the sidewalk along S. Cross Street. The applicant notes that the product display will not block, obstruct or hinder the use of the sidewalk. Staff is supportive of the requested variances from the UU zoning district criteria. Staff views the request as reasonable. Only a very small area will be used for the open display of electric/solar products, located between the west building fagade and the sidewalk along Cross Street. As long as the sidewalk along Cross Street is not obstructed in any manor, the proposed outdoor display should have no adverse impact on the area. With respect to the requested sign variance, the proposed addition to the existing sign is only 35 square feet in area, and will not exceed the overall height of the existing sign pole. The existing "Diamond Bear" portion of the sign is approximately 56 square feet in area. Staff also feels the proposed addition to the existing ground sign will have no impact on the neighborhood. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested UU zoning district variances, subject to the following conditions: 1. The open display is to be located only within the indented areas along the west building fagade, between the facade and sidewalk. 2. The open display is to in no way block, obstruct or hinder use of the sidewalk along Cross Street. 3. A permit must be obtained for the ground -mounted sign alteration. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (APRIL 28, 2008) Staff informed the Board that the application needed to be deferred to the May 19, 2008 Agenda based on the fact that the applicant failed to complete the notifications to surrounding property owners as required. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and deferred to the May 19, 2008 Agenda as recommended by staff with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. MAY 19, 2008 ITEM NO.: B BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MAY 19, 2008) 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.