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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9119 Staff AnalysisFILE NO.: Z-9119 NAME: CALS Parking Deck Short -form PCD LOCATION: Located at 333 President Clinton Avenue DEVELOPER: CALS c/o Tim Heiple 319 President Clinton #201 Little Rock, AR 72201 SURVEYOR: Central Arkansas Engineering 1012 Autumn Road, Suite #2 Little Rock, AR 72211 AREA: 0.25 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 WARD: 1 PLANNING DISTRICT: 5 - Downtown CURRENT ZONING ALLOWED USES: UU, Urban Use District All enclosed activities PROPOSED ZONING: PCD FT. NEW STREET: 0 LF CENSUS TRACT: 44 PROPOSED USE: UU, Urban Use District uses - Allow the placement of a digital sign within the River Market Design Overlay District VARIANCE/WAIVERS: None requested. A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT'S STATEMENT: The applicant is proposing a rezoning of the site from UU, Urban Use District to PCD, Planned Commercial District, to allow the placement of a digital informational sign at 333 President Clinton Avenue, aka Market Row II, CALS Parking Deck. The issue has been submitted to the River Market Design Review Committee (DRC) and has been referred to the Planning Commission/Board of Directors for a rezoning to allow the installation of a digital sign. The sign will be FILE NO.: Z-9119 (Cont. on Rock Street and will provide information regarding parking and other pertinent information concerning the library campus. An application was approved by the DRC in early 2014 for a smaller digital sign, based on the sign requirements of the River Market Design Overlay District. Later the applicant went back to the DRC with a request to allow the placement of a larger digital sign mounted on the wall of the parking deck on the Rock Street side over the entrance to the public parking deck. The applicant stated due to the increased functionality the proposed size of the sign was to be 26 square feet per face rather than 7.5 square feet as previously approved. According to the applicant the signs are manufactured in 25-inch increments with the sign proposed being 50-inches high by 75-inches wide and oriented horizontally. The signs are 9-inches thick and require 18-inches of working space behind the sign. With this being a double faced sign, the total thickness of 36-inches. This item was placed on the Board of Adjustment and the River Market DRC agendas for review and approval but was later withdrawn when it was determined digital signage was only allowed in the River Market District as a variance (in this case a rezoning to a PCD). The public library originally desired a reasonably small sign that would direct visitors and patrons to the new parking facility providing parking in the heart of the River Market, where it is greatly needed. The sign also would need to be flexible so that information could be updated and changed for the many events and special parking promotions to be offered by the owner of the deck. As the parking deck design has developed the desired use of the sign has also expanded. CALS sees this sign primarily providing parking information, but also information concerning other important items associated with the downtown CALS campus, including the Ron Robinson Theater, the Arkansas Studies Institute, the Butler Center and the Main Library. The signs will not have any flashing or strobing lights and will maintain lengthy time between the changes of the digital sign information. B. EXISTING CONDITIONS: A new building is currently under construction, the CALS parking deck and retail space. The library is located to the south of the new construction and encompasses the entire block from Cumberland to the former Rock Street right of way. The 1-30 exit/entrance ramp is located to the south of the library. Along President Clinton Avenue within this same block is a mixture of retail, restaurant and residential uses. To the south across the entrance ramp is a high rise residential tower. To the west is the Arkansas Territorial Restoration Museum and to the east is a surface parking lot serving the library and the Arkansas Studies Institute. 2 FILE NO.: Z-9119 (font. C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: As of this writing, staff has received an informational phone call from an area property owner. All property owners located within 200-feet of the site along with the Downtown and River Market Neighborhood Associations were notified of the public hearing. D. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (March 16, 2016) Mr. Tim Heiple was present representing the request. Staff presented an overview of the item stating there were no outstanding technical issues in need of addressing related to the site plan. Staff stated the request was to allow a digital sign in the River Market Design Overlay District area. Staff stated per the ordinance this type signage was prohibited by the River Market DOD but staff felt through the PCD process the signage could be allowed if the Commission and Board of Directors felt the signage appropriate. There were no more issues for discussion. The Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action. E. ANALYSIS: There were no outstanding technical issues in need of addressing raised at the March 16, 2016, Subdivision Committee meeting. The applicant is proposing a rezoning of the site from UU, Urban Use District to PCD, Planned Commercial District, to allow the placement of a digital informational sign at 333 President Clinton Avenue, aka Market Row Il, CALS Parking Deck. The issue has been submitted to the River Market Design Review Committee (DRC) and has been referred to the Planning Commission/Board of Directors for a rezoning to allow the installation of a digital sign. The sign will be on the former Rock Street right of way and will provide information regarding parking and other pertinent information concerning the library campus. The sign proposed is 50-inches high by 75-inches wide and oriented horizontally located on the fagade of the parking deck. The sign is 9-inches thick and requires 18-inches of working space behind the sign. With this being a double faced sign, the total thickness of the sign is 36-inches. The total square footage of the sign per face is 26 square feet. The new sign requires a review and approval of the PCD, Planned Commercial Development, and zoning since the sign does not fully comply with the various provisions of the River Market Design Overlay District and the City's sign ordinance. Section 353(e)(1)(a), states projecting signs shall maintain a nine -foot clearance in all pedestrian walkways and a thirteen -foot clearance over vehicular use areas, i.e. alleys and driveways. The sign is below the 13-foot clearance line by approximately two (2) feet. [c3 FILE NO.: Z-9119 (Copt. Section 353(e)(1)(c), states projecting signs shall extend a maximum of three (3) feet from the face of the building. The sign is proposed to extend six (6) feet three (3) inches from the face of the building. Section 353(e)(2)(a,) states projecting signs shall have a maximum of twenty-five (25) feet of sign face per sign. The proposed sign has a face of 26 square feet. Section 353(e)(2)(b), states thickness of projecting signs shall be limited to twelve (12) inches. With two (2) sides of the sign (18-inches) and the space between the signs to house the mechanics of the sign (18-inches) the total thickness of the sign is 36-inches. Section 353(e)(3)(a), internally lit signs are prohibited. When projecting signs are externally lit, they shall be illuminated from a concealed source of light or a decorative source that is integral to the design of the sign. The changeable digital sign is considered to be internally illuminated. All other aspects of the proposed development are in compliance with the River Market Design Overlay District (DOD). The sign with its five (5) variations from the DOD (vehicular area clearance, projection, size, thickness and being internally lit) are the reason for the requested rezoning to PCD. In the past where signage has been requested that is listed as prohibited in the ordinance the Board of Directors with the adoption of the ordinance rezoning the property has included an additional section to the ordinance. Typically the ordinance language states, in this case, that Chapter 36 Section 353(e)(3)(a) be waived to allow the proposed internally lit sign. Section 36-553, signs permitted in institutional and office zones defines the brightness allowed for signs. The ordinance states illumination is allowed but not greater than two hundred (200) foot lamberts of luminance. Section 36-55,7 special provisions for on -premises signs and other sale promotion devices states all on -premises wall signs must face required street frontage except in complexes where a sign without street frontage would be the only means of identification for a tenant. The Rock Street right of way was previously abandoned. Section 36-547, lighting states unless otherwise specified by this Chapter (Chapter 36), all signs may be illuminated. However, no sign regulated by this chapter may utilize: (1) An exposed incandescent lamp with an external reflector and without a sunscreen or comparable diffusion. (2) Any exposed incandescent lamp in excess of three hundred (300) watts. 4 FILE NO.: Z-9119 (Cont. (3) Any revolving beacon light. (4) Any device that allows oscillating, rotating or flashing lights. (5) Animation manifesting either kinetic or illusionary motion occasioned by a natural manual, mechanical, electrical or other means. (6) The illusion of movement by means of a preprogrammed repetitious sequential switching action in which illuminated elements of the sign are turned off or on to visually simulate the impression of motion characteristic of chasing, running, blinking, oscillating, twinkling, scintillating, or expanding and contracting light patterns. On January 27, 1992, the Little Rock Board of Adjustment provided an interpretive action establishing guidelines for electronic message signs. The guidelines are as follows: 1. The signs must meet the size, area, placement, lighting and installation requirements that currently exist within the sign code, required electrical permit. 2. On single line display boards, there shall be no less than two (2) seconds between message line changes. 3. On double line or greater display boards, there shall be no less than five (5) seconds between message changes. 4. There shall be no traveling messages. 5. No messages or letters shall wide up, wipe down, double wipe, spell messages by word or letter. 6. There shall be no flashing, movement or animation of letters and/or messages. 7. Fixed graphics shall be allowed, but no animated graphics will be allowed. 8. Sign must be permitted and fees paid prior to erection. Staff is supportive of the applicant's request. The projection of the sign will not extend beyond the curb line. As with most projecting signs the street trees over time will diminish the effectiveness of the signage by blocking the view with foliage or bare branches. If the trees are maintained or replanted along Rock Street, the visibility of the sign will be reduced from President Clinton Avenue and East Second Street and should fade into the background. To staff's knowledge there are no remaining outstanding technical issues associated with the request. Staff feels the rezoning to allow the placement of the digital sign as proposed is appropriate. 5 FILE NO.: Z-9119 (Cont.) F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the applicant's request to rezone the property from UU, Urban Use District to PCD, Planned Commercial Development, to allow the placement of the signage as proposed by the applicant. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (APRIL 7, 2016) The applicant was present. There were no registered objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of approval of the applicant's request to rezone the property from UU, Urban Use District to PCD, Planned Commercial Development, to allow the placement of the signage as proposed by the applicant. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and approved as recommended by staff by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 absent. R River Market Design Review Committee Kate East, Chairman Jim Rice, Vice -Chairman Presley Melton, Member Michael Hickerson, Member Michael McCallum, Member Planning and Development • 723 W. Markham • Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 • 501-371-4790 • fax 501-399-3435 December 8, 2015 ITEM NO.: 1 Name: Market Row II Revision Location: 333 President Clinton Ave at Rock Street Request: Changes to Height and Projecting Sign Source: Tim Heiple, Heiple Wiedower PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The proposal is for changes to Height and Projecting Sign at the Market Row II. This building is also known as the CALS parking deck. Previous actions on this site include approval of a five floor parking deck plus basement parking with retail uses on the first floor facing President Clinton Ave on November 12, 2014. On January 13, 2015, a revision was approved with one less floor of parking and changes to the facades. This application will add the fifth floor of parking back to the deck and modify the digital projecting sign on Rock Street. _........... ....... _ µr ...._.. .. ......._.......6;.. i tp VH FLU61QN W1 EEh FLOOR President Clinton Avenue Elevation (December 8, 201 1 dim Rock Street Elevation (December S. 201 The proposed building has been modified from previous approvals with the addition of another floor of parking. This will add an additional 40 parking spaces to the deck. The building is still under the 60 foot maximum height. On the President Clinton fagade, the additional height will feature six additional "windows" which are openings in the brick facade. The proposed fagade shows accent brick patterns between the upper floor windows which add architectural interest to the building. The bottom portion of the building remains virtually unchanged. The tenant mix is still unknown therefore the signs for the individual tenant's signs for the first floor retail space will be reviewed later. The Rock Street fagade is similar to the approved. It adds one floor to the top of the building. The elevator shaft "penthouse" is proportionately shorter from the January 2015 elevation. The total height is the same, but the additional floor of parking makes it appear shorter. The building will not require any review by the Board of Adjustment. The proposed digital sign has been revised for this application. The original application has the size of the sign at 5'0' wide by 2'-4" tall in a polygonal shape. The sign approved in January 2015 was a rectangular sign with 7.5 square feet of face on both sides. The proposed sign is 50 x 75 inches with a total of 26 square feet per side. The sign will still be informational signage with the availability of parking, prices, etc. The new proposed sign requires review by the Board of Adjustment since it violates the following portions of the ordinance: Sec 353 (e) (1) a Projecting signs shall maintain a nine -foot clearance in all pedestrian walkways and a thirteen -foot clearance over vehicular use areas, i.e. alleys and driveways. This sign is below the 13 foot clearance line by approximately 2 feet. Bringing the bottom of the sign to the bottom of the slab for the second floor would not bring it to the 13 foot level, but would place the sign even with the total clearance of the entrance to the garage. 4 Sec 353 (e) (1) c. Projecting signs shall extend a maximum of three (3) feet from the face of the building. This sign is proposed to extend 6'-3" from the face of the building. This 208% more than the ordinance allows. Sec 353 (e) (2) a. Projecting signs shall have a maximum of twenty five (25) square feet of sign face per sign. This proposed sign has a face of 26 square feet, 4% more than the ordinance allows. The sign modules come in 25" square increments, so the proposed sign at 50" x 75" is 2 by 3 modules in size. Sec 353 (e) (2) b Thickness of projecting signs shall be limited to twelve (12) inches. With two sides of the sign, the space between the signs will house the working space of the mechanics of the sign. With the signs being 9 inches thick, two back to back signs will be a total of 36" thick, three times the allowable thickness. Sec 353 (e) (3) a Internally lit signs are prohibited. When projecting signs are externally lit, they shall be illuminated from a concealed source of light or a decorative source that is integral to the design of the sign. This changeable digital sign is considered to be internally illuminated. Below is an excerpt of the ordinance. Sec.36-353. Signs. (a) Signs in general. (1) Location. a. Signs shall not hide significant architectural detail or features of a building. b. Signs shall not visually clutter nor interfere with views of the building. 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. d. Signs shall not be painted directly on the face of a building. e. Awning valences are appropriate locations for signage. f. Freestanding signage is prohibited. g. Signs shall be adequately spaced from other signs. h. All signs must face public street right-of-way except those permitted on facades facing the Arkansas River. located. panel. sites. (2) Appearance. a. Signs shall be compatible with the architecture of the building on which it is b. Design of signs shall capitalize on the special character of the District. c. Window signs shall not cover more than twenty-five (25) percent of each glass d. Awning signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet per awning. e. Neon illumination is permitted. f. Internally illuminated signs are prohibited. g. In accordance with federal law, businesses with registered trademarks are allowed to display the mark in signage which otherwise complies with City sign regulations. h. Advertising copy on signs is prohibited. i. Materials used in signs shall be sensitive to signs and architecture on adjacent (3) Nonconforming signs. Signs existing prior to July 9, 1996, (the first adoption of the River Market design overlay district) shall be considered nonconforming. Nonconforming signs shall be permitted to be renovated or maintained. No change shall be made to the shape or size of the signage without approval of the DRC. (b) Signs on public buildings. Signs on public buildings shall conform to the standards outlined in this DOD with the exception of signs that have significant architectural detail, or signs that serve as an entrance to Riverfront Park and are otherwise consistent with the DOD standards. These exceptions may only be approved by the city board of directors. (e) Projecting signs. (1) Location. a. Projecting signs shall maintain a nine -foot clearance in all pedestrian walkways and a thirteen -foot clearance over vehicular use areas, i.e. alleys and driveways. b. Height of projecting signs shall not extend past the sill of the second story windows. c. Projecting signs shall extend a maximum of three (3) feet from the face of the building. d. The number of projecting signs shall be limited to one sign per one hundred (100) feet of street frontage per building. e. Projecting signs shall be placed at a ninety -degree angle to the building. f. Signs shall be spaced so not to conflict or obscure other signage. (2) Appearance. a. Projecting signs shall have a maximum of twenty five (25) square feet of sign face per sign. b. Thickness of projecting signs shall be limited to twelve (12) inches. c. Signage colors, typeface, and style shall be compatible with the district. (3) Sign illumination. a. Internally lit signs are prohibited. When projecting signs are externally lit, they shall be illuminated from a concealed source of light or a decorative source that is integral to the design of the sign. b. Neon is permitted on projecting signs. No movement, flashing, or change of illumination level shall be permitted on signs. Each neon sign shall have a one-year maintenance review, by city staff, for functionality. Sec. 36-356. Building form (a) Materials. (1) Historic materials or distinctive architectural features shall not be removed or hidden. (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. (b) Roof types. Building roofs shall relate to the overall size, shape, slope, color and texture of roofs of buildings within the district. (c) Openings. (1) Historical upper facade windows shall retain original dimensions and details. (2) Historical storefront configuration shall not be altered. 0 (3) New construction shall have a pattern of windows and doors that resemble similar patterns on facades of adjacent buildings. (4) Primary entrances shall be parallel with the street. (d) Style and form. (1) Height Regulations. No building hereafter erected or structurally altered shall exceed a height of sixty (60) feet. Building height shall be defined, for the purpose of the River Market Design Overlay District, as the vertical distance from the highest point of the centerline of abutting private and public street frontages to the highest point of the roof or parapet wall. All structural embellishments as defined by Sec. 36-2 Definitions shall be reviewed by the River Market Design Review Committee for compliance.. (2) Buildings shall maintain the distinction between upper and street levels. (3) Historical context of buildings shall be restored to original designs. (e) Mass. (1) New construction wider than the typical building width shall be visually massed to appear similar to buildings on adjacent sites. (2) The primary facade of a building shall be oriented parallel with the street. The building facade changes meet all of the ordinance requirements. The sign with its five variances (vehicular area clearance, projection, size, thickness, and being internally lit), are the primary focus of the review. The clearance, size and thickness are the lesser of the items with the variances being lesser in degree. The projection of the sign will not exceed the curb line, but is still twice the allowed projection at 6'-3". All digital display signs are deemed to be internally lit by the city. As with most projecting signs in the district, the street trees over time have diminished the effectiveness of the signage by blocking the view with foliage or bare branches. If r:l the trees are maintained or replanted along Rock+ Street, the signage will be diminished from view Orw� from President Clinton Avenue and Second Street J- and should fade into the background. If the light - work art work is installed on the eastern fagade as shown on page 8 of this report, the projecting sign will fade into the background. �. The River Market parking deck approached its �1 signage as shown in the photo to the right. Applicant will be responsible for obtaining a sign permit for each sign. w Gooale Street View Photo STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval. M NO.: 17. NAME: CALS Parking Deck Short -form PCD LOCATION: located at 333 President Clinton Avenue Planning Staff Comments: Z-9119 1. Provide notification of the property owners located within 200-feet of the development including the certified abstract list, notice form with affidavit executed and proof of mailing. The notice must be mailed no later than March 23, 2016. The Office of Planning and Development must receive the proof of notice no later than April 1, 2016. Planning Division: This request is located in the Downtown Planning District. The Land Use Plan shows Mixed Use Urban (MXU). The Mixed Use -Urban category provides for a mix of residential, office and commercial uses not only in the same block but also within the same structure. This category is intended for older "urban" areas to allow dissimilar uses to exist, which support each other to create a vital area. Development should reinforce the urban fabric creating a 24-hour activity area. Using the Planned Zoning District or the Urban Use District, high and moderate density developments that result in a vital (dense) pedestrian oriented area are appropriate. The applicant has applied for a rezoning from UU (Urban Use District) to PCD (Planned Commercial District) for the allowance of a signage of the new parking deck. The request is within the River Market Design Overlay District. Master Street Plan: The North side of the property is President Clinton Avenue, East side of the property is Rock Street and they are both shown as Local Streets on the Master Street Plan. The primary function of a Local Street is to provide access to adjacent properties. Local Streets that are abutted by non-residential zoning/use or more intensive zoning than duplexes are considered as "Commercial Streets". A Collector design standard is used for Commercial Streets. These streets may require dedication of right-of-way and may require street improvements for entrances and exits to the site. Bicycle Plan: A Class I Bike Path is shown along River Trail. A Bike Path is to be a paved path physically separate for the use of bicycles. Additional right-of-way or an easement is recommended. Nine -foot paths are recommended to allow for pedestrian use as well (replacing the sidewalk). Landscape: No comment. ITEM NO.: 17. Z-9119 _Revised plat/plan: Submit four (4) copies of a revised preliminary plat/plan (to include the additional information as noted above) to staff on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.