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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 9-13-2010f f r LITTLE ROCK I"i l I `F HISTORIC 00 , ; DISTRICT ;� COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. One. DATE: September 13, 2010 APPLICANT: Ron Ross, LR Parks and Recreation ADDRESS: 503 E 9th Street COA park Identification Signage REQUEST: PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 503 E 9th Street. The property's legal description is "That part NW lying E of Quapaw Line W of McAlmont Street & North of E 13th Street in Township 1 N, Range 12 W Sections 2 and 11, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas." The Arsenal building was built in the 1840's and is a national landmark, the highest possible recognition of a historic building. The structure is a contributing structure in the district. This application is for a sign to be placed on 9th Street as a identification sign for the park. The sign is part of the Connections MacArthur Park Master Plan. This Plan for the grounds of the MacArthur Park was presented to the approved by the Parks Commission on Feb. 26, 2009. PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: w w I. Location of Project Numerous COA's have been approved for the park in general. The latest COA, issued on November 9, 2009 was for the Plaza development on the front lawn. C PROPOSAL: The HDC approved sidewalks and plaza development on the front lawn of the Arsenal on November 9, 2009. This sign is in conjunction with that development. The sign will be placed immediately east of the north entry plaza on Ninth Street. The sign is a contemporary vertical sign that will identify the park for motorist along 9th street. It is 24 feet tall. A black supporting pole supports the red panel that will have fabricated aluminum cut out letters attached to it. The black supporting pole is 12 inches by 24 inches and continues almost to the top of the sign. The red notation sign panel is 20 inches thick by 3 feet deep by 16 feet tall. The long axis of the supporting pole and the red panel will be perpendicular to the street. There will be text on both sides of the sign so that it is readable from the east and the west. Lighting of the sign will be from ground -mounted fixtures with the smallest wattage and fixtures possible to provide illumination of the sign. WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT AND GUIDELINES: The Secretary of interior's Standards for Rehabilitation #3 states: Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken. For this application, Staff interprets this as not adding faux Federal style signage to the park to match the Federal style building of the Arsenal. This sign is contemporary (of today's design) and will not be interpreted as a faux historic sign. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: Elevations of si nc�age (three views). At the time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Obtaining a building permit. 2. Submittal of final construction drawings to Staff before construction. 5! COMMISSION ACTION: September 13 2010 Walter Malone, Staff reviewed the request and provided some analysis for the written report. Ron Ross, Parks and Recreation, addressed the Commission as the applicant. He noted that this sign was part of the parks improvements already approved by the Commission (front lawn improvements and walks). He noted the location along Ninth Street and how it worked with the crescent drive. This will be on the north edge at the street. The hope is that this sign will be the beginning of an effort to simplify the signage of the park with other signage within the park. The sign was part of the plan developed for the park including its height. Mr. Ross described the design, color, dimensions, etc of the sign. Commissioner Ripley asked if the design was part of the Park Plan. Mr. Rose indicated it was very similar and based on the designs from the plan. Commissioner Ripley asked about the status of the sidewalks. Mr. Ross indicated work had begun last week and that the areas was currently under construction. He noted that there had been delays due to bidding and other issues. Commissioner Wiedower asked if this would be a 'proto-type' for signage within the park. Mr. Ross indicated there had been discussion to just that, though the other signs would be smaller in size. Commissioner Wiedower questioned the height of this sign. Mr. Ross indicated the basic dimensions came from the consultant park plan. There have been discussions about the location of other signage though it would likely be more horizontal in nature. Mr. Steve McAteer for the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History spoke to the Commission. He addressed some issues with the front drive and where their new signage would be as well as that of the Art Center. Commissioner Wiedower asked about the curb issue in the application. Mr. Ross indicated there was a consensus not to change the elevation of the drive, thus that part of the application was no longer correct and would not be done. Commissioner Ripley asked about the sign lighting and Chairmen Peters asked if it were in the ground would it be flush or stick above the ground. Mr. Ross indicated there would be two lights from the ground on the sign. Commissioner Vanlandingham noted that period lights had been installed around the neighborhood and park, how would this contemporary sign fit with these lights and how would the park be lit? Mr. Ross indicated there would be lights along gth Street in the future. The height of the lights would be 15 feet along 91h Street and as you move into the park the height of lights would be about 12 feet. Lighting will be part of the redevelopment. It is partially a matter of taste whether to have historic or modern, though he believes the sign and the existing lights can work together. Commissioner Vanlandingham expressed his concern about the notification to just the City and Church. This is to approve something that is in conflict with the standards and there should be a `true' public forum to fully discuss the issue since the design is so different. Commissioner Hendrix noted the sign was very contemporary, asked how the design was chosen and if this was a proto-type for the park. Mr. Ross indicated the design is based on designs from the Park Plan that tries to pull from the park, neighborhood and area to better connect the park with the surrounding neighborhoods and areas. The intent is to acknowledge the historic as well as how people now function. The park has gone through various stages and evolved through time. It was a military arsenal, a city park, and museums were added. It represents various time periods. The signs say you are at the park and enhance the entrance from the neighborhood. There was discussion about a marble monument type of sign versus this design and both the pluses and minuses were noted. Chairmen Peters and Commissioner Hendrix discussed the designs and copying of styles (the Korean monument, historic and modern styles). Commissioner Ripley noted his concern is these were a 'stand alone sign' but if it is a proto-type for signage with the park he had less concern. The color and style would be `eye catching'. Commissioner Wiedower expressed concerns about the height, why was the height needed? Wali Caradine indicated that the sign was large, but it would not take away from the area. Since the sign is high, people will look up to see it and it will not interfere with the lower areas (grounds). It will also attract people to the area, seeing the high red object from the freeway and then following it to see what is there, what everything is about. The sign will be for 'way finding'. History is created every day, with the plantings and other enhances to the park, they will all work together. Steve McAteer was asked about the sign from the standpoint of the MacArthur Military Museum. He indicated the location at the midpoint was good and could attract from the Interstate/freeway. Mr. McAteer noted the park was not history, but has history in it with different elements from different times. This is flexible and user friendly to get people to where the history is. Page Wilson spoke to the Commission in support. He noted that he owns property in the District and will be living in the District soon. He noted that the color is meant to be seen easily (dominate); the park has won nine awards for the design; the sign is 'low impact' and a small component of the overall park. This has been a five-year public process with meetings that developed the plan, which was finally approved. The scale of the sign should fit with the tower on the arsenal and tower of the church in either direction. This will be a signature park and this is a way to jump-start and get the park noticed. The group as a whole is supportive. A park needs the whimsical and juxtaposition to be a great park (such as Millennium Park in Chicago). George Campbell indicated he attended the MacArthur Park meetings representing the Quapaw Towers and he had kept the residents (142) and eight commercial businesses informed on the proposals for the park and they were all looking forward to the development. Commissioner Wiedower moved for the approval of the application with all staff recommendations, Commissioner Ripley second. After allowing for an opposition comments (there were none), the motion was approved by voice vote (4 supportive with one absent (Hendrix)). The Commissioners asked Staff to review the minute records and files on notification of cases related to MacArthur Park. Mr. Malone indicated staff would do that. rel