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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHILLCREST HALL 2014 ApplicationSpillman, Darren From: Aaron Ruby <aruby@allarch.com> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2014 11:49 AM To: Ronnie Shanks; Spillman, Darren; Hudson, Robbie R. Subject: Hillcrest Hall/ meeting confirm this Thursday Attachments: hillcrest hall.pdf; ATT00001.htm Ronnie, Tracy, Robbie, I called each of you and turns out we are all good to meet this Thursday, Aug 14th at Ipm at Hillcrest Hall, intersection of Lee and Kavanaugh to discuss proposed tree removal/ landscape changes. Attached is the latest plan showing existing site plan and proposed site plan. Robbie, the main thing we want to run by you is idea to remove the existing leyland cypress trees, perhaps a dozen or so in total. If you look at them closely, I think you'll agree they were the wrong tree species to plant— all of them are growing up into overhead power lines or into a nearby mature oak tree (and the oak is definitely the one you want to save). Ronnie, Tracy, I am sure between us we can talk about ways of improving. Right now its all a little overgrown and unkempt. Would still be nice to have a screen —but if those cypress trees are removed, what is left will end up looking a bit scraggly. We can talk about it. Thanks. See you Thursday. Aaron C. Ruby, AIA, LEED AP Allison Architects 200 W. Capitol, Suirc 1400 Little Rock, AR 72201 501.376.0717 (phone) 501.376.1766 (fax) www. alhsonarchitects. co m This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may include pi ivileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the specific individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized dissemination or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately delete the message. m V) �Y L HILLCREST HALL A L L I S 0 N Allison Architects, Inc. m 200 1 sine N -1 A- A R C H T T E C T S L.. o� 72201 11�11--212111 71, p so, 3m 1116 FP 5ol Spillman, Darren From: Carney, Dana Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 9:32 AM To: Aaron Ruby; Spillman, Darren Cc: Minyard, Brian; Floriani, Vince Subject: RE: Hillcrest Hall/ Lee & Kavanaugh --new fence & sign I believe we are okay with the continued use. Any addition of a use beyond what it has historically been used for will need additional review and consideration. Dana From: Aaron Ruby [mailto:aruby@allarch.com] Sent: Monday, August 04, 2014 5:02 PM To: Spillman, Darren Cc: Carney, Dana; Minyard, Brian; Floriani, Vince Subject: Re: Hillcrest Hall/ Lee & Kavanaugh --new fence & sign That would be awesome. Thanks. I would love to get your opinion on the leyland cypress? It's my opinion they are way too large of a species for this location— they are growing into power lines and three of them into nearby mature oak. Many of the other plantings and shrubs are just too overgrown, growing into nearby sidewalk. I think we can really improve upon this corner! Dana, met with owner again this afternoon to make sure I understood intended use. Indeed proposed use is no different than what it has been for years. This past weekend in fact they rented the building out for some one- year old's birthday party. So will be weddings, wedding receptions, reunions, birthday parties, meetings, etc... Though it doesn't look like it from the outside, originally was built as a church... so ground level is a fellowship hall and kitchen —second floor is the sanctuary space. Not sure if all this is allowed under R-4 or not? Aaron C. Ruby, AIA, LEED AP Allison Architects 200 W. Capitol, Suite 1400 Little Rock, AR 72201 501.376.0717 (phone) 501.376.1766 (fax) www.affisonarchitects.com This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may include privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the specific individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized dissemination or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately delete the message. On Aug 4, 2014, at 4:45 PM, Spillman, Darren <ds illman r littlerock.or 7> wrote: Aaron, I will be happy to meet with you. I live within very close proximity of this property and may be able to offer a neighborhood perspective as well a professional opinion. D. Tracy Spillman, RLA Plans and Development Administrator City of Little Rock - Department of Planning and Development 723 W. Markham Little Rock, AR 72701 501.371.4864 From: Aaron Ruby [mailto:aruby2allarch.com] Sent: Monday, August 04, 2014 4:00 PM To: Carney, Dana Cc: Minyard, Brian; Spillman, Darren; Floriani, Vince Subject: Re: Hillcrest Hall/ Lee & Kavanaugh --new fence & sign Thanks all. I ran into Nat this afternoon. He agrees sight lines will be much improved. We're definitely proposing to take out more than seven trees-1 will contact the list of folks. Aaron C. Ruby, AIA, LEED AP Allison Architects 200 W. Capitol, Suite 1400 Little Rock, AR 72201 501.376.0717 (phone) 501.376,1766 (fax) www. allisonarchitects. corn This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may include privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the specific individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized dissemination or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately delete the message. On Aug 4, 2014, at 2:16 PM, Carney, Dana <DCanie littlerock.or > wrote: I will let Tracy Spillman RLA, our plans development administrator determine if an on -site visit will help. As you saw form Vince's e-mail, there are issues with tree removal in the r-o-w and the number of trees proposed for removal. From: Aaron Ruby [mailto:aruby@allarch.com] Sent: Monday, August 04, 2014 12:23 PM To: Carney, Dana Cc: Minyard, Brian; Spillman, Darren; Floriani, Vince Subject: Re: Hillcrest Hall/ Lee & Kavanaugh --new fence & sign Thanks Dana. What I believe has happened here is that the current building owner, Garden Club of Little Rock, with its dwindling membership —and difficult of keeping up with the place, including extensive landscaping was looking for long term upkeep of the property —and they approached CALS. CALS intends to continue to use it for same functions held there now, such as weddings, receptions, neighborhood meetings, etc.... They might also plan for children's programs— I am certain that CALS wants to remain as good a neighbor as the Garden Club may have been. They are not plamiing a library here, to my knowledge. I'd be happy to meet you, Vince or whomever onsite to talk about it some more. I think you'll see the wisdom in removing the leyland cypress trees and moving others. There are some gorgeous oak trees that need to remain —some of the cypress trees (and others) were planted beneath the oak— the cypress trees are currently swallowing power lines, which is a big problem ... one of them actually leaning into Lee Street. It is somewhat of a jungle right now. No problem on the fence height —and I figured you would want more info on the landscaping... which I will need to get with CALS about —so I can put down on paper. It might be that me and CALS landscape staff could meet with city landscape to talk about ideas and best species? I am sure we can work that out. Let me know if you think the meeting onsite would help? Thanks. Aaron C. Ruby, AIA, LEED AP Allison Architects 200 W. Capitol, Suite 1400 Little Rock, AR 72201 501.376.0717 (phone) 501.376.1766 (fax) www. allisonarchitects. com This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may include privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the specific individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized dissemination or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately delete the message. On Aug 4, 2014, at 11:16 AM, Carney, Dana <DCarney e littlerock.org> wrote: Aa ro n: The property is zoned R-4 residential. I will need to know more about the proposed use and how the building has been used in the past. It may require some level of zoning approval through the Planning Commission/Board of Directors. A couple of things kind of popped out at me. The fence height should not exceed four (4) feet since the zoning is residential. Fence height variance currently requires rezoning through a PUD in Hillcrest. That may be changed to a Board of Adjustment process in the future. I have copied Vince Floriani on this since the fence appears to be within the fifty -foot sight triangle at the intersection. Also to remove that many trees needs to be approved through public works . I believe the limit is seven trees but again Vince can help on that one. I do think we need to have a plan indicating what CALS proposes to do in the way of new landscaping. It appears this plan indicates planting in the r- ow; that takes a franchise, again through public works. From: Aaron Ruby [mailto:aruby@aIlarch.corn] Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 1:01 PM To: Carney, Dana Subject: Hillcrest Hall/ Lee & Kavanaugh --new fence & sign Dana, The Central Arkansas Library System is in process of taking possession of this lot at corner of Kavanaugh and Lee Streets in Hillcrest. They have asked us to help them with some ideas for a new sign and privacy/security fence. I believe purpose for the fence is that they intend to possibly use the grounds inside for programs for children and the fence is more for their security. I researched fences of arts/crafts period... also walked around neighborhood to get a flavor of existing... its truly a hodge podge and little of it I would describe as `arts and crafts'. So this drawing just for conversation and pricing right now —but did want to send to the city to make sure no problems with ordinances. By the way, there are some terribly overgrown leyland cypress trees here, plus other shrubs, out of control— in my opinion the cypress trees need to go (they are wrong species for this location —they were planted under power lines too, by the way), so the fence will become visible. I am sure CALS will be planning new plantings, though exactly what I do not know. Please feel free to forward this to whomever can help. Thanks. Aaron C. Ruby, AIA, LEED AP Allison Architects 200 W. Capitol, Suite 1400 Litdc Rock, _AR 72201 501.376.0717 (phone) 501.376.1766 (fax) t�t�ntT.�tilisor�arch i rec ts. enm This e-mail and any tiles transmitted with it may include privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the specific individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized dissemination or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately delete the message. <hillcresthall.pdf> Spillman, Darren From: Aaron Ruby <aruby@allarch.com> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2014 11:55 AM To: Floriani, Vince Cc: Carney, Dana; Spillman, Darren; Banihatti, Nat; Hudson, Robbie R.; Charles, Nathan Subject: Re: Hillcrest Hall/ Lee & Kavanaugh --new fence & sign Attachments: hillcrest hall.pdf; ATT00001.htm Vince, Dana Just an update on this.... 1. Revised plan attached showing shorter fence —also, owner desires to match the old wrought iron fence along Kavanaugh. 2. I ran into Nat onsite last week (or maybe week before) and he agreed that sight lines should be improved by proposed changes. 3. I have a meeting this Thursday at Ipm, at Hillcrest Hall, to meet with Tracy Spillman and Robbie Hudson to talk about proposed landscape improvements and tree removal. Ill be joined by Ronnie Sparks, CALS' landscape manager. 4. I spoke with Bennie Nicolo this morning —he is sending me an application for franchise permit. 5. We are definitely proposing removing more than 7 existing trees— but depending on how my meeting goes with Robbie Hudson on Thursday —if tree removal is still a viable option, Ill get a hold of Nathan Charles. I may ask White Daters to help me with the grading permit. FYI, I cannot tell you timing of all this just yet... owner probably wants to do as soon as practical— but I don't think he even has a price yet from contractor. Thanks. Aaron C. Ruby, AIA, LEED AP Allison Architects 200 W. Capitol, Suite 1400 Little Rock, AR 72201 501.376.0717 (phone) 501.376.1766 (fax) NvAinv.allisonarclutects.col n This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may include privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the specific individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized dissemination or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately delete the message.