HomeMy WebLinkAboutCover LetterChairman and Members
Little Rock Board of Adjustment
c/o Planning & Development Department
723 W. Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Re: Variances for 511 Pepper Avenue — Surface Parking & Exterior Materials
Dear Board Members,
I respectfully request two variances for a 4,500 sf one-story flex -space
building at 511 Pepper Avenue (UU District / Presidential Overlay):
Code standard Relief requested
Surface parking Allow 4 spaces between the building and Pepper Ave
must be behind the and 5th street
building
Corrugated metal Permit brick and glazing on the 2 street facades;
prohibited on charcoal finish corrugated metal for facades that are
facades on the building side facades
Reduction in Window Transparent display Frontage
Hardship & Justification
e Site constraints: The 2 lots while zoned UU appear to be in an
overflow of the primary UU zoning which appears to be targeted at the
downtown core. This area is presently a heavy industrial warehousing
district and while there are efforts to unify the east village/end area
with downtown core it currently does not reflect the direction of the
immediate area. What I am proposing is a very well designed structure
to housse 2 small business, one of which is my own AV production
company which specializes in the rental and onsite performance of
events. On -site meaning at client venue ie convention center/hotels
etc not at the place of in question. are approx 10,000 sf lot total is only
110 ft deep, drops 7 ft toward the rear alley, and contains a sewer
easement. Placing parking behind the building blocks
emergency -vehicle turning and would require ±$110 k in fill and
retaining walls.
■ Financial burden of full -brick construction: Extending brick to all
facades adds significant (=12 % of total construction cost). For an infill
project targeting affordable flex -commercial tenants in an emerging
location, this premium makes rents uncompetitive and jeopardizes
financing. Corrugated steel is durable, code -compliant, and largely
screened from public view based on the tree screening of adjacent
lots. In the event the lots are developed the material would largely be
out of view based on the 5ft lot line then the primary facade would
maintain
■ Consistency with district intent: The brick/glass street frontage, new
sidewalk, street trees, and 3-ft evergreen hedge preserve the
pedestrian realm. Front -loaded parking is buffered and mirrors nearby
legacy warehouses, maintaining neighborhood character.
• Minimum variance: Only the relief necessary to build an economical,
code -compliant structure is requested; no other reasonable
alternatives exist.
Mitigation
• Evergreen hedge, canopy trees, and ornamental fence screen parking
(partial)
• Permeable pavers and on -site detention reduce runoff
• Well Designed facades facing both streets with reasonable amount of
glass street view and brick
Approval will enable a tax -generating, job -creating project while respecting
the spirit of the UU District. I appreciate your consideration and am available to
answer questions.
Respectfully,
Jonathan Nunn
President, Nunn Development Group Inc.
Sincerely,
Your N