HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2013-017 Staff Report, Project Background And Description, Copy Of the Application for COA 09/09/2013DEPARTMENT 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. Two.
DATE: September 9, 2013
APPLICANT: Brian Duncan, Digital Print and Imaging
ADDRESS: 902 South Cumberland
COA REQUEST: Signage
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 902 South
Cumberland. The property's legal description is "Lot 9-12,
Block 25, Original City of Little Rock, Pulaski County,
Arkansas."
This building was built around 1960. The 2006 survey
form states: "this commercial building has international
style influences with shallow roof coping, ribboned
horizontal banding of contrasting brick and window set
flush with the exterior. This was renovated in 2002." It is
considered a "Non -Contributing Structure" to the
MacArthur Park Historic District in both the 1988 and
2006 survey.
This application is a result of an enforcement action.
Signage was installed on the Cumberland Street
windows without a COA by the HDC. The project
includes signage in the windows as installed before, new
signage on the 9th and Cumberland Street sides.
PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE:
On January 26, 1999 administrative approval was given for landscape renovations.
On December 3, 1998, a COA was approved and issued to Knights of Columbus to replace
windows, close the 9th street entrance and install an overhead door in the gym. A portion of
this work was completed (new windows) but the rest was not started. The COA is considered
void with new ownership.
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%1. 2--. A.,
9th Street elevation ca. 2006
PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT
AND GUIDELINES: The application has three parts: Window signage, 9th Street entrance sign
above door and Cumberland Street sign above door.
The guidelines state on page 78:
5. Signs on Commercial Structures:
Signs on commercial buildings should be in proportion to the building and should
be made of historic materials, such as finished carved wood, glass, copper, or
bronze letters. Signs of plastic, plywood, or unfinished wood are not appropriate.
Signs should be placed at traditional locations, such as on storefront beltcourses,
upper fagade walls, hanging or mounted inside windows, or projecting from the
face of the building. Lighting for signs should be concealed; up -lit or spot lighting
is recommended.
"Ghost" signs (historic painted wall signs, frequently on sides of brick buildings)
should be preserved and not removed.
The window signage was the subject of the enforcements issue -
To restate, the Guidelines on page 78 state that the "Signs on commercial buildings should be
in proportion to the building and should be made of historic materials..." What is in proportion to
the building? To assist, here is the applicable codes from the City of Little Rock that would be
applicable.
From Sec. 36-530 Definitions:
Sign means any device, structure, fixture or placard using graphics, symbols, and/or
written copy designed specifically for the purpose of advertising or identifying any
establishment, product, goods or services.
Window sign means a sign installed inside a window and intended to be viewed from the
outside.
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Identification sign means a sign whose copy is limited to the name and address of a
building, institution, or person and/or to the activity or occupation being identified.
Incidental sign means a sign, emblem or decal informing the public of goods, facilities or
services available on the premises, e.g., a credit card sign or a sign indicating the hours
of business.
On this application, most of the signs in the windows are Incidental Signs.
From Sec. 36-557(e)
Within the institutional and office, commercial and industrial districts, each premises may
utilize incidental signs not to exceed twenty (20) square feet in aggregate sign area per
occupancy.
On this application, the Incidental Signs would be the signs as shown in the windows with the
exception of the business name and logo. All incidental signage over 20 square feet would not
be in compliance with the city sign ordinance. The windows are estimated to be slightly over 5'
wide and 5' tall. That would be 25 square feet per window. One window would be 25 square
feet in area, which would be the entirety of the allowable incidental signage for the premises.
East side of building before graphics were removed.
We will not have full coverage like this picture shows.
It is the quality I wish to demonstrate.
that were installed without COA.
have been removed.
From Sec. 36-553.(a)(2). a.
Wall or mansard signs not to exceed ten (10) percent in aggregate sign area for that
occupancy's facade area.
On this application, the wall signs over the doors are well under the 10% rule.
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From Sec. 36-553.(a)(3).
Where a building is on a corner or has more than one (1) main street frontage, one (1)
wall sign and one (1) additional freestanding sign will be allowed on the additional
frontage, not to exceed the size of other wall and freestanding signs
On this application, the sign on 9th Street and the one on Cumberland Street have street
frontage and would be in compliance with the sign code. The proposed changes to the signs
over the doors will be the same materials and attached to the building the same way the
previous signs are.
New Sign mock up on North side of building
Current Sign on our building
on 9th Street
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Digital Print & Imaging
Printing • Apparel o Wide Format
New Sign mock up
GRAVES LITHO SERVICE, NC.
A COMPLETE GRAPHICS COMPANY
Current Sign on our building
d srgnage on Cumberland Street
Staff believes that the fixed signage (over the 9th and Cumberland doors) is proportional to the
building. Staff believes that the incidental signs pictured in the photo above contribute to clutter
in the district and are inappropriate if they are applied to every window on a facade. Staff
believes that the incidental signs should be limited to two windows of the building, not on the
same facade. Staff acknowledges that if more than 20 square feet of window incidental signage
is installed, it would require another hearing for a variance to the sign ordinance.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were no
comments regarding this application.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions:
1. Obtaining sign permits for each sign.
2. Submit application to appropriate board for public hearing if more than 20 square feet of
incidental signs are used.
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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371•-4790 Fax: (501) 399-343S
APPUCATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
1. Application Date: ' , < a .2 3
2. Date of Public Hearing. - zv at 5:00 R.M.
3. Address of Property- Q rt D:2 4. Legal Description of Property: _
5- Property Owner (Printedame, Address, Phone, Email): r r -A IJ J
d
b r; A ,- ' 1 L k.
6. Owner's Agent: (Printed Name, Address, Phone, Email):
T Brief Project Description: PV l W i miApw 9 r P4 PWc.1 q to r n/ G a L,
8. Estimated Cost of Improvements: 0o
9. Zoning Classification: Is the props d`hang permitted use? Yes No
10. Signature of Owner orAgent:_
(Tile owner wili need io authorize any Agent or person representing the owoerat the public hearing),
NOTE: Should there be changes during construction (design, materials, size, etc,) frorn the approved COA.
applicant shall notify Commission staff and take appropriate actions. Approval by the Commission does not
excuse applicant or property from compliance with other applicable codes, ordinances or policies of the city
unless stated by the Commission or staff. Responsibility for identifying such codes, ordinances, or policies rests
with the applicant, owner, or agent.
---------------------------------------- -------•-•-•------.--
(This section to be completed by Staff):
Little Rock Historic District Commission Action
_ Denied —Withdrawn _Approved _Approved with Conditions— See Attached Conditions
Staff Signature: Date:
Revised 8/2012
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902 S Cumberland • Little Rock, AR 72202
-10 501-376-2200 v 501-376-2202 f
8-6-2013
To: Little Rock Historical District Commission
From: Brian Duncan, property owner
Intent of the letter is to obtain a COA and to be granted permission to apply
nonpermanent window graphics and permanent Sign Letters on the building at 902
Cumberland Street. My company, 'Digital Print & Imaging is a printing company that
prints all sorts of products including signs and window graphics. We wish to apply see
through mesh graphics, the same style as car wrap material. This material is printed in
house and applied by myself. They will periodically be changed to indicate sale items and
other seasonal promotions, such as Race for the Cure shirts, etc. The graphics are created
in house by our artists and are very professional in quality and appearance. We have had
many people, customers, mailmen, delivery people continent on how good the graphics
look when they were up; until approve we have taken them off the windows. Pictures are
included. Upon talking with Mr. Minyard for advise, I have decided if approved. we
will place them on a few windows on each of the Cumherland(l ast) and 9th street(North)
sides. The double window openings are approximately 75" x 80" and our graphics would
be approx 40" x 20". l3% of the window opening. At this point I am not exactly sure
which windows we would put this on, it will be whatever looks best cosmetically. We are
not looking to overdue it, just get our message seen.
Until recently we were a wholesale company in no need of advertisement or a
name on the building. We have decided to sell .retail and wish to replace the permanent
Graves Litho Service letters currently on the building with Digital Print and Imaging
letters. We moved to this location 4 years ago with 5 employees and have grown to 21.
We wish to continue growing and employing more Little .Rock natives, these signs and
advertisement will help us to grow.
1 own this building along with the business in the building. 1 take pride in this
building and keep the appearance of it in top notch condition. I daily walk our premises
to pick up the trash left by our neighbors and transients. 1 consider our property one of
the better maintained properties in the Historical District and value the standards set forth
by the commission. I have looked at some of the other buildings in our Historical District
that have graphics and signs plastered everywhere and we are in no way going to have the
same type of appearance. 1 have included pictures of these other buildings.
Sincerely.
Cover Letter
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