LITTLE ROCK — Rectangles of dirt sit on both sides of the fence at the parking lot on West Third Street between Center and Louisiana streets in Little Rock, but the owners say there’s not a place to plant - at least not to plant trees.
The parking lot, where the old KATV building was demolished last year, belongs to 207 West 3rd Development LLC. With permission to demolish the building, the Little Rock Board of Adjustment required the company to plant a tree canopy, according to the zoning regulations that apply to most of downtown.
The developers say they’ve hit a snag, however - one that could cost up to seven digits to fix.
Company representatives told the board of adjustment Monday that under the sidewalk and easements on the south side of West Third Street, a dense web of gas lines, fiber optic cables and other utilities make it hard to plant trees.
They said Tuesday that they’re waiting to hear from Entergy Arkansas representatives with a cost estimate to move the lines, but the owners anticipate the cost will be at least in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“I’ve dealt with [utilities] before, and I’m aware of the price tag it carries,” said board Chairman Jeff Yates.
“I am understanding that it’s going to cost a lot of money and that’s money that your company does not want to pay. So let’s move forward and find an alternative ... a plan B.”
The board granted a third deferral for the company Monday, asking that they submit a plan to the city planning department by Aug. 27.
A proposal on the agenda Tuesday asked the board to approve a series of above-ground planters for trees and other vegetation.
Little Rock’s urban forester, Robbie Hudson, submitted a written objection to the board, saying the trees likely wouldn’t survive if put in above-ground barrels.
Hudson wrote that the planters would have to have proper drainage, which is hard to do on a city street, and there may not be room for the roots, depending on the type of tree used.
Company representatives told the board that they had planted several trees inside the wrought-iron fence surrounding the parking lot used by The Hatcher Agency and the Vratsinas Construction Co. They also said they were willing to plant trees across the street because the developers own that property as well.
Dana Carney, who oversees the zoning and subdivisions portion of the planning department, said the developers were given a variance in 2011 to require three fewer trees than would normally be required.
“That was granted because of the utility lines,” Carney said. “I think the board is wanting to know what’s changed or why there would need to be further consideration.”
The city’s urban use zoning designation, which includes most of downtown Little Rock, requires street trees with “a minimum of three-inch caliper” to be located two feet back from the curb and requires the canopy to be at least eight feet from the pavement.
The types of trees allowed vary based on the area and zoning but are listed in the city’s landscaping ordinance.
Arkansas, Pages 7 on 07/31/2012