HDC_12 08 20081
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, December 8, 2008, 5:00 p.m.
Sister Cities’ Conference Room, City Hall
I. Roll Call
Quorum was present being five (5) in number.
Members Present: Marshall Peters
Julie Wiedower
Susan Bell
Bob Wood
Randy Ripley
Members Absent: none
City Attorney: Debra Weldon
Staff Present: Eve Gieringer
Brian Minyard
Lisa Spigner, Housing and Neighborhood Programs
Citizens Present: Jennifer Skowronski
Boyd Maher
A discussion was held about the Dunbar item. The Staff person was not present at
5:00. A motion was made by Commission er Susan Bell and seconded by
Commissioner Julie Wiedower to move the Dunbar item later in the agenda. The
motion passed with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 noes.
II. Approval of Minutes
a. November 10, 2008
A motion was made by Commissioner Julie Wiedower to approve the minutes of
November 10, 2008 as submitted. Commissioner Wiedower asked if Sharon Priest and
Truman Tolefree were still going to be invited to discuss the Conway Schulte Plan with
the Commission. Staff responded yes. Commissioner Susan Bell seconded and the
minutes were approved with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 absent.
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III. Deferred Certificates of Appropriateness
None
IV. Certificates of Appropriateness
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STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. One.
DATE: December 8, 2008
APPLICANT: Jennifer Skowronski, Trapnall LLC
ADDRESS: 607 E 6th Street
COA
REQUEST: 3 AC units with lattice screen
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 607 E 6th Street.
The property’s legal description is “ the East 60’ of
lots 1,2 and 3 of block 2 Stevenson’s Addition to the
City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas."
The building was built ca. 1920’s and according to
the survey was a single-family residence that has
been converted into apartments with a rear addition.
The 1988 survey records it as a contributing
structure as well as the current 2006 survey.
This application is for the placement of three AC
units (split package with part being in the attic) with
a lattice screen to enclose them. The units will be
placed on the east side of the building under an
existing stair to the upper floor.
PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE:
No previous actions were on this site were located with a search of the files.
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435
Location of Project
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WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT AND
GUIDELINES:
On page 70 of the guidelines, it states under Design Guidelines for Site Design,
Mechanical Systems and Service areas: HVAC units should be located where not
readily visible from the street and should be screened with shrubbery or fencing.
This application is for the placement
of three AC units (split package with
part being in the attic) with a lattice
screen to enclose them. The units
will be placed on the east side of the
building under an existing stair to the
upper floor as shown on the photo to
the right. The units will be located as
shown by the x’s on the photo and
the arrow. The photo below shows a
lattice screen on another property
that will be duplicated on this site.
The lattice will cover all of the area
under the stairs from the ground to
approximately five feet tall. There
will be a gate perpendicular to the
stair treads to access the units. The
owner states, “no external line sets
will be run or visible on the exterior
of the structure.
These units will not be readily visible
from the street and will be screened
by the lattice work.
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 a building permit for fencing and ac units within 30 days of approval.
2. Project to be completed within 180 days of obtaining permit.
COMMISSION ACTION: December 8, 2008
Brian Minyard, Staff, made a presentation of the item. Notices for the application were
mailed and provided to Staff in time. The applicant notified 200’ instead of 150’, so all
property owners and extras were notified of the hearing. Color photos were passed
East façade.
Lattice screening with “hidden” gate
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around for the commissioners to see and there was the option mentioned as to whether
to paint or stain the latticework.
Chairman Marshall Peters commented that the building permit was to be for the fence
and the a/c units.
Commissioner Randy Ripley asked if the exterior lines to the units would be exposed
exterior lines. The answer from the applicant was no. Commissioner Ripley said that
the exterior refrigerant lines were the critical component of the application.
Commissioner Bob Wood asked how much latticework was used at the time the building
was built. Mr. Minyard quoted that the guidelines state mechanical units be screen ed
with shrubbery or fencing. He continued that this was an item that if a commissioner
thought that lattice was inappropriate, they should not vote for the item. Commissioner
Wood continued that if another form of fencing was more appropriate and not no ticeably
more expensive, that would be a better choice. Mr. Minyard stated that some structures
in the district had lattice between the piers, although this structure has brick all the way
to the ground. Mr. Minyard stated that it was a judgment call of Staff to support the
lattice. Chairman Peters and Commissioner Julie Wiedower stated that it was not
visible from the street and should be appropriate. Commissioner Wood said that since it
was not visible from the street, he withdrew his comment.
The applicant, Jennifer Skowronski, spoke briefly about the application. She
commented that she did not have any room for shrubbery, so the fencing was the best
option. She asked the commission if they preferred her to paint or stain the latticework
and commented that she was not opposed to either. Commissioner Ripley stated that
he would prefer it to be natural. Commissioner Wiedower commented that the building
had some painted surfaces and some natural finishes and referred to the photos.
Commissioner Bob Wood stated that if it were painted white, it would stand out more;
he would prefer it to be natural. He continued that the purpose was to conceal it as
much as possible but to leave the decision to the homeowner.
Commissioner Julie Wiedower made a motion to approve the application as submitted
with Staff recommendations with the stain or paint option to be at the discretion of the
owner. Commissioner Ripley seconded and the motion was approved with a vote of 5
ayes and 0 noes.
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V. Dunbar Survey
Lisa Spigner, CDBG coordinator from Housing and Neighborhood Programs
Department, made comments on the Dunbar Survey. She gave background
information on the RFQ process and the selection of John Milner and Associates to
complete the survey. The item was originally on the agenda of the Board of Directors
last May but was pulled off the agenda at the request of a board member who wanted to
meet with a representative of this firm. Chairman Marshall Peters asked how the
meeting went. Ms. Spigner noted that the consultant did not meet with the board
member but did meet with Mr. Minyard, herself, Andre Bernard, Cheri Nichols and
Susan Bell. The survey area was discussed and they toured the area. Commissioner
Bob Wood asked why the consultant did not meet with the boar d members. She
responded that the issues or questions that the board member had were answered at
an earlier date. The travel arrangements had already been made, so she thought the
city should get something out of the money spent.
She continued that she had checked with the city clerk and the item is on the first board
meeting in January 2009. A discussion was held on the possible dates and exact date
of the hearings. Chairman Peters asked about the date this was funded. Ms. Spigner
replied that it was funded out of 2007 and 2008. Commissioner Wiedower asked if
there was a deadline to spend the money. Ms. Spigner responded that they could not
let it sit around forever, but an adequate percentage amount of the funds for those years
have been spent to be compliant on the grants. She confirmed that it was a total of
$25,000 for the survey.
A discussion was held about if it had to go to the Board of Directors for approval and
why it has. Chairman Peters asked if the City Manager’s Office could be reques ted to
speed this project up. Mr. Minyard stated that tomorrow at noon was the deadline to get
something added to the December 16, 2008 agenda.
Chairman Peters and Commissioner Wiedower thanked Lisa Spigner for her time. Mr.
Minyard suggested that the contract for previous surveys be used for some language for
the upcoming Dunbar contract. Ms. Weldon is to work with the CDBG attorney.
Mr. Minyard asked if a request for a survey must be submitted from an individual. Ms.
Spigner stated that submittals could be received from individuals or city officials. Mr.
Minyard is to be added to the CDBG notification list.
Chairman Peters asked to get something in place for “Demolition by Neglect.”
A discussion was held about calling the City Manager’s office to ask that the Dunbar
item be put on the December 16 agenda for the Board of Directors. It continued about
the callers stating that they were calling for the commission as a whole or calling as an
individual. Staff attorney, Debra Weldon, stated that if the caller identified him/her self
as representing the commission as a whole, a motion to do so would have been
required at the public hearing. A commissioner can call the city managers office and
state that they are on the commission and state their opinion, but need to follow up that
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they are representing themselves, not the commission as a whole. Bob Wood stated
that he thought it would carry more weight if the commission voted on it. Commissioner
Ripley made a motion for Chairman Peters to call the City Manager’s office to ask for
the Dunbar item to be put on the consent agenda. Commissioner Wiedower seconded.
The motion was approved with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 noes.
VI.Other Matters
a Enforcement issues
Mr. Minyard stated that Tonya Robinson Fisher did take down the lights on the front of
her house. Parts of the mounting brackets are still there, so a letter will be sent to ask
her to take the rest of the brackets down.
The cornerstone installation at the Caroline Apartments was taken off the enforcement
list.
Arc Arkansas is soon to be finished up, and Jay Core’s items are to be discussed in the
work plan.
Commissioner Wood asked about the Caroline Apts COA traveling with the owners. Mr.
Minyard stated that it was on the work list items.
b Preservation Plan Update
Mr. Minyard stated that there is an upcoming meeting on December 10th. Mr.
Thomason will be in town this week to meet with and interview different preservationists
in town.
c 2009 Calendar
The 2009 Calendar was presented by Staff. Mr. Minyard stated that the September
meeting will conflict with a CLG quarterly meeting. Alternate dates were discussed. It
was mentioned that Walter Malone could fill in for Staff. Commissioner Julie Wiedower
made a motion to accept as submitted. Commissioner Bob Wood seconded and the
motion was approved with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 noes.
d Election of Chair and Vice Chair
There was a discussion on the terms starting in June and the positions being on the
calendar year. Another discussion was held about the Chairman position on the
committee. Commissioner Bob Wood nominated Marshall Peters as Chairman.
Commissioner Peters accepts. The nomination process was closed. A vote was held
and Chairman Peters was reelected to Chairman with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 noes.
There was a discussion on the Vice-Chair position on the committee. Commissioner
Bob Wood nominated Commissioner Julie Wiedower as Vice Chairman. Commissioner
Wiedower accepts. Commissioner Wiedower then nominated Commissioner Susan
Bell as Chairman. Commissioner Bell declines. The nomination process was closed. A
vote was held and Commissioner Wiedower was elected to serve as Vice-Chair with a
vote of 5 ayes and 0 noes.
Boyd Maher, AHPP, encouraged the commission to take a position on the demolition or
reuse of Ray Winder Field. He stated that the commission should be advocates for all
historic resources in the city. Commissioner Julie Wiedower asked if it was on the
register and where they could get information on it. He responded that it is on the
Arkansas Register of Historic places. Boyd stated that he would get them some
information on Ray Winder. Mr. Minyard asked him to remind the commissioners to
make their reservations to go to the HPAA conference in Eureka Springs in May.
Mr. Maher reiterated the CLG opportunities in the state for 2009.
Sign toppers were discussed and Mr. Minyard stated that they are in the process of
being installed.
Chairman Peters asked that all property owners be notified every three months. The
commission requested that the idea of Realtor contact to be added to the workshop
items. Staff is to draft a letter to send to the listing agents for listings in the district. The
letter should cover the perceived selling point and being in a protected historic district.
Chairman Peters stated that the realtors are not required to do anything as such.
Commissioner Wood asked this to be added to the workshop list.
Commissioner Wiedower requested Housing Authority Director Shelly Ehenger for the
January meeting to see if they are considering purchasing Fowler Square.
e Work Plan
The commission discussed and agreed to stay until 7:00 pm at the January meeting to
work on the workshop items.
f Citizen Communication
There were no citizens for Citizen Communication.
VI. Adjournment
There was a motion to adjourn. The meeting ended at 6:08 p.m.
Attest:
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