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HDC_06 05 2003City of Little Rock HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION JUNE 5, 2003 Commissioners Present: Howard H. Gordon Carolyn Newbern Marshall Peters Wesley Walls Commissioners Absent: Wyatt D. Weems Staff Present: Tony Bozynski Andre' Bernard Debra Weldon The meeting was called to order and a quorum was present being four (4) in number. The Minutes from the April 3, 2003 regular meeting and the April 17, 2003 special meeting were approved as mailed. The Commission also voted to change the date of the July meeting from the 3rd to the 10th of July. Item No. 1: 415 E. 9th The applicant, Gerald New, was present. Staff reported that proper notice had been given to the required property owners. Gerald New spoke and said the owner of 415 E. 9th was in the process of purchasing other properties in the immediate vicinity. Mr. New then described the structure in question and said the proposal was to convert the building into seven studio apartments. Mr. New said that parking was an issue for the project and then discussed the alley between 9th and 10th Streets. Mr. New went on to say that the project will follow all the guidelines and the windows would be replaced by like kind. Tim Hieple, an adjoining property owner, addressed the Commission and expressed concerns about the use of the alley and the parking situation. Gerald New reviewed the proposed site plan for the project and discussed the parking. Mr. New said that the plan showed a total of 13 spaces on the property. There were some comments made about the window details and more information about the windows was requested. At this point in the hearing, the applicant's application letter was read into the record. (See attached April 10, 2003 letter.) Gerald New addressed the Commission again and said the structure would be repaired, not altered, and remain the same. Several Commissioners responded and other comments were offered. A motion was then made to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 415 E. 91h with the following conditions: • the items listed in the April 10, 2003 letter be met (and attached to the C.O.A.); • window details (description of design and materials) to be submitted to the staff; • the key elements of the structure; windows, siding and gable, be maintained; • encourage the owners to replace the "dental" trim; • the project to start within 60 days and to be completed in one year; • the existing retaining wall to be repaired; • utilize appropriate landscaping for the location; • project must meet all city codes and zoning regulations; and • should the project scope change in any fashion in terms of material, massing, scale, profile and size, staff will be notified and appropriate actions taken. The motion was approved by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. Other Business 1305 Cumberland, a fence issue, was discussed and the owner was present. The Commission instructed the owner to file for a C.O.A. for the July meeting. The next item discussed was 512 E. 9th and the removal of a large stain glass from the front facade. Boyd Maher, Department of Arkansas Heritage, said the State had a facade easement on the property and the window was significant to the structure. Mr. Maher indicated that the State would send the owner a letter reminding him of the easement. City staff was asked to follow -up with the owner about filing for a C.O.A. The Commission members present decided to hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 24, 2003 as a follow -up to Nore' Winter's presentation to the City Board. Other items discussed included 2004 CLG Grants, revised plans for 517 E. Capitol and 822 Cumberland. There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Attachments Carr Enterprises, LLC 11219 FINANCIALCENTRE PKWY • LITTLE ROCK AR • 72211 501.834.9991 OFFICE 501.834.9992 FAX April 10, 2003 Tony Bozynski Little Rock Historic Commission 500 W. Markham Room 120 West Little Rock, AR 72201 Mr. Bozynski: Carr Enterprises, LLC (led by Raymond Remmel) is in the process of purchasing the structure located at 415 East 91h Street in the McArthur District of Downtown Little Rock. The property is three stories and contains approximately 8000 square feet and is currently vacant. The structure was constructed circa 1909, with a later addition. It was a 23 -room boarding house prior to its closing, and it has been vacant since 1981. It is our intention to completely renovate this structure complying with all historic and appropriate guidelines established by the state of Arkansas, the city of Little Rock, and the McArthur Historical District. This project has actually submitted to your commission back in November of 1999 by Eric McDuffie of T & C Properties, LLC, in which it was approved. Due to outside circumstances, it was never started. We plan to follow the plans established by Mr. McDuffie and your Commission to ensure the project complies with all the specific guidelines. We have attached floor plans for each of the 3 floors, but it is our understanding that your commission is more interested in the exterior of the structure, and how it will contribute to the well being of the community. We will provide details for these concerns in this document. The construction will begin in the spring of 2003 (May if possible), and continue for approximately 7 months. We are confident that it will be a driving force in the continuing renovation of the McArthur District and will be a flagship for the area for many years to come. Our plan for this structure is a multi -unit apartment building designed for students of the University of Arkansas - Little Rock Law School, which is located less than a mile away. The preliminary plans call for 7 units, a lobby, a laundry room and a library /lounge. The lobby will include such amenities as a copy machine, a fax machine, a worktable, vending machines, and chairs. The library /lounge will be on the 3rd floor and contain chairs, tables and bookshelves for the residents to have a place to work besides their units. All external doors will be locked to avoid unauthorized uses of the equipment and facilities. There will be no change in elevations regarding this project. The external part of the structure will be restored following these historic guidelines: April 10, 2003 ❑ All windows will be wooden with Std. Insulated glass to match existing as much as possible. ❑ We will replace all Fascia and Soffit with some dimension construction, using wood materials. ❑ All dimensions and slopes of the roof will remain the some with only the shingles being removed and replaced with architectural shingles, and decking material replaced as needed. ❑ We will remove any of the remaining steel siding exposing all of the original wood siding, which will be repaired where possible, and replaced where necessary, with similar or like material. ❑ Landscaping will consist of one and two - gallon Azaleas and a selected ground cover where needed. ❑ A new driveway will be installed within the limits of the city code and contain a'One Way' Sign. The existing retaining wall will NOT be replaced, it will only be repaired where necessary. The right -of -way on the south side of 9'h Street will be clear of visual distractions such as garbage canisters and parked cars. ❑ A new parking lot will be designed with 11 parking spots. The adjoining triplex at 904 Commerce is also being purchased by Carr Enterprises, LLC, but the triplex on the corner of Commerce & 9'h is not. It was recently purchased from Mr. McOuffie from another outside investor. We will attempt to form an alliance with this investor to insure the most effective design is reached for the betterment of ongoing traffic. ❑ The deck on the rear of the 3rd floor will be constructed with 1" by 1" pickets and the newel post will be 4" by 4 ". We are very excited about the renovation of this property and are extremely anxious to begin work. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call and we can discuss. We are also very serious about following the proper guidelines and regulations for such a structure. One of our main goals is to keep the historical integrity of the area in tact as much as possible. Sincerely, Gerald New Carr Enterprises, LLC 2