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HDC_11 14 20111 LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, November 14, 2011, 5:00 p.m. Board Room, City Hall I. Roll Call Quorum was present being seven (7) in number. Members Present: Marshall Peters Julie Wiedower Randy Ripley Loretta Hendrix Chris Vanlandingham BJ Bowen Toni Johnson Members Absent: none City Attorney: Debra Weldon Staff Present: Brian Minyard Citizens Present: Ralph Wilcox Rhea Roberts II. Approval of Minutes Chairman Marshall Peters read the last sentence on both pages 8 and 16 for the record. A motion was made by Commissioner Julie Wiedower to approve the minutes of September 12, 2011 as submitted with corrections. Commissioner Randy Ripley seconded and the minutes were approved with a vote of 5 ayes and 2 recusals (Bowen and Johnson). DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 2 STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. V. DATE: November 14, 2011 APPLICANT: Ralph Wilcox, AHPP ADDRESS: vicinity of Capitol and Main Streets COA REQUEST: Support of creation of National Register District PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at vicinity of Capitol and Main Streets. The property’s description the 500 block of Main Street, 100-200 blocks of Capitol Avenue, 500 block of Center Street and the 100-200 blocks of Sixth street. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Programs has set forth the “Arkansas Certified Local Government Procedures.” In it, sections are titled: “Introduction”, “Eligibility for participation in the Certified Local Government Program”, “Process for Certification of Local Governments”, “Process for monitoring Certified local Governments,” “Certified Local Governments Participation in the National Register Nomination Process”, and “Transfer of funds to Certified Local Governments.” In Section II Eligibility for Participation in the Certified Local Government Program subsection C Local Historic Preservation Program, II C. 2. f) states that one of the Duties of local preservation commissions shall include: “Reviewing all proposed National Registration nominations for properties within the boundaries of the CLG’s jurisdiction. When a commission reviews a nomination or other action that will impact properties which are normally evaluated by a professional in a specific discipline, at that discipline is not represented on the commission, the commission must seek expertise in that discipline before rendering its decision.” DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 Location of Proposed District 3 In Section V Certified Local Government participation in the national register nomination process, sub section B CLG involvement in the National Register Process, the procedures state: A. CLGs shall submit a report (available for public inspection) to the AHPP regarding the eligibility of each property or district within its jurisdiction proposed for nomination to the National Register. I. The report shall include recommendations of the local preservation commission and the chief elected official. 2. The report should concentrate on the property's eligibility under the National Register criteria. 3. Failure to submit reports on the eligibility of properties nominated within the jurisdiction of the CLG after the AHPP has informed the CLG of a pending nomination will be considered during the periodic performance evaluation. B. CLG involvement in the National Register process I. Within 60 calendar days of receipt of the nomination, the CLG shall inform the AHPP by submission of a report (see section V-A) as to its opinion regarding the eligibility of the property. The CLG shall also inform the property owner(s) using National Register criteria for evaluation, as to its opinion regarding the eligibility of the property. 2. In the event a nomination is received by the AHPP before submission to the CLG, the AHPP will forward a copy of the completed nomination to the CLG within 30 calendar days of receipt. 3. If both the commission and chief elected official recommend that a property not be nominated because it does not meet the National Register criteria for eligibility, the CLG will so inform the property owner(s) and the State Historic. Preservation Officer, the property will then not be nominated unless an appeal is filed with the SHPO in accordance with appeal procedures outlined in 36 CFR 60. Appeals must be received by the SHPO within 30 calendar days of the date the property owner receives notification by certified mail that the property has been determined ineligible for nomination by both the CLG and the Chief elected official. This is in accordance with Section 101[c) 2 of the NHPA. 4. If the commission or the chief elected official of the CLG recommend that a property should be nominated, the nomination will be scheduled for submission to the Arkansas State Review Board. Scheduling will be in accordance with notification time constraints as set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. 5. The Arkansas State Review Board, after considering all opinions, including those of the commission and the chief elected official of the CLG, shall make its recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Officer. Either the local preservation commission or the chief elected official may appeal the SHPOs final decision. 4 6. When a National Register nomination, that has been reviewed by a commission, is submitted to the National Park Service for review and listing, all reports or comments from the local officials will be submitted along with the nomination. 7. The AHPP and the CLG will work together to provide ample opportunity for public participation in the nomination of properties to the National register. All reports submitted by the CLG to the AHPP regarding the eligibility of properties shall include assurances of public input. The CLG shall retain a list of all persons contacted during the evaluation period and note comments that were received. If a public meeting was held, a list of those attending shall be included in the report. PROPOSAL: The Commission will review the Support of creation of National Register District. Detail of are to be proposed with addresses. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff supports the Nomination of the District to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A and C. 5 COMMISSION ACTION: November 14, 2011 Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation to the Commission. It was submitted by AHPP in the vicinity of Capitol and Main under the criteria of Historic Events and Architecture. Ralph Wilcox, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, stated that this district was a result of a lot of questions and inquiries for tax credits in this area. It is an intact commercial district with 14 buildings and 3 vacant lots. He continued to speak about the contributing, individually listed and non-contributing status of the district. It has 10 contributing buildings (3 individually listed and 7 contributing buildings) and 7 non-contributing (4 building and 3 vacant lots). Commissioner Julie Wiedower asked about the criteria or process concerning buildings with changes to the structures and the ground level, particularly the Arnold Building. She asked why this building was not listed as contributing. Mr. Wilcox says the building did not reflect commercial on the front of the building and they added an atrium in the building. Commissioner Wiedower asked if the contributing status was based upon interior renovations. She was under the impression that interiors were not considered. Mr. Wilcox stated that both interiors and exteriors are considered when a building has extensive changes to it to analyze the overall integrity of the structure. Conversation then shifted to the Metrocentre Mall site in the 500 block of Main on the east side. Commissioner Wiedower stated that great care was taken to preserve the Moses Melody Shop exterior when the renovations were done to the building. Again, Mr. Wilcox stated that the interiors could be considered when a building is deemed non-contributing. The entire half block functions as one building, not as separate buildings. Only the façade of the building is left and is not considered contributing. He continued that for surveying districts, only the exteriors are surveyed. When a building is individually listed, an attempt to survey the interiors are made. Commissioner Loretta Hendrix asked if the non-contributory buildings were eligible for tax credits. Mr. Wilcox stated that he believed they were eligible for 10% federal tax credits instead of the 20%. She continued and asked about notification of property owners. He stated that all property owners were notified and that they are aware of the process and where they were in the process. Mr. Wilcox reiterated the origins of why this particular area was being considered for a national register district. Commissioner Randy Ripley asked if there were regulations placed on the properties. Mr. Wilcox stated that in a National Register District, there are no restrictions placed on changes to the building or demolitions. Commissioner Wiedower asked if all of the owners were notified or if they approved of the national register nomination. Mr. Wilcox said that they were and over 50% of the owners approved moving forward with the national register nomination. Commissioner Vanlandingham commented on the fact that the commission was voting on an item that the commission would have no jurisdiction over after establishment. Mr. Minyard explained the two different ways that a local ordinance historic district is established per state law. He continued that if the property owners wished to, that Staff would work with them to establish a local ordinance district. Commissioner Wiedower asked if the letter said “Local Ordinance District.” Mr. Wilcox said he did not think so. Chairman Peters asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak on the item. No one responded. 6 Commissioner Toni Johnson stated that she thought she would have to recuse on this item since she did national register survey work for AHPP and Ralph Wilcox oversees her work. Debra Weldon referred to the ordinance and asked her if she did work on this project and she responded that she did not. It was determined that she did not have a financial interest in this project and that she could vote on this item. Commissioner Wiedower made a motion to support the nomination of the proposed district to the National Register of Historic Places. Commissioner Ripley seconded and the motion passed with 6 ayes and 1 no. Commissioner Vanlandingham stated he had a personal reservation that he could not see the reason why the Arnold Building could not be a contributing structure. He also stated that he had a bit of reservation on his part to nominate a district and not giving the owners notice of the option of a Local Ordinance District. The owners should be advised of that option in the future. 7 CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION REVIEW Name and Address of property: Capitol and Main Street NR District, vicinity of Capitol Avenue and Main Street, Little Rock, AR 72201 Name of Owner: various Project Sponsor: Ralph Wilcox, National Register & Survey Coordinator, AHPP CLG Name: City of Little Rock, Arkansas Date of Public Hearing by CLG: June 13, 2011 Applicable Criteria: ____ Criterion A (Historic Events) _____ Criterion B (Important Person) ____ Criterion C (Architecture) _____ Criterion D (Archaeological) The Little Rock Historic District Commission hereby supports the above stated property for nomination. Attest: ___________________________ _________________________ Chair Date ___________________________ _________________________ Secretary/Staff Date DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 III. Other Matters Enforcement issues 909 Cumberland was briefly discussed. Certificates of Compliance A spreadsheet was given to the commissioners with the COA and COC items listed since 2009. Those mentioned were at 916 Scott Street for repainting, roofing and siding repair; Fowler House main house for repairs on the main house for siding repair, gutter work, column work, etc. Dunbar Survey Update Brian Minyard reported that the survey was underway and that all field work had been done. The contractors have submitted the first 10 forms in October and the State have commented on them. They are in the process of now completing the forms and submitting the drafts to the state in the near future. Notifications of property owners were discussed as to which department is handling the survey and which funding source is used. It was clarified that the survey team is only doing the survey, not the nomination. 2012 Calendar Mr. Minyard stated that the November 2012 meeting is not the second Monday because of Veteran's Day. It has been scheduled for the first Monday instead. Commissioner Julie Wiedower made a motion to approve the calendar as submitted. Commissioner BJ Bowen seconded and the motion was approved with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 noes. Demolished Houses Commissioner Wiedower asked if the Historic District Commission was taking photos of the houses that are to be demolished by the Housing Department. That department takes photos to show the houses to the Board of Directors but they are not "architectural survey" type photos. Staff does receive a list of the houses to be demolished. Chairman Marshall Peters stated that if it was not in our district, we might not need to take that task on. Commissioner Wiedower stated that the commission was citywide. Staff stated that he would request photos from Housing on the demolished houses. Commissioner Hendrix asked that they be able to rank the Preservation Plan goals and action statements again. Citizen Communication There were no comments from citizens present. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:55. Date Date 21/Z,//