HDC_12 12 20111
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, December 12, 2011 5:00 p.m.
Board Room, City Hall
I. Roll Call
Quorum was present being six (6) in number.
Members Present: Marshall Peters
Julie Wiedower
Randy Ripley
Chris Vanlandingham
BJ Bowen
Toni Johnson
Members Absent: Loretta Hendrix
City Attorney: Debra Weldon
Staff Present: Brian Minyard
Citizens Present: Chris Moses
Jimmy Moses
Dan Fowler
Rhea Roberts
Rhet Tucker
II. Approval of Minutes
a. October 10, 2011
b. November 8, 2011
A motion was made by Commissioner Julie Wiedower to approve the minutes of October 10,
2011 and November 8, 2011 as amended. The changes noted are: LJ Bowen should read BJ
Bowen; Notice requirements were met, not meet; Page 6 has mention of one open position but
the roll call does not show one open position. (That should be changed to two absent). On
page 12, delete the words “and that” on the second line. Commissioner Randy Ripley seconded
and the minutes were approved with a vote of 5 ayes, 1 absent (Hendrix) and 1 recusal
(October’s minutes Johnson).
Notices were met on the COA item on today’s agenda.
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435
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STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. One.
DATE: December 12, 2011
APPLICANT: Chris Moses, Moses Tucker
ADDRESS: 519 East Capitol
COA REQUEST: Downspouts, awning, lighting, signage, and AC condenser units.
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 519 East Capitol. The
property’s legal description is “Lot 2 of Rainwater
Addition to the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County,
Arkansas.”
This multifamily building was built ca 1915. The 2006
survey form states: “A craftsman style apartment building
with shallow roof slope, wide overhangs and grouped
windows with multiple panes. Front and rear porches
also have Craftsman details.” It is considered a
"Contributing Structure" to the MacArthur Park Historic
District.
The survey states: “This 3 story craftsman style
apartment building has been converted to offices and has
an addition with fire stairs on the back.” Since that time,
the building has been gutted to structural floor members
and most interior walls have been stripped of plaster.
This application is for the following: downspouts, awning, lighting, and AC condenser units. The
building is to be renovated to house twelve apartment units with some changes to the exterior.
The downspouts and guttering will be replaced to resize it for an appropriate size of that size of
roof. There will be an awning added to the rear of the structure above the entry. A new lighting
fixture will be added to the south entry. Signage will be small in scale and located where the
sign is currently located. It will be of wood construction. Air conditioner condensing units will be
placed on the ground at the southeast corner of the building with screening. Originally, the
application has items on the windows and the guardrails. The window repairs were determined
to be maintenance items and the guardrails will be resolved with the city building inspector in
tandem with AHPP for tax credit issues associated with the guardrails.
PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE:
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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On September 1, 2005, a COA was
approved and issued to Frieda Tirado for
additions to the rear for a elevator tower,
removing some windows on the southern
sleeping porch area, and modifications to the
roof in conjunction with the elevator addition.
Existing north elevation Existing south elevation
PROPOSAL:
DOWNSPOUTS:
The downspouts and guttering will be replaced to resize it for an appropriate size of that size of
roof. Currently, the gutters are 6” box style and in poor condition. They will be replaced with
half round gutters based on the roof area and the downspouts will be replaced with 4” round
prefinished metal downspouts with a dark bronze metallic finish. The gutters will be installed at
the same location in reference to the roof fascia. The downspouts will be in the same location
as the old ones.
AWNINGS:
There will be an awning added to the rear of the structure above the entry. The awning will be
an aluminum frame with a solid color exterior grade fabric material. The shape will be a shed
roof style awning with closed sides and 6” straight valance, with no scallops. The awning size
will be 5’ wide by 3’ in depth and 2’-6” in height. It will be mounted over the existing rear door
on the south of the building.
LIGHTING:
A new lighting fixture will be added to the south entry. All exterior lighting on the front façade
will remain. A new outdoor wall mounted fixture will be installed at the south entry adjacent to
Photo from ASI collection: “Gladden
Apartments, 519 E. Capitol Avenue, Little
Rock, Ark., July 1, 1980. 8 1/2 x 5 3/4, black
and white.”
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the door. The fixture is made by Progress Lighting, Arts and Crafts style, model P5633-46STR,
weathered bronze finish, 6-5/8” width by 10-1’2” height.
An existing wood sign is located to the east of the vehicular area and is not an
historical feature. A new wood sign will be installed at the same location as the
existing, will measure approximately 3’ by 2’, and be mounted on 4” post with a height not to
exceed the existing sign. The overall size will be 3’-4” wide and 5’-2” tall. All wood will be
painted.
MECHANICAL CONDENSER UNITS:
Air conditioner condensing units will be placed on the ground at the southeast corner of the
building with screening. Part of the units will be placed on an existing concrete pad on the site.
An additional pad will be added to the south to place four additional units. Existing screening
will be retained (some transplanted to make room for additional concrete pad) and additional
shrubbery will be added to provide screening for the units.
WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT AND GUIDELINES:
DOWNSPOUTS:
On page 58, the Guidelines states: “For hang-on application, half-round gutters are
recommended. Downspouts should be located away from significant architectural features on
the front of the house. The use of gutters, flashing, and downspouts should provide enough
drainage to avoid water damage to the structure.” The current gutters are in Staff’s opinion,
located as well as possible to not interfere with the architectural features of the building. The
proposed half round and the round downspouts are recommended by the Guidelines as
opposed as to the current gutters and downspouts.
SIGNAGE:
Existing Signage Proposed signage
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AWNINGS:
On page 58, the Guidelines states: “Awnings should be
placed on buildings where physical or pictorial evidence
indicates they existed. Awnings should not cover
architectural features but should be individually located
within major bays. The style should be appropriate to
the building; colors should blend with the building.
“Note: Awnings have traditionally been used more for
function (shade) than for decoration. In terms of
decoration, awnings have fallen in and out of favor over
the years. If too many awnings are used on a structure,
or if awnings are used on too many dwellings in an area,
the result can be visual clutter. To avoid this, consider using interior blinds or shutters.”
The awning proposed will be used for weather protection and sun protection at the rear entry.
This will be located on the later addition of the building (the 1970’s? addition to the building).
(According to the 1939 and 1939-1950 Sanborn maps, the building was flat across the south
façade and had an asphalt roof instead of the “non-combustible roof covering on metal, slate,
tile or asbestos shingles”.) The current building has a slight bump out on the rear façade that
was presumably the reworking of the stairs. The size and shape of the awning is simple enough
to add to the building without “adding any false sense of history” to the elevation.
LIGHTING:
On page 68, the Guidelines states: “Lighting attached to a
building Original lights should be preserved. If fixtures are
added, they should be from the period of the structure, or if
new, simple in design, based on traditional designs of the
early twentieth century. They should be mounted on porch
ceilings or on the exterior wall adjacent to the primary
entrance. Fixtures to avoid are carriage lamps or any
fixtures evocative of a period earlier than the building.”
A new lighting fixture will be added to the south entry. All
exterior lighting on the front façade will remain. A new
outdoor wall mounted fixture will be installed at the south
entry adjacent to the door. This fixture is shown at the left.
It is of the period of the building, and will not be readily seen
from Sixth Street. It is in conformance with the Guidelines.
On page 58, the Guidelines states: “Signs should be subordinate to the architecture
and overall character throughout the district. Historic signs should be preserved,
including “ghost” signs on the sides of buildings. “2. Free-Standing: Free-standing signs should
be low, small, and constructed of wood or a non-shiny finish. The recommended size should
not exceed six square feet in area. These signs should be located in landscaped areas.
Examples of appropriate signs are illustrated to the right.”
An existing wood sign is located to the east of the vehicular area and is not an historical feature.
A new wood sign will be installed at the same location as the existing and will measure
approximately 3’ by 2’ and mounted on 4” post with a height not to exceed the existing sign. All
Awning shape
Proposed lighting at south door
SIGNAGE:
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wood will be painted. This proposed sign complies with the guidelines and should not detract
from its surroundings.
MECHANICAL CONDENSER UNITS:
On page 70, the Guidelines state: “HVAC units should be located where not readily visible from
the street and should be screened with shrubbery or fencing.” Air conditioner condensing units
will be placed on the ground at the southeast corner of the building with screening. An
additional pad will be added to the south to place four additional units. Existing screening will
be retained (some transplanted to make room for additional concrete pad) and additional
shrubbery will be added to provide screening for the units. If transplanted and additional
shrubbery is installed to adequately screen the units from the street, this action complies with
the Guidelines.
Overall, the modifications to the structure fall within the Guidelines and within the Certificate of
Compliance standards for maintenance items.
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.
COMMISSION ACTION: December 12, 2011
Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation of the item. Public notices were met in a timely
fashion on this item. He noted that the original write-up and legal ad stated windows. The
windows are subject to maintenance and will not be in this item. The handrails/guardrails are
also not subject to this Staff report.
Dan Fowler, speaking for the applicant, stated that there were no changes to the applications.
He noted that he did not have a statement in opposition to the heights of the handrails from the
Building officials. They have met the National Park standards and are eligible for tax credits.
Commissioner Julie Wiedower commented that she was glad that he was able to refurbish the
windows. Mr. Fowler stated that the triangular windows in the rear were to be removed and
replaced with wallboard to match.
Commissioner Randy Ripley asked about the wallboard. Mr. Fowler stated that it is actually
beadboard.
Commissioner Ripley asked about the windows. Mr. Fowler stated that there is a variety of
window styles on the building including the 1970’s aluminum windows on the rear that will be
removed.
No citizens wished to speak for or against the item.
Commissioner Wiedower commented on the photos from the south and asked about the roof.
Mr. Fowler stated that there was roof damage at the southwest end and it has different roof tiles.
The tiles would not be changed.
Commissioner Ripley asked if the downspouts would be routed the same as they are now. Mr.
Fowler stated that they would.
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Commissioner Wiedower made a motion to approve with the recommendation of Staff.
Commissioner Ripley seconded and the motion was approved with a vote of 6 ayes and 1
absent (Hendrix).
III. Other Matters
Enforcement issues
Staff noted one enforcement permit at 1404 Scott Street.
Certificates of Compliance
No additional certificates of compliance were issued since the last report.
Dunbar Survey Update
The survey fieldwork has been completed and the forms have been submitted to AHPP for the
first review. Comments have been made and are now back at the consultants for revisions.
Central High National Register Amended boundary increase.
The consultant is finishing his draft of that text and will be emailing it to Staff tomorrow. That
nomination will be presented to the Commission when time comes. Commissioner
Vanlandingham asked if Staff would keep the Commission posted on the progress of national
register listings.
Election of Officers
After discussion, Commissioner Julie Wiedower nominated Commissioner Chris Vanlandingham
for the position of Chair. Commissioner Randy Ripley seconded. The nominations were closed.
Commissioner BJ Bowen stated that by acclimation, Commissioner Vanlandingham was elected
Chair.
Commissioner Toni Johnson nominated Commissioner Wiedower as Vice Chair and
Commissioner Bowen seconded. The nominations were closed. Commissioner Wiedower was
elected Vice Chair with a vote of 6 ayes and one absent (Hendrix).
Citizen Communication
Rhea Roberts, QQA, invited the Commissioners to "Festivus ", the year end celebration
fundraiser for the QQA. She also noted the Preservation Conversations, which occur the third
Monday of each month. They air them on LRTV and were recognized as a successful program
by the National Trust.
VI. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
Attest:
Secretary /Staff ,1
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