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HDC_12 04 1979M I N U T E S HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION DECEMBER 4, 1979 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: MR. JOHN JARRARD, CHAIRMAN MR. ROBERT CONNER MS. BETH FOTI MR. SAM STRAUSS, JR. MR. GEORGE WORTHEN MEMBERS ABSENT: NONE STAFF PRESENT: MR. MIKE DOOLEY MR. NATHANIEL GRIFFIN OTHER PARTICIPANTS: MS. CAROLYN WITHERSPOON /ASST. CITY ATTORNEY Minutes of the November 6, 1979, meeting of this Commission were distributed, reviewed and accepted with the only change being the attendance of Mr. Strauss. The Commission received a Statement of Position from the Quapaw Quarter Association relative to the creation of the proposed MacArthur Park Historic District Ordinance. That association's Board of Directors communicated its full support and assistance to the establishment of the district. They specifically identified wording changes in the preliminary Ordinance draft and also pointed out a need for design guide- lines and municipal improvements necessary for the area. Feedback from the report of the Architectural and Historic Survey was received from the Arkansas Preservation Program. They indicated their support and assistance and further recom- mended that we undertake a windshield survey of the existing housing stock in the area to update the initial 1977 survey. Also, a synopsis of the Planning Commission proceeding relative to the report was delivered to the Historic District Commission. They questioned several aspects of the Ordinance itself, and voted to approve the report with the stipulation that a pre- liminary Ordinance draft be reviewed by them, prior to passing it on to the Board of Directors. Both of these recommendations will be read at a Public Hearing of the Historic District Commission subsequent to the legal notification as required by the State Enabling Legislation. The City Attorney's Office was represented to respond to specific questions concerning the proposed Ordinance and how it differs from the State Enabling Legislation. We were advised that this Commission must regulate all construction, reconstruction, al- terations, restorations, moving or demolition of buildings and structures within the District Boundaries, whether or not a building permit is required. In addition, signs and paint color are specifically listed as falling under the control of this Commission. It was determined that two (2) alternatives existed. The first, would be to change the State Act, and the second would be to rewrite the proposed Ordinance, taking advantage of the "ordinary maintenance" provision, the "area of influence" pro- vision and specifically identifying what kind of improvements will necessitate a Certificate of Appropriateness, Notification to Property Owners, or a Public Hearing. Both alternatives will be reviewed by the Staff and a report on same will be delivered at the next meeting. The Staff was requested to obtain information concerning the regulations for requiring a building permit. It has been reported that a building permit must be approved prior to initiating any improvements over one hundred (100.00) dollars. This, however, does not apply to painting or repainting of a structure. No effort is underway to change this criteria at the present time. Excerpts from the Historic Buildings Survey which included photo- graphs and specific information about the Priority I and II structures in the Historic District area and the Governor's Mansion area were shown to the Commission. It was reported that the final document should be finished within a couple of months. In light of the fact that the regular scheduled meeting in January, 1980, falls on New Year's Day, the Historic District Commission voted to move that meeting to Tuesday, January 8th, 1980. This meeting will be held at 4:00 P.M. in the second floor Conference Room of City Hall.