HDC_04 05 1984MINUTES
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
APRIL 5, 1984
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
4:00 P.M.
MR. JOHN JARRARD, CHAIRMAN MR. GEORGE WORTHEN MS. BETH FOTI MR. SAM STRAUSS, JR.
MR. BILL KENNEDY, III
W.MIKE DOOLEY
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. John Jarrard, at 4:05 p.m. and finding a quorum to exist, the Commission voted to accept the Minutes of the previous meeting as recorded.
Staff reported that the required notification had been properly mailed to owners of property within the area of influence of the filed application and that proof of said notification had been received.
Item No. 1 was announced and described as:
Owner: Location: Request:
First Lutheran Church 700 Rock Street Restoration of Welch-Cherry House and combined parking design.
Mr. John Allison, architect for the applicant stated that the request covered two (2) separate issues. First, the restoration of the Welch-Cherry House and second, the parking lot which would be used as a combined facility for the various owner of that portion of the block.
Mr. Allison stated that he had met several times with representatives of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Quapaw Quarter Association and City Staff to review the plans and consider their recommendations. He explained that the restoration of the Welch-Cherry House would, as recommended, include restoring both the original elements of the structure as well as other additions that were added at a later date. He stated that all structural recommendations to the building would be accomplished.
Regarding the site plan for the parking lot, Mr. Allison stated that there were three (3) major objectives. First, to save all the existing trees. Second, to save and utilize the existing curb cuts on the site and third, to add additional landscaping to make the parking lot have the appearance of an interior courtyard.
Mr. Allison described the various landscape elements and stated that there would be a fountain in the center of the parking area.
Mr. Bill Rector, real estate agent for the project, explained that a fountain was planned to be provided if it could be accomplished within the project budget.
Mr. Allison said that there would be an overall increase in the number of parking spaces compared with what existed and that the various users would be parking in the area at different times due to the nature of each use.
Mr. Strauss asked if there were any plans for exterior lighting of the parking area. Mr. Allison stated that lighting would be provided, but that the specific location and design had not been agreed upon.
Mr. Worthen asked if the five points raised by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program in their recommendat ion were agreeable to the applicant.
Mr. Bill Rector stated that all of the architectural recommendations were acceptable but that he thought the retention of the fence between the Welch-Cherry House and the apartment house to the east would divide the ingress and egress at
that point and make access awkward.
Mr. Worthen asked if there was a special significance to the fence and its retention. Mr. Rector said that his understanding was that the fence was on some sort of original property line but that it was interior and could hardly be seen due to the hedge row. He stated that they could move the fence to the west boundary of the site.
Mr. Strauss asked if the fence was exactly in the middle of the drive. Mr. Rector stated that one existing driveway is narrower than the other, but that it is on a property line. Mr. Allison stated that there was nine (9) feet on one side and about fourteen (14) feet on the other.
Mr. Jarrard asked if there were any additional questions from the Commission or other interested parties.
Ms. Eve Yancey, representing the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, referenced the letter of recommendation of approval with the following five (5) provisions:
1.The historic fence on the west side of the Welch-Cherry Housebe retained and incorporated into the site plan;
2.Existing enclosed second story south porch be retained unlessan earlier porch is documented;
3.Existing fabric and details on the north and west porches beexamined to determine the existence and design of originalrailing. If it is determined that railing did not originallyexist on the south porch we recommend a lattice treatment forthe enclosure;
4.Large fixed glass panels extending from the porch floor to theexisting cornice be used to enclose the porches instead of themultipaned effect illustrated on the plans; and
5.Porch details be independent from the enclosure mater ial.
She stated that the structure and grounds of the project were being submitted to AHPP for tax certification by the Federal Government and that the issue of the retention of the fence would be considered there also, and they again would recommend that it stay in place.
Ms. Foti asked if the removal of the fence would cause the denial of the tax certification request. Ms. Yancey stated that the Secretary of Interior standards require the review of the structure and the grounds, and that the fence will be a factor in that review process.
Mr. Rector took issue with the presumption that the removal of the fence would result in the denial of the tax certification and stated his attorney would review the matter further, and that if the fence were required to remain in order to obtain the tax depreciation then he would not remove it.
Mr. Strauss asked which side was the narrower driveway adjacent to the fence. Mr. Rector explained that the fence was closer to the apartment structure than the Welch-Cherry House.
.
Mr. Strauss moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the restoration and the parking lot as submitted and along with those five (5) items recommended by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
Ms. Beth Foti seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 4 for -0 against -1 absent.
There being no further business on the Agenda, the Commission adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
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