/
     
HDC_01 02 1985City of Little Rock HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION JANUARY 2, 1985 MEETING The meeting began at 4:00 P.M. The roll was called. Commissioners Strauss, Kennedy, Bruno and Cook were present. Commissioner Jarrard was absent. Following the calling of the roll, the minutes were read. Commissioner Cook moved that the minutes be approved as read. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. The next item on the agenda was the Commissioner's calendar for 1986. Commissioner Kennedy requested that in future, meetings immediately after January 1 be avoided. Thus was duly noted by staff. The calendar was adopted without further comment. The Chair then called case M -4, a request by Mr. Lester Gaines to make certain modifications to the structure at 311 E. 11th, before the Commission. Mr. Gaines stated that his application had been modified as the result of a meeting held three days before with Cheryl Nichols of the Quapaw Quarter Association, Bill Hall of the State Historic Preservation Program, and staff. The applicant explained these changes and informed the Commission of the building's history. The Quapaw Quarter Association and State Historic Preservation Program both recommended approval of the revised application. Acting on a motion made by Commissioner Cook, the Commission granted a Certificate of Appropriateness by a unanimous vote. Chairman Strauss thanked Mr. Gaines for the cooperation he (Mr. Gaines) had exhibited in this matter and for his interest in the Commission's activities. Old business was then brought before the Commission. Chairman Strauss asked Cheryl Nichols and Bill Hall about response to a letter he had written to their respective organizations requesting help in finding developers for abandoned or condemned properties. Both stated that they were ready to cooperate but had not had time to fully study alternatives. In a related matter, Commissioner Kennedy stated that no progress had been made in finding parties interested in purchasing and restoring 522 Rock Street. Cheryl Nichols informed the Commission that efforts fwere being made to bring Frank Gilbert, an attorney with the National Trust, to Little Rock to advise the Capitol Zoning Commission on certain proposed ordinance changes. She suggested that Mr. Gilbert might be a valuable resource for the Historic District Commission as well. Interest in this Am% proposal was evidenced by the Commission, and staff was instructed to explore costs and funding alternatives. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. JOAN W. BALDRIDGE Chairman P. O. Box 1104 Little Rock, AR 72203 371-0075 CHARLES WITSELL,JR Vice-Chairman One Spring Street Little Rock, AR 72201 372-1408 ANNIE ABRAMS 1500 W. 4th Little Rock, AR 72201 374-3459 City of Little Rock HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION ROBERT C.CONNOR #1 Union National Plaza Little Rock, AR 72201 378-4296 JAMES W. STRAWN, JR, 1321 Scott St. Little Rock, AR 72201 374-9979 Most of the misunderstanding and misinformation relative to the creation of an historic district in the MacArthur Park area is related to the following issues. It should be understood by the public that if the historic district ordinance is adopted, THE LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION... ...CANNOT levy or increase taxes of any sort ...CANNOT force a person to do anything to his or her property ...CANNOT regulate: .paint color .changes to the inside of a building .changes to a building that are not visible from the street or front yard .changes that do not require a building permit from the city .the zoning or use of any property .building code requirements The Commission is made up of five members who are appointed by the City Board of Directors. It must include two property owners (one of whom must live in the district), one architect and one representative of the Quapaw Quarter Association. Any citizen may apply for appointment to the Commission or recommend someone else for appointment. The MacArthur Park Historic District cannot be formed without the signatures on consent petitions of a majority of the property owners. If the district is created, THE COMMISSION WILL REVIEW: .planned changes to the outside of a building .planned demolition of a building (with up to 240 days to look for other alternatives to demolition) .planned new buildings