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HDC_06 04 1987City of Little Rock HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION JUNE 4, 1987 4:00 P.M. The meeting was called to order at 4:05 P.M. All five (5) members being present, the Chairman noted that no minutes were available for approval from the previous meeting. Therefore at the next meeting the Commission will be requested to approve minutes from two public hearings. Mr. Strauss, Chairman, asked the staff to explain the process for deferrals of demolition. He was advised that the Commission could defer a demolition for six (6) months, hold two additional hearings on the issue and then must render a decision. The two applications at this hearing are related in that one is a request for demolition of an existing structure and the other is new construction on the same site. The first item on the agenda was a request by The Cashion Company to demolish a structure at 609-611 East Capitol Avenue adjacent to their office building. Mr. John Allison of Allison, Moses, Redden, Inc. was present representing the owners. He explained that The Cashion Company was in need of additional space and their plan was to raze the existing house and attach an addition to their existing structure to the east. He stated that several alternatives were proposed to restore the house, but that the owner's space needs did not fit the current structure. The house is 27 ft. wide with approximately 1,600 square feet on each of the two floors. He stated that the owner's desire for an open office concept was the reason they could not adapt the house to the existing office building. He presented and explained drawings of the proposal which he felt was compatible to the area along with photographs of other structures along the street. He felt that the proposal was not detrimental to the Historic District since the new construction would fill the gap created within the block and that no parking would be visible from the street. He explained the deteriorating condition of the house and provided letters of support from the Association of General Contractors, the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, the East End Development Company and the Arkansas Community Foundation all of which are located in the area. Dr. Cook asked how many persons were employed at the existing location. Mr. Allison stated there were eighteen existing and the new space would accommodate another twenty -six. He explained that the proposed twenty -six parking spaces would leave them four short of ordinance requirements and that those four spaces would be leased from another site. Ms. Averial Tate who was born and lives at 615 Capitol Avenue spoke in favor of the application. She explained that the structure proposed for demolition was named the Bosinger House and was constructed in the mid 1890s. She stated The Cashion Company was a good neighbor and would not be opposed to the demolition if the structure could not be saved. She requested that if the application were approved, she would like privacy fences on the property line adjacent to her home. Ms. Nichols asked if any other letters were received in favor of or opposition to the request, to which the staff replied that there had not. Mr. Knight Cashion, a major stockholder in the company, stated that they had been in business for seven (7) years at that location. He explained that he had outgrown the existing facility and needed to enlarge. He stated that his desire was to build an addition costing approximately $400,000 which would include some 4,000 square feet. He felt his existing office was an attractive addition to the neighborhood and that the new addition would also be an attractive asset to the area. Ms. Angela Meeks, representing the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, spoke in opposition to the demolition request. She stated that AHPP felt the structure is in good condition, was a good example of the typical type of structure found in the Historic District and that it is worthy of rehabilitation. Ms. Jeanette Krohn, Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter Association, spoke in opposition to the request. She stated that the QQA Board of Directors felt the structure is in good condition, that the exterior detail work is one of the best examples of a wood structure in the Queen Anne style within the area. They felt that losing an additional historic structure on the edge of the district would erode the district to such a degree that the boundaries may need to be changed as a result. She stated they were pleased to have The Cashion Company as a neighbor in the district, but they hoped some other alternative to demolition could be found. The suggestion was made that they should consider restoration and attach it to the office building, and that it may be possible to get tax credits for some of the project. She felt the proposed design was not compatible to the neighborhood with the proposed unbroken brick wall facade, that it was too close to property lines and that more commercial development may mean the demise of a large section of the Historic District. Ms. Nichols asked what was on the site of the existing office building. Ms. Tate stated that the structure had been so abused that it was an abandoned shell and had to be demolished. Mr. Allison stated that they were not contending that the house could not be saved. Rather, that it was not a suitable quarters for The Cashion Company due to space needs. He noted the office was constructed prior to the creation of the Historic District and felt they should be able to grow at that location. Mr. Strauss asked if a second story on the existing office structure would provide them adequate space or if they could expand to the south into their current parking lot. Mr. Allison stated that both alternatives were discussed, but that the existing structure could not stand the load of an additional level and that the south expansion would require them to raze the Bosinger House for additional parking. Mr. Jarrard asked if they had considered an addition to the south of the house. To which Mr. Allison replied they had, but that it did not fit the need of the company. Dr. Cook stated he had a problem with the size of the structure in relation to the size of the lot, that the solid wall along Capitol Avenue was not appropriate, that he was in favor of infill construction, but not at the expense of losing an historic structure. He moved that the application for demolition be denied. Ms. Nichols seconded the motion. Mr. Jarrard stated he did not want to see the edge of the district eroded, that this structure was important to the district and that he would prefer moving the structure rather than have it demolished. Ms. Nichols stated that she realized any business is in business to grow and prosper in as efficient a manner as possible, and that an historic house will not always meet the exact needs of the business, but that her first concern was to keep the historic resources standing. She felt some use could be better suited for the house that would maintain its integrity and encourage restoration. The Commission voted to deny the application for demolition by a vote of 4 for (Cook, Jarrard, Nichols, Kennedy) 0 against and one no vote (Chairman Strauss). The Commission was advised that since the demolition was denied that the application for the addition needed no formal action. In other matters, the Commission was introduced to Ms. Molly Satterfield, Urban Designer for the Little Rock Office of Comprehensive Planning, who will be taking over the secretarial duties of the Historic District Commission in a few months. A letter to Mr. Tom McGowan, an attorney with Youngdahl and Larrison, was read which extended the Commissions' appre- ciation for their amicus curiae brief on behalf of the City in the Second Baptist Church Supreme Court Case. The Commission approved the letter and directed staff to send it. A discussion of the timing of the Supreme Court Appeal on Second Baptist revealed that the date had been deferred. Staff agreed to advise members of any new date or decision. Election of officers was postponed to the next meeting. There being no further business, the Commission adjourned at 5:30 p.m. WMD /se