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HDC_11 01 1990MINUTES LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION NOVEMBER 1, 1990 5:00 P.M. The November 1, 1990 meeting of the Little Rock Historic District Commission was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Acting Chairman Tom Johnson. New member, Carl Menyhart was introduced. A quorum was present - Cheryl Nichols, John Bush, Carl Menyhart and Tom Johnson. John Jarrard was absent. Commissioner Bush made a motion to approve the minutes from the two previous meetings as received. Commissioner Nichols seconded. Motion passed. All ayes, 0 nays. Item #1 owner: Poe Travel - Weathertight, Inc., Forest Gardner, Agent Location: 913 -915 Cumberland Street Request: Mr. & Mrs. Charles Witsell Forrest Gardner with Weathertight, Inc., was present to represent Poe Travel. Mr. Gardner referenced the October 9, 1990 letter of recommendation from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and stated he would comply with their suggestions. He presented a sample of the proposed siding for wall and trim and explained that he would copy some of the decorative trim and molding with aluminum; specifically the facia, frieze, window and door facings. He proposed covering the gable ends in horizontal siding. Photographs of the present structure were presented by Mr. Gardner and marked Exhibits A, B, C, D, E, and F. The drawing presented was marked Exhibit G. Commissioner Nichols asked Mr. Gardner if an estimate for painting the structure was requested by the owners. Mr. Gardner did not have an estimate for painting. Ms. Elissa Gross, Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter Association, spoke recommending deferral of the application. She questioned the completeness of the application and the effect of siding on the National Register listing status of the Historic District. The Chairman asked for Staff's recommendation. Staff recommended denial of the application, complying with Standard 6 of the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation ". 1 Commissioner Nichols questioned the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program's recommendations for approval and commented that a review of the policy decision on siding by the State Review Board would be held in December. She stated that this application is more problematic than previous siding applications because the buildings are more complicated. Commissioner Nichols also said that in 1986 those houses won a plaque that she felt would not have been awarded had they been sided with vinyl. Commissioner Bush made a motion to deny the.application. Commissioner Nichols seconded. The vote was taken. Motion passed. All ayes, 0 nays. Acting Chairman Tom Johnson read three criteria for applying siding excerpted from Preservation Briefs #8: "For historic residential buildings, aluminum or vinyl siding may be an acceptable alternative only if (1) the existing siding is so deteriorated or damaged that it cannot be repaired; (2) the substitute material can be installed without irreversibly damaging or obscuring the architectural features and trim of the building; and (3) the substitute material can match the historic material in size, profile and finish so that there is not change in the character of the historic building...". City Attorney Steve Giles informed Mr. Gardner that he could resubmit his application in one year. Only a substantially different application would be considered before that time. Item #2 Owner: The Cherry House - Grayson Property Company, Fred Gray, Agent Location: 700 South Rock Request: Erect ground mounted sign Mr. Fred Gray, Grayson Property Company, was present representing the owner of the Cherry House. Mr. Gray read the purpose of the guidelines as they relate to signs and said he felt his sign conforms in every respect except for size criteria. He apologized for erecting the sign before it was approved and assured the Commission that in the future he would reference his copy of the MacArthur Park Historic District Ordinance before acting. Mr. Gray described the sign as being 21.66 sq. ft. and referenced photographs and a drawing. He stated that the sign would be moved 5 ft to the southwest from its previous site. Mr. Gray stated that this would be the only sign for the Cherry House. 2 Commissioner Bush disclosed that he was in the process of a business relationship with Grayson Property Company. City Attorney Steve Giles advised Commissioner Bush to use his own discretion whether or not to vote. Acting Chairman Johnson asked Mr. Gray how many offices were in the Cherry House and how many tenant signs were needed. Mr. Grayson responded that there were 11 offices, yet not as many tenants. Letter size was discussed as well as the number of tenant spaces needed. Ms. Gross, representing the Quapaw Quarter Association, recommended denial of the sign in its present form. Staff recommended denial and encouraged conformity to the guidelines. Mr. Gray explained his attempt with this sign was directional more than commercial and if he had to choose between the two portions of the sign, he would have to choose the bottom tenant names and trash the top Cherry House sign. Mr. Giles and Mr. Newman clarified the confusion about the sign guidelines intent on number and area of signs. Acting Chairman Johnson stated the possible actions as 1) the Commission could act on the application as stated; 2) the applicant could amend his application by attaching conditions, or 3) the applicant could ask for a deferral. Mr. Gray asked for a deferral. The Commission granted a deferral on this sign application until the December 6, 1990 meeting. Mr. Giles reported that the "Notice Letters" from the Housing Department to owners of condemned property could not delete the reference to demolition as an option without a possible amendment to the Little Rock Code. The Commission directed Staff to go forward with amending the Code if necessary to delete that reference to demolition. Acting Chairman Johnson stated that several proposals had been received for the public service announcement video. He asked the Commission for direction. The concensus was to proceed with a selection. Commissioner Nichols said she would like to have agenda meetings. It was discussed and decided to further discuss agenda meetings before the next meeting. There being no further business before the Commission, Commission adjourned.