HDC_12 06 1990MINUTES
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
DECEMBER 6, 1990
5:00 P.M.
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Acting
Chairman Thomas Johnson. A quorum was present - John
Jarrard, Cheryl Nichols, John Bush, Carl Menyhart and Thomas
Johnson.
The minutes from the previous meeting were corrected to
read, under Item #1, "Request: Apply vinyl siding to sides
and back of structure ". The minutes were approved. All
ayes, 0 nays.
Item #1
Owner: The Cherry House - Grayson Property Company,
Inc., Fred Gray, Agent
Location: 700 South Rock Street
Request: Erect 18.66 sq. ft. ground mounted sign
Mr. Fred Gray explained his revised application to the
Commission. This application was deferred from the November
1, 1990 Public Hearing. Since the initial application, Mr.
Gray reduced the sign size to 18.66 sq. ft.
After explanation and discussion, Commissioner Bush made a
motion to deny the application. Commissioner Jarrard
seconded. The vote was taken. Motion passed. All ayes, 0
nays.
Item #2
Owner: H.U.D. - Comprehensive Foreclosure Company,
Arkansas Excavating Company, Randy Gattis,
Agent
Location: 600 E. 15th Street
Request: Demolition
Mr. Randy Gattis with Arkansas Excavating Company, presented
the application to the Commission and described the
condition of the structure.
Conrad Harvel, who lives across the street from the site,
stated that the house had been vacant for several years and
that the last occupants were renting. He is in favor of the
demolition.
Ms. Elissa Gross, Director of the Quapaw Quarter
Association, questioned the validity of the applicati n and
spoke in opposition of demolition.
Commissioner Nichols commented on the owner's lack of
accountability for this situation.
Commissioner Bush made a motion to approve the application
for demolition. Commissioner Jarrard seconded. The vote
was taken. Motion passed. All ayes, 0 nays.
Item #3
Owner: Quapaw Realty and Mark and Karol Zoeller,
Agent
Location: 508 East 9th Street
Request: Demolition
Mark and Karol Zoeller presented the request for demolition
of the house at 508 East 9th Street. The Zoellers have made
an offer to buy the property from Mr. Crandell through Mr.
Tom Wilkes of Quapaw Realty. The Zoellers explained that
they want to put a three car garage on the site.
Commissioner Nichols asked Mr. Wilkes' comment on the
marketability of the house. Mr. Wilkes responded that there
were several reasons the property had not sold: the lot is
small, 9th Street is busy, there is very little yard, there
are concerns about what is beneath the siding, the real
estate market is poor, the owner will not repair the roof
leaks, the wall paper is peeling, there is a serious leak
with damage in the rear portion of the house and the
property has been over priced. Mr. Wilkes added that it
could be a beautiful cottage.
Ms. Elissa Gross spoke against demolition of the structure.
Mr. Sam Strauss, representing the property owners at 512
East 9th Street, suggested that alternatives to demolition
be investigated.
After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Bush made a motion
to defer action on the application. Commissioner Nichols
seconded. The vote was taken. The motion passed. All
ayes, 0 nays.
The calendar for the upcoming year was unanimously adopted.
There will be an agenda meeting at 4:30 and the Public
Hearing at 5:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.
Acting Chairman Johnson announced that the contract for the
video public service announcement was awarded to Leslie
Singer.
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Commissioner Nichols brought up the Diamond Center and asked
the Commission to consider the impact on the Historic
District. It was decided that a letter listing such
concerns as the vehicular and foot traffic, security,
parking and zoning changes be drafted and circulated to the
Board of Directors, as well as Tom Dalton, Jim Lawson and
Jim Moses.
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned at
6:45 p.m..
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