HDC_05 02 1991MINUTES
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MAY 2, 1991
5:00 P.M.
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairman
Thomas Johnson. A quorum was present - John Jarrard, John Bush,
Cheryl Nichols, Carl Menyhart and Thomas Johnson. City Attorney
Stephen Giles was present.
Item No. 1 (Deferred from April 4, 1991)
Owner: Madden Law Firm
Location: 515 Rock Street
Request: Renovation and repair to front porch, and addition of
handicap ramp.
Jennifer Polk, agent for the Madden Law Firm, presented the
application. She told the Commission that she had taken their
suggestions from the last meeting into account and amended the
plans to reflect solid wood stock instead of plywood and that
the handicap ramp would be no more than an elevated walkway.
Ms. Polk explained that the porch would have 2 X 4 railings and
6 inch square posts.
Commissioner Nichols asked about the size of the original
porch and suggested that information may be on the Sanborn
maps. Commissioner Nichols stated that not knowing the size or
proportions of the original porch, it may not be appropriate
to apply Italianate details on a porch of Colonial Revival
proportions.
Ms. Polk responded that her client wanted to retain the size of
the porch.
Commissioners Menyhart and Jarrard expressed concern about the
brevity of detailing in the drawings and narrative.
Elissa Gross, Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter
Association, stated that her recommendation of preserving the
existing design of the porch still stands.
Randy Jeffery, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program officer,
recommended repairing the existing porch as it has historic
credibility in its own right.
Ms. Polk commented that in 1987, another Italianate porch design
for this property was approved and both the Quapaw Quarter
Association and Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
recommended approval of that conjectural design.
commissioner Jarrard made a motion that the application be
denied. Commissioner Menyhart seconded. The vote was taken.
All ayes and no nays. Motion carried.
Minutes - May 2, 1991
Page Two
Preservation Education Grant:
Mr. Leslie Singer presented the finished Little Rock Historic
District public service announcement. Mr. Singer briefly
described his process for the creation of the video stating that
the music "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Crocker was an integral
part of the product.
The Commission unanimously approved the video.
Certified Local Government Grant:
Ms. Sandra Taylor -Smith reported that she was on schedule for
completion of the Downtown Little Rock Commercial Building
Survey. Ms. Smith showed slides of several downtown buildings
and commented on the abundance of vacant lots in the survey
area. She stated she will be finished with the survey in July
and will provide the requested five printed copies.
The Chairman scheduled a Certified Local Government grant work
session for Tuesday May 14 at 12:00 p.m.
The Commissioner discussed preparing a Resolution requesting a
moratorium on demolitions in historic districts. Commissioner
Nichols agreed to draft a resolution for the next meeting.
Commissioner Jarrard stated he could not vote for the resolution
because some structures need to come down.
Commissioner Nichols inquired as to the status of revisions to
"enforcement letters ". City Attorney Stephen Giles answered
that the letters in use are ones the Commission has received.
Commissioner Nichols requested staff to provide her with a copy
of the Diamond Center study and to have the Historic District
plaque poles painted black.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.