HDC_07 11 1991MINUTES
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
JULY 11, 1991
5:00 P.M.
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairman
Thomas Johnson. A quorum was present - Mr. John Bush, Mr. Carl
Menyhart and Mr. Thomas Johnson. Mr. John Jarrard was absent.
Also present was City Attorney Stephen Giles.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bush to receive the minutes
from the previous meeting as received. Commissioner Menyhart
seconded. Motion carried.
Chairman Johnson recognized Jim Lawson, Director of the
Department of Neighborhoods and Planning, to explain "Operation
Burnout ". Mr. Lawson explained "Operation Burnout" as the
city's continuing effort to remove structures that have been
declared nuisances as a result of fire damage, deterioration
and/or dilapidation.
Mr. Lawson stated that the Neighborhood Programs Division has
inspected and condemned all structures listed in "Operation
Burnout ". All structures are vacant and considered detrimental
to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens in the City.
The owners apparently have elected to neglect their property as
well as ignore staff's efforts to rehabilitate or demolish their
buildings. Therefore, the City has found it necessary to raze
and remove the structures.
Chairman Johnson announced the first item for consideration:
Item No. 1
Owner: Janine B. Giroir
Location: 315 East 11th Street
Request: Demolition
Applicant: City of Little Rock - Jim Lawson
Mr. Lawson explained that he had removed this structure from the
"Operation Burnout" list because of its location in the
MacArthur Park Historic District and he knew that a Certificate
of Appropriateness must be obtained prior to demolition.
Mr. Lawson stated that his request was actually for the
Commission to tell him what the appropriate action on this
property would be.
Mark Crist, representing the Arkansas Historic Preservation
Program, stated that his agency's basic position on demolition
in a historic district was opposition, and that rehabilitation
or "mothballing" was preferred.
Minutes - May 2, 1991
Page Two
Cheryl Nichols, Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter
Association, questioned the City's application procedure and
voiced opposition to demolition. She stated that the C.1905
structure was not beyond rehabilitation, and that it is listed
as a contributing structure to the district.
Mr. Giles responded that property owners had responsibility to
keep their property in compliance with code and that housing
codes can be extremely difficult to enforce. This particular
action is a result of the City's frustration of not getting the
property owner to respond.
Linda Pollock and Ludy Riley, property owners of 1115 Rock
Street, spoke regarding the application. They said the property
had not been occupied for the last 10 years, is not maintained,
is an eyesore and they were concerned that the situation would
not change.
After comments from the Commission, Commissioner Menyhart made a
motion to deny the application for demolition and request the
City of Little Rock to board and secure the structure, maintain
the property and attach the necessary liens to cover that cost.
Commissioner Bush seconded. The vote was taken. Motion
carried. All ayes. 0 nays.
The Chairman added that he hoped the City Attorney would take
action of the property somehow is demolished without the proper
permits.
Mr. Lawson requested the City Attorney write Mrs. Giroir a
letter advising her of the ramification of demolition.
The next agenda item was a status report for the 1990 Certified
Local Government grant projects. Mr. Terry Burruss reported
that the Central High Survey was progressing on schedule and
that 427 structures out of 600 structures were completed.
Ms. Nichols updated the Commission on the Downtown Little Rock
Commercial Building Survey being done by Sandra Taylor-Smith.
This project is also on schedule.
Chairman Johnson introduced two resolutions (attached) which
were read and then discussed.
Commissioner Bush made a motion to adopt Resolution #1.
Commissioner Menyhart seconded. The vote was taken. Motion
carried. All ayes. 0 nays.
Minutes - May 2, 1991
Page Two
After further discussion, Commissioner Bush made a motion to
adopt Resolution #2, as revised. Commissioner Menyhart
seconded. The vote was taken. Motion carried. All ayes. 0
nays.
Chairman Johnson presented Ms. Cheryl Nichols with a framed
certificate of appreciation for her service from 1986-1991 as an
influential and invaluable member of the Little Rock Historic
District Commission.
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned at
6:30 p.m.