HDC_05 02 1996LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
2 May 1996
Commissioners Present: John Bush Tommy Jameson
Carl Menyhart Julie Wiedower
Commissioners Absent: Bob Roddey
Staff Present: Anthony Black Tony Bozynski V. Anne Guthrie
The roll for the Little Rock Historic District Commission (LRHDC) was called, and there was a
quorum; the minutes from the April 4 LRHDC meeting were approved.
There was one agenda item before the LRHDC --a request by AMR Architects to construct a
computer operations facility at west Frontage Road, between East 10th and 11th streets --but the
COA application was withdrawn by the applicant.
As part of old business, the subjects of the proposed local historic district designation of Hillcrest
and draft design guidelines for the potential local district were opened for discussion. A staff
report of the designation process and design guidelines was given to the LRHDC and public; the
report outlined the processes for both the designation and the design guidelines and the changes
made to the document's text. Tommy Jameson reviewed the Certificate of Appropriateness
(COA) categories, the process for completing a COA application and specifics of design
guidelines, such as "viewed from the street" and primary elevations.
The subjects of the designation process and design review guidelines were then opened for public
comment. There were questions and discussion regarding both issues. Doug Martin, a property
owner, stated that another session was needed to review and improve the design guidelines prior
to a decision being made about the neighborhood's local district status. Jim Smith, a property
owner spoke in favor of local designation as a means of neighborhood preservation. Another
property owner, Ed Reddick III, discussed design guidelines, its effect upon comer lots and
primary facades; he is opposed to both local designation and design guidelines. Jim McKenzie
stated that design guidelines need to be in place ( or decided upon) prior to the district designation
decision; also, he stated that the guidelines are very confusing and need to have public input.
Of all those making public comments at the LRHDC meeting, there were a total of nine for and
five against the local historic district designation and the draft design guidelines.
During the public comment process, there were many questions regarding both the local historic
district designation and design guidelines; they were answered by LRHDC members and city
staff. Tony Black reiterated the designation process (the required procedures that were followed,
the 60-day period in which to make a decision, options available to the LRHDC and the Board of
Directors, etc). It was decided to have another, or continued, public hearing on 20 May in order
to resolve and clarify several issues about local designation and, more importantly, design review
guidelines.
Black presented a report on Curran Hall's ( 615 East Capitol) demolition request, which was
deferred from the November 1995 meeting. The City Attorney's Office is working on eminent
domain procedures for the property and, and according to city ordinance, there will be another
public hearing on 6 June regarding the previous request for Curran Hall.
Under new business, there was a presentation by Keith Jones, director of Central Arkansas
Transit (CAT), to construct a new bus transfer station on the block between Capitol and 4th and
Rock and Cumberland streets. While the proposed location is not within the MacArthur Historic
District, which is under the purview of LRHDC, its proposed site on the north side of Capitol
Street is just across the street from the local historic district's north boundary, which is the
southern side of Capitol.
Jones wanted to give a presentation of the proposed project's location due to its close proximity
to the locally and nationally designated historic district. There are federal expenditures involved
with the project and there is a 28 May deadline for public comments. Jones gave an overview of
the project, its size, siting and urban design; potential neighborhood issues (such as security,
noise control, lighting, bus traffic and visual compatibility) were discussed both by Jones and the
LRHDC. During public discussion, four people spoke against the location of the transfer
terminal because of its close proximity to the city's only local historic district, MacArthur Park.
Lynn Zollner spoke against the proposed demolition of the Charles Apartments, due to its
location on the block of the transfer station. Nancy Lowe submitted a letter, which is attached,
for the record against the location of the CAT terminal and the demolition of the Charles
Apartments. After public and commission comments about the effects that such a construction
project would have on the neighboring historic district, Chair Bush made a motion for staff to
write a letter for the LRHDC in opposition to the transfer station's proposed site location. The
motion was seconded and there was an unanimous vote against the CAT transfer station's
proposed location as presented at the meeting.
An update was given by Guthrie about the new Certified Local Government (CLG) projects
approved by the state --grant monies for preparation of a local historic district ordinance and
design guidelines for the Central High neighborhood and the national register nomination of the
Capitol View neighborhood.
As there was no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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