HDC_08 06 1998City of Little Rock
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
6 AUGUST 1998 MEETING
MINUTES
Commissioners Present:
John Greer, Chair Howard H. Gordon, Vice Chair
Judy Gardner Charles Marratt Mark Zoeller
Staff Present: V.Anne Guthrie Bruce Moore Tony Black
Guests: Rick Purifoy, Code Enforcement Missy Mcswain, AHPP rep
The meeting of the Little Rock Historic District Commission (LRHDC) was called to
order. Roll call was taken; and as all commissioners were present (and a subsequent
quorum), the minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
The first Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application for consideration was:
Applicant: Second Baptist Church
Address: 619 Cumberland and 618 Rock streets
Request: Construction of parking lot
Since there was confusion as to the applicable plans and not sufficient information, a
motion was made and passed that the application be deferred until the next meeting.
The second COA to be considered was:
Applicant: Argie L. Austin
Address: 1402 Commerce
Request: Demolition of garage, north section
The applicant's son, Dennis, presented the request, which is to demolish the northern
portion of a structure utilized as a garage and located on the property's rear yard, along
the alley. The two-storied structure is connected by means of a common wall with the
southern portion, which is under separate ownership. The demolition of the south
portion was approved in 1994, but due to dual ownership of the structure, it was never
demolished. Rick Purifoy, code enforcement officer, stated that the roof collapsed into
the structure and is an unsafe building; the garage has been on the city's "Unsafe and
Vacant Structure" listing since 1993.
Included in the request was a chain link metal fence (already used in the rear yard's
fencing), to replace the area of the garage, thereby fully enclosing the rear yard. The
area to be fenced is the garage's site and is 38.1 linear feet (19.9' along the alley and
18.2' in the southwest corner). Discussion focused on the appropriateness of chain
link, but its use is dictated by the demolition, closing the gap, using the same material
Little Rock Historic District Commission
6 August 1998 Minutes, Page 2
as the existing and providing security. After questions (removal of the garage's
foundation, etc), the staff recommendation was entered into the record. The request to
demolish the structure (concrete foundation included) and replace it with an existing
fence was made into a motion; a vote was taken, and it was approved unanimously.
The third application considered was:
Applicant: City of Little Rock
Address: 1410 Commerce
Request: Demolition of garage, south section
Purifoy presented the request; he stated that due to the structure's unsafe condition
and its prior approval for demolition, its demolition should be approved. A motion was
made to approve the request for its demolition; it was approved unanimously.
The next application was:
Applicant: John Jarrard, Agent
Address: 1112 Rock
Request: Construction of garage
The agent and architect, John Jarrard, acting on behalf of the owners, presented the
proposed elevations and plans. The staff recommendation was entered into the record.
Jarrard, explained the new construction of the garage and its relationship with the main
structure; he also detailed the improvements to the structure's rear or west elevation
(new chimney replacing one removed, dormer, etc). Questions were asked about the
materials to be used for the garage, roof pitch and compatible building materials for the
improvements. There was a motion to approve the COA as submitted; it was
approved unanimously. Staff entered into the record the opinions of the state Historic
Preservation Office, which supported staff recommendations of all the applications.
The last application was:
Applicant: Robert Perry
Address: 1415 Rock
Request: Renovation of structure's exterior
Perry presented the request; he stated that the facades would be retained as much as
possible, but would require the removal of a door in the rear, due to the conversion of
the structure from a triplex into a single-family structure. Estimated costs are about
$50,000; the work will be subcontracted. The proposed work was reviewed and
discussed regarding particular items of rehabilitation, such as the artificial siding will be
removed and replaced with appropriate materials. The rear yard driveway, covered
parking and privacy fence were discussed. The staff recommendation was read into
the record, which was to approve the application with conditions. A motion was made
to approve the application request with conditions; it was approved unanimously.
Little Rock Historic District Commission
6 August 1998 Minutes, Page 3
A staff update was discussed briefly regarding Myra Ash's artificial siding at 1417
Cumberland; the siding was applied without a COA and LRHDC approval. Ash could
not attend the meeting, due to scheduling conflict and short notice, to answer questions
about artificial siding, but it is hoped that she will attend the next meeting. Since there
was no other business, the LRHDC adjourned at 6:00 p.m.