HDC_10 01 1998City of Little Rock
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
1 OCTOBER 1998
LRHDC 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 Anthony Black ✓
Guests: Wes Garrett, Archie Hearne, Michael Preble, Beth Wiedower
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 there was a
quorum, the minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
The first COA application for consideration was:
Applicant: William Wiedower, Agent
Address: 10th and Rock streets, northeast corner
Request: New construction of twelve (12) townhouses
Bill Wiedower, as architect, presented graphics of the site plan and various elevations.·
He gave an overview of the project: twelve (12), two-storied townhouses, eight (8) of
which front Rock and four (4) front 10th; each unit has two bedrooms and 2½ baths.
The units are approximately 1330 square feet and the square footage for those fronting
10th is slightly more due to the garage. The facade's design, as described in the
application and staff analysis and recommendation, draws on the neighboring
architectural style (Craftsman). There are insulated windows, french doors, recessed
entry stoops, bracketed balconies on the front facades and a gabled roof. The building
material is wood frame with brick veneer and asphalt shingles; the wall material in the
gabled ends is an artificial stucco (drivet). Besides the four apartments that have a
garage, there are fourteen (14) parking spaces in the rear (northeast) of the property;
access to the lot is from the alley along the property's east side.
There were questions regarding whether the apartments would be rental or condo, and
if rental, what the anticipated rent would be: market range is approximately $1,200 to
$1,400 per month. The owner and developer of the project, Dr. Archie Hearne,
discussed his ideas of the rental market, the project and the neighborhood. Wiedower
detailed the setbacks (1 O' front setback) and stated that they may go for a variance.
Gardner had several concerns about the project: its density, whether the two pecan
trees would be removed and the location of the dumpster. Discussion focused on the
zoning of the neighborhood, which is high density residential and townhouses are
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1 October 1998 Minutes, Page 2
permitted. The project is sited on three lots, which is the equivalent of 21,000 square
feet. Efforts will be made to retain the two pecan trees, even though they are diseased.
While the dumpster's location is not depicted on the site plan, the project has yet to be
reviewed by the city's permitting division; one city requirement is a landscape plan,
which includes a fenced dumpster. A landscape plan for the project site will be
submitted for administrative approval.
There was general discussion regarding rental property in the neighborhood and the
amenities that are offered: a new expansion to the Arkansas Arts Center; a new fire
station; several rehab projects and new construction. Massing of the project and
security of apartments were discussed and how the proposed project fits into the area.
Security, especially the rear parking lot, was a concern due to pedestrian traffic and a
few problem areas in the neighborhood.
It was entered into the record that a letter from the MacArthur Park Neighborhood
Association was in support of the project request. There were no comments about the
project submitted from either the Quapaw Quarter Association (QQA) or the Arkansas
Historic Preservation Program (AHPP).
Marratt made a motion that the request for the new construction of the townhouses be
approved on the condition that a landscape plan be submitted and there is a
clarification on design and material for the gabled ends. Gordon added that the project
be approved with staff recommendations, which are:
♦Should the project's scope (footprint, elevation, parking, landscaping, etc.)
change in any fashion from what has been submitted and approved, the LRHDC
will be notified prior to implementation and administrative approval or an
additional COA will be obtained if necessary.
♦Additional openings on the two structure's ends (i.e., the north and south for
that facing Rock and the east and west for that facing 10th)
♦Additional information regarding the exterior's materials (brick, shingle, trim,
windows, etc.) will be submitted and approved administratively.
♦A building permit must be obtained within six months and construction must
begin within one (1) year from approval date by the LRHDC.
♦Landscaping will be installed as part of the construction project and meet City
of Little Rock Landscape and Buffer regulations.
♦As part of the landscape plan, a fence be constructed along the perimeter; it
must be submitted and approved administratively prior to installation.
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1 October 1998 Minutes, Page 3
Added to the motion for approval was that the landscape plan, incorporating a
dumpster, be approved administratively and that a good faith effort be made to save the
pecan trees. Black interjected that for staff recommendation #1, that the "prior to
implementation" be added (added already on previous page in bold). The motion with
amended conditions was seconded, and the vote was unanimous for approval.
The second application was:
Applicant: Myra Ash
Address: 1415-1417 Cumberland Street
Request: Application of artificial siding on side elevations
Before the applicant's presentation, staff read the project background, analysis and
recommendations into the record (refer to the October 1998 Staff Report for details). A
letter of support was entered also into the record. There were no comments from either
the QQA or AHPP regarding this request.
This is an after-the-fact request, as the artificial siding was applied to three elevations of
the structure in the fall of 1996. The structure's footprint is similar to a "T" and artificial
siding was applied to the vertical or lower part of the "T", away from the street side.
Ash related her conversation with the contractor who installed the siding. This is the
same contractor who came before the LRHDC in June 1997 (approximately 8 - 9
months later) for approval of artificial siding on the trim of Ash's rental apartments at
1004 Scott (the request was denied). The applicant explained her understanding of the
contractor's work and stated that she had relied on the contractor, verbally, to ensure
that the permitting and COA processes would be taken care of.
Marratt asked about the structure's front facade (facing the street) and whether it was
wood or artificial siding. The applicant stated that the front is wooden siding, and there
are no plans to put siding on it. Marratt stated that this structure is one of the district's
oldest and is both architecturally and historically significant for the downtown area.
Greer gave an overview of artificial siding, its disadvantages and what it does to a
structure's profile and appearance of the corner boards, window sills and jambs, etc.
He asked the applicant if she was aware that LRHDC approval was required prior to
installation; he also referenced the district's design guidelines. The LRHDC in June
1997 approved an amendment to the guidelines relating to artificial siding.
Gordon stated that the LRHDC needs to decide how to respond to contractors who
violate the process. Also he stated that the staff recommendations address the issue of
permitting violations. Black interjected that the recommendation relating to the levying
of a fine must be done by another division. While it is not within the LRHDC's
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1 October 1998 Minutes, Page 4
jurisdiction to levy a fine, they may support a fine and recommend an amount, but
cannot actually collect the fine. He stated that the LRHDC may delineate an amount for
the judge to impose and may make a motion to that effect. There was discussion of the
responsibility of property owners when regulations are not followed and permits are not
obtained.
Gardner made a motion: the applicant not be made to remove artificial siding; that
because illegal siding was put up without approval, there be a $1,000 fine imposed; and
staff recommendations be approved. As there was no second, the motion failed.
Gordon made a motion the same as Gardner's but with a fine of $500; there was a
second. A vote was taken: there were four (4) for the motion and one abstention.
After the vote, the LRHDC discussed the responsibility of contractors, the need for
education about the historic district so contractors do not violate the permitting process,
know who to talk to and what the process is. It was agreed that a letter to the
applicant's contractor from staff counsel be mailed to prevent further violations of the
permitting process (either COA or building). Also, the letter should be mailed to
Neighborhood Connections and Little Rock Coalition of Neighborhoods in an effort to
get the word out.
Other business was Michael Preble of the MacArthur Park Neighborhood Association.
As president, Preble asked that a letter from the LRHDC be sent to Mayor Dailey, Cy
Carney and Bob Hightower to encourage the utilization of the old fire station at 12th and
Commerce as a neighborhood alert center. He submitted a letter and asked that they
act as an advocate of the proposal. There was discussion of the advantages of a city-
owned structure as an investment in the area, as a possible meeting place for the
LRHDC and other neighborhood meetings; it was mentioned that there is no alert
center north of 1-630 for the downtown neighborhood. Marratt made a motion that the
LRHDC endorse the request. It was unanimous and decided that staff will handle the
letter. Preble also invited the LRHDC to its next association meeting in which all
candidates for Ward 1 Board of Directors will be present.
Old business encompassed 1304 Cumberland staff review of landscape and complying
with conditions (they were approved for construction December 1997). Staff stated that
the conditions need to be reviewed and conversations with the owner and Capitol
Zoning District need to take place prior to any further action. Background information
on the project will be provided to Gardner and Zoeller. The next meeting and a
summary of the ongoing historic preservation grants were discussed in brief. With no
other business, the LRHDC adjourned at 6: 15 p.m.