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HDC_08 05 1999City of Little Rock HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 5 AUGUST 1999 MEETING MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Commissioners Present: John Greer, Chair Howard H. Gordon, Vice-Chair Judy Gardner Charles Marratt Mark Zoeller Staff: V. Anne Guthrie Margi Gant Beth Carpenter Guests: Michael Preble, President, MacArthur Park Neighborhood Association The meeting of the Little Rock Historic District Commission (LRHDC) was called to order. Roll call was taken; as there was a quorum, the minutes were approved with an amendment (that the spindle diameter at 514 East 9th be changed to 3"). The first Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application for consideration was: Applicant: City of Little Rock, Parks and Recreation Department Address: 1201 Commerce Street Request: Rehabilitation of structure due to tornado damage Scott Carter, with the Arts and Humanities Promotion Commission (which uses the building), presented the proposed rehabilitation plans. The structure needed maintenance work when they acquired it from the Museum of Science and History and then it was damaged by the January tornado. The American Contractor's Association is donating labor to the project and work is scheduled to commence in the near future. Each elevation was described in terms of the repair and rehabilitation work and returning, as much as possible, to its original footprint and material. The side porches, which were enclosed, will be opened; the glass addition was removed; and the aluminum windows will be replaced with the wood casements found in the attic. When completed, the structure will be operated by city Parks, with offices upstairs and the downstairs used as resource center for cultural and neighborhood organizations. Preble, president of the neighborhood association, stated it is regretful that the city is not taking the opportunity to return the structure to its earlier appearance (tiled roof, front porch, etc). The structure, designed by Thompson, Harding and Associates, has been dramatically altered both on the exterior and interior. Little Rock Historic District Commission 5 August 1999 Minutes, Page 2 Greer stated that architectural drawings are needed for the proposed work (Note: photos of each side had the proposed work listed for that elevation). Gordon made a motion that project approval be deferred until elevations are presented; it was agreed unanimously. The second COA for consideration was: Applicant: Raymond Rogers Address: 1422 Rock Street Request: Installation of new roof due to tornado damage Rogers, as property owner, presented the application request, which was to install a new roof on the structure due to tornado damage. The original roof was steeper, and photos were displayed of the structure prior to the storm. As the roofing frame system was destroyed by the tornado, a new roof with not as much pitch as the original was proposed; photos of the desired roof type were represented by a structure on Scott Street, which is a similar architectural style. The structure has been unprotected and uncovered since the January tornado. There was discussion about changing the roof pitch and its advantages. It was noted that the proportions of the Scott structure are different than the one on Rock. As the application request, to install a new roof, was represented only by photographs, the need for plans was discussed. A roof plan or drawing would clarify details for the proposed roof, such as gables, pitch, etc. Gardner made a motion that the request be deferred until roof drawings are presented; it was agreed unanimously. Under Old Business, the requested drawings for 916-924 Commerce were presented (NOTE: Marratt recused himself from the public hearing). Discussion focused on the windows, (paned sashes) and balconies and what was preexisting, whether they would be utilized and whether the architectural plans addressed the originals. There was some confusion in the review of the plans about the window scheme, the original and the storm windows. It was decided that staff would confirm what was original, what's intended and the various windows treatments. There was a motion and vote to defer until more information is available. Discussion turned to 514 E. 9th Street and the installation of a chain and wooden fence in the rear of the property. The fence was installed with a permit but no administrative approval from the LRHDC; it is 6' in height, which is allowed in the rear yard, but does not have plantings and is not dark colored as recommended. Its installation was deferred until a future date. The property at 10th and Rock, Archie Hearne' s property, was discussed; the vacant three lots are for sale and advertised as approved for condos. The COA approval last year for the townhouse project on the site goes with the owner and not the land. It was mentioned that the ad may have addressed the condo use from a zoning perspective, which allows high density use such as condos. Preble stated that perhaps, in the future, the LRHDC should be notified if Little Rock Historic District Commission 5 August 1999 Minutes, Page 3 approved plans are not executed. It was agreed that a letter to Hearne regarding the sale of property, would address the COA approval for that specific project. There was discussion about the torpedo monument in MacArthur Park. No one knows who is responsible for its placement in the park, other than the newspaper article, and whether the monument was approved by the LRHDC. Private funds were responsible for its installation, and the monument was di'scussed with the previous Parks & Recreation Director Breck.ling. Also related to MacArthur Park is the new construction of a pump station by the pond, where the bathrooms were prior to the tornado. While temporary, it was built by the Parks department but was not approved by the LRHDC; staff is discussing the situation and will agree on a course of action for future improvements. As there was no other business, the LRHDC adjourned at 6: 15 p.m.