HDC_10 21 1999City of Little Rock
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
21 OCTOBER 1999
MINUTES
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Commissioners Present: John Greer, Chair Judy Gardner Howard H. Gordon Mark Zoeller
Commissioners Absent: Charles Marratt
Guests: Jean Ann Phillips
Staff: Margi Gant Anthony Black
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 unanimously.
The first Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application for consideration was:
Applicant: T and C Properties, LLC
Address: 904 - 908 Commerce
Request: Install roof with new pitch in rear and repair exterior
Eric McDuffie, property owner, presented the project request. Various sketches and photos of
the roof and structure from various angles were passed around as further documentation. There
is a flat area on the existing roofs peak of about 6 -8 feet; the request proposes to alter the pitch
of the roof in rear in order to improve on the construction and to simplify its drainage and make
the rear slope more consistent with the remaining. The applicant described the roof construction
and its present condition; he wants to retain the dormer in middle. The rear roof of the subject
property is not visible from either 9th or Commerce streets due to the slope and the close
proximity of adjacent two-storied structures. Porch repairs are to the flooring where needed
(rotten areas to be repaired) and to reinstall the column that has been stored.
There was discussion of the dormer not being original to the house and other repairs. There was
a motion to approve the request for a roof pitch change based on staff recommendation and
with the condition that the inappropriate dormer be removed; the vote was unanimous.
Little Rock Historic District Commission
21 October 1999 Minutes, Page 2
The last COA application for consideration was:
Applicant: City of Little Rock, Housing and Neighborhood Programs
Address: 1422 Rock Street
Request: Demolition of structure due to tornado
DEFERRED REQUEST
Barbara Hyatt, city Code Enforcement Supervisor, presented the COA application, which was
deferred from the last meeting (to investigate whether owner had insurance; he had none).
Some items, such as brick have been removed from the structure; it is not boarded or secured.
The City made application for its demolition as it had been declared an unsafe structure, which is
the first step in condemnation. There was discussion about the city process for unsafe listing and
demolition. A structure has to be condemned by the City of Little Rock Board of Directors
(BOD), by ordinance prior to its demolition. Approvals from the LRHDC or Capitol Zoning
District are required if a structure is located within the two boundaries; these commission
approvals may be obtained prior to or following a BOD action.
There was discussion of whether the structure's architectural integrity was salvageable. Also
discussed was the need for demolition, the degree of a building's structural integrity and
condition and the significance of rehabilitation versus demolition.
Gordon made a motion to defer the demolition request for five months and that a structural
engineer's condition assessment report be submitted on the structure's integrity and its
structural condition. The report on the structure must contain a current assessment, cost
estimates for rehabilitation and a scope of work for its rehabilitation. The vote was unanimous.
Regarding the owner's previous application for a new pitched roof for the same property,
Gardner made a motion that the request be denied as the time has elapsed and no roofing plan
was submitted (NOTE: the owner submitted, on staff recommendation, a note stating he did not
want to install a new roof on the structure; this note was copied in the packet).
Greer stated that this meeting was Judy Gardner's last; she was presented with a Certificate of
Appreciation for her sixteen months of service to the LRHDC. Charles Marratt, who did not
extend his term and was absent from the meeting, will have his certificate mailed.
As there was no other business, the LRHDC was adjourned.