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HDC_06 14 2001City of Little Rock HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 14 JUNE 2001 MINUTES of the LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Commissioners Present: Howard H. Gordon Jean Ann Phillips Wyatt Weems Commissioners Absent: John Greer Mark Zoeller Staff Present: V. Anne Guthrie Debra Weldon The deferred meeting of the Little Rock Historic District Commission (LRHDC) was called to order; there was a quorum. Staff stated that press was notified of the meeting time. It was decided that the minutes would be reviewed later in the agenda. Gordon stated for the record that as only three commissioners were present, a vote would have to be unanimous for its passage. The sole Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) was: Applicant: City of Little Rock Address: 615 E. Capitol & 600 Ferry Request: Amendment to approved COA and construction of Visitor's Center parking lot Jim Lawson, Director of Planning and Zoning, presented the application; he detailed the fencing for the Ferry street parking lot. Vinyl picket fencing, which was proposed for the west side of the parking lot was discussed; however, the LRVCB stated that they decided against the use of vinyl, opting for wood instead. There was discussion about parking lot use, the need for visitor parking at the Information Center, available street and RV parking, neighboring land uses and the affect of the parking lot on the neighborhood. In order to simplify things, it was decided that the request would be divided into two separate parts in order to distinguish, more clearly, the two requests: first, the amendment (to the previously approved COA) for the redesign of the parking area in the rear (south) of Curran Hall; and second, new construction of the parking lot on Ferry Street. Staff detailed what was previously approved and what the amendment addresses. The parking behind Curran has minor changes: fencing along the house, parking loop, sidewalk material changed to concrete, slope decrease, etc. After discussing the proposed changes, there was a motion by Weems to approve the amendment; all three voted in favor. Little Rock Historic District Commission 14 June 2001 Minutes, Page 2 Discussion focused on the 1987 state Supreme Court decision about the appropriateness of parking lots in a historic district and how that particular case is different from this parking lot request, in terms of site, location, distance, material, etc. It was stated that there needed to be a study and inventory conducted for the parking lot area with anticipated traffic volume, etc. An adjacent property owner was present ( owner of apartments to the west on 6th), and he stated that he would rather have a parking lot on the corner instead of a convenience store. There were no formal comments submitted from either QQA or AHPP about the use of the corner lot on Ferry for parking. There was discussion about the approval process for the new construction, which requires Planning Board approval to construct a parking lot on the 6th & Ferry lot; the request was approved by the Planning Board. The required landscape plan also was approved. There was a motion, and subsequent unanimous vote to defer the corner parking lot decision until the required study and information is submitted to staff. Property owners will be notified of the next meeting for the deferred agenda item. While not on the agenda, there was business to discuss --a property owner of a duplex at 6th & Sherman had installed a vinyl lattice screen on three sides of the front porch. The lattice screen changes the profile of the porch and is not appropriate for the house or district. The owner had notified staff, who invited the owner to attend the meeting; after a review with staff, the owner was aware that the vinyl screen installation did not meet design guidelines and stated that he would remove the lattice work. Minutes were reviewed and approved as distributed. An update on the noncompliance of 1000 Rock was discussed. Staff stated that a BOD vote is required to move the project along; however, there has been no action on the noncompliant COA, and it is nonconforming to the district's design guidelines. Gordon asked whether the city attorney's action of asking for a BOD vote is setting a precedent for future LRHDC decisions -­ that is, all LRHDC decisions be subject to BOD approval. Several questions were raised as to the legal process --the BOD vote, if 1000 Rock could return to Environmental Court for resolution, other options as a recourse, if the local ordinance establishes the approval process for LRHDC decisions, etc. There was much discussion, as well as confusion, as to the status of 1000 Rock, the legality of a decision, etc. Gordon requested that legal prepare a statement or update of the process, where the nonconformity fits in with the city ordinance, and that the LRHDC receive the information prior to the meeting. There was an update of the design guidelines ---$4,000 of CLG funding for the review of the design guidelines; a RFQ will be issued when formal notice of grant money is received. As there was no other business, the LRHDC meeting adjourned at 5:45.