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HDC_12 02 2004City of Little Rock Department of Planning and Development 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 Historic District Commission LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTE RECORD Thursday, December 2, 2004, 5:00 p.m. I.Roll Call and Finding of a Quorum A Quorum was present being three (3) in number II.Members Present: Carolyn Newbern Wesley Walls Marshall Peters Members Absent: Terrence Bolden Wyatt Weems City Attorney: Deborah Weldon Staff Present: Andre Bernard Charles Bloom Ward Hanna III.Agenda Items Item 1, Jim Etters 1000 McGowan Street This application was for the placement of 84 individual air conditioning units adjacent to the development. A revision of the previous COA. The applicant noted that they originally planned to put the air conditioner units on the roof. The applicant stated that they cannot find a roofer who will warranty the roof with 94 air conditioner units on it. Mr. Etters showed a diagram of the units and noted that they are only 23" square and will be screened from the road by shrubs. The applicant noted that this alternative Commissioner Newbern asked if each apartment needed its own unit instead of having one large unit. Commissioner Wells noted that a unit that would serve that purpose could be the size of a train car. It was also noted by the applicant that individual renters would be paying for their individual air conditioning costs. Th Commissioner Peters asked how unit maintenance would be done. Mr. Etters responded and said there will be a one-foot airspace between the unit and the surrounding walls and bushes and trimming of the bushes would be necessary in order to work on the units. Commissioner Newbern asked about the maintenance of the shrubs and what would happen if one died or needed replacement. Mr. Etters said that any shrub problems would be fixed because they would be maintaining the property after construction as the owner and property manager. Commissioner Newbern asked if two thirds of the unit's height would be covered at the time of initial planting. The applicant acknowledged that they know they need mature plants at the time of planting. Commissioner Walls reminded of the original option of through the window or wall units, and feels that this scenario is best. Mr. Bernard noted that staff has reviewed the notices and determined that sufficient notice has been met and that public notice did appear in the n the Daily Record. Commissioner Newbern made a recommendation of approval of the project under conditions that the design guidelines are met, that they units area not visible from the street, that the applicant submits a plan that shows the placement of the shrubs and the units and a maintenance plan. She reiterated that Mr. Etters noted he would continue maintenance on the shrubs after construction. Wesley Walls makes a motion approve the application with the following conditions: that the design guidelines are met, that they units area not visible from the street, that the applicant submits a plan that shows the placement of the shrubs and the units and a maintenance plan. The motion was approved 3 yes, 0 noes, and 2 absent. Mr. Etters introduced a new color scheme for the building. Commissioner Newbern and Commissioner Walls noted that the Commission can only make recommendations on color. Item 2, Melissa Woods 523 East Seventh Street. Melissa Woods was present. Her application was to add white picket fence on the Sherman Street side of house to cover one existing and one proposed HVAC unit and put up a privacy fence between the house on the property and house next door. Mr. Bernard stated for the record that staff did review the notice documents and they were approved, and the Public Notice did appear in the Daily Record. Mrs. Woods noted that she had purchased the home several months ago and that the house has one HV AC unit servicing only half of the house. Furthermore, installation of this unit will result in the removal of several window air conditioning units. Commissioner Newbern noted that the current HV AC units lack of compliance will be remedied with the installation of the fence. Also she described the height of the existing retaining wall that the fence will be located above. The three foot fence height limit in the guidelines was noted. Questions arose about where to measure the ground from. A conclusion was made that the ground is measured from the point were the fence is built. In this case above the retaining wall. Commissioner Newbern asked general questions about the design and placement of the fence. Mrs. Woods acknowledged her questions and defined an exact location for where the fence would be built In this case it would be built to an existing bush. Mrs. Woods also noted that there will be a distance of 31 inches between the fence and the building. Commissioner Peters asked for clarification of the guidelines for the placement of fences in relationship to the front facade of the house. It was mentioned that wooden privacy fences were not allowed to come to the front property line but picket fences were okay. Commissioner Newbern mentioned that simplicity of the pickets would be idea for the fence and that spacing should be between one and one and a quarter inch close to each other. Mrs. Woods asked a question about leaving the pickets a natural wood color. Commissioner Peters noted that houses in that time period were painted neutral colors. Mrs. Woods said she understood that she will need to paint the fence. Mrs. Woods also noted that the fence will have a section that pulls out in order to maintain any HV AC units. The discussion began for the second half of the application. The second part was for installation of latticework on an existing chain link fence. Clarification was made on what was going to be done, and if it was visible from the street. Commissioner Walls made a motion to approve the fence upon staff review and Commissioner Peters second the motion. The application was approved with 3 yes, 0 noes, and 2 absent. Item 3, 2005 Calendar. A Calendar for meetings was introduced and discussed with the Commission. Work Session. Questions were raised regarding the Real Estate Commission. Commissioner Peters had questions about disclosure of whether or not a property is in one of 13 local historic districts. The idea of a meeting outlining problems within Local Ordinance Districts was discussed. Questions were raised about multiple signs for DD&F at 6th and Rock Streets. Questions were raised regarding the height and orientation. Commissioner Walls acknowledged that the computer rendering of the sign is too large and the guidelines call for small signs that do not obscure the architectural features of the building. The prior approval of the application for the 601 Rock and 411 East 6th Street said the sign would partially cover an HV AC unit, direct people into a parking lot, and would meet size requirements. Mr. Bloom said he would look over the guidelines to see if they were consistent with area zoning. A discussion was made regarding the approval of previous minutes. Mr. Bernard noted that his staff would finish them soon. Boyd Maher had an announcement that the funding was increased for the Macarthur Park Survey and a complete survey is expected this year. The revised guidelines book rough draft was handed out for the Commission and staff to review. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 p.m. ATTEST: Chairman Secretary Date: