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HDC_10 09 2006DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, October 9, 2006, 5:00 p.m. Sister Cities' Conference Room, City Hall Roll Call A Quorum was present being four (4) in number. Members Present: Carolyn Newbern Wesley Walls Kay Tatum Susan Bell Members Absent: Marshall Peters City Attorney: Debra Weldon Staff Present: Brian Minyard Tony Bozynski Eve Gieringer Citizens Present: Boyd Maher, AHPP Caleb Ritland Steve Hitt Colley Burrows Stephan McAteer II. Approval of Minutes a. September 11, 2006 A motion was made by Commissioner Wesley Walls to approve the minutes as amended and was seconded by Commissioner Kay Tatum. The motion was approved with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. III. Deferred Certificates of Appropriateness a. None IV. New Certificates of Appropriateness 1 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 COMMISSION Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. 1. DATE: October 9, 2006 APPLICANT: Colley Burrow, French Harris Architects ADDRESS: 1401 Scott Street COA Exterior lighting plan, air conditioning condensing units, etc. REQUEST: PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 1401 Scott Street. The property's legal description is Lot 1 R, Block 20 Original City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas." The property in question is formerly known as the East Side Auditorium. The Auditorium was constructed c1910 and is of Beaux -Arts Classical Style. The Beaux Arts expressed the taste and values of America's industrial barons at the turn of the century. Significant Features of the Beaux-Arts style are: symmetrical facade; flat, low-pitched; mansard roofs similar to French Renaissance Revival architecture; walls with designs or ornamentation, facades with Location of Project quoins, pilasters, or columns (usually paired with Ionic or Corinthians capitals), constructed with smooth and light colored stone walls of masonry; large and grandiose compositions; projecting facades or pavilions; paired colossal columns; and pronounced cornices with a tall parapet, balustrade, or attic story. This structure is considered to be a prime example of the Beaux Arts Style in Little Rock and exemplifies numerous features typical of the style. The Building is a contributing structure within the MacArthur Park Historic District 2 This revision to the previously approved COA is for the following items: parking lot lighting plan; landscape plan clarification and sidewalks; air conditioner units and enclosures; wood fence enclosing mechanical systems and service areas (dumpster, electrical transformer); and the gravel paving system. The project's COA that was approved on June 2, 2005 left questions unanswered that will be addressed in this application. The major driving force of the revision of the COA was the location of 41 air conditioner condensing units on the ground. The East Side Auditorium north facade PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: On June 2, 2005, a COA was approved and issued to Arc Arkansas for "Repair and replace exterior building components and construct a new parking lot on the site ". ANALYSIS: In the analysis, the individual topics will be discussed and analyzed individually. 1. The exterior lighting plan for parking lot and the entirety of site was not included in the original application for the site. There will be two pole mounted light fixtures for the parking lot. The guidelines state, "These lights, such as flood lights, should intrude as little as possible on the integrity of the neighborhood. They should be mounted on secondary and rear facades. Shields should focus the light down, not at neighboring property." The light fixtures proposed are manufactured by Lithonia Lighting, model KAD: Contour Soft Square Flat Lens Cutoff. This will be an aluminum housing with a dark bronze corrosion resistant finish. The flat lens will have a cutoff feature to be able to shield lights from the residential uses across the Parking lot light fixture street. The fixtures will be located on the north side of the parking lot as shown on page E1.0 in the submittals. Staff needs clarification on the height of the poles. 3 2. Clarification of the Landscape Plan. The applicant was asked to label all plants on site, both existing and proposed. The original COA approval was based on the retention of privet hedge on perimeter of site. The guidelines state: "Landscape features, that are original or historic, and that are important in defining the overall character of the property, should be identified, retained and preserved." Historic plant materials are listed and in this case, the privet hedge would be considered historic. Check on page 1-1.1 for the revised Landscape Plan. The shrubbery between the existing lofts and the parking lot will be flowering shrubs with grass planted in between. The plants in the islands will also be flowering shrubs. Crepe Myrtles will be planted around the perimeter of the site interspersed in the privet hedge. The gaps in the privet hedge will be filled in with additional privet hedges. Crepe Myrtles cannot be "topped" and cannot be cut below six feet per city landscape ordinance. Staff recommends that these crepe myrtles be allowed to grow to full mature height with only minor pruning to shape. 3. The applicant was asked to resolve the conflict of sidewalk exiting from the north entry of classroom building going to parking lot. Staff added the hatching to the drawing as illustrated to the right. Staff's comment was that "If it is to be grass, it will be mud and dirt soon after installation ". The applicant's answer was that "the hatched areas will be grass, but we can install sidewalk (concrete) in several areas near the back entrance of the existing Eastside Loft Apartments to prevent future dirt or mud problems." Areas to be added to sidewalk Staff recommends that the concrete sidewalk be extended and installed into the hatched area flush with the existing sidewalk and the top of the curb to prevent this maintenance issue. 4. The applicant was asked to locate all utility transformers and utility equipment to be located on the site (electric transformers, phone boxes, etc.) and to provide a plan for screening these from street. The guidelines state that "Mechanical systems and service areas should be as unobtrusive to the historic neighborhood as possible... Large metal containers for garbage at multi- family or institutional sites should be located in the rear and screened from street view with fencing or shrubbery." The trash dumpster is located to the southeast of the parking lot. The location is shown on page L1.1. The dumpster enclosure elevation is also shown on that page in the upper left as Detail A -D. The enclosure is faced with 1x6 cedar pickets that are to be painted. The height of the enclosure is to be 8' tall. Staff feels that the guidelines have been met by the proposed improvements. 4 On page E1.0, it is shown that a utility company transformer is to be located between the dumpster and the building. The transformer is expected to be six feet in height, and would be screened from 14th Street by the dumpster enclosure. It would not be screened from Scott Street to the west, but would be approximately 200 feet from Scott Street. Staff feels that this distance is sufficient. 5. The applicant was asked to clarify the locations of the air conditioning condensing units for the auditorium, to include all exposed piping and wiring in application and show the enclosure to screen the units. The guidelines state: "HVAC units should be located where not readily visible from the street and should be screened with shrubbery or fencing." There will be 14 condensing units on the east side of the building, 15 condensing units on the west side of the building and 12 condensing units in two groups of six units each on the south side as shown on page A1.1. Each condensing unit cannot be more that 70 feet from the apartment that it serves. Otherwise, Staff's recommendation would be to put all of the units to the south of the auditorium north of the classroom building. (An earlier version has units on the north side of the building; those have since been relocated.) Staff is supportive of the locations of the condensing units. Air Conditioner Condensing Unit Locations The units would be screened by a wood picket fence as described on page Al.1 Detail A in the lower left corner. The guidelines state: "Wood picket fences may be located in front, side, or rear yards, generally following property lines. They should be no taller than three feet (36') tall, pickets should be no wider than four inches (4') and set no farther apart than three inches (3`). The design shall be compatible with and proportionate to the house." The proposed fence will be a 36 -inch tall picket fence with the pickets being 2x4's of red cedar painted. The spacing between the pickets will be 1 inch. This screen will be placed around all four sets of condensing units as shown on page A1.1. Hardware will be traditional hardware hinges and gravity latches by the Hoover Fence Company. Staff supports the Hardware set for ac unit enclosures 5 pouring of a continuous slab to support the multiple units within the enclosure area and supportive of the screening materials. Each unit will require an individual circuit breaker box. The circuit breakers will be installed on the building, but below the recommended 36 ". This will reduce the visibility of these numerous boxes by placing them below the level of the fence enclosure. Location of ac units on east side. 6. The applicant was asked to provide information on permeable gravel paver system for the north portion of the parking lot. The guidelines state that: "surfaces of parking lots should be gravel or concrete." Gravelpave2, as proposed, could adhere to the guidelines without the rutting and mud associated with a typical gravel parking area. Gravelpave2 is comprised of a porous geotextile fabric, molded " directly to the one -inch high integrated ring and grid system. Gravelpave2 sits above an engineered porous base course, is anchored down with galvanized anchors, and is filled with Photo of Gravelpave2 7. Staff asked the applicant to retain the sidewalk from northwest corner of property to north edge of proposed parking lot. The guidelines state: "Landscape features, that are original or historic, and that are important in defining the overall character of the property, should be identified, retained and preserved." Sidewalks are listed and this one would be considered historic. The applicant stated that they would keep the walk. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there was one comment regarding this application. The caller wanted to know what the application entailed. 6 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax. (50) 399435 APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Date: /l3 /0 fo 1. Date of Public Hearing:_k._ day of OGT°Be-f- 200.mat V o-' p.m. 2. Address of Property: 1401 Sca tr TritU -T . Li TrLi5t Pt-ur_ , _ A41- p,rvmir zz c. 2 3. LegalDeser LJr ' 90G � c,o� ? 2-, aL�l�r'..aC Grfx oP � -lTiLE 2ooy, S I'1Ate..a SPL66TI 5. Owner's Agent: �f-ttn r-" N" MP10'1, r as7) sal. 623,_G6oq pa u. .Sol. 6x 3, "Dos Z,( 6. Project Description (additional page may be added): FASTstQ E A p t 'ro+tr Ld.-. co,%-, —� T o ram L r '-or 0 t -f S z - A.LT0 4.VC*Yi*. S b6 ,44{t- Co JD4 ,U 11N is UOITS VOX N6.w 4. 7. Estimated Cost of Improvements: '/.q 8. Zoning Classification: I% Is the proposed change a permitted use? (&) No 9. Signature of Owner or Agent , 6 (The owner will need to authorize any Agent or person representing the owner at the public hearing). NOTE: Should there be changes (design, materials, size, etc.) from the approved COA. applicant shall notify Commission staff and take appropriate actions. Approval by the Commission does not excuse applicant or property from compliance with other applicable codes, ordinances or policies of the city unless stated by the Commission or staff. Responsibility for identifying such codes, ordi- nances or policies rests with the applicant, owner or agent. (This section to be completed by staff): Little Rock Historic District Commission Action ❑Denied ❑ Withdrawn ❑ Approved ❑Approved with Conditions ❑See Attached Conditions Staff Signature: Little Rock Historic District Commission ♦ Department of Planning and Development 723 West Markham Street ♦ Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 ♦ Phone: (501) 371-4790 ♦ Fax: (501) 399-3435 Cover letter from applicant 7 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Obtaining a building permit. 2. Staff recommends that the crepe myrtles on the site be allowed to attain full mature height as stated in paragraph 2. 3. Install sidewalk on south side of new parking lot as stated in paragraph 3. 4. Submit gravel sample to Staff before installation in parking lot. 5. Submit lighting specifications to Staff before installation for north facade lighting. COMMISSION ACTION: October 9, 2006 Staff person Brian Minyard clarified for the record that the property owner for Lot 1 R and Lot 2R are the same owner and that Steve Hitt is an authorized agent as a managing member of Arc Arkansas. The legal notices notified all owners within 150 feet except the owner of Lot 2R. Debra Weldon, of the City Attorney's office stated that the legal notice requirement has been met. Mr. Minyard made a brief presentation of the item as filed. In the presentation, the height of the lighting poles in the parking lot was discussed and it was clarified that the poles will be as short as possible to adequately light the parking lot. He continued by reading the staff recommendation with the five conditions. The applicant agreed to the five conditions. Colley Burrows, architect for the project, stated that the gravel in the parking lot will be a pea gravel. It was designed to aid in the preservation of the existing trees. Commissioner Wesley Walls asked about the number of lights in the parking lot. Mr. Burrows told him the number of lights shown on page 2 of 3 was incorrect. Colley Burrow and Steve Hitt, when asked to make a presentation on the item, stated that they had nothing to add to the presentation. Mr. Hitt stated that they would do whatever the Commission wanted them to do. Chair Carolyn Newbern had a question about the color and size of the gravel. Mr. Hitt said that it would be a darker color of pea gravel. Commissioner Wesley Walls asked if the light fixtures in the parking lot had a full cutoff. Mr. Burrows said that they had a full cutoff. Commissioner Walls explained full cutoff for the benefit of the other commissioners and stated that it was probably not a problem. Commissioner Walls continued and asked what style the lighting fixtures were. Chair Newbern asked if the ac units facing Cumberland Street took up the entire area between the building and the walk. Mr. Burrows stated the sidewalk would not be closed but they would take up all of the area between the two. Chair Newbern stated that she thought that the height of the fence was similar to the height of the foundation. 8 She also continued about the infill of the privet hedge and adding additional hedges was beneficial. Boy Maher, of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, stated that his is a tax credit project and that his office has had "lot of dialogue" previously on this project. A motion was made by Commissioner Walls to approve the project as submitted by staff including staff recommendations. Commissioner Kay Tatum seconded. Further discussion added one additional condition to the staff conditions: "6. Submit parking lot light fixture pole height for Staff approval prior to obtaining building permit." The motion passed with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. 9 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. 2. DATE: October 9, 2006 APPLICANT: Stephan McAteer, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History ADDRESS: 503 East Ninth Street COA Fountain replacement REQUEST: PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 503 East Ninth Street. The property's legal description is "That part of the northwest quarter of Township 1 North Range 12 west Section 11 lying east of the Quapaw Line and west of McAlmont Street & north of E 13th Street and that part of the southwest quarter of Township 1 North Range 12 west Section 2 lying east of the Quapaw Line and west of McAlmont Street & south of E 9th ST located in the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas." The application area is a small portion of the park that is set back over 150 feet to the south of East 9th Street. While the Arsenal bullaing is a contributing Location of Project structure, there is no pictorial evidence of the fountain that previously occupied the space. Local folklore states that a parks curator hand fashioned a fountain in this spot in the 1920's. PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: On August 21, 2006, a COA was approved and issued to The Arkansas Korean War Veterans' Memorial Foundation for a revision to the memorial. On October 6, 2005, a COA was approved and issued to The Arkansas Korean War Veterans' Memorial Foundation for a memorial to be located to the east of the fountain's proposed location. 10 The design guidelines do not specifically indicate any specific details when it comes to the construction of new fountains. The Design Guidelines state the following in the VI Design Guidelines for Site Design A. Landscape Features: Landscape features, that are original or historic (50 years of older), and that are important in defining the overall character of the property, should be identified, retained, and preserved. Some examples are sidewalks, curbs, and parking areas; brick or stone retainer walls; stepping blocks; furnishings such as lights, fences, or benches; landforms such as terracing; historic plant material, beds and planting areas; water features and garden art. Staff would interpret that historic fountains and pools would fall under this objective. ANALYSIS: MacArthur Park is home to numerous memorials predominantly located on the south and east sides of the complex. These memorials do not necessarily detract from the architectural significance of the MacArthur Park Military Museum because their individual locations do not obstruct its views from the north, northeast, or northwest. This fountain is proposed to be installed in the center of an existing pool that is located almost on axis to the north of the centerline of the Arsenal Building. There is no pictorial evidence of the fountain that previously occupied the space. Local folklore states that a parks curator hand fashioned a fountain in this spot in the 1920's The proposed fountain is a four tier cast aluminum fountain measuring 81" tall and 33" wide. It has a black -Verdi finish. The selection was made because it was felt that the fountain was compatible with the period of when the park was created (1893). Proposed fountain NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application. 11 SEP -7 -2006 09:39A FROM:MACARTHUR MUSEUM OF 3764593 70:3716863 P.3 MACARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY TO: BRIAN MINYARD FROM: STEPHAN MCATEER SUBJECT: MACARTHUR PARK FOUNTAiN DATE: 9/7/2006 CC: The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Militaty History proposes to put a cast aluminum fountain in a small pond in front of the museum, which is located in the historic Arsenal Building in MacArthur park. The pond is located approximately 300 feet north of the mnaenm, between the nauseam drive and 90' St. The pond measures approximately 32 feet in length and 11 feet in width. The fountain would be placed in the middle of the pond, which has a depth of apptoxitnately five feet. The proposed fountain is a Four tier, cast aluminum fountain measuring 81" in height, 33" in width and weighs 200 pounds. It would have a black -verdi finish. This fountain was selected because it is felt it would be most appropriate for the time period in which the park was created (1693). In consultation with the Little Rock Parks Department, it was determined this fountain would &t the existing space and plumbing. The museum has no photographs of any fountains which may have existing in the pond, although local folklorc states that a parks curator hand- bshioned a fountain in the 1920s. Cover letter from applicant 12 SEP -7 -2006 09:39A FROM:MACARTHUR MUSEUM OF 3764593 TO:3716E63 P.2 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Date: !Z Z42b?/ 9 _ 1. Date of Public Hearing: day of aa6 it 200 &at -P D p,m. 2. Address of Property: 503 3. Legal Description of Property: 9&e' P0114 4. Prn erty Owner (tY lme, Address, P o e, % x): --•• Bf �i JSdG ITT r'1�S ,@ 5. Owner's Agent: ,rP �l Biel honelFaxfl~•mail) 0rr 321e fl ©.7 SD/ -3 7k-Y_S 3 6. Prpjcct Description (additional pages maybe added): . / V e tz 7. Estimated Cost of improvements:000 8. Zoning Classification: P P, is the proposed change a permitted use? No 9. Signature of Owner or Agent: (The owner will need to authorize any Agent or person representing the owner at the public hearing.) NOTE: Should there be changes (design, materials, size, etc.) from the approved COA, applicant shall notify Commission staff and take appropriate actions. Approval by the Commission does not excuse applicant or property from compliance with other applicable codes, ordinances or policies of the city unless staled by the Commission or staff. Responsibility for identifying such codes, ordi- nances or policies rests with the applicant, owner or agent. (This section to be completed by staff): Little Rock Historic District Commission Action ❑Denied ❑ Withdrawn ❑ Approved ❑ Approved with Conditions ❑ See Attached Conditions Staff Signature: Date: Little Rock Historic District Commission ♦ Department of Planning and Development 723 West Markham Street ♦ Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 ♦ Phone: (501) 371-4790 ♦ Fax: (501) 399-3435 Application 13 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Obtaining a building permit. COMMISSION ACTION: October 9, 2006 Debra Weldon, of the city Attorney's office stated that notification was met as set by this Commission at the September 9, 2006 meeting. Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation to the Commission. The Commissioners did not have questions of Staff at that time. Stephen McAteer, Director of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, made a short presentation. He stated that a fountain had been in place in the pool in the 1920's. At that time, a caretaker fashioned a fountain in place. Currently, a board member of his museum has made a donation to add a fountain to the pool. Currently, a single stream of water shoots up in the middle of the pool. That would be replaced with the fountain. A Victorian style fountain was chosen because that was the era of the creation of the park. There were no citizen comments. Commissioner Susan Bell brought photos of the site and noted that the pool was off center to the building. She added that adding a fountain to the center of the pool would add to the off center -ness of the pool. Commissioner Wesley Walls asked if there was plumbing in the pool. Mr. McAteer added that there was. Chair Carolyn Newbern referred to the Guidelines and noted that in the Federal period, buildings were a symmetrical form. She had handouts that she passed around and gave to Staff that showed the structure of landscapes with curved gardens and drives with axial lines which were symmetrical. Fountains were placed on axis lines. She continued that it bothers her to put a fountain off center. She added that a fountain would enhance the building and grounds. She asked Mr. McAteer if he had discussed moving the fountain and pool. Mr. McAteer said that the brickwork around the fountain predates the sidewalks which are exposed aggregate. The pool is historic. Originally, the Arsenal complex has 30 structures, now it only has one. He stated that there was no discussion on moving the pool and would be resistant to doing so. He did say that they would follow codes specified on the depth of the pool. He would fill it in to 30" to meet codes. Commissioner Walls said that it was a good point to make that typically it would be symmetrical and asked what it would be like to counterbalance the location of the fountain to the reality of the off centered pool. 14 Commissioner Kay Tatum asked if the pool was in good shape. Mr. McAteer said that it needed to be lined and to pour a foundation for the fountain. Commissioner Bell asked if there were to be changes to the brick or the sidewalks. Mr. McAteer said no. Chair Newbern stated that this pits a known historical structure against the Guidelines. The placement of the fountain in the center of the pool would further compound the earlier error of being off axis. She continued that most folks do not know that there is a pool, and that the fountain will add to the knowledge of a pool. She respected the financial aspect of the cost of moving of the pool. Mr. McAteer noted that this land is Parks and Recreation land and that he is before the committee because his board member donated money to install the fountain. The board member and himself were trying to make it look better. Commissioner Bell asked if the pool was filled. Mr. McAteer said it was not. Commissioner Walls talked about the off center fountain and the fact that the sidewalk, which is on axis, forms a datum line against which everything is judged. If the sidewalk were not there, this conversation would not be had. Chair Newbern stated that it was off just enough to be an issue. Staff Brian Minyard asked the applicant and the Commission if it made a difference if the fountain was shorter. Mr. McAteer stated that he was not wed to this fountain. Commissioner Walls asked Mr. McAteer what his view on the symmetry was. He answered that the building was the most important thing. It is an under utilized pool. It the pool is to be moved, it will not be the museum that does it. Chair Newbern asked if the fountain could be redesigned to have a different water feature that would be on axis. She suggested maybe an urn or something in character. Commissioner Walls said that this fountain is similar to other fountains in the area. It is formal in design, vertical in nature, and implies symmetry. Mr. McAteer commented that it is a rather long pool; 33 by 11 feet and that they can find an alternate fountain and come back to the Commission. Mr. McAteer said that the Arsenal building is just part of the park. This part of the park has been opened up (some removal of trees) and that the board member wanted to add something to this part of the park. Chair Newbern listed the options at this point: vote for approval, vote to deny it, or vote to defer the application for one month with exploration of alternatives. 15 Commissioner Tatum asked it the fountain could be self- contained and what if the fountain was placed outside of the pool. Mr. McAteer stated that it could be self- contained. Chair Newbern said that the commission should defer to the city codes on the depth of the pool. Mr. McAteer stated that the pool is not centered, and that the pool would not be moved. He continued that he could not say for certain where the fountain should go. He continued that he likes the fountain and that the sidewalk reinforces the axis. Mr. McAteer asked to defer his application to bring back options to the Commission. Debra Weldon suggested the deferral. Commissioner Walls made a motion to defer for cause to consider alternate fountains. Commissioner Tatum seconded and the deferral was granted with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent for a period of one month. Boyd Maher, AHPP, stated that there were different periods of significance: the park creation, the arsenal building, the pool, etc. He asked why the fountain was Victorian. With all of the different periods of significance, with the suggestion of all of the other hardscape features as a guide, why not consider a contemporary fountain instead? Mr. McAteer stated that from the Commission, he was hearing the symmetry of the fountain and pool. Boyd Maher asked if anybody had been to the Johnny Cash home. He stated that the home itself is not pretty nor is the entire home, but sometimes the history we are preserving is not pretty. Chair Newbern stated that it is one thing`to not preserve something that is pretty but another to enhance or draw attention to something that something that is not pretty to start out with. 16 V. Other Matters Homeowners /Investors handbook. Homeowner investor handbook: changes were made and some more work needs to be done. Eve Gieringer was introduced and Mr. Minyard stated that she has done basically all for the work on the handbook. Ms. Gieringer stated that page 11 is blank and will be completed soon. She stated that she has added everything else that she knows. Mr. Minyard stated that he wanted to check with the different organizations to check for accuracy. Ms. Weldon stated that the number of animals is four dogs and four cats instead of four total. Mr. Maher stated that the document looked good. Mr. Minyard - stated that he was planning to market this to people in National Register Districts and those planning to invest in the national register districts. Ordinance revisions: Ms. Weldon has not received any comments to date. She has asked for additional comments. Chair Newbern asked about terms of members of the commissioners. Ms. Weldon stated that there is a citywide ordinance that limits commissioners to two terms. She suggested that we do not amend our ordinance, since the Little Rock Board of Directors may alter that at any time. Chair Newbern added that the word "Local Ordinance" should be added the word District to differentiate between local ordinance historic districts and national register historic districts. She added that we might want to add "Certificate of Compliance." Ms. Weldon stated that that was an administrative tool and that it may not need to be put into the ordinance. She continued that the Certificate of Compliance is not permitted by the State Statute. Mr. Minyard asked the commissioners to look over the ordinance before the next meeting. Chair Newbern asked about the substantial hardship section. Currently it applies to the property, not the owner, and she wondered if that was clearly spelled out. Tony Bozynski had made a request to. the Little Rock Board of Directors to ask for money to start the Preservation Plan but is unsure whether the money would be out of the 2006 or 2007 calendar year. Chair Newbern has been talking about this to others. Presentation of the Stiffts Station District will be November 13. Sandra Smith will be here to present that to you. it will be similar to the presentation to the Review Board. There is an item on the next agenda at 1422 Rock Street from Paul Page Dwellings. It is currently at the Planning Commission for a rezoning and will be heard by the HDC before going to the City Board. He described the project briefly. Planning commission will look at site plan and use. It will be contingent on the HDC approval. If the applicant does not get both the HDC and the Planning Commission approval, the project cannot be built. Staff was encouraged to go look at the site. Historic District Surveys: Contracts should be ready to be signed this week with Tim Heiple. Central High will be selected soon with a contract to follow. 17 Boyd Maher announced that he had to leave to go to his next meeting (a neighborhood meeting at Stifft Station Capitol View where they are considering becoming a Local Ordinance historic District.) Boyd invited them to attend the meeting and further stated that he felt that the HDC was in charge of preservation for the entire city, not just MacArthur Park. Street signs and Toppers: Discussions have occurred between Staff and Public Works on the street toppers. Enforcement updates: Mr. Minyard stated that property owner at 420 East Ninth street has successfully refused to pick up the certified letter stating that he was in violation with the placement of ac window units. Chair Newbern noted that Susan Bell had received a Historic Preservation Alliance award for the plaques that were placed on historic homes in the Dunbar neighborhood. Mr. Minyard also noted for the record that Tina Boyd won an award for her infill houses on Rock and Cumberland Street. VI. Adjournment There was a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Walls and was seconded by Commissioner Tatum. The meeting ended at 6:45. Attest: Chair 18