HDC_04 01 2021Page 1 of 7
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435
www.littlerock.gov
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Thursday, April 1, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
Grant Still Ballroom, Robinson Center
Roll Call
Quorum was present being five (5) in number.
Members Present: Chair Jeremiah Russell
Vice Chair Ted Holder
Robert Hodge
Christine Aleman
Mark Hinson
Members Absent: Lauren Frederick
Amber Jones
City Attorney: Sherri Latimer
Staff Present: Brian Minyard
Jamie Collins
Walter Malone
Citizens Present: Jim Ferguson
Approval of Minutes
Before the minutes were approved, there was a discussion of the results of the research by the
City Attorney’s office. For general items, such as minutes, a roll call vote is not required - a voice
vote is sufficient. For matters of more significance, such as Certificates of Appropriateness, a roll
call vote is required.
Commissioner Christine Aleman made a motion to approve the March 4, 2021 minutes as
submitted. Commissioner Robert Hodge seconded, and the motion passed with a vote of 5 ayes,
0 noes, and 2 absent (Frederick and Jones).
Brian Minyard, Staff, the notice requirements were met on all the items except as noted in
individual hearing items. Notice of public hearing was printed in a newspaper of general
circulation, posted on the internet and emails were sent to interested citizens and the press to
inform them of the agenda being posted online.
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LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435
www.littlerock.gov
STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. One.
DATE: April 1, 2021
APPLICANT: Russ Fason and Benjamin Gregory, WER Architects/Planners
ADDRESS: 314 E 6th Street
FILE NUMBER: HDC2021-007
COA REQUEST: Facade changes
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 314 E 6th Street. The
property’s legal description is “West 26' of Lot 7 & West
26' of the South 10' of Lot 8 block 40 Original City of Little
Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas."
This one story commercial building was built in the
1960’s. The 2006 survey form states: “This standard
Commercial 20th Century building has aluminum framed
windows and doors at front with side walls and back with
no openings. The mansard roof attached to front wall
provides protection over sidewalk. The first occupant was
Joseph Pritchard Grocery and remained there through
the 1970’s.” It is considered a "Non-Contributing
Structure" to the MacArthur Park Historic District.
This application is for Facade changes of replacing the
storefront widows and modifications to other window
openings.
RECENT ACTIONS ON THIS SITE:
On January 25, 2021, a COC was issued to Central Arkansas Water for a new roof.
On February 14, 2020, a COC was issued to Ibrahim Elsaidi to replace the asphalt shingle with
metal shingles on the awing.
On February 10, 2020, a COA was denied for changes to the awning.
On February 6, 2019, a COA was approved and issued to Ibrahim Saidi to replace glass in the
windows and doors due to fire damage.
On March 11, 2013, a COA was approved and issued to Samirah Alwazir for signage.
Location of Project
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Existing south elevation Existing east elevation
Existing west elevation Contributing and Non-contributing map
PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT
AND GUIDELINES:
Storefront windows and door:
Windows are proposed to be replaced with new fixed windows in a dark bronze finish with the
same mullion pattern as existing to fit the opening on front of building. The 1978 Photo shows the
windows as large plate glass windows. Door and sidelights will be replaced with a new four lite
entry door and sidelights in the same configuration as the existing. The 1978 photo has the door
in a shadow and Staff cannot determine what the door configuration is.
The size of the openings for the entry area and the display widows are the same as the 1978
photo. The bulkhead, the area under the display windows, will not change. In 2020, when the
awing was removed, evidence of transoms were revealed. This application will not restore the
transoms over the door and windows.
Removal of 4 window ac units and accompanying work:
On the west elevation, two window air conditioners will be removed and the openings will be
adjusted and enlarged to make new windows. Sill and height will match front windows. Originally,
these were small windows above head height that were common in buildings of this era and
before. Later, window air conditioning units were installed in these openings.
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On the north (rear) side and the east side, a window air conditioner will be removed and the
opening bricked up. On the east wall, a window air conditioner will be removed and the opening
will be stuccoed over. Both will be painted to match the exterior wall color.
1978 Survey photo 2020 Photo of south facade without awning
Other work:
Two split unit heat and air conditioner units will be
installed on the roof which should not be visible from the
street. See page 4 for the north elevation and page 9 for
perspectives of the building. The building encompasses
all of the lot. If the window units are to be removed, which
is appropriate, the hvac units must go on top of the
building.
Lighting at front entry one on each side of door:
Lights to be Hinkley brand wall mount black fixture 4.5”
diameter and 8” tall. These lights are slightly
contemporary in nature, but also non-obtrusive in their
size and color.
Replacing the awning soffit panels with ones that match
the awning roof color. These will be a 16” center vented
soffit panel in gray to match the awning color.
SUMMARY OF PRE-APPLICATION HEARING
The applicant attended the February 12, 2021 pre application hearing. The comments from
the commissioners are summarized as follows:
SITING – non-applicable
HEIGHT– non-applicable
Proposed light fixtures by front door
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PROPORTION – windows and doors size are appropriate.
RHYTHM – the enlarging of the windows were deemed appropriate
SCALE – non-applicable
MASSING – non-applicable
ENTRANCE AREA – proposed changes will not a restoration of the old plan, but a
duplication of the single door and sidelights. Working with elements of adjacent buildings.
WALL AREAS- addressed under rhythm.
ROOF AREA- discussion of roof mounted hvac units and if they would be visible.
FAÇADE - addressed under rhythm and proportion.
DETAILING- probably should discuss in public hearing.
The committee made the point that it was unfortunate that the building was not going to be put
back to the condition it was in the mid 1970’s, closer to the original look. They did not feel that
the changes proposed were detrimental to the neighborhood.
Proposed south front facade
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Proposed north elevation
The building at 314 E 6th Street, the Pritchard Grocery Store, is non-contributing to the district.
While the changes to the sides of the building (enlarging and filling openings) may make the
building more non-conforming, it is the opinion of Staff due to conditions affecting the structure
that the overall changes to the building will not cause a substantial detriment to the public welfare
and without substantial derogation form the intent and purpose of the ordinance. The changes to
the openings could be reversed at a later date.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were no
comments regarding this application.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions:
1. Obtaining a building permit.
COMMISSION ACTION: April 1, 2021
Brian Minyard, Staff, made a presentation to the Commission. There were no questions of the
Commissioners.
Jim Ferguson, Central Arkansas Water, commented that the building was going to be used as
offices with no customer traffic into the building. He commented that the staff report reflected the
work requested.
Commissioner Robert Hodge made a motion to approve the item as submitted. Chair Jeremiah
Russell seconded, and the motion passed with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 absent (Frederick
and Jones).
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Other Matters
Enforcement issues
Staff had none to report to the Commission.
Certificates of Compliance
Staff had none to report to the Commission.
Citizen Communication
There were no citizens that chose to speak during citizen communication.
Adjournment
There was a motion to adjourn, and the meeting ended at 4:14 p.m.
Attest:
Chair Date
Secretary/Staff Date