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HDC_08 04 2022LITTLE 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 AGENDA Thursday, August 4, 2022 4:00 p.m. Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 121h Street I.Roll Call Quorum was present being seven (7) in number. Members Present: Chair Ted Holder Vice Chair, Amber Jones Robert Hodge Mark Hinson Christina Aleman Jonathan Nunn Tom Fennell City Attorney: Sherri Latimer Staff Present: Hannah Ratzlaff Walter Malone Jamie Collins Citizens Present: Patricia Blick Missy Mcswain II.Minutes Commissioner Jones made a motion to approve the July 7, 2022 minutes as submitted. Commissioner Christina Aleman seconded. The motion passed. Ill. National Register Nominations 1.None IV.Deferred Certificates of Appropriateness 1.None V.New Certificates of Appropriateness 1.None 1 VII. Other Matters A. Administrative Approvals: Storm windows and fencing from COA to COC ITEM NO.: ONE FILE NO.: none NAME: Administrative Review for Storm Windows and Fences LOCATION: MacArthur Park Historic District Staff Presentation A. BACKGROUND Context Current staff procedure for administrative approvals has traditionally been for repair and replacement work that does not change the appearance of the structure or the material of the architectural feature. In addition to repair work, previous improvements to residential and commercial structures have been moved to the staff level for review, such as: the replacement of asphalt shingles with architectural shingles, the installation of handrails, and the installation of mechanical units. Administrative review for handrails identifies specific, minimum requirements that the application must meet in order to be administratively reviewed and approved (see "Administrative Approval of Handrails". Administrative review for the installation mechanical units specifies locations of the condenser and the supply lines. If the application does not meet these minimum requirements, the application cannot be reviewed at the staff level for a Certificate of Compliance and must be reviewed at the Commission level as a Certificate of Appropriateness application. The National Association of Preservation Commissions advises the use of administrative review where feasible and responsible to expedite the review process for applications that meet the guidelines and have a positive, or minimal impact, to the historic property. B. PROPOSAUREQUESTIAPPLICANT'S STATEMENT: Staff proposes the administrative review of applications for storm windows and fencing. C. EXISTING CONDITIONS: 2 Below is a list of all projects that are currently reviewed at the staff level. • Foundation Repairs • Brick and mortar repairs • Porch repairs • Repair/replacement of concrete steps • Handrail installation • Front door repairs • Soffit and fascia repair • Stucco repair • Painting of previously painted material • Wood window repairs • Roofing repairs • Reroofing with architectural shingles • Chimney repair & installation of caps • Garage doors • Fencing repair/replacement • Driveway repair & installation • Mechanical unit replacement & installation • Gutter repair and replacement D. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: None. E. ANALYSIS: Recognizing the need to reduce caseloads in the future with the possible addition of a second local ordinance district, and the benefit of incentivizing compliance with an expedited process, storm windows and fences are site improvements to structures that would fit well within the scope of administrative review. The Design Guidelines provide specific standards, as well as flexible guidelines, for storm windows and fences. Administrative review would identify the specific, base standards and use them as minimum requirements for administrative approval. See proposed "Requirements for Administrative Approval" attached for recommended minimum requirements for both storm windows and fences. Similar to the review of handrails, staff proposes that clear and concise minimum standards are required for storm windows and fences if to be reviewed administratively. F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval. 3 Requirements for Administrative Approval STORM WINDOWS, FENCES, HANDRAILS Administrative Approval of Storm Windows Staff may approve application for the installation of storm windows with the following specifications on a case -by -case basis: 1. Proportion and profile must match the design of the original window, including the sash. 2. Exterior must be wood, baked -on enamel, or anodized aluminum in a color to match the window sash paint color. 3. Storm window must fit within the window frames and not overlap the frames. 4. For originally fixed windows and casement windows that are non -operable, storm windows must be full view. 5. Finishes must be non -reflective. Administrative Approval of Fences Staff may approve application for the installation of fencing with the following specifications on a case -by -case basis: Street frontage fences: 1. Fences must be of wrought iron, metal, or wood picket and be appropriate to the style and period of the building. 2. Fences with street frontage should be no taller than 40 inches. 71 Back and Side yard privacy fence 6'-0" maximwn with setback indicated Eristing setback on privcy fence or 15 '-0 ", whichever is smaller. Back yard privacy fence to strut midway towards back ofhause. r,4 Front and side yard fence 40" maximum W'.4 3. New wrought iron and metal fences must be simple in design. 4. New wood picket fences must have pickets no wider than four (4") inches and set no farther apart than three (3") inches. 4 5. Fences in rear and side yards with street frontages should not impede views of adjacent houses that have a different orientation. 6. Fences in excess of 40", as shown in red on Figure 1, should be setback to the wall of the primary building, or 15 feet, from the side yard property line, whichever is less. Rear yard and privacy fences: 7. Fences in rear yards and on side property lines without street frontage should be no taller than 72 inches. 8. Privacy fences should be setback from the front facade of the main structure at least halfway between the front and back walls of the main structure. 9. Privacy fences can be wrought iron, metal, or made of flat wood vertical boards in a single row (not stockade or shadowbox). All fence applications for administrative approval must submit letters of support from adjacent property owners. Administrative Approval of Handrails Staff can administratively approve handrails per city code Sec 23-116 (3) to correct an unsafe or dangerous condition. However, this is tempered against a change in design, material, or outer appearance of the structure which requires a Certificate of Appropriateness with a public hearing. Therefore, the administratively approved handrail Figure 1. must be stylistically simplistic. Staff may approve a handrail with the following specifications on a case -by -case basis: 1. Handrail to be of black painted metal of ornamental iron components as shown in photo #1. 2. There shall be no more than two posts on any freestanding handrail. 3. Posts shall be square stock. 4. Use handrail profile as shown in photo #2. 5. Terminate handrail with a Iamb's tongue return (photo #3) 6. Handrail to be installed only at steps. No installation is approved on flat or sloped surfaces. 7. Railing height shall be 34-36" above nosing of steps. Nosing is defined at the leading front edge of the tread. 8. Staff to visit site and approve location before approval is granted. 5 1. Detail of freestanding handrail with all parts 2. Profile of rail WOOL swim 3. Detail of Iambs tongue return f. Wall mounted handrail 6 Figure 15 1'ariaru sryt of windows from lcfl TO tight a rx0 over two 0- _l, a three over one ill) and a nine over nine r9 9) figure 16. Parts olxindow asrng same ttttu :ir Light 2. Windows: Screen and Storm Windows Windows should be pre-Ah-ved in their original location. six and desiffi with their original materials and number of panes_ Stained leaded. beefed. or patterned class which are character -defining features of a buildine. should not be removed Windows should not be addedtothe primary facade or to a secondary facade if easily visible Windows should be repaired rather than replaced however, if replacement is aKessary due to severe deterioration. the replacement should matc]i as closely as possible. the orirdnal in materials and design. Replacement windows should not have saapoa or but h muntins Wood clad windows may be appropriate if the structure originally had wood windows. Wood clad windows are wood construction windows teeth an outer coating of vinyl or metal that facilitates easier maintenance Windows of 100% vinyl are not appropriate in the historic district since they were not historically installed in the structures. Unless they originally existed jalousie, awning. picture windows, and glass brick are inappropriate on an historic building. Screen and Storm Windows: Interior storm windows are encouraged and preferred. Interior storm windows do not require a COA nor the associated costs of the CO. A. lf the a storm window is to be installed on the exterior, the proportions and profiles should match the design of the original window, including the sash design. Exterior screen and storm windows should be wood or baked-on enamel or anodized aluminum in a color to match the window sash paint color and fit within the window frames not overlap the frames. Finishes should be non-reflective. Storm windows may also be mounted on the inside of windows. Shutters: Shutters should be returned if original to the building. They should be of louvered wood and should fill the window opening., iff closed. Shutters should not be added if no historic evidence exists. Shatters that are too large, too small or of the wrong design are not recommended. Figure 17. Hisroric decorative stained glass windows and window hoods should be preserved and maintained. Figure 18. Left: Shatters should cover the window opening for styles prior to Mod- ern. Above Left: Shutters are not wide enough to cover the opening. Above Right: Shutters too short. 13 Figure 2. Storm windows, Design Guidelines, Section III. pg. 13. 7 Figure 89. Plan view of concrete sidewalk with brick edging. Figure 90. Plan view of a brick sidewalk laid in a herringbone pattern. Figure 91. Plan view of a sidealk laid in cut stone pavers of various sizes. the property should be retained. When trees axe preserved. they should be provided with fencing along the dripline during construction to avoid the compacting of soil from heavy equipment that could eventually lead to their demise. 1. Sidewalks: Sidewalks that are original to the property or district should be preserved. If dwy basv deteriorated and are dangerous, replace them with similar materials (stone, brick or concrete.) Newly introduced sidewalks should be brick or smooth concrete in patterns, dimensions, colors, and placement like original or early sidewalks in the district. They .should nor be asphalt or concrete surfaced with aggregate or pebbles. 2. Planned Green Space: Green space between streets and sidewalks, frequently planted with grass and street trees should be retained. Plant appropriately sized trees, so that they will not conflict with overhead utility lines . 3. Fences and Retaining Walls: • Fencing on street frontage & front yard-40" • Rear yard fencing-72" Iron, wood, stone, or brick fences or walls that are original to the property (at least 50 years old) should be preserved. If missing, they may be reconstructed based on physical or pictorial evidence. Sometimes a low stone or brick wall supports an iron or wooden fence. Fencing material should be appropriate to the style and period of the building. Cast iron fences were common through the Victonan period and should be retained and Figure 92. Fences in side yards for houses on street corners should not block front yard of houses located behind them. 58 Figure 3. Fences, Design Guidelines, Section V11, pg. 58. 8 Frgtve 93. Ornate ornamental iron fence. Figure 95. Wood fence with flat wood pickets 59 Figure 94. Simple metal ornomenial iron fence. Figure 96. Wood fence with square wood pickets with varying heights of pickets. Figure 97. Section of retaining wall of concrete block and brick veneer. 59 Figure 4. Fences, Design Guidelines, Section VII, pg. 59. maintained. Wrought iron and bent wire fences are also historic. Fences may be located in front. side. or rear yards, =eneraily following propem lines. Fences with street frontage should be no tatter than 40 inches. On wood fences_ pickets should be no wider than four inches (4") and set no hither apart than three inches (3'-). Support posts may exceed the allowable fence or wall height by no more than six inches (f,'-). The design should be compatible with and proportionate to the building. For larger scale properties_ fence heights should be appropriate to the scale of the building and grounds. Fences in side and rear cards with street frontages should not impede mews of adjacent houses that have a different orientation. For those fences. the location of the fences that are in excess of 4D-. as shown is red. should be at the wall of the primal; building or at a 15' side yard setbacL whichever is less. See Fieure 93. Fences in the rear yards and those ou side property- lines without street frontage may be 72'- tail. The privacy fence should be set back- from the front facade of the structure at least halfway- between the front and back walls of the main structure. 'rood board privacy fences should be made of flat boards in a single sow (not stockade or sbadowbox). and of a design compatible with the structixre. Chain -link fences may be located only in rear yards. where act readily visible from the street. and should be coated dark: green or black. Spina wah phant material is recommended. Fences should not have brick. stone or concrete pier or posts unless based on pictorial or physical evidence. Free-standine walls ofbricL stone. or concrete are not appropriate. New retaining landscape walls are discouraged in from yards. Certain front ywds that are in close proximity to the sidewalk may feature new ;calls that match the materials of the building and be consistent with historic walls in the neishborhood, Landscaping -walls should match the materials of the buddine and be consistent with historic walls in the neiehborhtood. B. LIGHTING Lighting original to the property-. either attached to the building or free-standing_ should be retuned and maintained. 1. Freestanding lights Post-mounted trots for residences s13oWd. not exceed ten feet in height and should be brass. copper, or painted metal on posts of woad. cast iron. or painted metal. Small footlights rather than freestanding post-mounted lights are more appropriate for walkway, and driveways. Streetlights should reflect the period and style of the nei th rhood and streerscape. 2. Security lighting These lights such as flood tights. should intrude as little as possible on the integrity of the neighborhood. Thev should be mounted on secondat ~ and rear facades. Shields should focus the light down, not at neighboring property. C. PARKING AREAS, DRIVENWAYS, CURB CUTS AND PAVING Accommodations for automobiles should be as unobtrusive to the historic neighborhood as possible. 1. Residentfal Parking: Paticing areas and garages for hnames should be located in the rear of the house. with entrance frosa an alley or from a side driveway. No parking areas should be allowed between a street and the adjacent building, including parking far attached and multi-family housing. Original designs, materials, and placement of driveways should be preserved. If the driveway must lead from the street through a side yard to parling in the rear, brick or concrete tracks or narrow strips are recommended. with grass or 60 Figure 5. Fences, Design Guidelines, Section VI, pg. 60. 10 G. COMMISSION ACTION: August 4 2022 Hannah Ratzlaff, HDC staff, made a presentation to allow for the administrative approval of storm windows and fences based on proposed minimum requirements. Sherri Latimer, Deputy City Attorney, clarified that the movement of fences to administrative approval would require a change to the existing historic preservation ordinance (Sec. 23-115) concerning COAs. Staff suggested that if the Commission agrees that fences should be administratively approved based on set minimum requirements, then the Commission should delay proposing a change of the ordinance to the Board until it can be included in the same Board request as the Central High LOD proposal. Commissioner Fennell suggested that the language for storm windows be corrected to "the storm window must not overlap the trim or brick mold" rather than "the storm windows must not overlap the frame." Commissioner Aleman asked if the fourth requirement for storm windows was in the guidelines. Staff said it was not specifically but in a situation with casement windows, full view storm windows would be the preferable option. Commissioner Fennell suggested the language for the fourth requirement for fences be changed to "no more than a three-inch gap between the pickets" for clarity. Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Fennell asked questions about the existing minimum requirements of handrails for administrative approval. Commissioner Nunn suggested the handrail requirements be more flexible to allow staff more flexibility for approval concerning handrails. Staff said she will research code requirements for exterior handrails on sidewalk steps, amend the minimum requirements, and present these new findings to the Commission at its next meeting. Commissioner Fennell made a motion to accept the minimum requirements for administrative approvals of storm windows and fences with the conditions discussed. Commissioner Aleman seconded the motion. B. CAMP, NAPC training — Friday, October 28th Staff reminded the Commissioners of the upcoming training opportunity. C. Grant Updates Staff provided updates to the following active grants: • 2019-HPF-AACR — African American Civil Rights of the 20th Century Grant, Survey & Nomination of University Park Subdivision Staff shared that all inventory forms were completed and reviewed by AHPP. All oral history interviews were completed. 50% of the NRHP nomination was complete and reviewed by AHPP. Project was on 11 target for 100% of the draft nomination to be completed by December 2022. • 22-CLG-05- Certified Local Government Grant, Resurvey Phase II Hillcrest & CAMP Training & Terry House Rehabilitation Staff shared that the Hillcrest Resurvey project was underway, and the department was negotiating with the successful RFQ bidder, Project is on track to start November 2022_ Staff also shared that the grant funds for the Terry House repairs was cancelled due to the ongoing litigation. Commissioner Aleman asked whether the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program ("AHPP") could reapply for funds for the Terry House next grant cycle. Staff indicated it could and stated that the structure was in the care of the City's Parks & Recreation Department, and they would likely apply for future grants outside of the CLG program when a long-term rehabilitation plan is devised. Commissioner Aleman asked why the AHPP is resurveying Hillcrest. Staff explained that National Register districts typically need to be resurveyed every five years, according to the National Park Service. Hillcrest has seen a lot of change and it will likely take several years to resurvey it due to its size. Commissioner Jones shared that the district might shrink after the resurvey is completed. D. Central High LOD Updates Staff provided updates to the local ordinance district proposal initiative. Commissioner Jones asked if there was any feedback from the neighborhood associations. Staff shared that they are receiving more calls about tax credit eligibility and a few general questions about the local ordinance district, but mostly about the moratorium on demolition and exterior building permits in the district. Staff is trying to set up times with the neighborhood associations to meet. About three to four weeks before the October 6th HDC public hearing, letters will go out to all of the property owners in the district to information them about the LOD proposal and the October public hearing. The public hearing will be held in conjunction with the HDC October meeting and take place at the Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center. Commissioner Nunn asked if the tax credits for this fiscal year have been exhausted and if that is normal. Commissioner Jones responded that there is a queue from last year due to lack of funds, but with the increased budget for this fiscal year there are still funds available. The Commission discussed the availability of state and federal tax credits for property owners in the coming fiscal years. Commissioner Aleman asked for an update on a possible incentives program that was discussed at last meeting. Staff stated that discussion at the departmental level was ongoing, but the department is not ready propose it. Commissioner Fennel stated that the district would likely have to be created 12 first before an incentives program could be formally considered. The Commission discussed possibilities. Director Collins shared that he has spoken to the Mayor about possible economic incentives. Director Collins shared that staff is currently looking at permit -driven incentives in the future and a possible fund to assist in the support of regaining and maintaining contributing structures in the district. He projected that the incentive program would likely not be finalized until another year because the City wouldn't set its budget for the next fiscal year until early 2023. E. Enforcement issues 511 E. 8th Street — handrail installation 518 E. 8th Street — fence installation F. Certificates of Compliance HDC2022-019 1401 Scott Street — storm window replacement, solar panels, brick and mortar repair HDC2022-020 501 E 91h Street — railing around historic cistern in MacArthur Park G. Citizen Communication There were no citizens who chose to speak during citizen communication. VI. Adjournment There was a motion to adjourn. The meeting ended at 5:04 p.m. Attest: Chair Date Staff Date 13