HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 904 scott 010917Page 1 of 9
DATE: January 9, 2017
APPLICANT: Mark Brown and Jill Judy, Little Rock Historic Properties
ADDRESS: 904 Scott Street
COA REQUEST: Fence
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 904 Scott Street. The
property’s legal description is “South 37 feet of the East
110 feet of Lot 11 and the East 11.5 feet of the South 31
feet of the west 40 feet of Lot 11, Block 10, Original City
of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas."
This single family house, which was converted to
multifamily later, was built in 1871. The 2006 survey form
states: “This two story Italianate house has wide cornice
and paired brackets supporting overhang. Windows and
doors are hooded at front, have vertical mullions and
entry door is typical Italianate. Built by prominent
businessman. House moved from original location at SW
corner of 9th and Scott.” It is considered a "Contributing
Structure" to the MacArthur Park Historic District.
This application is for Fencing on the property. The front
yard fence will be a 36” tall steels picket fence. A 6’
wood fence will be in the rear yard and approximately half way (28’ from the front) on the south
side and start about 3’ from the front of the house on the north side. A 5’ wide gate will be at the
front sidewalk.
PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE:
On April 13, 2015, a COC was issued to Mark Brown and Jill Judy for exterior renovation due to
fire damage.
On February 12, 2015, a COC was issued to Mark Brown and Jill Judy for exterior maintenance
of siding, windows and brick.
On September 4, 2014, a COC was issued to Mark Brown and Jill Judy for a temporary
construction fence and interior remodel.
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. C.
Location of Project
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On October 6, 2009, a COC was issued to Mary Buchannan to reroof the house with standing
seam metal roof.
On April 21, 2000, a COA was approved and issued to Mary Buchannan for the installation of
driveways at 900/908/916 and 920 Scott Street.
East (Front) elevation Sketch of property owned by applicant
Existing south elevation Existing north elevation (Scale figure is 6’ tall)
PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT
AND GUIDELINES:
The proposal is to add fencing around the property. A 36” metal fence is proposed for the front
yard and part of the side yards and a 6’ wood privacy fence is proposed for the rear and balance
of the side yards.
The guidelines on page 58 state the following: 3. Fences and Retaining Walls:
Fencing on street frontage & front yard—36”
Rear yard fencing—72”
Fencing material should be appropriate to the style and period of the building. Cast iron
fences were common through the Victorian period and should be retained and
maintained. Wrought iron and bent wire fences are also historic.
Fences may be located in front, side, or rear yards, generally following property lines.
Fences with street frontage should be no taller than three feet (36”) tall. On wood
fences, pickets should be no wider than four inches (4”) and set no farther apart than
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three inches (3“). The design shall 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 the rear yards and those on side property lines without street frontage may be
72’’ tall. The privacy fence should be set back from the front façade of the structure at
least halfway between the front and back walls of the main structure. Wood board
privacy fences should be made of flat boards in a single row (not stockade or
shadowbox), and of a design compatible with the structure. Chain-link fences may be
located only in rear yards, where not readily visible from the street, and should be coated
dark green or black. Screening with plant material is recommended.
Fences should not have brick, stone, or concrete piers or posts unless based on pictorial
or physical evidence. Free-standing walls of brick, stone, or concrete are not
appropriate.
The front yard fence will be a Montage II 36” tall steel picket fence by Ameristar with 1” square
steel 14 gauge pickets with triad finials painted black. That fence will be placed on the property
line and start on the south side of the house 28’ back from the existing front of the house. 28’ is
approximately half of the total house length. It is half of that wall section. It will continue along
Scott Street and then return along the north property line 2’ behind the existing front of the
house. This will include a 5’ entry gate at the sidewalk that will lead to the porch.
A wood privacy fence is proposed in the rear yard and the remainder of the side yards. This is a
6’ tall rough cedar fence prefabricated in 8’ long panels. The tops of the boards are dog eared.
A 6’ wood fence will be in the rear yard and approximately half way (28’ from the front) on the
south side and start about 2’ from the front of the house on the north side. The wood fence will
feature a 4’ wide gate on the south side of the house as well as a 4’ wide gate centered on the
west side. The wood fence will include sections of fence that will be perpendicular to the house
to totally enclose the rear yard.
The wood fence on the south side and rear of the house follows the guidelines for fence
placement. The wood fence on the north side does not follow the guidelines. This house sits
2.6’ (a little more than two and one half feet) from the property line. Part of the asphalt parking
lot next door is on this property. The 2’ mark on the north side where the fence is proposed to
start would enclose all of the north facing ground floor windows in the privacy fence area. The
bottom sills of the first floor windows are approximately 6’ off the ground. See picture on page
two of the report with the scale figure that is six feet tall. A six foot wood fence will not add
privacy to the ground floor windows when the top of the fence is level with the bottom sill of the
windows. It will keep persons 30 inches away from the house. A fence in that location could be
an issue when the house requires maintenance. The fence would be creating a space thirty
inches wide minus the width of the fence, rails and posts, approximately 24 inches wide.
The parking lot to the north is known unknown. Currently, the parking lot is rarely full. According
to the owner, he has two spaces rented on a monthly basis. The parking lot could see more use
if the parking across Scott Street for the apartments under construction is not sufficient. It could
see more use for events (parties) at the apartments. A 6’ wood fence could diminish the effects
of headlights shining in the windows when the cars are running and parked facing the building.
Placing a three foot tall fence along this side of the house would in effect provide a ladder to
access the windows on the first floor. Therefore, a three foot fence is not an option. Having no
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fence along this side of the house, but starting it at the break in the wall three-quarters of the
way back would be an option to enclose the rear yard.
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: December 12, 2016
For additional information, see item at 904 Scott Porch Reconstruction, HDC16-044. Ms. Judy
asked if the commission would defer this and the other item to keep them as a package.
Commissioner Johnson made a motion to defer the items for additional information. The motion
was seconded and was passed with a vote of 4 ayes, 1 no (Russell), 1 open position, and 1
absent (Kelley). There was a clarification from Ms. Weldon that on procedural items as a
deferral, the majority in attendance is sufficient for passage.
STAFF UPDATE: January 9, 2017
No additional information was submitted on this application.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions:
1. Obtaining a demolition permit.
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Application
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Cover Letter
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Contributing and Non-contributing map
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Survey and plan of fence
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Information on Fence