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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff report HDC2020-019 DATE: November 5, 2020 APPLICANT: Karen Ford, Little Rock Historic Properties ADDRESS: 904 S Scott St FILE NUMBER: HDC2020-019 COA REQUEST: Removal of Wall and construction of fence, dumpster enclosure, and parking lot with gate PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 904 S Scott St. The property’s legal description is summarized as “The South 37 feet of the east 110 feet of Lot 11 and the west 40 feet of lot 11 and 12, 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 to remove the concrete wall that is on the south property line, to construct a gated asphalt parking lot, and to install a dumpster enclosure. The applicant will need to get franchise permit for placing landscaping and irrigation in the right of way. Contact Bennie Nicole, 501-371-4818. PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: On September 12, 2018, a COC was issued to Little Rock Historic Properties to reroof the structure. 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. Two. Location of Project Page 2 of 10 On January 9, 2017, a COA was approved and issued to Little Rock Historic Properties for the installation of fences. On January 9, 2017, a COA was approved and issued to Little Rock Historic Properties for the demolition of part of the concrete wall. On January 9, 2017, a COA was approved and issued to Little Rock Historic Properties for the reconstruction of the front porch. On August 22, 2016, a COC was issued to Little Rock Historic Properties to reroof the structure. On April 14, 2015, a COC was issued Little Rock Historic Properties for rehabilitation due to fire damage. Other actions were found but are older and no longer relevant. Existing view looking south from 9th Street. Existing south elevation looking northwest. 1939 Sanborn Map (current building is labeled Clinic) The building labeled A is the concrete garage for 4 cars. Contributing and Non-contributing map Page 3 of 10 PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT AND GUIDELINES: Three Certificate of Appropriateness were approved on January 9, 2017 for this property, Restoration of porch, Removal of wall, and Fences. Some of these items are shown on the graphic later in this report. The approved COAs of January 9, 2017 contained the following:  Install 6’ tall privacy fence on north and south side of house returning to house at front of house (not porch, but the front body of the house) as shown.  Demolish part of the concrete wall that is on the same lot as the house at 904 S Scott which is basically the eastern half of the concrete structure. This application is seeking approval for the following at 904 S Scott:  Removal of the concrete wall structure for that area not already approved.  Continue 6’ privacy fence along south, east, and west side of parking lot.  Construct parking lot with 8 spaces.  Install sliding vehicular gate 20’ off north property line.  Install shrubbery and trees (not in the review of this commission).  Construct dumpster enclosure two foot taller than dumpster.  This application does not include the corner lot at 9th and Scott. The concrete wall was originally part of a four stall garage made of poured concrete walls with a roof. This application is for removal of the part of the wall not already approved. That wall is requested to be removed in order to facilitate utilities being installed to the building. A six foot tall wood fence would replace the wall in that location on the south and west sides. It is a 6’ tall dog eared fence in yellow pine. The parking lot is proposed to be asphalt with 8 spaces and precast concrete wheel stops. The fence on the north (9th Street) side of the parking lot is to be an ornamental metal fence with matching gate. This will be a Montage Fence 72” with pickets and triad style finials. The gate will be a 6’ tall key pad operated metal fence rolling east and west. The rolling gate will be located 20’ off the property line so that cars may pull in and not block traffic on 9th Street while entering their code. This is similar to the fence installed one block east at the Clayton Apartments. A 6’ tall wooded privacy fence will also being installed on the east and west sides of the parking lot to enclose the entity of the parking behind the fence. Fences were already approved to be installed along the north and south facades of the house on the property line. The dumpster enclosure will be 2’ taller than the dumpster itself per ordinance. The dumpster will be at the south property line farthest away from 9th Street. The dumpster enclosure will be of yellow pine pickets to match the other wood fencing. When analyzing the application against the guidelines, the following applies. The removal of the rest of the concrete structure is necessary for utilization of the building. The privacy fence at 6’ is in an area that would be the rear yard of 904 S Scott. The wood privacy fence stops 20’ short of 9th Street which does not block the building to the west. The metal fence allows for some visibility into the parking lot. The Guidelines sate on page 61: “Parking areas should be surfaced with gravel or concrete, not asphalt, aggregate or brick.” This asphalt parking lot is not in Page 4 of 10 compliance with the guidelines. Otherwise the application is in compliance. A concrete parking lot would meet the desires of the applicant with having a hard paved surface and meet the guidelines. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there was one comment from the MacArthur Park neighborhood Association in support of the application. Site Plan for parking lot. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Obtaining a building permit. 2. Change asphalt parking lot to concrete. Page 5 of 10 COMMISSION ACTION: November 5, 2020 Commissioner Christine Aleman stated that she was in the area of influence and would need to recuse from this item. Chair Jeremiah Russell, made the announcement that since there are only five commissioners in attendance, the applicants tonight could defer to the next month’s meeting and the City would send the notices. It was explained that for a motion to pass, the motion needs a majority of the entire commission which is four positive votes, not just a majority of the commissioners present. The applicant verbally stated that they wanted to proceed with the hearing tonight. Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation to the Commission including the recommendation that the parking lot surface be concrete instead of asphalt. Chair Russell asked the applicant if they wished to change their application to concrete. They said yes. There were no members of the public that chose to speak on this item. A motion was made to approve the item as amended by Vice Chair Ted Holder and was seconded by Commissioner Christine Aleman. The motion passed with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 noes, 2 absent (Frederick and Hodge) and 1 recusal (Aleman). Page 6 of 10 Application Page 7 of 10 Cover Letter Page 8 of 10 Excerpts from the guidelines. Page 9 of 10 Excerpts from the guidelines. Page 10 of 10 Excerpts from the guidelines.