HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-18 Bryan Letter1
Minyard, Brian
From:Ann Ballard Bryan <ann.ballard.bryan@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 18, 2020 11:19 AM
To:Minyard, Brian; Mayor; Latimer, Sherri; ehendrix2644@gmail.com; Malone, Walter;
caleman@fridayfirm.com; lindseymboerner@gmail.com; lfrederick@hosto.com;
rob@hcglawoffice.com; holderheuvel@yahoo.com; ambercj@swbell.net;
jeremiah@roguearch.com; Collins, Jackie; peckcapi@gmail.com; LRzoning
Subject:HDC2019-023
May 18, 2020
The Honorable Frank Scott, Mayor
Little Rock Historic District Commissioners
Jamie Collins, Director, Planning and Development
Brian Minyard, Office of Planning and Development
RE: HDC2019-023 – PLEASE DENY
Dear All,
As residents and property owners of a historic home in Downtown Little Rock, I urge the Little Rock Historic
District Commission to deny HDC2019-023. The proposed infill project at 10th and Rock Streets in the
MacArthur Park Historic District will greatly diminish the District’s historic integrity, unique character and
coveted sense of place.
Appropriate infill development is welcome in the District but this 15-unit residential complex proposed for 3
vacant lots at 10th and Rock Streets does not follow the design factors set forth in the MacArthur Park Historic
District Guidelines for Rehabilitation and New Construction and is not in keeping with the area’s R4-A Low
Density Residential zoning which allows for the development of duplex dwellings. A 15-unit residential
complex is not low density and is an intrusion that does not comply with the size, scale and massing of the
surrounding historic neighborhood.
New construction should be harmonious in form, materials, setting and scale within the establishe d District. The
project’s design elements and building materials are unsympathetic and out of character with the neighboring
historic structures and especially insulting to the simple mid-to-late 19th Century and early 20th Century wood
frame cottages that face the site. The project application omits photographs of these smaller homes but does
included photographs of the largest structures in the area. Nor did the application include photographs of the
tree-lined streets and generous green space surrounding the historic housing stock.
Thank you for your continual efforts to protect Little Rock’s only Local Ordinance District from incompatible
alterations and even demolition. Now we ask you to take the same thoughtful consideration when reviewing
this infill and support us in our efforts to maintain the unique identity and irreplaceable character of this historic
area.
PLEASE DENY HDC2019-023. This fragile neighborhood located in the heart of the MacArthur Park Historic
District deserves the protection Little Rock’s only Local Ordinance District was created to provide.
Respectfully yours,
2
Ann Ballard Bryan ann.ballard.bryan@gmail.com 501-519-2002
James W. Bryan, IV jwbryan4@swbell.net 501-374-5396
2009 South Arch Street
Little Rock, AR 72206