HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-21 dodds letter1
Minyard, Brian
From:Paul Dodds <paul@dodds.us>
Sent:Thursday, May 21, 2020 8:25 AM
To:Minyard, Brian; Mayor; Latimer, Sherri; Director Hendrix; Malone, Walter;
caleman@fridayfirm.com; lindseymboerner@gmail.com; lfrederick@hosto.com;
rob@hcglawoffice.com; Ted Holder; Amber Jones; jeremiah@roguearch.com; Collins,
Jackie; peckcapi@gmail.com; LRzoning
Subject:I am OPPOSED to HDC2019-023 Development at 10th and Rock Streets
Importance:High
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
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 May 18, 2020
Dear All,
As a resident of and investor in historic properties in the fragile part of Little Rock south of the interstate, I am
writing to urge the Little Rock Historic District Commission to deny HDC2019-023 and, should it get that far,
for the Planning Commission to deny the rezoning request from R4-A to PRD. While I generally strongly
support infill development in Little Rock’s many vacant lots in its long struggling city center, my sense is that
this particular project, as currently configured in the heart of MacArthur Park, will hurt much more than
help. It is too large and does not follow the carefully developed guidelines either for the Historic District, or
general zoning. Its muddled design seems to be trying to imitate a Boston townhouse development, but does
not do it well – and presents a face quite out of keeping with its neighbors. It is too high and too close to the
sidewalk. It will completely change the character of the street, presenting an overbearing facade in a style
that bears no relation to any of the houses in the area. This project needs basic re-thinking, not just tweaking.
While I was not initially convinced that this project would be as out of place as its neighbors feared, on a recent
sunset bike ride, I visited the new marina near the East End. I do not know the constraints the builders were
under, but was surprised to find a large, expensive development, inexplicably sited to give parking the best
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views, and apartments only small windows facing the river. I personally did not find the complex attractive, nor
its wrought iron attempts to evoke, I suppose it is New Orleans, convincing. It seems an oversized, awkward
and contrived effort. Landscaping may soften its flaws, but will not remove them. The designers of that project
are the same as for this one, and are proposing comparable mistakes – this time in the middle of an historic
neighborhood, rather than on a green field site.
The Local Ordinance District was created to provide a framework to screen out incompatible projects, and
ensure new development that fits in well with the existing historic fabric. Residential zoning was put in place to
protect the environment around citizen’s homes. I urge the City to take to heart its own guidelines, review this
proposal for what it is, and kindly request the developer to return with plans more in keeping with the letter and
spirit of the City’s carefully thought out rules designed to protect all its neighborhoods, especially ones as
worthy of and needing protection as MacArthur Park.
Respectfully yours,
Paul Dodds
Managing Director
Urban Frontier, LLC
PO BOX 7509
Little Rock, AR 72217
Tel: 501 791 4135
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Recipient of 2015 Preserve Arkansas Award for Neighborhood Preservation