HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-25 Judy letter1
Minyard, Brian
From:Jill Judy <jillejudy@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 22, 2020 3:31 PM
To:Minyard, Brian
Cc:Frances McSwain
Subject:Re: Proposed development at 10th And Rock Street
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Good Afternoon Brian.
After looking at the revised plan for condominiums at the corner of 10th and Rock Street, I, unfortunately must
still ask that the proposal for this development be denied. While appropriate infill truly enhances historic
neighborhoods and adds to a downtown's vitality, I do not believe our Commission should allow or encourage
the size of this project in this location.
As I opposed the plan last December, let me reiterate that the proposed new plan has not significantly
changed. The project is still three stories tall with minimal setbacks. In my previous e-mail I outlined the
inappropriateness of its size. Now let me bring up a new reason for denial. This project faces Rock Street and
borders 10th Street. This is one of the quietest and most residential parts of the neighborhood. The residents of
the oldest historic housing stock it surrounds must depend on off-street parking, as garages were non existent at
the turn of the century. The Victorian property at 401 E 10th Street depends greatly on off-street parking. The
Cromwell architectural firm saved this structure in the 1970’s by converting it into a four-flex. There is no
backyard for parking as a beautiful Craftsman home facing 10th Street was built in it’s backyard some ninety
years ago.
Most of my neighbors have similar parking challenges. Parking will certainly be a difficult issue after this large
multi-family is built. Most couples that can afford this development will have two cars. This could easily add
an additional 15 cars to this area's parking needs.
Concern over this sort of redevelopment of Little Rock’s oldest historic district is exactly why the Little Rock
Historic Commission was created. To allow such an egregious variance would not only threatens the harmony
of our neighborhood, but also undermine all good, but controversial decisions this Commission may need to
make in the future. Precedence is a powerful thing. For the good of the MacArthur Park Historic District now,
and in the years to come, I respectfully ask the Commission to deny this request.
Thank you for the Board’s consideration.
Warm Regards,
Jill Judy
Downtown Dwellings
Owner of 401 E 10th Street
501-247-3834
2
On Dec 4, 2019, at 4:17 PM, Jill Judy <jillejudy@gmail.com> wrote:
Good afternoon Brian, please accept this email as my dissent against the proposed condo building at the corner of
10th and Rock. This is one of the quietest, most “residential” blocks in the MacArthur Park historic district and it is not
a good location, in my opinion, to allow a variance for a three and four-story building. Park Place, a three story
building on Commerce Street, is no doubt the justification for allowing another building that does not meet the size
guidelines of the historic district. Well this might allow for some logic in allowing a doubling of that current height
restrictions, I believe it is important to remember that it faces a large park and soon-to be renovated large museum
and is on three lots. This gives the sense of an openness that can absorb a three-story building.
In contrast, putting in a three and in some places four-story building on two empty lots surrounded on three corners
by truly historic one and two-story structures will not enhance the integrity for a congruency in a historic
neighborhood.
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 2, 2019, at 5:07 PM, Minyard, Brian <BMinyard@littlerock.gov> wrote:
All,
The Little Rock Historic District Commission agenda is online at
https://www.littlerock.gov/for-businesses/planning-and-development/planning-
agendas/
Click the appropriate Commissions information for the agendas. If you would like to
comment on any item, you may email, call, or visit my office.
Brian Minyard, AICP
Urban Designer
City of Little Rock
723 West Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
bminyard@littlerock.gov
Phone 501-371-4789
Fax 501-399-3435