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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-15 email carman1 Minyard, Brian From:J. Carman Inc. Fine Art Advisory <jcarmaninc@yahoo.com> Sent:Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:44 AM To:Minyard, Brian Cc:caleman@fridayfirm.com; lindseymboerner@gmail.com; lfrederick@hosto.com; rob@hcglawoffice.com; holderheuvel@yahoo.com; ambercj@swbell.net; jeremiah@roguearch.com; Mayor Subject:HDC Comments, 10th & Rock Street Good afternoon, Brian Minyard and Fellow Historic District Commissioners,, Please note that I have tried to send this message out based on the members who are published on the city's website. If I have missed any relevant parties, please forward to them. I wanted to weigh-in for a third time on the proposed infill development at 10th and Rock Streets. The longer I have time to ponder this application, the more I am befuddled as to why it wasn't denied or discouraged at staff-level. As a former Historic District Commissioner and as a person who has grappled with developing appropriate infill for the district among my own personal rehabilitation projects, this proposal is simply not compatible with the spirit of the type of infill that the guidelines and zoning suggest. Period. This applicant isn't asking for one exception or even two or even three. Their proposal pushes the boundaries of suggested guidelines by virtually any measure. If this application moves forward, it will effectively rewrite the spirit of the guidelines that have made our district a success. Leading organizations like the QQA and nationally-respected preservationists such as architect Tommy Jameson have spoken out against this application in its current form. Countless citizens who live or work in the district have spoken out against it. Please see fit to deny this application. I, like many citizens, am eager to see that site developed, but would implore you to make sure that it is done so in accordance with the guidelines and best-practices. In 2022 we are going to witness the grand opening of the "re-imagined" Arkansas Arts Center. Let's hope that the tens of thousands of visitors from around the country that come to its doors also see a "reimagined" version of this application that demonstrates our city's commitment to the integrity of our historic district. Below are some other comments from my last letter that explain some of my concerns. Respectfully, Jennifer Carman Former Historic District Commissioner and Owner of Two Properties Near 10th & Rock ------- I own two properties within a short walk to this location. (908 Scott St. and 523 E. 6th St.) I recognize that thoughtful infill is a boon to the quality of life in any historic district, but I continue to have concerns about the project as it is currently proposed. I have been following the various proposals of this infill and have visited the location many times. 2 In short, I continue to feel that this building seems unnecessarily huge, and I am concerned about its minimal setback, overwhelming height, and generous mass/scale. I realize the applicant has made changes to their proposal, but it still seems that when viewed from a diagonal perspective at that intersection, it will be a towering wall in multiple directions, with a dizzying array of materials and surfaces. Moreover, as a former commissioner, I understand the district's published guidelines for new construction, and it seems that this is NOT in keeping with the area's R4-A Low Density Residential Zoning. Simply put, a 15 unit complex isn't low density and isn't in compliance with the scale and massing of the surrounding historic properties. Several small residential cottages are across the street from the site, and the scale of the proposed building seems insensitive to protecting and respecting their character and modest scale. Also, many of the surrounding properties have 10 to 14 foot ceilings and windows that are quite tall. The proposed structure has shorter ceilings and shorter windows, thus presenting a different visual rhythm than the historic fabric that surrounds it. I could go on about design elements that seem out of keeping or concerns I have about the setback, but I think the reality here is that one thing that I keep coming back to is the fact that the guidelines encourage the applicant to demonstrate "sympathy to the proportions, rhythms, and scale of the prevailing patterns of development within the immediate surroundings of the subject property." In this case, despite the efforts to revise the plan, I simply don't believe they've achieved this critical goal of infill development. It feels a bit like trying to force a square peg in a round hole. Little Rock has virtually endless square footage for development throughout town where developers can build whatever they can dream up. Our one and only local o rdinance historic district is arguably a very special location where the most care and diligence is warranted. I believe that this project, as currently proposed, would be a very sizable distraction from the appreciation of the surrounding homes and working class cottages. I know you have a difficult task before you, weighing the hopes and dreams of citizens and neighbors against the hopes and dreams of a developer. It is my hope that you will deny HDC2019-023, thus protecting the integrity and character of our historic structures and the neighborhood that has been their home for a century and a half. Thank you for considering my comments. Respectfully, Jennifer Carman Jennifer Carman, ASA J. CARMAN, Inc. 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