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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2012-018 final staff report with minutes1of 4 DATE: September 10, 2012 APPLICANT: Lisa Cornwell ADDRESS: 900 Rock Street COA REQUEST: Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 900 Rock Street. The property’s legal description is “Lot 12 and the north 5.15 feet of Lot 11, Block 44, Original City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas." This multifamily building was built around 1880. The 2006 survey form states: “This one-story Queen Anne Style house has a corner turret, decorative brickwork at the chimney and a large dormer set back slightly from the wall below and a Craftsman influence porch covers most of the front.” It is considered a "Contributing Structure" to the MacArthur Park Historic District. This application is for the “Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications.” The existing fence will be moved further away from the street, have a sliding drive gate installed and a concrete driveway will be poured. PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: On November 6, 2001, a COA was approved and issued to Tracy Simpson & Lisa Cornwall for the replace windows, trim and garage doors; construct privacy fence. On April 25, 2001, a COA was issued to Tracy Simpson & Lisa Cornwall for the replacement of the original metal roof of the structure with asphalt architectural shingles. DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. One. Location of Project 2 of 6 PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT AND GUIDELINES: The Guidelines state on page 66: 3. Fences and Retaining Walls: Iron, wood, stone, or brick fences or walls that are original to the property (at least 50 years old) should be preserved. If missing, they may be reconstructed based on physical or pictorial evidence. Sometimes a low stone or brick wall supports an iron or wooden fence. Fencing material should be appropriate to the style and period of the house. Cast iron fences were common through the Victorian period and should be retained and maintained. Wrought iron and bent wire fences are also historic. Wood picket fences may be located in front, side, or rear yards, generally following property lines. They should be no taller than three feet (36”) tall; pickets should be no wider than four inches (4”) and set no farther apart than three inches (3“). The design shall be compatible with and proportionate to the house. Wood board privacy fences should be located in rear yards. They should be no taller than six feet (72”), of flat boards in a single row (not stockade or shadowbox), and of a design compatible with the structure. The privacy fence View to west along 9th Street Close-up of view to west along 9th Street View of fence across 9th Street View to east along 9th Street 3 of 6 should be set back from the front façade of the structure at least halfway between the front and back walls. Chain-link fences may be located only in rear yards, where not readily visible from the street, and should be coated dark green or black. Screening with plant material is recommended. Fences should not have brick, stone, or concrete piers or posts unless based on pictorial or physical evidence. Free-standing walls of brick, stone, or concrete are not appropriate. New retaining landscape walls are discouraged in front yards. Certain front yards that are in close proximity to the sidewalk may feature new walls that match the materials of the building and be consistent with historic walls in the neighborhood. Landscaping walls should match the materials of the building and be consistent with historic walls in the neighborhood. The proposal is to move the fence back away from the sidewalk and install a sliding drive gate. Ti will be located four feet off the house. The fence will look much the same as it does now. The driveway will be concrete from the curb of the street to the fence. (The commission does not review the paving surface within the confines of the fence, since it is not visible from the street.) NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were two phone calls about the application of a neutral nature. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Obtaining a building permit. COMMISSION ACTION: September 10, 2012 Brian Minyard, Staff, made a presentation to the Commission and noted that the notices were met on this item. Chairmen Chris Vanlandingham clarified what parts of the application were in the item tonight: moving fence, creating gate and pouring driveway. Mr. Minyard said that there was also a curb cut that had been approved by Public Works. Commissioner Toni Johnson asked if the two story garage apartment was part of the property. Mr. Minyard stated that it was. Plan of new fence, gate and driveway locations. 4 of 6 Commissioner Julie Wiedower asked about the turning radius and if the backyard and could be accessed from the alley side on the southern property line. Lisa Cornwell, the applicant, stated she has owned the property for 10 years. She stated the fence and driveway will be an expensive project and has had her car vandalized and broken into. The carriage house has a double garage door, but it is not conducive to park in the garage with the new heat and air unit in the garage unit. She continued that she has a large backyard that could be utilized for parking. Commissioner Randy Ripley asked where she currently parked. She replied that she parks in the commercial lot across the street and it is lit at night. Chairman Vanlandingham asked what was keeping her from accessing the backyard from the alley. She replied that there was a big tree there and the renter parks there. Commissioner Ripley asked if the paving will go into the yard. She replied yes it would. He also asked if there would be an electric gate. She replied yes. Commissioner Wiedower stated that getting into the driveway would be tough. Ms. Cornwall said that Vince Floriani, in Public Works, told her to move the fence back for stacking space while the gate opened and for visibility. Chairman Vanlandingham asked about getting an estimate on moving the HVAC to use the other garage stall for her parking. He continued that it seems to be cutting up the lot. He commented that the fabric of the neighborhood gets torn. She commented that she was not comfortable with parking in the garage with the possibility of strangers being in the garage with her and still having to walk through the backyard. Commissioner Wiedower asked about an automatic garage door. She also asked if there was a door to access the backyard from the garage. Ms. Cornwell said that there was a door but it would have to be fixed. Commissioner Wiedower asked if the new fence would be in the same plane as the house, will it start at the back corner? Ms. Cornwell said it would be closer to the plane of the carriage house. Commissioner Wiedower asked if any landscaping changes would occur with the change in location of the fence. Ms Cornwell said that sod would be installed. Commissioner Ripley asked about the columns on the fence. Will the fence be stained or painted? Ms. Cornwall said that they will re-stain the fence and will have the decorative tops and caps as now. Commissioner Ripley also asked what the finish of the driveway will be. He suggested it that the impact of the concrete drive may be lessened with the installation of a wheel tracks or also called a ribbon driveway. Commissioner Johnson stated that she agreed that the item breaks up the existing fabric and she would be more inclined to vote in approval for a ribbon driveway. Mr. Minyard clarified that the applicant would have to amend her application to include the ribbon driveway for the item to be modified. Mr. Minyard continued that Public Works will ask for a solid apron from the sidewalk to the street. The only place the ribbon will be from the sidewalk to the fence. Ms. Cornwall clarified the fact that she had sought approval for a double driveway. Commissioner Ripley stated that there could be three ribbons to serve two cars. Commissioner Wiedower suggested that there are permeable grass pavers that could also mitigate the impact of the concrete. Chairman Vanlandingham spoke of the trouble with issues on items for safety and the balance between appropriateness. 5 of 6 Ms. Cornwall spoke of vandalism and the option of ripping up walkway in the backyard to accommodate deeper parking area in the backyard. Commissioner Mark Brown commented that she wanted everything to be the same, but there would not have been any cars, air conditioning, etc., at the time. She is not asking to change the structure, just the fence. He continued that if we do not have people living there, the houses will fall down. Commissioner Johnson commented that since the garage was already there, could there be modifications to the garage so that it could be used. Commissioner Wiedower continued with the question of parking in the garage. Ms. Cornwall stated that there have been people that have gotten into the garage with her. She would rather park in an open space where she feels more comfortable, instead of a garage. There was a question if the applicant was going to amend her application. The applicant amended her application to include three strips of concrete with a 16’ wide gate and a 16’ wide apron between the sidewalk and the curb. Mr. Minyard stated that he was not sure of exactly what width the strip were to be and that he would go measure several ribbon driveways and get back with the applicant. He believes that there is a common width to be found. There were no citizens present to speak concerning the application. Commissioner Brown made a motion to approve as amended and it was seconded by Commissioner Wiedower. The motion passed with 4 ayes, 2 noes (Vanlandingham and Johnson) and 1 recusal (Boaitey). 6 of 6 Application 7 of 6 xxx, 2012 Lisa Cornwell ggg Little Rock, Arkansas 72hhh Dear Mr. Lisa Cornwell, Your application for Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications, at 900 Rock Street will be heard before the Historic District Commission on September 10, 2012. The hearing will be held in the Board Room at City Hall at 500 West Markham on the second floor. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. Your amendment will be item One on the agenda. You or your agent must be present in order for the item to be heard. The application states that “A description of materials for all exterior surfaces to be used including but not limited to foundations, walls, windows, doors, roof and exterior surfaces and details including sizes, manufacturer, model number and color.” The following information will need to be submitted to Staff by ___________ to complete your submittals for the filing. If you are not including any of the items below, please respond with “not applicable”. Foundation: List materials, finishes, and height. Steps to house: List materials and finishes and provide sketch of finished steps. Provide materials and finishes and provide sketch of handrails. Walls: Your cover letter states Hardie Board. Please state model number of siding, orientation, and finish. Also, state size, material, finish, and model number of any trim boards around doors and windows. Siding and trim boards need to be shown on the drawings. Include floor to ceiling height on all floors and porches. Windows: Specify brand, model number, finish, and size for all windows. Doors: Specify brand, model number, finish, and size for all exterior doors. Lighting: Specify location, brand, model number, finish, and size for all exterior lighting either affixed to house, garage, or freestanding. Gutters: Show locations of gutters on elevations with size and materials of guttering and downspouts. DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 Mechanical Systems: State location of any exterior air conditioning/heating system units. Satellite Dishes: State location and details on any satellite dish. If not using a dish, please state so. Roof: Provide pitch of all roofs and depth of all eaves. Roofing: Your cover letter states a 29-gauge standing seam roof in Grey. Provide a manufacturer, model number, finish, and size for roofing material. Chimney: You stated that you were not building chimneys on this house. Please confirm. Solar Collectors: Provide details on locations, size, material, and finish. Fencing on site: Provide details and locations on fencing, size, material, and finish. Site Plan: Provide site plan with dimension of setbacks on house, garage, and fencing. Walks/Sidewalks/Drives: Provide information on city sidewalk repair or replacement. Provide information on any private sidewalks and vehicular drive/parking pads with size, materials, and finish. Landscaping: Provide details on any wall, planting bed border, or any other fixed inert building material used in permanent landscaping structures. Elevations: Submit dimensioned elevations for height and width of all elevations. Garage: Provide all information listed above for garage. Signage: Provide details on locations, size, material, and finish of all signs. The above list was generated from pages 61-71 in the MacArthur Park Historic District Guidelines for Rehabilitation and New Construction August 2010. Failure to provide all information requested above in a complete manner before 5:00 pm _________, will result in a Staff recommendation of Deferral on this application. Sincerely, Brian Minyard Planner II xxx, 2012 Lisa Cornwell ggg Little Rock, Arkansas 72hhh Dear Mr./Mrs. Lisa Cornwell, Enclosed is a copy of your item that is a part of the agenda for the September 10, 2012 Little Rock Historic District Commission meeting. The Staff recommendation is approval/denial with conditions. Your application for Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications, at 900 Rock Street will be heard before the Historic District Commission on September 10, 2012. The hearing will be held in the Board Room at City Hall at 500 West Markham on the second floor. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. Your amendment will be item One on the agenda. You or your agent must be present in order for the item to be heard. If there are any questions, please call me. Sincerely, Brian Minyard Planner II DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 xxx, 2012 Lisa Cornwell ggg Little Rock, Arkansas 72hhh Re: Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications Dear Mr./Ms. Lisa Cornwell, The Little Rock Historic District Commission has reviewed the Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications at the September 10, 2012 meeting. The Little Rock Historic District Commission has approved/denied your Certificate of Appropriateness of the Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications. The final vote was _ ayes, _ noes and _ recusals. Enclosed is your Certificate of Appropriateness. The original (printed on blue paper) should be kept with your important papers. I have also enclosed a copy for your use. Thank you, Brian Minyard Planner II DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 ____________, 2012 Dear Sir or Madam: The item at 900 Rock Street for Addition of Driveway and Fence modifications, that was heard before the Historic District Commission on September 10, 2012 was deferred at that meeting to the September 12, 2012 hearing. The hearing will be held in the Board Room at City Hall at 500 West Markham on the second floor. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. You were previously notified via certified mail of this application. The staff report should be online at the following link one week in advance of the hearing: http://littlerock.org/CityDepartments/PlanningAndDevelopment/subsection.aspx?PageID=70 Thank you, Brian Minyard Planner II DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435