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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2021-009 staff reportPage 1 of 10 DATE: May 6, 2021 APPLICANT: Doug Melkovitz ADDRESS: 923 McMath Avenue FILE NUMBER: HDC2021-009 COA REQUEST: Storm Windows and exterior staircase PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 923 McMath Ave. The property’s legal description is “Lot 11, Block 4, Masonic Addition to the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas." This building, originally a single-family house, was built ca 1929. 923 McMath is a “simple Queen Anne structure with steeply hipped roofs and cutaway corners at front façade. The original siding and porch detailing has been replaced.” This is considered a contributing structure to the district. This application is for Storm Windows and Exterior Staircase on the rear building. The storm windows will be a black colored metal to match the black sashes on the windows. An exterior staircase will be added to the rear non-contributing building to bring the stairway to code. RECENT ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: On November 5, 2020, a COA was approved and issued to Doug Melkovitz to remove artificial siding, restore original lap siding, install guttering, remove deck at front of house, remove metal bars on windows, restore cutaway brackets at north corner, replace exterior doors, restore original windows, and expand parking lot at the street corner. On October 10, 2014, a COA was approved and issued to Doug Melkovitz to install fencing at 923 McMath and make other changes to 923 ½ McMath and to the two properties on 10th Street. On April 22, 2013, a COC was issued for roof repairs at 718 E 10th. DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435 www.littlerock.gov STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. One. Location of Project Page 2 of 10 Existing north elevation Existing south elevation Existing west elevation Contributing and Non-contributing map PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT AND GUIDELINES: Storm Windows: The storm windows will be a black colored metal to blend with the black sashes on the windows. They will be from Imperial Window Manufacturing model 200. These are half screen and operable windows. They are a lower profile storm window. The guidelines state on page 13: “Interior storm windows are encouraged and preferred. Interior storm windows do not require a COA nor the associated costs of the COA. Exterior screen and storm windows should be wood or baked-on enamel or anodized aluminum in a color to match the windows sash paint color and fit within the window frames, not overlap the frames. Screens should be full view. Storm windows and screen or storm windows smaller that original window are not recommended.” The storm windows proposed are half screen instead of full screen as is recommended in the Guidelines. These storm windows will be placed on the entirety of the house including the front street side facade of the building. However, the storm windows proposed have the half screens at the bottom instead of full screens which is not supported by the Guidelines. Page 3 of 10 Exterior Staircase on the rear building: The cover letter states “An exterior staircase will be added to the rear non-contributing building to bring the stairway to code”. The cover letter states that the stair is currently inside the building, but it not up to code. The proposal is to add an exterior stair and porch on the north side of the rear building. Above and below are photos of a stair on a different building that will serve as the model for this one. The guidelines state on page 20: “Staircases should not be added to the exterior of the building where visible from the street. If building codes require and external fire escape, it should be located where not easily seen from the street.” Model of storm window Storm window installed at 1221 S Louisiana Street Proposed staircase on a different building. View of 923½ McMath with proposed stair location. Page 4 of 10 The location chosen for the stair is on an interior lot line. It is located at the rear of the property and is partially screened by the six-foot privacy fence when viewing from McMath Avenue. North facade of the house and accessory building. Storm windows are an appropriate treatment for historic windows. The proposed storm windows are a lower profile window and will be color matched to the sashes. However, the storms proposed have the half screens at the bottom instead of full screens. Staff would recommend that the full screens or no screens be placed on the windows on the front and south side of the house which are visible from the street in front of the wood fences. Egress regulations for bedrooms require operable windows and may affect the choice of screen or no screen on those windows. The proposed location of the exterior stair is at the location that is least likely to be visible from the street. It is more visible than normally with the parking lot for the Pizza Hut to the north. The Proposed staircase on a different building. Proposed door for rear building. Page 5 of 10 fence of the restaurant will hide the lower six feet of the stair so that the second-floor porch over the stairs will be the most prominent thing that would be seen. The proposed stair will not be seen from 10th Street but will be seen from the Frontage Road. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Obtaining a building permit. 2. Install full screen or no screen storm windows on the west and south facades. Contact Staff before installation with count and location of full screen versus half screen. Page 6 of 10 Application Page 7 of 10 Cover Letter Page 8 of 10 Excerpt of Guidelines Page 9 of 10 Excerpt of Guidelines continued Page 10 of 10 Excerpt of Guidelines continued