HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2023-018 Staff Report w minutesJuly 6, 2023
1
ITEM NO.: ONE FILE NO.: HDC2023-018
NAME: Signage
LOCATION: 1301 Cumberland
OWNER/AUTHORIZED AGENT:
Andrea Andrews
Southern Magnolia House, LLC
3603 Lacoste Drive,
Jonesboro, AR 72404
Figure 1. 1301 Cumberland, Little Rock, AR
July 6, 2023
ITEM NO.: ONE (Cont.) FILE NO.: HDC2023-018
2
AREA: 0.17 acres NUMBER OF LOTS : 1 WARD: 1
HISTORIC DISTRICT: MacArthur Park Historic District
HISTORIC STATUS: Contributing
CURRENT ZONING: R4A (CUP) – Low Density Residential with a Conditional Use Permit
A. BACKGROUND
Location
The subject property is located at 1301 Cumberland. The property’s legal
description is “Lot 1, Block 48 of the City of Little Rock L3 Subdivision, Little Rock,
Pulaski County, Arkansas.”
Context
The subject property is the site
of a one-story single-family brick
veneer structure, built c. 1885
and greatly modified c. 1920-
1939. The structure is currently
being used as office space.
The structure is a Contributing
resource identified in the 2007
National Register survey form,
PU2910, as a one-story, single-
family Tudor Revival. The home
is frame construction with brick
veneer on a closed pier
foundation. The structure has a
rectangular plan with a
composite shingle cross gable
roof with a shed dormer.
Windows are double-hung with
six-over-one arrangement and
stationery with multi-pane
arrangement. The front door is
arched in the Tudor style. The
structure has two brick
chimneys. The 1885 home was
originally frame construction with
Figure 2. Location of 1301 Cumberland within the MacArthur Park
Historic District.
July 6, 2023
ITEM NO.: ONE (Cont.) FILE NO.: HDC2023-018
3
wood cladding—likely weatherboard siding—and was modified in c. 1920-1939 to
incorporate Tudor Revival features popular of the period. It is also possible that the
original 19th century structure was demolished before the existing structure was
constructed.
Recent/Previous Action
In 2004, a COA (HDC2004-011) was issued to Karen Butler Miller for the
construction of a new carriage house and courtyard and the demolition of the
existing accessory structure.
In 2006, an amended COA (HDC2006-018) was issued to Karen Butler Miller as a
result of enforcement action.
In 2006, a CUP (Z-8061) was issued to Karen Redding (née Miller) to allow a
conditional use permit for an accessory dwelling.
In 2008, a COC (HDC2008-024) was issued to Karen Redding for the painting of
non-masonry features and the restoration of two windows.
In 2008, a COC (HDC2008-029) was issued to Karen Redding for paint.
In 2009, a CUP (Z-8061-A) was issued to Karen Redding to allow for use of the
existing structure as offices for psychological counselors.
In 2011, a COA (HDC2011-022) was issued to George DeRoeck for the installation
of a steel front yard fence.
In 2023, a CUP (Z-8061-B) was issued to Andrea Andrews to allow the use of a
General Office in an R-4A zoned area.
Figure 4. 1301 Cumberland, 1897 Sanborn Map. Figure 3. 1301 Cumberland, 1939 Sanborn Map.
July 6, 2023
ITEM NO.: ONE (Cont.) FILE NO.: HDC2023-018
4
In 2023, a COC (HDC2023-017) was issued to Andrea Andrews for reroof and roof
repairs.
No other actions were found.
B. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT’S STATEMENT:
The application requests to install a flush mounted sign on the front façade of the
property.
C. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
See site photos (Attachment A) and application packet (Attachment B). A Quapaw
Quarter historic marker sign exists on the front façade chimney.
D. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
At the time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application.
All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site and all neighborhood
associations registered with the City of Little Rock that surround the site were
notified of the public hearing.
E. ANALYSIS:
The application requests the installation of one (1) 130 mm x 150 mm copper flush
mounted sign on the front façade of the property to the left of the front entrance.
The sign will read: “Compass Rose Realty, LLC Est. 2019”. The sign material will
be 3 mm thick copper with engraved lettering. The sign will be mounted into the
mortar joints, not the brick masonry.
Section VII. E. “Design Guidelines for Site Design: Signs” of the MacArthur Park
Design Guidelines state:
“Signs should be subordinate to the architecture and overall character throughout
the district. Historic signs should be preserved, including “ghost” signs on the sides
of buildings.”
“1. Attached to Building: Signs attached to a building should not cover or obscure
architectural features. Signs may be painted on windows, doors, or small panels
at entrances or on awnings. Small signs may be flush-mounted on a building wall;
July 6, 2023
ITEM NO.: ONE (Cont.) FILE NO.: HDC2023-018
5
may be hung on porches between posts; or may project from the structure. A sign
on a masonry wall should be mounted in the mortar, not the masonry. […]
3. Materials for signs: Materials used for signs should be traditional, such as
finished wood, glass, copper, or bronze, not plywood, plastic, unfinished wood,
neon or other internally lighted materials, or flashing lights. Materials should be
compatible with the building materials.
4. Design of signs: The design of the signs should be appropriate to the building,
in size, lettering, and style. Business logos or symbols are desirable. If several
businesses share a building, coordinate the signs. Fla shing, rotating, moveable,
or portable signs should not be used.
5. Lighting of signs: Lighting of signs should be from remote sources, preferably
from the ground aimed directly at the sign and shielded from street view. Lighting
should not use visible bulbs, internal sources or luminous paint.”
Staff finds the signage request to be consistent with the guidelines. The sign is
subordinate to the architecture of the structure and compatible with the overall
character of the district. The sign is consistent with the guidelines in location,
material, installation methodology, and design. There is no mention of signage
lighting in the application.
Figure 6. Proposed signage location and size shown below black arrow
on front facade of 1301 Cumberland, submitted by applicant. Figure 5. Engraved sign examples from Etsy shop submitted by applicant.
July 6, 2023
ITEM NO.: ONE (Cont.) FILE NO.: HDC2023-018
6
F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the application with the following conditions:
1. Obtain required sign permit.
G. COMMISSION ACTION July 6, 2023
Ratzlaff, Staff, made a presentation to the commission. Chair Jones asked if the
applicant or an authorized representative was present.
Andrea Andrews, owner and applicant, addressed the commission and provided
a summary of the application.
Jones invited public comment. No member of the public chose to speak.
Vice Chair Aleman made a motion to approve the application with staff
recommendations. Commissioner Fennell seconded. The motion passed with 6
ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent.
July 6, 2023
7
Attachment A: Site Photos
Figure 8. Front facade of 1301 Cumberland looking east.
Figure 7. Front and north facade of 1301 Cumberland looking southeast from the corner of
Cumberland and 13th.
July 6, 2023
8
Figure 9. Photo of existing
historical marker on the
chimney of the front facade
of 1301 Cumberland.
Marker reads: QQA J.T.
VETTER HOUSE C 1938.
Figure 10. North facade of 1301 Cumberland looking south from 13th.
July 6, 2023
9
Attachment B:
Application Packet