HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC_04 05 1984MINUTES
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
APRIL 5, 1984
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
4:00 P.M.
MR. JOHN JARRARD, CHAIRMAN
MR. GEORGE WORTHEN
MS. BETH FOTI
MR. SAM STRAUSS, JR.
MR. BILL KENNEDY, III
W.MIKE DOOLEY
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. John Jarrard, at
4:05 p.m. and finding a quorum to exist, the Commission voted to accept the
Minutes of the previous meeting as recorded.
Staff reported that the required notification had been properly mailed
to owners of property within the area of influence of the filed application
and that proof of said notification had been received.
Item No. 1 was announced and described as:
Owner:
Location:
Request:
First Lutheran Church
700 Rock Street
Restoration of Welch-Cherry House and combined parking
design.
Mr. John Allison, architect for the applicant stated that the request
covered two (2) separate issues. First, the restoration of the Welch-Cherry
House and second, the parking lot which would be used as a combined facility
for the various owner of that portion of the block.
Mr. Allison stated that he had met several times with representatives
of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Quapaw Quarter Association
and City Staff to review the plans and consider their recommendations. He
explained that the restoration of the Welch-Cherry House would, as recommended,
include restoring both the original elements of the structure as well as other
additions that were added at a later date. He stated that all structural
recommendations to the building would be accomplished.
Regarding the site plan for the parking lot, Mr. Allison stated that
there were three (3) major objectives. First, to save all the existing trees.
Second, to save and utilize the existing curb cuts on the site and third, to
add additional landscaping to make the parking lot have the appearance of an
interior courtyard.
Mr. Allison described the various landscape elements and stated that there
would be a fountain in the center of the parking area.
Mr. Bill Rector, real estate agent for the project, explained that a
fountain was planned to be provided if it could be accomplished within the
project budget.
Mr. Allison said that there would be an overall increase in the number of
parking spaces compared with what existed and that the various users would be
parking in the area at different times due to the nature of each use.
Mr. Strauss asked if there were any plans for exterior lighting of the
parking area. Mr. Allison stated that lighting would be provided, but that
the specific location and design had not been agreed upon.
Mr. Worthen asked if the five points raised by the Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program in their recommendat ion were agreeable to the applicant.
Mr. Bill Rector stated that all of the architectural recommendations were
acceptable but that he thought the retention of the fence between the Welch-Cherry
House and the apartment house to the east would divide the ingress and egress at
that point and make access awkward.
Mr. Worthen asked if there was a special significance to the fence and
its retention. Mr. Rector said that his understanding was that the fence was
on some sort of original property line but that it was interior and could
hardly be seen due to the hedge row. He stated that they could move the fence
to the west boundary of the site.
Mr. Strauss asked if the fence was exactly in the middle of the drive.
Mr. Rector stated that one existing driveway is narrower than the other, but
that it is on a property line. Mr. Allison stated that there was nine (9)
feet on one side and about fourteen (14) feet on the other.
Mr. Jarrard asked if there were any additional questions from the
Commission or other interested parties.
Ms. Eve Yancey, representing the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program,
referenced the letter of recommendation of approval with the following five (5)
provisions:
1.The historic fence on the west side of the Welch-CherryHouseberetainedandincorporatedintothesiteplan;
2.Existing enclosed second story south porch be retainedunlessanearlierporchisdocumented;
3.Existing fabric and details on the north and west porchesbeexaminedtodeterminetheexistenceanddesignoforiginalrailing. If it is determined that railing did notoriginallyexistonthesouthporchwerecommendalatticetreatmentfortheenclosure;
4.Large fixed glass panels extending from the porch floor totheexistingcornicebeusedtoenclosetheporchesinsteadofthemultipanedeffectillustratedontheplans; and
5.Porch details be independent from the enclosure material.
She stated that the structure and grounds of the project were being sub-
mitted to AHPP for tax certification by the Federal Government and that the
issue of the retention of the fence would be considered there also, and they
again would recommend that it stay in place.
Ms. Foti asked if the removal of the fence would cause the denial of
the tax certification request. Ms. Yancey stated that the Secretary of
Interior standards require the review of the structure and the grounds, and
that the fence will be a factor in that review process.
Mr. Rector took issue with the presumption that the removal of the fence
would result in the denial of the tax certification and stated his attorney
would review the matter further, and that if the fence were required to remain
in order to obtain the tax depreciation then he would not remove it.
Mr. Strauss asked which side was the narrower driveway adjacent to the
fence. Mr. Rector explained that the fence was closer to the apartment
structure than the Welch-Cherry House.
Mr. Strauss moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the
restoration and the parking lot as submitted and along with those five (5)
items recommended by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
Ms. Beth Foti seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 4 for -
0 against -1 absent.
There being no further business on the Agenda, the Commission adjourned
at 4:40 p.m.
WMD/se