HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 STAFF REPORT(%itv of I ittlp± Rc ck
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 1, 2003
APPLICANT: Stephen G. and Jeanette N. Shields, Owners
ADDRESS: 1017 Cumberland Street
REQUEST: To replace deteriorated wood (fascia and soffit) and cover with
Anodized aluminum
PROJECT BACKGROUND, DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS: The property in
question is located on -the east side of Cumberland Street, between loth and 1It Streets.
The subject property is a single-family residence and listed on the architectural survey as
non-contributing, based on the structure's siding. The legal description is Lot 5 and the
east 40 feet of Lot 6, Block 45, Original City of Little Rock.
The proposal for 1017 Cumberland is to cover the fascia and soffit with anodized
aluminum. The owners are making this request because their homeowners insurance was
cancelled in December 2002, and repairs have to be made before they can get new
insurance.
What is being proposed by the owners will not introduce a new material to the structure.
Currently, there is artificial siding on the back of the house. In 1996, a building permit
was obtained for placing siding on a portion of the rear of the structure. Other work,
including repairing damage caused by the ice storm, has occurred over the last several
months that has added siding to other areas of the residence. The owners are proposing
to continue the work that has already taken place and duplicate the siding that has been
used. A recent addition to the house has artificial siding and it is somewhat visible from
the street. With this request, only the fascia and soffit will be covered.and it appears that
the proposed siding will not damage the overall appearance of the house.
In the immediate neighborhood, there are other structures that have used artificial siding.
Directly across the street from 1017 Cumberland is a multi -family project that has vinyl
siding and the. building's massing is a significant feature along the block face.
Appendix C, Artificial Siding Policy Amendment of the Design Review Guidelines
states, "...the use of artificial siding on structures within the Historic District is
discouraged. However, each application that includes the use of artificial or synthetic
siding will be carefully considered by the Commission and particular attention will be
paid to any special circumstances that may make use of artificial or synthetic siding
prudent or necessary." A copy of Appendix C is attached.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT AND REACTION: One letter of opposition to the
request has been submitted. (A copy is included with the agenda.)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff will offer a recommendation at the public
hearing.
APPENDIX C - ARTIFICIAL SIDING POLICY AMENDMENT
Section V-35. of the Design Review Guidelines (1996 Edition), adopted by the Little Rock Historic District
Commission (Commission), is amended as follows:
V- 35. SIDING
A. Siding original to the building should be repaired rather than replaced, only where necessary due to
deterioration.
In considering exterior changes, the Commission will weigh the needs and desires of the applicant with the overall
good of the Historic District. While each application will be considered on its merits, the Commission will utilize
the following guidelines in order to best implement its preservation responsibilities:
1) The more historically significant the structure, the more concerned the Commission will be that the
structure's exterior appearance will retain its historic integrity and character;
2) The more architecturally significant the structure, the more concerned the Commission will be that the
structure's exterior retains its architectural compatibility;
3) The more visible the structure is from a public right-of-way, the greater the Commission's concern;
4) The closer the structure is to historically or architecturally significant structures, the more the Commission
will be concerned;
5) Restoration of original material is the ideal method to be used in all projects;
6) Renovation using identical materials is the next preferred method of addressing exterior work to be
performed;
7) Use of materials that were traditionally used within the Historic District when the structure was built is
preferred;
8) Use of natural materials is normally preferred over the use of artificial or synthetic materials;
9) Architectural detailing and fenestration are often the most important characteristics of a structure.
For these reasons, the use of artificial siding on structures within the Historic District is discouraged. However,
each application that includes the use of artificial or synthetic siding will be carefully considered by the Commission
and particular attention will be paid to any special circumstances that may make use of artificial or synthetic siding
prudent or necessary. Likewise, the application will be carefully scrutinized by the Commission in terms of the
effects of the proposed materials on the structure's style, historical integrity, structural and architectural integrity
and the effect of the artificial or synthetic materials on the Historic District as a whole.
In considering an application, the Commission may request that a sample of the proposed siding be installed for
inspection by the Commission before a decision is made on the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness. In
addition, the Commission may request permission to inspect the exterior of the structure for architectural detailing
and fenestration that may be covered or lost, for structural soundness and for the absence or presence of evidence of
sources of moisture that may cause the covered siding to decay, attract insects or create future structural problems.
The Commission reserves the right to ask for technical advice or comments from the Arkansas State Historic
Preservation Program, architects, architectural conservators and other preservation experts concerning the
application. The applicant is encouraged to provide expert perspectives on the proposed installation of artificial and
synthetic siding and on the use of artificial or synthetic siding in historic districts.
The Historic Preservation Administrator maintains reference materials on the use of artificial or synthetic siding in
historic districts. This reference material shall be made available to any person considering the use of artificial or
synthetic siding in the Historic District. The Commission reserves the right to have this material entered into the
record of any application for the use of artificial or synthetic siding. The applicant is encouraged to provide, for the
record and for review by the Commission, any additional material the applicant determines to be relevant to the
issue of the appropriateness of the use of artificial or synthetic siding in the application.
In those cases where siding is approved, the Commission shall have the right to inspect installation of the artificial
or synthetic siding as it progresses in order to ensure adherence to the application and to protect the structure's trim,
texture and architectural style and design.
B. Siding of artificial or substitute materials, which include, but are not limited to, vinyl, aluminum,
steel and plastic, is discouraged. Notwithstanding this guideline, an applicant submitting an application
for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be guided by the following principles:
1) The architectural character of the structure shall not be lost due to the covering of details, the removal of
features or a change of scale;
2) The use of furring strips shall not change the relationship between the plane of the wall and the projecting
elements such as windows, door trim, trim and molding or affect the shadow reveals;
3) The proposed artificial materials shall not be incongruous with the materials used by adjoining properties
in the MacArthur Park Historic District (Historic District);
4) The application of artificial siding shall not harm the existing siding;
5) a) The proposed artificial material shall match the existing material in size, profile and finish;
b) There shall be no change in the character of the structure;
6) The application of artificial siding shall not hide underlying problems that may progress unseen to the point
where more extensive repairs are necessary;
7) The proposed artificial siding shall be easy to replace and match in style and color if a piece is damaged
and must be removed;
8) The artificial siding shall not be adversely affected by extreme changes in temperature;
9) The installation of artificial siding shall not obscure, alter or remove architectural details of the structure:
C. Wall shingles original to the building should be preserved, but if replacement is necessary, the new
shingles should match the original shingles in size, placement and design (this includes decorative wood
shingles of Victorian buildings, as well as wood or asphalt shingles of bungalow -period houses).
D. Siding on non -historic (less than fifty [50] years old) buildings may be resided with smooth masonite lap
siding or with wood clapboards. Historic siding materials such as weatherboard and wood shingles should
be preserved and maintained.
I
Paul Dorman
Raymond Weber
1112 Rock Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
501.375.5677
Little Rock Historic District Commission
500 West Markham, Room 120W
Little Rock, AR 72201
RE: 1017 Cumberland Street
To whom it may concern:
We are opposed to the request of Stephen and Jeanette Shields' request to be
allowed to place aluminum siding on their property at 1017 Cumberland Street.
Sincerely,
Paul Dorman
RW/cm
Zylo'nd'�Weber