HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC_09 05 2024September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
1
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
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTE RECORD
Thursday, September 5, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Board Room, Little Rock City Hall, 500 W. Markham
I. Roll Call
Members Present: Amber Jones, Chair
Christina Aleman, Vice Chair
Jonathan Nunn
Tom Fennell
Scott Green
Dr. Thomas DeGraff III
Staff Present: Hannah Ratzlaff
Raeanne Gardner
Citizens Present: Missy McSwain
Ray Wittenberg
Stark Legon
Joesph Flaherty
Brian Minyard
Tricia Bean
Siraj Asfahani
Douglas Karre
II. Finding a Quorum
A quorum was present being six (6) in number.
III. Citizen Communication
No citizen chose to speak during this time.
IV. Minutes
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
2
1. July 3, 2024 Minutes
2. July 19, 2024 Minutes
3. August 7, 2024 Minutes
The minutes were presented to the commission. Commissioner Fennell
made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Commissioner Nunn
seconded. The minutes were approved by voice vote as submitted.
V. National Register Nominations
None
VI. Deferred Certificates of Appropriateness
None
VII. New Certificates of Appropriateness
None
VIII. Other Matters
1. MacArthur Park Design Guidelines and Presentation by The Lakota Group
Item One Little Rock Planning and Development Department
Staff Report
MacArthur Park Design Guidelines (Attachment B)
Roughly bound by Capitol Avenue, Ferry Street and
McGowan Street, E. 15th Street, and Scott Street and
Cumberland Stree
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
3
OTHER MATTERS NO.: ONE MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
NAME: MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
LOCATION: MacArthur Park Historic District, roughly bound by E. Capitol Avenue, Ferry
Street, E. 15th Street, Scott Street, and Cumberland Street
APPLICANT: Little Rock Planning & Development Department
CONSULTANT:
The Lakota Group
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
A. BACKGROUND
Context
The MacArthur Park Local Historic District (“District”) sits adjacent to Little Rock’s
historic downtown and is 192.6 acres of remarkably well-preserved early residential
and neighborhood commercial development with surviving built heritage
predominantly from the Victorian to Great Depression eras, with several instances of
post war development. Platting of the area occurred primarily from 1822-1920 and
surviving development occurred primarily from 1840-1960. The development of
Interstate 30 and Interstate 630 from the 1960s through the 1980s sliced through
Little Rock’s established neighborhoods, including MacArthur Park, effectively
disconnecting communities. The historic preservation effort in Little Rock of the
1960s was largely a response to the development of the interstate system through its
downtown area and historic neighborhoods.
The District was first listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 with a
period of significance from 1842-1960. Its southern section is divided by the
unnatural physical barrier of I-630. The District was last fully surveyed in 2007. The
survey identified 279 sites with 169 contributing structures, 22 independently listed
structures, and one National Historic Landmark—the Little Rock Arsenal/MacArthur
Park Military Museum. The District has a total of 30 vacant lots, excluding parking
lots. Three blocks of the southwestern portion of the district overlap the Capitol
Zoning District, an area regulated by the State’s zoning commission. Predominant
architectural styles of the MacArthur Park Local Historic District are Greek Revival,
Italianate, Queen Anne, Folk Victorian, and Colonial Revival. Secondary styles are
Craftsman and International.
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
OTHER MATTERS NO.: ONE MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
4
The District is home to multiple private and public entities of various scales, such as:
UALR William H. Bowen School of Law, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, MacArthur
Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock Firehouse Hostel & Museum,
Stone’s Throw Brewing, Fassler Hall, and Quapaw Quarter Association, and a
number of small local businesses, including law firms, a violin shop, a veterinary
clinic, doctors’ offices, and home businesses.
The last decade has brought significant investment to the District contemporaneous
with the revitalization efforts of Little Rock’s adjacent historic commercial core and
proximal historic districts. Additionally, it is anticipated that several major
investments will bring increased tourist and commuter activity to the area: the
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts has invested $155 million in a newly renovated facility
(which opened in April 2023), the Arkansas Department of Transportation is spending
$1 billion on changes to Interstate 30 (the District’s east physical boundary), and the
City of Little Rock (“City”) has been awarded a $2 million planning grant for a raised
park above I-30 along the District’s eastern border. Concurrently, the City adopted
the Downtown Little Rock Master Plan on July 18, 2024 which includes most of the
District in its planning boundaries.
Previous Actions
The last major revision of the design guidelines for the District occurred in 2016 and
focused on infill/new construction and sustainable technologies. The 2016
guidelines have been periodically updated with the last piecemeal update occurring
in April 2022. Coupled with intensive investment in the area, surrounding municipal
master planning initiatives, downtown housing demand, and only one City staff
member dedicated to historic preservation in the City, there is an imperative need for
user-friendly, consistent, and effective design guidelines for the MacArthur Park
Local Historic District.
In September 2023, the City of Little Rock Planning & Development Department, in
partnership with the Little Rock Historic District Commission (“Commission”), began
a comprehensive update of the MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
(“Guidelines”). The purpose of the comprehensive update is to improve the
effectiveness of the design guidelines as a regulatory and educational tool for
improving properties within the MacArthur Park Local Historic District, a local
ordinance historic district. The goal of a local ordinance historic district is to protect
and preserve the unique and valued qualities of such an area, its urban design,
architectural character, and historic materials in buildings and in landscapes.
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
OTHER MATTERS NO.: ONE MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
5
Design guidelines assist in administering a municipality’s local preservation
ordinance for local ordinance historic districts. Design guidelines provide a set of
regulations, design criteria, and recommendations aimed at preserving the historical
and architectural integrity and character of a historic district and ensuring that any
new construction, alterations, demolitions, additions, or site changes within the
historic district visible from the public right-of-way are in keeping with the area’s
character and history. Design guidelines must adhere to the City’s Preservation Code
and, per the City’s Certified Local Government agreement with the State of Arkansas,
the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
Property owners in the MacArthur Park Local Historic District are subject to
municipal law, codified in Little Rock Code at Chapter 23, Sec. 76-160, that is largely
based on Arkansas State law. Any exterior alterations, including the erection,
alteration, restoration, relocation, or demolition of a structure or site feature within
the District requires the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (“COA”) that is
either administratively approved by staff or reviewed by the Little Rock Historic
District Commission at its regular monthly, public meetings. Design guidelines are a
vital tool for the Historic District Commission, City staff, and the local community for
decision-making within the COA application review process.
This project is funded by the City of Little Rock with assistance from the Historic
Preservation Fund, which is administered by the National Park Service, Department
of the Interior, and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the
Division of Arkansas Heritage through a Certified Local Government (“CLG”) grant
awarded in February 2023. On September 25, 2023, the Lakota Group was hired as a
result of the City of Little Rock’s competitive procurement process, responding to a
Request for Qualifications (Bid Event # 2194).
Community engagement for this project kicked off in December 2023 with two focus
group meetings held at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts where property owners and
stakeholders met with Planning & Development staff and the Lakota Group to
discuss key challenges and opportunities for the new design guidelines. A draft
outline and a summary of community feedback and consultant observations were
provided to the Commission in February 2024. The Memorandum: MacArthur Park
Design Guidelines Engagement Meetings: Key Observations and Issues is attached
hereto as Attachment A. The Lakota Group presented these findings and a draft
outline of the updated Guidelines to the Historic District Commission at its March 7,
2024 regular meeting.
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
OTHER MATTERS NO.: ONE MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
6
A draft of the Guidelines was provided to the Commission and made available to the
public on July 2, 2024. The Commission held a public working meeting on July 19,
2024 to review the Guidelines and provide feedback.
Community engagement was crucial in the update of the Guidelines. Community
engagement throughout the project period included:
1. The creation of a project website which served as the main clearinghouse of
updates, draft documents, maps, and meeting materials.
2. Periodic social media posts including a thirty day highlight of sites in the historic
district leading up to the August 7, 2024 public hearing.
3. An interactive digital scavenger hunt was created as an interactive community
engagement tool in partnership with Our Little Rock to invite neighborhood
residents and visitors to explore the historic district, answer survey questions,
gather input on new construction projects, and identify character-defining
historic architectural and streetscape features.
4. Postcards sent out to all 200+ property owners requesting public comment of the
first draft of the design guidelines.
5. Yard signs with QR codes directing to the project website placed at various
intersections within the District during the public comment period.
6. The creation of the MacArthur Park Local Historic District viewer. The interactive
map viewer leverages GIS technology, displayed as an ArcOnline Instant App, to
connect users with the historic assets and cultural landscape of the
neighborhood. A comprehensive repository of documents and historical photos
for 378 sites—existing and lost—made accessible in a user-friendly and engaging
format. The viewer will remain available to the public as a digital tool for the
neighborhood.
7. Informational project flyers were made available at the office of the Planning &
Development Department and at every Commission meeting since December
2023.
8. Letters were sent out to all 200+ property owners one week prior to the
September 5th meeting inviting participation in the Guideline adoption process.
The second draft of the design guidelines was sent to the Commission and made
available to the public on July 31, 2024. Public notification was made in anticipation
of the August 7, 2024 public meeting. In order to provide additional time for public
comment and review of the proposed Guidelines in its final format, the item was
deferred to the September 5, 2024 meeting.
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
OTHER MATTERS NO.: ONE MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
7
B. PROPOSAL/REQUEST/APPLICANT’S STATEMENT:
The adoption of the proposed comprehensive update of the MacArthur Park Historic
District Design Guidelines, Attachment B.
C. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The last major revision of the design guidelines for the District occurred in 2016 and
focused on infill/new construction and sustainable technologies. The 2016
guidelines have been periodically updated with the last piecemeal update occurring
in April 2022. The existing MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines are
available on the City’s website.
D. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
At the time of distribution of the staff report, there were no public comments received
for the final draft Guidelines. Comments received during the request for public
comment period, from July 3, 2024 to August 28,2024, regard the first draft of the
Guidelines and are found in Attachment C. All neighborhood associations registered
with the City of Little Rock with areas intersecting the MacArthur Park Local
Ordinance Historic District and all property owners within the historic district were
notified of the September 5th public hearing.
E. ANALYSIS:
According to City of Little Rock Code Chapter 23, Sec. 100 Duties generally.:
(a) Historic district guidelines.
(1) The historic district commission shall adopt design review guidelines for
each local ordinance historic district established pursuant to this article.
The guidelines should provide the commissioners with an objective
standard for decisions concerning the appropriateness of a project in
relation to the architectural and historical character of the district.
(2) Design review guidelines shall be reviewed periodically by the historic
district commission for needed revision to ensure that the guidelines are well
adapted to the respective local ordinance historic district.
Staff finds that the proposed Guidelines meet the requirements of municipal code.
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
OTHER MATTERS NO.: ONE MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
8
In updating the Guidelines, the City of Little Rock, the Historic District Commission,
and focus group attendees tasked the Lakota Group with the following outcomes:
1. Apply national best practices and innovations to the context and challenges of
the historic district.
2. In addition to a regulatory guide, the new guidelines should be a resource to
property owners, developers, and contactors for maintenance and repair as well
as incentives and assistance resources.
3. Clarify the treatment of “non-contributing” resources in the historic district.
4. The guidelines should correct gaps in existing guidelines, such as regulations for
historic and non-historic detached accessory structures.
5. The appropriate use of artificial materials for various project types, including new
construction, alterations to existing structures, additions, site improvements,
etc.
6. Consistency and clarity throughout the document.
7. Establishing an efficient and consistent process for administrative approvals.
8. Preservation and replacement standards for historic streetscape features.
Staff finds that the proposed Guidelines have met these goals and outcomes.
F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed MacArthur Park Historic District Design
Guidelines.
G. COMMISSION ACTION: (August 7, 2024)
The consideration of the proposed Guidelines was deferred to the September 5,
2024, public meeting in order to provide additional time for public comment and
review of the proposed Guidelines in its final format. Commissioner Fennell made a
motion to defer the item. Commissioner DeGraff seconded. The motion passed with
5 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent (Nunn), and 1 vacant position.
COMMISSION ACTION: (September 5, 2024)
Staff made a presentation to the commission. The Lakota Group made a presentation
to the commission. Commissioner Nunn expressed gratitude to the Lakota Group for
their work, particularly highlighting the inclusion of paint color recommendations in
Section 3, which had been previously requested. Commissioner Fennell noted that
the final document successfully serves both educational and regulatory purposes
and inquired about its comparison to other design guidelines produced by the Lakota
Group. Siraj Asfahani, Vice President of the Lakota Group, responded that there is a
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
OTHER MATTERS NO.: ONE MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
9
growing demand for design guidelines to include educational components. He
emphasized that the proposed guidelines are distinctive for their separation of non-
regulatory best practices from regulatory guidelines through innovative formatting
and color coding.
The commission opened the floor for public comments. Brian Minyard, Interim
Director of the Quapaw Quarter Association, stated that the QQA voiced strong
support for the proposed guidelines, praising their accessibility and the use of
graphics. He said these attributes are certainly present in the proposed Design
Guidelines. He noted that the proposed Design Guidelines included improvements
such as life cycle comparisons for traditional and contemporary building materials,
guidelines for disaster preparedness, paint color recommendations, and hyperlinks
to easily navigate the document digitally.
Commissioner Jones raised a concern regarding the mention of fiber cement siding
as a substitute material for historic structures. Staff clarified that the subsection
regarding substitute material and life cycle comparisons was intended for
educational purposes regarding contemporary materials, with regulatory sections in
subsequent sections discouraging non-original material replacements. The floor was
opened for further public comments.
Stark Legon, a property owner adjacent to the historic district, inquired about the
implications of the proposed Design Guidelines for properties in the MacArthur Park
Local Historic District and properties in the Capitol Zoning District and whether legal
documentation of compliance would be necessary during property sales.
Additionally, he asked if the City of Little Rock provided a determination of what
nonconforming circumstances or violations existed.
Ratzlaff responded that if there was a current violation with the property and
enforcement action was taking place, it would be a private matter, but likely to the
best interest of the buyer, that the active violation was disclosed by the owner. If the
property was currently nonconforming but was not in violation, the nonconformance
would be allowed to remain until conformance was required, such as in the case of
an owner applying for a major alteration were the nonconformance was included in
the scope of work. Ratzlaff asked if this addressed Mr. Legon’s question. Mr. Legon
said it did.
Commissioner Aleman commended the proposed Design Guidelines and suggested
minor copy edits, which Ratzlaff confirmed could be easily addressed without
delaying the approval process. Aleman’s copy edits included chapter numbering,
photo captions, and grammar.
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
OTHER MATTERS NO.: ONE MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines
10
Commissioner Fennell made a motion to approve the adoption of the MacArthur Park
Historic District Design Guidelines as submitted, subject to the stated copy edits.
Commissioner Nunn seconded. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6
ayes, 0 noes, and 1 vacant position.
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
11
VIII. Other Matters
2. MacArthur Park Local Historic District Viewer
Staff introduced a new digital resource for the commission, property
owners, and the public: the MacArthur Park Local Historic District Viewer.
This tool utilizes GIS technology to enhance the stewardship of the
neighborhood’s historic assets and cultural landscapes, merging historic
preservation with geographic information systems. Presented as an
ArcOnline Instant App, it prioritizes visual clarity and user-friendliness,
providing a comprehensive repository of current and historical data for 378
sites, both existing and lost.
The app aims to educate users, assist with regulatory compliance, support
research, and foster engagement with built heritage. It serves a diverse
audience, including property owners, realtors, developers, investors,
contractors, and historic preservation experts who regularly interact with
MacArthur Park's historic sites.
On the administrative side, the integration of GIS with property and case file
management allows City staff to maintain a dynamic database, including
detailed historical context, past regulatory decisions, and potential future
developments. The tool incorporates various digital and physical datasets
from key contributors, including the Pulaski Area Geographic Information
System, the Division of Arkansas Heritage, the Bobby L. Roberts Library of
Arkansas History & Art, the Quapaw Quarter Association, and various City
departments.
3. COA Inspection Process
Staff announced that the Planning & Development Department has
integrated formal Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) inspections into
the permit portal process. Applicants will now be required to schedule a
COA inspection at the end of their project, rather than staff conducting
informal drive-bys or meetings. This formalization aims to identify
enforcement issues early and provide better assistance to property
owners regarding changes in scope or materials during construction. This
proactive approach will enable staff to collaborate with applicants to find
solutions before the final building permit inspection occurs.
4. Grant Project Updates
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
12
Staff updated the commission on the 2024 CLG grant project to resurvey a
section of the Hillcrest Historic District. Ratzlaff reported that Phase 3 has
been completed, and Phase 4 is set to begin this fall pending contract
approval with the selected consultants, which is scheduled for the Board
of Directors' review in September.
Additionally, staff provided information about the Underrepresented
Communities Grant, which is currently in the contract negotiation stage
with the chosen consultant. This grant will facilitate research, preparation,
and submission of an updated National Register nomination for the Paul
Laurence Dunbar School. The aim is to elevate the site's significance to a
national level and to comprehensively reflect its historical themes,
significant individuals, and events related to African American history. The
grant is funded by the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the
National Parks Service. Following the contract agreement, the consultant
is expected to commence archival research and fieldwork in October or
November.
5. Ordinance Amendment: Administrative Approvals – Update on status
The ordinance amendment was passed by the Historic District Commission
on July 3rd and approved by the Board of Directors on September 3rd.
6. CAMP Training, October 4, 2024
Ratzlaff reminded the commission of the upcoming opportunity for
commissioner training in Hot Springs on October 4th.
7. Enforcement Issues
418 E 15th Street—unpermitted installation of fencing
Assistant City Attorney, Raeanne Gardner, provided an update to the
commission stating the case was still in environmental court with an
upcoming report date set for November 18th.
8. Certificates of Compliance
HDC2024-024—1305 S Cumberland Street—reroof
HDC2024-025—500 E 9th Street—HVAC replacement
HDC2024-026—518 E 7th Street—reroof and pipe chimney replacement
HDC2024-027—1401 S Cumberland Street—rear staircase and porch
repair
September 5, 2024 Historic District Commission
13
IX. Adjournment
There being no further business for the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
5:08 P.M.
Attest:
Chair Date
Secretary Date