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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2014-032 Staff ReportDEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. One. DATE: June 9, 2014 APPLICANT: Matt Pekar ADDRESS: 312 E 11 th Street COA REQUEST: Balustrade, Railing, Screen Door, Front Door, Porch Swing, and Picket Fence PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 312 E 11th Street. The property's legal description is "the East 40' of the West 140' of Lot 6 and the South 30' of the East 40' of the West 140' of Lot 5, Block 45, Original City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas." This building was built around 1883. The 2006 survey form states: "This simple side gabled National Folk Structure has a central front gable over the entry and a rear facing wing. A central front porch and a rear addition between the wings have been added." It is considered a "Contributing Structure" to the MacArthur Park Historic District. This application is for renovations to the front porch: Recreating the balustrade and add iron railing to the front steps; Replace the front door; Add a wooden screen door; Add a porch swing; and Add a picket fence along the alley to replace a chain link fence. Location of Project PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: On April 13, 2012, a COC was issued to Matt Pekar to rebuild the south bathroom including roofing. On November 8, 2012, a COC was issued to Matt Pekar to rebuild two chimneys, reconstruct a third and to reroof the structure. On August 1, 2011, a COC was issued to Matt Pekar for multiple issues including roofing; trim board and siding repair; chimneys; glass replacement; and front porch floor repair. Page 1 of 9 PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE AND GUIDELINES: This application is in six parts: 1) Recreate the balustrade on the front porch, 2) Add iron railing to the front steps, 3) Replace the front door, 4) Add a wooden screen door, 5) Add a porch swing, and 6) Add a picket fence along the alley to replace a chain link fence. This project is a tax credit project and has been under the review of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for all exterior changes to the building. Currently, amendments have been filed for the work proposed in this application. The Secretary of the Interior's Standard #6 states "Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence." RECREATE THE BALUSTRADE ON THE FRONT PORCH On page 43 of the Guidelines under Individual Building Elements, it states: Replacement of missing architectural elements should be based on accurate duplications of original features. New materials should match those being replaced in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. The design should be substantiated by physical and/or pictorial evidence. APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT Historic Front View of House UW= Historic Photos on Front Porch On page 46 of the Guidelines, it states: Porches on the front and side fagades should be maintained in their original configuration and with original materials and detailing. The porch in its original design was intended as a focal point for the entrance to the building. If original, front and side porches should neither be removed nor filled in, as either would change the overall character.... The proposal is to recreate the balustrade as shown to match the photos above. The balustrade will be made of wood and painted to match. The cover letter states that the height is roughly 30 inches. The re-creation of the balustrade based on pictorial evidence is appropriate. Page 2 of 9 ADD IRON RAILING TO THE FRONT STEPS The iron rail proposed for the front steps is a simple railing with a lambs tongue turned down top rail. It will be painted black. This is one example of a minimal railing to meet safety codes for a building that requires a handrail on steps. The addition of this minimal railing for safety and to meet building codes is appropriate. As an aside, if this was an occupied structure and this was the only renovation item, Staff would have administratively signed off on the installation under Sec 23-116 Exemptions which state: Prevent the construction, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, or demolition of any exterior architectural feature in the historic district which the building inspector or other agent of the city shall certify is required to correct an unsafe or dangerous condition. Having that many steps without a handrail is an unsafe or dangerous condition. Page 3 of 9 Iron REPLACE CURRENT FRONT DOOR On page 44, the Guidelines state: Original doors and/or their entranceway surrounds, sidelights, transoms, and detailing should not be removed or changed. Replacement of missing original doors should be like or very similar to the original in style, materials, glazing (glass area), and lights (glass pane configuration.)... The cover letter states that the existing front door is an interior door that as been installed upside down. The photo to the right shows the proposed door. This front door replacement has been approved by the NPS in accordance with the Tax Credit Project. ADD A WOODEN SCREEN DOOR On page 44, the Guidelines state: Screen doors should be preserved and maintained if original. New screen doors should be wood, full -view, and with structural members aligned with those of the original door. As seen in the photo "Historic Front View of House", at one time the house had a screen door on the front door. The proposed screen door would be custom made to match the design shown to the right. This is a different design than is shown in the photo above, but is not inconsistent with the time period. While it is not full view, it does have the structural members aligned with the door. The door will be made of wood and have metal screening instead of the contemporary fiberglass screening. Staff believes that this proposed screen door is appropriate. ADD A PORCH SWING The porch swing has not been specified but the cover letter states that one in that style will be installed. Staff believes that a wood swing that mimics the swing shown in the previous photo is appropriate. ADD A PICKET FENCE ALONG THE ALLEY TO REPLACE A CHAIN LINK FENCE On page 58, the Guidelines state: 3. Fences and Retaining Walls: Fencing on street frontage & front yard-36" Rear yard fencing-72" Page 4 of 9 Fencing material should be appropriate to the style and period of the building. Cast iron fences were common through the Victorian period and should be retained and maintained. Wrought iron and bent wire fences are also historic. Fences may be located in front, side, or rear yards, generally following property lines. Fences with street frontage should be no taller than three feet (36") tall. On wood fences, pickets should be no wider than four inches (4') and set no farther apart than three inches (Y). The design shall be compatible with and proportionate to the building. For larger scale properties, fence heights should be appropriate to the scale of the building and grounds. Fences in the rear yards and those on side property lines without street frontage may be 72" tall. The privacy fence should be set back from the front fagade of the structure at least halfway between the front and back walls of the main structure. Wood board privacy fences should be made of flat boards in a single row (not stockade or shadowbox), and of a design compatible with the structure. Chain - link fences may be located only in rear yards, where not readily visible from the street, and should be coated dark green or black. Screening with plant material is recommended. The chain link fence along the alley is not considered an historic fence. The proposed fence would start at the corner of the house as the chain link fence does now and proceed along the alley to the north. The proposed fence features wood posts with caps and alternating picket design between a scroll cut top and a more plain pointed top narrower picket. The gate in the center features the pickets rising in a curve towards the gate posts. See the sketches to the right and on the next page. The fence will be made of wood. The wide pickets are 3.5" wide and the smaller ones are 1.5" wide. While a picket fence would be appropriate for this location, there is no pictorial evidence that a picket fence was in this location. Secretary of the Interiors Standard #3 states: "Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken." Questions arise. Would a highly detailed picket fence been historically installed along an alley? Is it appropriate now to approve a highly Page 5 of 9 detailed picket fence in that location? Would a simpler fence design provide the same security and function without possibly creating a false sense of history? This fence could be 72" tall because of its location. The cover letter states the height of the fence at four feet tall. Staff is supportive of a picket fence under the maximum height of 72" in a simpler design, e.g., the middle sketch as shown in the Guidelines on page 66. Wood fence with flat wood pickets I Fence graphic from Guidelines - Page 6 of 9 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Final approval of these amendments to the Tax Credit Project by AHPP and NPS. 2. Obtaining a building permit. 3. Simplified picket fence along alley with submittal of final fence design to Staff. COMMISSION ACTION: Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation of the item. 9.2014 Commissioner Randy Ripley asked if the fence was visible from the right-of-way. Mr. Minyard said it was visible from the street while walking, but only briefly if you were driving. Items that are visible from the street must be reviewed by the Commission. Commissioner Ripley asked if the handrail meets code. It was discussed and they definitely need a rail because of the height of the porch and number of steps. Mr. Minyard stated that Staff could have signed off on the handrail with the building inspector but that he would work with them to get a handrail to code but have a minimal design. Matt Pekar, the applicant, stated that he wants to fill a 4' gap with the same style of fence to fill the gap that will be created on the east part of the building. The item will clean up the front porch to make it safe. He is applying for both tax credits, state and federal. He copied family photos that came with the house for the design. Commissioner Mark Brown commented on how far back from the street that the fence starts. He continued that when walking, the fence would be noticeable, but if you were driving, it would not be easily seen on the alley. Commissioner Randy Ripley commented about the gate design in the middle of the fence. Commissioner BJ Bowen asked to be sure that the fence was wood. Mr. Pekar said that it was and that he did not like plastic fences. Commissioner Kwadjo Boaitey asked if he was amenable to amending the design of the fence to conform to the staff report. Mr. Pekar said that he and his mom liked the design and was not really interested in changing the design. Vice Chair commented that the fence could be higher. Mr. Pekar said that the height, he could see over the fence and it increased security being able to see. Rebecca Pekar commented on the swoop in the gate. The higher posts allow for a longer brace to make the gate sturdier. Commissioner Ripley made a motion to approve the COA at 312 E 11th as submitted. Commissioner Page Wilson seconded and the motion was passed with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 noes. Page 7 of 9 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 7220 1-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435 APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 1. Application Date:_ __ 2. Date of Public Hearing:_____-______ _ at 5:00 p,m. 3. Address of Property:_ _I1=r_- 4. Legal Description of Property: .3 1-- Q a O O -0 .3 000 5. Property Owner (Printed Name, Address, Phone, Email):—L'r I�, CY6 2.54 ? l 3 6. Owner's Agent: (Printed Name, Address, Phone, Email): ___ 7. Brief Project Description: Prot. j- 8. Estimated Cost of Improvements:(} — 9. Zoning Classification: Is the proposed G ange.a permitted use? LeY > No 10. Signature of Owner or Agenl:... (The owner will need to authorize any Agent or person representing the owner at the public hearing). NOTE: Should there be changes during construction (design, materials, size, etc.) from the approved COA, applicant shall notify Commission staff and take appropriate actions. Approval by the Commission does not excuse applicant of properly from compliance with other applicable codes, ordinances or policies of the city unless stated by the Commiss;on or staff. Responsibility for identifying such codes, ordinances, or policies rests with the applicant. owner. or agent. (This section to be completed by staff): Little Rock Historic District Commission Action _._ Denied __ Withdrawn _ Approved __ Approved with Conditions __ See Attached Conditions Staff Signature:_________ . _ —Date; Revised 8,2012 Page 8 of 9 Minyard, Brian From: Matt Pekar <mpekar@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 11:09 PM To: Minyard, Brian Subject: cover letter (312 a 11th st) updated Attachments: Photo 1.jpg; Photo 2.jpg; Photo 3.jpg; Photo 4.jpg; Fence Sketch 1.pdf; Fence Sketch 2 (Pickets Closeup).pdf; Screen Door.jpg This application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the house on 312 E 1 lth St is to restore or replace elements of the house that were removed by prior owners, to improve the safety of the front entrance, and to replace the existing back yard chain link fence with a wooden fence. The front and screen doors of the house were at some point removed (see Photo 2). Currently an interior door is screwed into the front entrance, upside down. We plan to replace the door with the one shown in Photo 4, along with a matching screen door (see Screen Door sketch). Material for the screen door will be wood and heavy gauge metal wire. The new entry door has been cleared by the National Park Service. The front porch balustrade will be recreated in the style shown in the Photos 1 & 2. Material will be painted wood. The height is roughly 30 inches. A wooden swing in the same style as the photo will be added. This will help restore visual balance of the porch since the door is offset to the left. The steps of the property are steep and uncovered. A simple lambs tongue style iron railing will be installed. See Photo 3. The chain link fence surrounding the back yard will be removed and replaced with a wooden picket fence in the style shown in the attached photo. Material is treated fencing wood and the height of the fence is four feet. See fencing sketches 1 & 2. Width of the pickets is 3.5 inches (real) for the large, 1.5 inches for the small. Spacing between pickets is 1.5 inches. The fence will follow the same boundary line as the existing chain link fence. Cover Letter Page 9 of 9