HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-05 details and signs1
Spakes, Sarah B
From:Marc Nixon <mnixon@hosto.com>
Sent:Friday, September 5, 2025 3:46 PM
To:Spakes, Sarah B
Cc:Ratzlaff, Hannah K.
Subject:RE: COA Application 913 McMath
Attachments:Photo Sep 05 2025, 2 01 13 PM.jpg; Photo Sep 05 2025, 2 03 16 PM.jpg
Categories:COA/COC
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Thanks Sarah,
Attached are the photos of signage on the lot.
Thanks,
Marc
From: Spakes, Sarah B <SSpakes@littlerock.gov>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 3:08 PM
To: Marc Nixon <mnixon@hosto.com>
Cc: Ratzlaff, Hannah K. <hratzlaff@littlerock.gov>
Subject: RE: COA Application 913 McMath
External Email — This message originated outside of Hosto & Cardis, PLLC. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
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Good afternoon, Marc,
Thank you for coming in today to pay your filing fee and pick up your signs.
Please see the attached filing fee receipt for your completed Certificate of Appropriateness application
to the Little Rock Historic District Commission for new construction at 913 McMath Ave. Your item is
“HDC2025-022.” Your application will be heard at the October 2, 2025 public hearing. The hearing will
start at 4:00pm in the Board Room at City Hall at 500 W. Markham, Little Rock, 72201. Please follow
instructions exactly for public notification requirements as outlined in the COA application document on
pages 2 and 3, instruction #5. Use “HDC2025-022” to complete your mailing labels as shown in the
instructions.
Public notice letters must be mailed out by September 18 th. Remember to send staff a copy of the
completed public notice letter with the correct public hearing date, location, and time and signed by the
applicant. The public notice letter must be legible and reflect the full scope of work for the requested
project. Additionally, remember to provide staff with the list of addresses obtained from a licensed
abstractor before sending the certified letter to surrounding property owners.
2
Here is the MacArthur Park Historic District Design Guidelines. The guidelines on Signage start on page
120. Sections 5 and 7 are also relevant to your project.
If you have any questions about requirements for providing public notification or the general application
process, please contact staff.
Thanks,
Sarah Spakes
Long Range and Preservation Planner
Department of Planning and Development
O: 501-371-4864
SSpakes@littlerock.gov
From: Ratzlaff, Hannah K. <hratzlaff@littlerock.gov>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 9:43 AM
To: Marc Nixon <mnixon@hosto.com>; Spakes, Sarah B <SSpakes@littlerock.gov>
Subject: RE: [External Message]RE: COA Application 913 McMath
Good morning, Marc,
Thank you for your message.
The questions you received are part of our standard review process and are based on the requirements
outlined in the application packet. They are intended to ensure the Historic District Commission has the
information necessary to make a fully informed decision.
These questions are not intended to delay progress but to reduce confusion and support a more
successful application. Clear responses early in the process help avoid delays during the hearing and
contribute to a smoother permitting and inspection experience.
Knowing the materials and design intentions in advance also allows staff to advise you on what is more
likely to be supported by the Commission—and just as importantly, what is unlikely to be supported—
based on past decisions and adopted guidelines. This can save time and resources as you continue
developing your plans.
If certain materials or details are still undecided or you would like to wait on the Commission’s
determination, you're welcome to note that and outline any options under consideration. If approved, the
Certificate of Appropriateness will include conditions addressing those details, so providing as much
information as possible upfront is beneficial.
Regarding signage, our guidance is intended to streamline future regulatory requirements for tenants—
something we believe will ultimately benefit your project. Whatever signage is not reviewed during this
process will have to go through the public hearing process separately at that time. Therefore, it expedites
the process and reduce cost to include as many planned elements as possible in one application.
3
We understand your concerns and want to emphasize that the COA process has supported many
successful new construction projects since 1984—several of which have received Preserve Arkansas
awards. These outcomes have helped foster a high-quality built environment that continues to attract
and retain investment in the district.
As your application is not considered filed until the application fee is submitted, no formal withdrawal is
needed. If you choose to continue with the process, we’re happy to assist you at any point. Lastly, if your
architect has any questions, they are welcome to give us a call.
Thanks,
Hannah Ratzlaff
Planning Manager
Department of Planning and Development
O: 501-371-4789
hratzlaff@littlerock.gov
From: Marc Nixon <mnixon@hosto.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 8:17 AM
To: Spakes, Sarah B <SSpakes@littlerock.gov>
Cc: Ratzlaff, Hannah K. <hratzlaff@littlerock.gov>
Subject: RE: [External Message]RE: COA Application 913 McMath
EXTERNAL EMAIL - This email was sent by a person from outside your organization. Exercise caution when clicking links, opening
attachments or taking further action, before validating its authenticity.
From my Architect,
It is apparent from your questions that you believe we are well past schematic design and have completed design
development, which would put us 50% completed, which we are not.
The purpose of this building would be flexibility, but I do not want to spend anymore money on soft costs if I don’t
even know it will be approved. I guess this is a deterrent implemented by the city, which really slows down any
momentum for development and growth.
Anyway, please disregard my application.
Best regards,
Marc
From: Spakes, Sarah B <SSpakes@littlerock.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 3:41 PM
To: Marc Nixon <mnixon@hosto.com>
Cc: Ratzlaff, Hannah K. <hratzlaff@littlerock.gov>
Subject: [External Message]RE: COA Application 913 McMath
Good afternoon, Marc,
4
Thank you for your thorough submittal documents! We will be able to formally consider your application
complete once we received the $100 filing fee. This can be paid in person via cash or check, paid to the
Little Rock Planning and Development, or mailed to our offices at 723 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR
72201, Attn: Sarah Spakes. The filing fee is required to be submitted as soon as possible for our staff to
confirm filing for our legal notice ad. You also need to pick up two public notice signs from our office to
place on the property. Many folks submit the filing fee and pick up the signs in person at the same time.
Additionally, here are deadlines you must meet or your item will be deferred to the next meeting:
September 18: Mail written notice via certified mail to all property owners situated within 200 feet
of the property boundary, as certified by a licensed abstractor. Please see “Notice of Public
Hearing” form on Page 6 of the application packet.
September 22: two property signs must be posted on the property by September 22 to notify
passersby. The signs can be acquired at the Planning and Development Office at 723 W.
Markham. They will be $10 each.
September 26: submit green and white certified mail receipts (USPS Form 3800 proof of mailing),
stamped by the Post Office; certified abstract list of property owners of record; and a copy of the
completed Notice of Public Hearing form with a signed affidavit by September 26. Many folks
submit a draft copy of the public notice letter to staff before mailing out to confirm that
information is correct.
Lastly, the application form states that “a complete list of proposed materials shall be submitted.
Samples of materials, brochures, pamphlets, website links, or other literature shall be submitted at the
time of filing for proposed substitute or replacement materials.” To strengthen and clarify your
application, please address the following:
1. The architectural plans indicate metal awnings. Please describe in more detail the proposed
metal and whether they are corrugated, standing seam, shuttered, etc.
2. What is the proposed stucco patten along the south facade?
3. The architectural plans indicate facade lighting and sign lighting. Please provide a description of
the type and design of the lighting fixtures for the building, as well as any lighting fixtures proposed
for the site.
4. Please indicate the material of the proposed solid panels (bulkheads) for the storefront.
5. The architectural plans indicate 6" wood trim for the storefronts. Should we understand this to
mean an aluminum storefront clad with wood on the exterior or clad with wood on the interior?
Please clarify.
6. The wall sign sections of the storefront appear different in the east elevation from the north
elevation. Please clarify the north elevation material.
7. Architectural plans indicate brick veneer. Please describe the specific brick proposed.
8. Is the signage shown for "Cafe 1915" part of the proposal? If so, please provide more information
about the sign (material, lighting, etc.).
9. If there is a desire to streamline future signage reviews for this structure—if approved—it is
recommend to provide proposed signage standards alongside the application.
10. Please clarify if the proposed pavement is concrete or another material.
11. Please indicate the materials of the storefront doors.
12. Will there be any boundary railing for the outdoor seating area along the west and south
elevations?
The responses to these questions should be submitted to staff no later than September 15 as a Word
document or PDF.
5
Following the submission of the filing fee, we will provide you with a hearing date confirmation.
Thanks,
Sarah Spakes
Long Range and Preservation Planner
Department of Planning and Development
O: 501-371-4864
SSpakes@littlerock.gov
From: Marc Nixon <mnixon@hosto.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 11:36 AM
To: Ratzlaff, Hannah K. <hratzlaff@littlerock.gov>
Cc: Spakes, Sarah B <SSpakes@littlerock.gov>
Subject: COA application 2 of 2
EXTERNAL EMAIL - This email was sent by a person from outside your organization. Exercise caution when clicking links, opening
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2 of 2 emails.
e. proof of ownership
F. Survey
G. the lot has been razed/demoed, north and west renderings.
Thanks,