HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from City of Little Rock to Chris Pratt 10-06-2000City of Little Rock
Department of Housing & Neighborhood Programs
500 West Markham Street
Suite 120 West
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone (501) 371-6825
Fax (501) 399-3461
October 6, 2000
Chris Pratt
205 South Pine Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Re: 308 East 14th, MacArthur Park Historic District
Dear Chris,
On October 5, 2000, the Little Rock Historic District Commission (LRHDC) voted to
deny your request to amend your COA in order to install vinyl windows at 308 East 14th. The
denial was based on the fact that 1) your structure contributes to the MacArthur Park Historic
District's architectural significance and 2) vinyl windows are not are not appropriate to the
historic district and are not recommended by the Design Review Guidelines for MacArthur Park
Historic District. Section 46 (c) of the guidelines states that windows "should be repaired rather
than replaced, but if replacement is necessary due to severe deterioration, the replacement should
be in -kind to match the originals in material and design."
You requested that your petition to amend your COA be considered on the basis of
financial hardship, and you submitted paperwork stating your salary, the mortgage's listing for
rehabilitation costs and other relevant information. However, at the October 5th meeting, it was
determined that your economic hardship was not sufficiently related to the installation of in -kind
windows and would not be relieved by permitting the installation of vinyl windows. In an analysis
of the submitted information and subsequent discussion, it was clear that the rehabilitation costs
established by the FHA loan were not sufficient to allow you to finish other aspects of the project
properly and in a timely manner.
If you would like to appeal the decision of the LRHDC, you have thirty (30) days from the
date the decision was made in which to file an appeal before the Pulaski County Chancery Court.
The LRHDC realizes that funding is a real issue for rehabilitation, but location in a local
ordinance historic district also dictates a diligent effort on the part of the owner and lender. A
u
Chris Pratt Letter 6 October, 2000
Re: 308 East 14th
Pa.Re two
significant feature of the historic district and in rehabilitating an historic structure is the degree to
which details, such as window profile and materials, must be adhered. to and_ addressed.. It is this
review of the guidelines by the LRHDC for individual rehabilitation projects that provides a better
project and, more importantly, ensures that the architectural integrity of the historic district is
preserved.
If you have any questions or need additional information, by all means please call me at
244-5420.
Respectfully,
ctis��
V. Anne Guthrie
Historic Preservation Administrator
xc: LRHDC members
Anthony Black
Debra Weldon