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Home My WebLink About Staff Report, Project Background And Descripion 10/10/2016DEPARTMENT 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: October 10, 2016 APPLICANT: Deanna Jones ADDRESS: 320 E 15th Street COA REQUEST: Fence PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 320 E 15th Street. The property's legal description is "Lot 7A, Block 49, Original City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas." This single family house was built in 2010. The house is considered a "Non -Contributing Structure" to the MacArthur Park Historic District. This application is for a fence in the front yard and to extend the fence in the side yard. r ':1Y ��7`t "� E CAP1n �s ` Vj - .r f�}�. t1 rN •y. "fjf�� C PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: On October 12, 2009, a COA was approved and issued e +arrrar f to Page Wilson for the construction of a single Family_'� �• ��y,•eP house. On May 11, 2009, the Commission denied a COA for a Location of Project single -story and a two-story house on Lot 7. On November 13, 2006, a COA was approved a issued to Page Wilson for the construction of a five-plex residential building. On January 7, 2000, a COA was approved and issued to Raymond Rogers for demolition of a four-plex structure that was severely damaged by the 1999 tornado. Several other structures in the 1300-1500 blocks of Rock Street were demolished around that time because of severe damage by the 1999 tornado. On August 5, 1999, a COA was denied to Raymond Rogers to enclose the front of the building. Page 1 of 8 a z. Existing south elevation of house Existing southeast view of house with fence l Existing southwest view of house with fence Proposed fence location PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT AND GUIDELINES: The city code states the following on residential fences: Sec. 36-516(e)(1)a Residential fence and wall standards of the Little Rock Municipal Code states: Between a required building setback line and a street right-of-way, the maximum height shall be four (4) feet. Other fences may be erected to a maximum height of six (6) feet. Subsection (7) states: Support columns or support posts shall be permitted to exceed the allowable fence or wall height by no more than two (2) feet, including any ornamental features. Support columns or support posts shall be a maximum width of two (2) feet. There shall be a minimum distance of seven -feet — six inches (7'-6') between opposing faces of support columns or support posts which exceed the allowable fence or wall height, other than at gates or corners. The guidelines on page 58 state the following: 3. Fences and Retaining Walls: Fencing on street frontage & front yard-36" Rear yard fencing-72" 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 Page 2 of 8 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 (3"). 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. Fences should not have brick, stone, or concrete piers or posts unless based on pictorial or physical evidence. Free-standing walls of brick, stone, or concrete are not appropriate. The proposal is to continue the fencing that is already on the site to enclose the front yard and the rest of the side yards at the house. This fencing style, built with pine boards and posts, is appropriate to the style and period of the building. There will be a gate at the front walk and one at the parking pad at the rear. No details of the gate design was provided. This would be the first house in the area of influence to have a front yard fence. The East Side Auditorium apartments have a fence along Cumberland on their side yard property line to screen the air conditioner units. It is 36" tall. There is also a fence between 1421 Cumberland and 1415/1417 Cumberland that is perpendicular to the sidewalk and it appears to be less than 36" tall. Detail of existing fence. The guidelines speak of taller fence heights for larger scale properties. This is not a larger scale property. The guidelines also speak of privacy fences, up to six foot tall, being in the rear yards and starting halfway back on the house. This additional height is one foot over the recommended height for front yard fences. Staff cannot support a fence 48" tall. Page 3 of 8 Photos of other fences in the area of influence. 324 E 15th 1414 Rock 114UU KOCK NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there was one phone call of a neutral nature regarding this application. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Obtaining a building permit. 2. All fencing between 15th street and a line parallel to 15th Street at the front fagade of the house shall be 36" tall maximum. Fences in other areas of the property may be up to 72" in height. COMMISSION ACTION: October 10. 2016 Brian Minyard, Staff, made a presentation on the item. Commissioner Toni Johnson asked for a clarification of the recommendation of the six foot tall fences. Mr. Minyard explained that part of the existing fence already goes to that height in the rear and side of the house. Deanna Jones, the applicant, stated that she has lived there since 2010 and she loves her neighborhood. She has a dog that would benefit from the fence. She thinks that three feet is difficult with dogs and believes that four feet is a good compromise. She does not think that it will detract from the neighborhood. She asked the Commission to support the four foot fence. Commissioner Toni Johnson asked if it was not approved, would she still do the fence. Ms. Jones replied that she would install the fence, but that the dog stands over 36 inches tall. She mentioned other fences in the area at Daisy Bates and Scott Street, both at Patrick Cowan's House and the East Side Lofts. Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell stated the fence is not solid. Ms. Jones stated it would match the existing fence. Chair BJ Bowen asked if it was only 36 inches, would she still build the fence. He mentioned that they do have electronic collars that will contain the dog in the area. Ms. Jones stated that she would have to sleep on the idea of a 36 inch fence; future owners may have bigger dogs. Commissioner Johnson spoke of the transparency of the proposed fence and the difference between different fences that the applicant mentioned. Commissioner Dick Kelley asked if the Cowan fence was still in litigation. Mr. Minyard stated that it was approved by this Commission and that it is located in the overlap area between this commission and the Capitol Zoning District Commission. Mr. Minyard responded that the East Side lofts were approved by the Page 4 of 8 Commission partially because it is a large lot and different scale. The Cowan's fence is still in court. Vice Chair Russell asked if there was room for a compromise of 42". Ms. Jones formally amended her application to a 42 inch tall fence. Page Wilson, neighbor to the applicant, spoke in favor of the fence. Vice Chair Russell made a motion to approve the fence as amended to a 42" tall fence with the condition of obtaining a building permit. Commissioner Kelley seconded. The motion passed with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 open positions. Page 5 of 8 September 9, 2016 Little Rock Historic District Commission 723 West Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Historic District Commission, Good evening! Please have this letter serve. as my request for an addition to my home located at 320 E. 15St. (near the corner of .15'' and Rock streets). I would like to continue the fencing around Lhe perimeter of my property to completely fence in my horne. The proposed continuation of fencing a!li match the already approved fencing that is In my backyard, with the same wood materials and design of horizontal slats. The fence would be a maxirnurn of 4.0' (dS inches), and WOUld run the property line around my home. The reason for this addition is twofold: I recently adopted a dog and need a fenced in yard for him, and I also litre the character that the fence would add to my home. Many of the homes surrounding mine are. of the more contemporary nature and also have the same fencing that is already located on my home's north (backyard) side- By cc,ntirwing the fencing to the front, I will have adequate space for my dog and keep the integrity of the surrounding neighborhood. Thank you for your consideration! Sincerely. Deanna Ones Cover Letter Page 7 of 8 J � n J U�0 o �7TTH 5T Ming and Non-oontri K- 320 E 15th f CS 0. W ry y 1 CD v man Page 8 of 8 =Ell []EI ED El El FJ EJ CD ,LEZ-J a d�