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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1999-029 Staff Report Minutes Special Called Meetion, Application,SLCity of Little Rock HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 12 AUGUST 1999 MINUTES SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Commissioners Present: John Greer, Chair Judy Gardner Charles Marratt Mark Zoeller Commissioners Absent: Howard H. Gordon Staff: V. Anne Guthrie Margi Gant Anthony Black The special called meeting of the Little Rock Historic District Commission (LRHDC) was brought to order. Roll call was taken, and there were two absences (NOTE: Marratt entered the meeting after the first hearing). There were no minutes presented. The Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application deferred from a previous meeting was: Applicant: ArtSpace, LLC Address: 916 - 924 Commerce Street Request: Rehabilitate structure into apartments The applicant, owner and architect, Tim Heiple, explained the balcony and window details, especially the conversion of existing double windows into new door and window balconies. Also explained were the existing window scheme with storm windows and how they will be utilized for the rehabilitation project. He presented more detailed drawings of the window schedule and digital photos of the pre-existing windows; by using the existing 6/6 paned windows, there will be minimal alterations to the window openings. There was sufficient information presented by the applicant to determine how the exterior and the windows will be rehabbed. Gardner made a motion that the COA be approved as presented with the drawings, photos and staff recommendations; it was unanimously approved. Little Rock Historic District Commission 6 January 2000 Minutes, Page 2 The second COA application for consideration was: Applicant: Art Place, LLC Address: 916 - 924 Commerce Street Request: New fence, signage, landscaping and improved parking Tim Heiple presented the application and gave an overview of the project request; additional plans on the larger scale were available for the discussion and detailing. The organization purchased the land to the west (i.e., the northeast corner of loth and Rock streets) and are expanding the parking to the west. A request to abandon the alley from 1 Oth north to the middle of the block was approved by the city's Board of Directors; the abandonment allows for the expanded parking due west of the apartments and incorporates the abandoned alley. The required landscaping and parking have been approved by the city. Fred Grey, as partner, also presented additional information regarding parking, fencing, etc. The fencing on the apartment's west side will be wood, and there will be iron fencing along the front yard, on the north, east and south sides. The extant alley curb cut (on north side of 1 Oth) will be widened to serve as the driveway for the improved parking area. There was details about the proposed sign on the front, or east, elevation; it will have either a fountain or planter in the center; the lettering duplicates that which is on the building. Staff recommendations were read. Gordon made a motion to approve the request as submitted; it was approved unanimously. The last COA for consideration was: Applicant: City of Little Rock Address: 1422 Rock Request: Demolition of structure Barbara Hyatt, City of Little Rock Code Enforcement Supervisor of Operations, presented an update on the structure and its inclusion on the city's unsafe structures list. The property owner is before the environmental court due to the structure's need to be boarded and secured; the environmental court judge is waiting for the LRHDC's decision before it is presented to his court. Copies of the required structural condition were passed around; staff provided an update of the structure's past requests, deferrals and requested information: costs for rehab, structural condition and assessment and the extent of deterioration; the structure would have to be rebuilt completely. The owner made it known to staff that he will make no further financial investments into the structure. Hyatt explained the city process for demolition of structures damaged by last year's tornado. There was discussion about the application request for a new roof and its condition prior to the tornado. There was a motion by Weems to approve the request for the demolition of 1422 Rock; the vote unanimously approved its demolition. Under Old Business, the previously approved, though non -compliant, COA at 1000 Rock, was discussed. Note: prior to the meeting, the LRHDC met on site to inspect the structure and its non -compliant windows; the owner's representative was notified prior to the visit but could not be present. Part of the COA request was to install new windows on the front porch's east elevation and replace the inappropriate aluminum windows with wooden, floor -to -ceiling type, emulating those at the Bragg cottage on Scott Street in terms of size and proportion. While it was agreed that the floor -to -ceiling windows do not meet code, Greer stated that in his opinion, Little Rock Historic District Commission 7 September 2000 Minutes, Page 3 An update was presented on 1000 Rock: an affidavit was signed for the owner to appear before the environmental judge to address the vinyl window issue, etc. However, the owner has yet to be served with the affidavit/warrant, etc. Other business was two minor changes for the apartments at 915-924 Commerce: 0 the perimeter fence is being changed to encompass less side yard space than originally presented; the fence design, etc. has not changed 0 the side windows on the balconies were changed to extend to the floor as opposed to what was originally presented of the side windows extending only halfway It was decided that the changes were minor and could be administratively approved. Also, regarding Pratt's structure on 314 E. 14th: it was discussed that there should be an amendment to the COA in terms of changing the window selection. As there was no business, the LRHDC meeting was adjourned.