Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC_2025 11 06DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435 www.littLerock.gov LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTE RECORD Thursday, November 6, 2025, 4:00 p.m. Board Room, Little Rock City Hall, 500 W. Markham Roll Call Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: 11. Finding a Quorum A quorum was present being six (6) in number. III. Citizen Communication No citizens chose to speak at this time. IV. Minutes Christina Aleman, Chair Amber Jones, Vice Chair Scott Green Tom Fennell Chase Waters Diane Thomas -Holladay Dr. Thomas DeGraff III Sarah Spakes Hannah Ratzlaff Raeanne Gardner October 2, 2025 Minutes The minutes were presented to the commission. Chair Aleman clarified if Commissioner Fennell's motion forthe vote on the Certificate of Appropriateness for the new construction project at 913 McMath Ave. included the Commission's acceptance of keeping all the parking stalls as drawn on the plans but asked for 1 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission more landscape screening along McMath Ave. Ms. Spakes and Ms. Ratzlaff nn nTirmol"1 TYIaT TI'la mnTinn n�c rotlon;o rl �r, `h:o rr:;ni iTo ne-r" anr! `kljo ci CTnoN r'!-)A PA, 0..a,1. ff f�. .,J �I_il__ _.._ 1'10. 1IOLZ-kaii Uilcicrio!U liidl. LilU IIiI1li,ilC Icy-Uiu ��dii iJc d!I!cfIUCU lU be I'G explicit if desired. Vice Chair Jones made a motion to approve the minutes with the amendment of clarifying the conditions in the motion. Commissioner Fennell seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote with the amendment of clarifying the conditions in Commissioner Fennell's motion. V. National Register Nominations N R2025-004 VI. Deferred Certificates of Appropriateness None VI I. New Certificates of Appropriateness None Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Intersection of East Roosevelt Red and Bar�.hnr qt. Nomination of the Roosevelt Road Bridge to the National Register of Historic Places VIII. Other Matters 1. Walter and Emma Saeler House, 3024 S. Battery —Arkansas Register Nomination K November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission NAME: Roosevelt Road Bridge LOCATION: Intersection of East Roosevelt Road and Barber Street APPUCANTIAUTHORIZED AGENT: Ralph Wilcox Arkansas Historic Preservation Program 1100 North Street Little Rock, AR 72201 OWNER: Arkansas Department of Transportation 103241-30 Little Rock, AR 72209 Figure 1. Roosevelt Road Bridge, Photo Uv AHPP staff 2025. 3 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission AREA: 0.01 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: N/A WARD: 1 QT ATi iC. Ci�..ii-.ir. /L_L..-.�. r1/1r:r\ ni i!-rrr` t. li C;LA IIUI V L�ILJI _l _ _I{1=-� CURRENT ZONING: N/A A. BACKGROUND Location The su Mart structiure is located at th +..,-..ectio F E. R it n i ..a ui uie IiiIGIJG� LIUII Oi �. I,vuse'veu nu. dna r�arberSt. F Ra seveft Budd 8s10ge VEIT . Li2s ] 1127 :srri �J i6nr Mai i !ems 05� I i2ol I Context This nomination is submitted for consideration by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The project aims to protect and maintain historic bridges around the state of Arkansas. 4 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission The application requests to nominate the Roosevelt Road Bridge to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A and Criterion C with local significance for its association with statewide programs to improve state highway infrastructure in the 1920s-1930s that is still in use and for being an exemplar of a reinforced concrete deck girder bridge with Classical and Art Deco influences. The area of significance is Transportation and Engineering. The period of significance is 1935- 1975. C. 1531NG CONDITIONS: See photos in Nomination (Attachment A). D. DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: None All neighborhood associations registered with the City of Little Rock that surround the site were notified of the public hearing. At the time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application. F. ANALYSIS: The Nomination's Statement of Significance summary section states: "The Roosevelt Road Bridge, which was built in 1935 as part of the Little Rock City Connection, is being nominated under Criterion A: Transportation with local significance for its importance in the transportation history of Little Rock. Built as part of a project to provide a more direct route between U.S. 65 and U.S. 70 in Little Rock, it helped to form a route on the southeast side of Little Rock that allowed motorists on U.S. 65 (now Arkansas Highway 365) to have more direct access to U.S. 70 without going into the center of downtown Little Rock. Even today, the Roosevelt Road Bridge, which carries Roosevelt Road (and Arkansas Highway 365) over a drainage ditch, is an important bridge in its area of Little Rock, continuing to allow motorists to skirt downtown Little Rock on the south side. The Roosevelt Road Bridge is also being nominated with local significance under Criterion C: Engineering as an excellent example of a Reinforced Concrete Deck 9 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission Girder Bridge with Classical and Art Deco influences. Although the Roosevelt Road r,lirtU� is nnn<1 ; 1 -moo- -- _-- --r- u ... :.. tii O.iVG ii i iiJ ut.tuiiiii._ 1 !Vyv�\i "r'.ioitiril Tit :at iT \jtiaC i�ii�q _e iti ran tj^Ip orlgr, v} i_i+ale Rock o� lI a major highway, the design and decorative detailing of the bridge would have provided a pleasing first impression to motorists coming into Little Rock. The slight arch to the deck; recessed panels on the deck and ab ltments and the decorative guardrails harken to Classical. detailing \nlhile tr;e cninrlhos On the guardrails exhibit Art Deco influences, an unusual combination of decorative details not normally found on bridges in the city. The period of significance for the bridge is 1935-1975, which covers the period from the construction of the bridge until 50 years ag Althmigh the hririda r-ontln,-no to hr important +.,.....,...ortat:__ _.o_ _ _a.. tl v " Gn1I I1; I. gal IL a al iawi �a�lui I stl Ul tUre -n ittlQ Rock +h ✓, ✓j�. r; ;d L:''it�'i � +L-" ; fift 1 -. _,_ .�_^_, _::.. 1 e .�� M �� i 11i �v �ycars 1�11�J !IV% Illeet IiIC t!1:--! ,-1 ;Qr exceptional significance." The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program has set forth the "Arkansas Certified Local Government Procedures." In Section V of this agreement, "Certified Local Governments Participation in the National Register Nomination Process," Little Rock Historic District Commission's role is identified: "8. CLG involvement in the National Register process 1. Within 60 calendar days of receipt of the nomination, the CLG shall inform the AHPP by submission of a report (see section V-A) as to its opinion regarding the eligibility of the property. The CLG shall also inform the property owner(s) using National Register criteria for evaluation, as to its opinion regarding the eligibility of the property. 2. In the event a nomination is received by the AHPP before submission to the CLG, the AHPP will forward a copy of the completed nomination to the CLG within 30 calendar days of receipt. 3. If both the commission and chief elected official recommend that a property not be nominated because it does not meet the National Register criteria for eligibility, the CLG will so inform the property owner(s) and the State Historic Preservation Officer, the property will then not be nominated unless an appeal is filed with the SHPO in accordance with appeal procedures outlined in 36 CFR 60. Appeals must be received by the SHPO within 30 calendar days of the date the property owner receives notification by certified mail that the property has been determined ineligible for nomination by both the CLG and the Chief elected official. This is in accordance with Section 101(c) 2 of the NHPA. November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission 4. If the commission or the chief elected official of the CLG recommend that a property should be nominated, the nomination will be scheduled for submission to the Arkansas State Review Board. Scheduling will be in accordance with notification time constraints as set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. 5. The Arkansas State Review Board, after considering all opinions, including those of the commission and the chief elected official of the CLG, shall make its recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Officer. Either the local preservation commission or the chief elected official may appeal the SHPOs final decision. 6. When a National Register nomination, that has been reviewed by a commission, is submitted to the National Park Service for review and listing, all reports or comments from the local officials will be submitted along with the nomination. 7. The AHPP and the CLG will work together to provide ample opportunity for public participation in the nomination of properties to the National register. All reports submitted by the CLG to the AHPP regarding the eligibility of properties shall include assurances of public input. The CLG shall retain a list of all persons contacted during the evaluation period and note comments that were received. If a public meeting was held, a list of those attending shall be included in the report. " Staff finds the nomination meets the National Register criteria for eligibility in the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination is scheduled to be heard on December 3, 2025 at State Review Board meeting at the Division of Arkansas Heritage headquarters at 1100 North Street in Little Rock. Staff recommends the nomination of the Roosevelt Road Bridge to the National Register of Historic Places with local significance under Criterion A: Transportation and Criterion C: Engineering and the submission of the nomination as written to the State Review Board. VA November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission --�nnnn�%:7 ir'-.ni A irini- Staff presented the item to the Commission. Vice Chair Jones asked if there were other bridges on Roosevelt Road or in the area that are listed in the National Register. Ms. Ratzlaff stated nther listed bridges incli,de the 121' Street overpass 14'1 Street overpass, and Asher Avenue Overpass- Commissioner Fennell exnrPgcari tha imnnrtance of lictina hridaac anri i - _ _ r ,. e ...,portu,,.. ... .......b ...b.." wondered howtheArkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) treats the improvement of bridges listed in the National Register. Ms. Ratzlaff stated that the nomination was submitted by the state through the AHPP and ARDOT has a Historic Bridge Analysis Co, riimdttcc to in ivenito-,y bridges and revile Val alternatives to demolltiOn. Vice Chair Jones r ernar tied that being listed is not a protection for the bridge because ARDOT can still do major work on the bridge. Ms. Ratzlaff confirmed. Commissioner Fennell agreed. Vice Chair Jones commented that ARDOT nominating this bridge may indicate that they do not have plans to do somethingto the bridge. Commissioner Fennell postulated thatthe City of Little Rock's Public Works Department would have plans to add drainage ditches due to the extensive flooding around the bridge and from the parking lots nearby. Ms. Ratzlaff mentioned that staff informed the Public Works Department about this nomination, but since it's in the state right-of-way, there is not much for them to get involved with, unlike the bridges on Asher Avenue, 12', and 14th. There was a short discussion about the meaning of "exceptional significance" mentioned in the nomination. Vice Chair Jones made a motion to support the nomination. Commissioner Fenineil seconded. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 absent. E November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission IQF NAME: Walter and Emma Saeler House LOCATION: 3024 S. Battery St. APPLICANTIAUTHORIZEQ-AQ NT: Jaynie Cannon Arkansas Historic Preservation Program 1100 North St. Little Rock, AR 72201 OWNER: Crystle and Paolo Wadsworth 100 Deacon Dr. Red Oak, TX 75154 Figure 3: Walter and Emma Saeler House, 3024 S. Batten, St., Pholo by AHPP Staff, 2025. November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission 10 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission AREA: 0.32 acres NUMBER OF LOTS: 1 HISTORIC STATUS: Eligible (local significance), PU12177 CURRENT ZONING: R3, Single-family district A. BACKGROUND Location WARD: 1 The subject structure is located at 3024 S. Battery Street. 2921 2915 2916 2923 2924 0 ." ONIfkN5A& 2600 3005 Fp1g0RpI1N0 3006 3005 'Naufal 3001. 3000 �■ -_ _J c 3010 �� '9pLplq i ■ d ■■ 2600 3016 Wallis and Emma �1 Sefer Mmj6e 1i14. 3011 I wls I Lr�_J f Ol 0 ■ l� 3024 .301 ' r 315T •�f 2015iO4 10 3101 0 10 30 311 3106 3109 ❑ 3102 Q 0 311 330e � 3i 3118 ` 31�1 3110 �O ❑ - t f 320E 3123 � � 312Z LLJJJ I�oz� 3ZOo 32ND �]i0w 3109 7202 32�6 3210' 3204 n, Figure 4. Location o/'the Fi'alter and Emma Saeler House at 3024 S. Battery St � i ■' r� � 1 � 1�� A a The application requests to nominate the Walter and Emma Saeler House to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places for local significance under Criterion C as a unique and significant example of the French Eclectic style in the South End neighborhood. The area of significance is Architecture. The period of significance is 1936, when the house was constructed. 11 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission C. EXISTING CONDITION: D. NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATIONS AND COMMENTS: All neighborhood associations registered with the Citv of Little Rock that surround the site were notified of the public hearing. At the time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application. The Nomination's Statement of Significance summary section states: "Built circa 1936, the Walter and Emma Saeler House is located at 3024 S. Battery Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, and is a good example of the French Eclectic architectural style. French Eclectic was one of the Period Revivals popular in the 1920s-1940s and was well -liked for its scalability and ease of design. The Saeler House features the two most prominent features of the French Eclectic style: the round tower main entrance and a high-pitched roof. The house also features casement windows, an arched entry door, flared eaves, and stone veneer. The Saeler House is a good example of low -style, common iteration of the French Eclectic style in the South End neighborhood. For its architectural value as an uncommon example of the French Eclectic style in the Sunset Addition area of Little Rock, the Walter and Emma Saeler House is being nominated to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places under Criterion C:'Architecture with local significance." The procedures for nominations for the Arkansas Register only require review by the Arkansas State Review Board. The nomination is provided to the Little Rock Historic District Commission as a courtesy review comments by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. Staff finds the nomination meets the Arkansas Register criteria for eligibility in the Arkansas Register of Historic Places. The nomination is scheduled to be heard on December 3, 2025 at State Review Board meeting at the Division of Arkansas Heritage headquarters at 1100 North Street in Little Rock. 12 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission _ I74MMO T mug Staff recommends the support of the nomination of the Walter and Emma Saeler House to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places for local significance under Criterion C: Architecture and submission of the nomination to the State Review Board. Staff presented the item to the Commission. Vice Chair Jones asked who initiated the nomination. Ms. Ratzlaff stated that the property owner is Crystle Wadsworth and Jaynie Cannon is listed as the nomination author. There was discussion about the home's eligibility for the National Register and speculation about alterations to the property impacting eligibility. Ms. Ratzlaff stated staff would find out through AHPP why the property was being nominated for the Arkansas Register rather than the National Register. Ms. Spakes later clarified with AHPP staff why the Saeler House was being nominated for the Arkansas Register rather than the National Register. AHPP staff were concerned that even though this property was a unique example of the French Eclectic style in the South End neighborhood, there were many other examples of the French Eclectic style throughout Little Rock with better architectural integrity. AHPP staff were also concerned aboutthe loss of rural settingforthe structure. Ms. Spakes provided this information to the Commissioners via email. Vice Chair Jones made a motion to support the nomination to the Arkansas Register. Commissioner Fennell seconded. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 absent. 13 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission 2. 2026 Calendar I-,n -•n» -- - nN hr - _ _ i r_: i_i _i �:i i'r_: i_i iii i_ii iri _i'r_:i i_i_i iiUr i_i, i_i r_: iFH _i i,:iliii :H. iii i iiLl i Llfii (ii Li LI1!U !1L�lli_ia Vfi, Amendments include July 7, 2026 and a determination between January 7 or 9, 2026 depending on room availability. The calendar was approved unanimously with the January and July 2026 amendments by voice vote. 3. 2025 CLG Grant Updates Ms. Ratzlaff updated the Commission that the Hillcrest Resurvey Phase 5 is underway: Clifton Historic Resources will be conducting this phase, the- storte d cin/o%/inrf in noronn tiAin iniooLc orfn onrd nnnnh irdnd loot %niooL tI'e'`y' ure � �. .. o, g the tnrmc u d V� i" ' Nell 11 _ u _ , .I i�JlaW v-sIJ1UCU iU HlttL iii milestones. Training has been i completed. Reimbursements for PastForward25 are being processed and reimbursements for Destination Downtown should have been received. 4. 2026 CLG Grant Application Ms. Ratzlaff updated the Commission that the deadline for the 2026 CLG grant is on November 24. Staff plans to apply for training funds for staff and commissioners to attend the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions' FORUM2026 conference. Staff plans to also apply for funds to hire a consulting firm to help create a historic preservation action plan. The last historic preservation plan the City had was from 2009. The City has met several of those goals, such as surveying and National Register listings. Staff wants to update this to be an action plan so that it is shorter and has more actionable goals. Ms. Ratzlaff compared this process to the MacArthur Park Design Guidelines process. Ms. Ratzlaff anticipated that an updated action plan would project over 10 years. ChairAleman asked if the current historic preservation plan is available. Ms. Ratzlaff directed the commissioners to the plan on the City's website on the screens. Ms. Ratzlaff commented on the current plan being 212 pages. Chair Aleman asked if the City has achieved all of those goals. Ms. Ratzlaff replied that the City has achieved many of the items concretely and objectively stated and that an action plan would be more accessible to the public and be a tool for the Commission to use to help guide grant projects. Vice Chair Jones mentioned that the action plan would be for more than MacArthur Park. Ms. Ratzlaff confirmed that it is city-wide. Vice Chair Jones remarked that the 2009 plan advocated against the removal of historic character in favor of developing parking lots, but the City has ignored the plan and continued to allow that to happen. Ms. Ratzlaff 14 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission replied that an action plan would allow the Commission and the Board of Directors, if adopted, to have stated goals and steps to meet them. The action plan should position the Commission more advantageouslyto advise other entities on preservation. Commissioner Fennell suggested a "Top 10 Most Endangered List" at the city level. Chair Aleman supported a shorter document because it would be more readable and understandable, which would allowthe City, its boards and commissions, and constituents to work together more effectively. Chair Aleman asked if the Commission would have input on the plan like they did with the Design Guidelines. Ms. Ratzlaff confirmed that an action plan of the Commission would be drafted, reviewed, and adopted by the Commission and then presented to the Board of Directors for potential adoption. The plan could be presented without adoption, but it would have more significance if it were adopted. Ms. Ratzlaff pointed to recent historic preservation plans adopted by peer cities; Ms. Spakes suggested Fayetteville and Hot Springs. Ms. Ratzlaff pointed to the Age Friendly and Sustainability Commissions' action plans that were adopted by the Board. Chair Aleman asked if there would be a reason the Board would not adopt it. Ms. Ratzlaff replied that that was a broad question, but they would likely look at feasibility and individual alignment with their Wards. Chair Aleman voiced concern over spending money on a plan that the Board does not adopt. Ms. Ratzlaff replied that the action plan would give the Commission, the City, and other stakeholders actionable steps they can take to preserve history. Ms. Ratzlaff remarked that she has not seen the Board reject a commission's plans to work toward its stated mission by ordinance. Vice Chair Jones supported the action plan because it would show future commissioners how to preserve and why people should care. Commissioner Fennell added that it is a concrete accountabilitytool. Ms. Ratzlaff asked if the Commission was fairly supportive of staff applying for grants for these projects. The commissioners were affirmative. 5. Enforcement Issues 209/211 E. 10th St. —exterior window alterations without a COA 15 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission i--..� \mini k; I,ei In I one VVIT F1ni IT a 1. `i ti' Ci1P r nTi riT Rd This vyh Pi In, s n P Vi QIT e rl T i iG site, a stop work order was issued on October 20th; Ms. Spakes spoke to the contractor and the property owner on October 31 st; Ms. Spakes described the exterior window surrounds that significantly r_.hnnqrerl the annearanr_.e of the gtr_ir_.tiire and that were. Stvrnfnam; Ms_ Ratzlaff and MS_ Spakes visited the site and met the homeowner and one of the contractors on November 5th. Ms. Spakes explained the two options the property owner now has: either apply for a Certificate of Compliance for regular maintenance that the stucco repair falls under and remove thG Jlyl VlValll v"viiluvvv Suiivuiius or apiiiy tvi a r t i Ifil c ail v 1 vuTluiinili. P. iQ i e IL aiil iii window surrounds alterations. Ms. Spakes stated that the property owner has until Tuesday [November 11 J to let staff know her decision. Ms. Ratzlaff added that the property also has a conservation easement from the state. Ms. Ratzlaff complimented the property owner for wanting to be in compliance. Ms. Ratzlaff stated that the building was originally brick, but stucco was added probably around the 1950s, which is causing Leaks through the window. Chair Aleman asked what the process would be, given the property has an easement. Ms. Ratzlaff replied that the property owner would work with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program on technical solutions. Chair Aleman asked what the steps would be. Ms. Ratzlaff replied that after consulting with the Arkansas Historic Preservation P, vgr am staff, the property owner might remove the surrounds and seal the windows and not decide to go to the HDC. 6. Certificates of Compliance Ms. Spakes outlined the three Certificates of Compliance below. HDC2025-023-1400 Cumberland Street —step repair, facing Daisy Bates Dr. HDC2025-024-605 E. 6t" Street—HVAC replacement HDC2025-025-623 Rock Street —fence replacement IX. Adjournment 16 November 6, 2025 Historic District Commission There being no further business for the commission, the meeting was adjourned at 4:47 p.m. At Chair Secretary/Staff 17 Date Date 0