HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1998-019 Staff Report And Recommendations, Background And Analysis 07/1998City of Little Rock
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PREPARED BY: V. Anne Guthrie DATE: July 1998
APPLICANT:
Second Baptist Church
ADDRESS:
619 Cumberland and 618 Rock streets
COA REQUEST:
Construction of parking lot
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS: The subject property is located in the northwest
area of the MacArthur Park Historic District. It is two blocks south of the historic
district's north boundary, and Cumberland Street is the district's west boundary from 5th
to 9th Street. The subject property is located between two streets; Cumberland is one-
way south and Rock is one-way north.
Project Description: The subject property bisects the block in a east -west fashion and
has been vacant at least twenty years. The proposed project is sited on property that is
300' east -to -west, 50' wide at Cumberland and 75' wide at Rock. The asphalt lot
consists of 38 spaces, designed for 90' parking; each space is approximately 9' X 17'.
Plans detail a new cedar fence on the north and south perimeters; its height varies from
4' to 6' on both sides, dependent on whether there is an existing structure, fence or
vacant land on the abutting area. On Rock, a proposed 6' high brick wall runs north -
south, setback from the property line 5' t. An existing chain link fence is on the
northwest side of the project site.
Landscaping is in the form of crepe myrtle, pink abelia, rip rap and ivy; refer to the
landscape schedule for details. A new curb cut (22' wide) on Cumberland is the sole
entry and exit for the parking lot. There are new sidewalks, curbs and gutters proposed
for both the Cumberland and Rock streets right-of-way.
Project analysis: The request to construct a parking lot on this location was before the
LRHDC on two previous occasions. The church submitted a COA application to
construct a parking lot on the subject property; the hearing was 3 August 1983 and was
denied by three votes. There was an appeal of the decision to the Pulaski County
Chancery Court, which upheld the LRHDC's decision. In 1985, the church filed a COA
for the same request; at the 5 September meeting, the application was denied. An
appeal to the Chancery Court affirmed the LRHDC's decision. On 20 July 1987, the
case appeared before the state Supreme Court, which affirmed the LRHDC's decision.
A copy of that opinion is enclosed.
The design guidelines (page 45) state that parking lots: OO should not be located in front
yards of houses; OO should be gravel or smooth concrete instead of asphalt; Os should
be screened through plantings of shrubs, fences at edges; ® for churches, should be
located in rear yards if possible, but when necessary in a side yard, should be located