HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1983-008 Letter To Mike Dooley From Quapaw Quarter Association 12/05/1983QUAPAW QUARTER ASSOCIATION
December 5, 1983
Mr. Mike Dooley
Office of Comprehensive Planning
City Hall
Markham and Broadway
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Re: Historic District Commission
Dear Mike,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Quapaw Quarter Association,
let me express our appreciation for the invitation to comment concerning
the three items on the commission's agenda for December 7th. After re-
viewing the plans submitted for the three locations, the Board wishes to
submit the recommendations as follows:
Item #1 - 500 East 9th St.
Although we would very much prefer that parking not be located in the
area immediately east of the structure, we acknowledge the problem that
faces the owner in providing parking in the immediate area. If parking
cannot be secured immediately north or to the east of the structure, the
Association is prepared to support the planned parking. The QQA Board
is anxious that the Vinsonhaler House be utilized. Since parking is
necessary for uses of the structure we would recommend approval.
Item #2 - 50.6 East 6th St.
It is our understanding that the city's present ordinance requires
16 spaces and that 18 spaces are required by the federal government
loan program the owners have applied for. The plans indicate 26
spaces and we strongly urge that a maximum of 24 spaces be allowed.
The 26 spaces requested are 91x20' which is an absolute minimum. Since
the plan calls for only 20' of paving in between rows of parking, we
feel manuvering would be most difficult. The 24 spaces recommended
would mean the spaces would be almost 10' wide which should serve much
easier for the tenants to use. We would really much prefer that a nax mum
of 22 spaces be allowed, each 101x20'. This would leave approximately
71x201' on each side for a landscaped island. We also strongly urge
that:
1) a 6' wall of brick of the type used in the St. Clair construction,
with a cap, such as the one at about the same 6' level in St. Clair,
1321 South Scott a P.O. Box 1104 * Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 * 501-3 71-0075
be erected on either side of the entrance to the parking lot;
we feel a wood fence would be inappropriate;
2) radius of the turnout onto 6th Street out of the lot should
be located so as to maintain the existence of the large
willow oak located on the east side of the proposed entrance;
3) access at the north end of the lot be non-existent; some
screening now exists in the form of hedges and trees, but
additional dense planting is needed.
Item #3- 915 S. Cumberland St.
It is our recommendation that a certificate of appropriateness be issued.
The addition does not detract from the appearance or integrity of the
district. The addition does not affect the row (909, 913 and 923 Cumberland)
that was ranked by the Association as having Priority I architectural
significance. Further, it is our feeling that Poe Travel, by locating
its office on Cumberland, has contributed to the revitalization of
downtown and added to the stability of Cumberland Street.
Again, the Board wishes to thank you and the ccnanission for allowing
us to comment.
Sincerely,
v�
William F. Rector
President