HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2000-030 Staff Report 02/24/2000, Agenda 03/02/2000EkCity of Little Rock
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PREPARED BY: V. Anne Guthrie DATE: 24 February 2000
APPLICANT: Myra Ash
ADDRESS: 1423 Cumberland Street
COA REQUEST: Demolition of structure
PROJECT BACKGROUND, DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS: The subject property is
located south of I-630; it is sited on the east side of Cumberland, on the northeast corner of 15th
and Cumberland streets. The wood framed structure is two -storied and listed as non-contributing
in the 1988 architectural survey of MacArthur Park Historic District due to its artificial siding. It
is historically known as the Mast House, constructed ca. 1899, with Colonial Revival detailing.
An earlier survey of MacArthur and Governor's Mansion areas registered it as a vernacular
structure with limited architectural merit due to its massing, pitch, siting, etc.
The property owner has owned the structure about seven years, during which time it has been
vacant. The structure was vacant prior to the present ownership; it was inspected and listed as
vacant and "conditionally condemned" in 1989. Its eastern elevation is more deteriorated. On
the same block and due east on Rock, two structures were demolished due to the 1999 tornado:
Raymond Roger's two -storied brick apartments approved by the LRHDC in January and Fred
Nelson's two -storied home approved May 1999. Both properties remain unimproved. Another
corner lot structure was demolished by the tornado at 15th and Rock streets.
On Cumberland, there are four structures located north of the subject property. All the structures
are two -storied and multi -family. Across Cumberland, to the west of subject property, is the
Eastside School, which has served several functions since its abandonment by the school district.
The public facility is slated for rehabilitation and conversion into apartments.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT AND REACTION: The subject property sustained minimal
damage by the 1999 tornado. At the time of distribution, there were no objections to the
demolition request by letter or phone.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: It is staff recommendation that the request for demolition of
1420 Cumberland Street be deferred for six months in order to allow the property owner
sufficient time to sell the structure.
T
a LITTLE ROCK
�V HISTORIC
INV D I S T R I C T
APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Application Date:
1. Date of Public Hearing: - 1�^ day of M AA--?'—Q 2000 at 5 P.M.
2. Address of Property: �' o
3. Legal Description of Property: 4 CJ
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4. Property Owner (Name, Address, Phone, Fax): l� , c�{'' "[
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5. Owner's Agent:
6. Project
�Djescrriiptlon (additional pages maybe added):
7. Estimated Cost of Improvements:
8. Category of Work:
9. Notification Requirements:
10. Signature of Owner or Agent:
I
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II III �IV (Staff use)
✓Yes (properties within 150 feet) No
Little Rock Historic District Commission Action (to be completed by staff):
— Denied _ Deferred _ Approved _ Approved with Conditions
Staff Signature
NOTE: Should there be changes (design, materials, size, etc.) from the approved COA, applicant shall notify
Commission staff and take appropriate actions. Approval by the Commission does not excuse applicant or property
from compliance with other applicable codes, ordinances or policies of the city unless stated by the Commission or
staff. Responsibility for identifying such codes, ordinances or policies rests with the applicant, owner or agent.
Little Rock Historic District Commission ♦ Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs
500 W. Markham Street, #120W ♦ Little Rock, AR 72201 ♦ Phone: 501-244-5420 ♦ Fax: 501-399-3461
Myra lane Ash
P.O. Box 164661
Little Rock AR. 72216
Phone (501) 375-2147
Home Phone (501) 375-2147
Email PNLC@swbell.net
February 24, 2000
Historic District Commission
500 W. Markham
Suite 127W
Little Rock, AR 72201
Dear Commissioner,
I come before you today to ask for demolition of the property at 1423 Cumberland street. The house was in ill
repair prior to the January 1999 tornado, it is now in worse repair. I feel that it would be a benefit to the
neighborhoods welfare and safety if the structure was demolished.
I have spoke with contractors and a structural engineer, who are both in agreement that due to the status of the
structure it would cost more to rehabilitate the structure than it would to rebuild it new. I am enclosing a copy of
the engineers report and making myself at your convience if you want to see the structure. Due to the fact that I
am out of town a lot, and for your convience, you may contact Phillip Naylor and/or Larry Chastain at anytime to
make an appointment to show the house. You can call them at (501) 375-2147.
Myra Jane Ash
cc: L. Chastain_
STEVE MARTIN, P.E.
CONSULTING STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
P.O. Box 366
Atkins, Arkansas 72823
(501) 641-2849
19 February, 2000
Mr. Phillip Naylor
P.O. Box 164661
Little Rock, Arkansas 72216
Dear Mr. Naylor:
Per your request, I conducted a structural inspection of the house at 1423 Cumberland
in Little Rock, Arkansas on 18 February. The purpose of this inspection was to
determine the structural integrity of this structure. This report deals only with
information supplied to me by others and areas of the structure that were readily
accessible and/or observable at the time of the inspection.
It is my understanding that the 21 January, 1999 tornado removed most of the
structure's roof and that the present roof was installed in the summer of 1999.
The following is a summary of my findings:
1) The house is a 2 story wood frame structure built in the late 1800s
2) The house appears to have been added on to and/or remodeled several times
3) The east end of the house has undergone a great deal of vertical movement and is
sagging noticeably in several places
4) The top of the perimeter foundation wall on the east end of the house has moved
laterally outward across a large portion of the east and south sides of the house
5) Many of the load carrying members, especially on the east end of the house appear
to have deteriorated due to rot, decay, termite infestation, etc.
It is my opinion that the west/front end of the house is in fairly good structural
condition. I did notice several rotten load carrying members in this portion of the house.
These would have to be removed and replaced. The extent of the repair work on the
west end of the house would have to be determined after a more extensive inspection
was performed after wall, ceiling and floor sheathing were removed.
The east/back end of the house is, in my opinion, in very poor condition from a
structural integrity standpoint. As was noted in the summary of findings above, this end
of the house is sagging severely and has moved horizontally in several places especially
where the perimeter walls bear on the perimeter foundation walls. I believe that in its
Phillip Naylor
Page 2
present condition, the west end of the house is structurally inadequate and unsafe for
habitation.
I see no way to salvage the west end of the house and therefore recommend that it be
demolished. I anticipate that the demolition of the west end of the house would cause
some additional damage to the front/west end of the house which would have to be
assessed during and after the demolition work.
The demolition and reconstruction of the east end of the house is an option that you
might want to consider. However, I believe that the cost of such an undertaking would
be so much as to be prohibitive.
Another option that you might want to consider is to have the entire structure torn
down.
If I can be of any further assistance in this matter, please let me know.
Sincerely,
A
T S. Martin, P.E.
5S �� A,
ARz{ANSAS
REGISTERED
PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEER
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City of Little Rock
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
AGENDA
2 MARCH 2O00
City Hall, Sister Cities Conference Room
I. Roll Call and Finding of a Quorum
II. Approval of Minutes
III. Public Hearing
Agenda Item #1
Applicant: Charles Evans
Address: 1310 Rock Street Gj
Request: Demolition of structure
Agenda Item #2
Applicant: Myra Ash A
Address: 1423 Cumberland
Request: Demolition of structure
IV. New and Old Business
4 Non -compliant project at 900 block (west side) of Scott
asphalt paving of driveways at 904, 908 and 920 Scott and the
parking lot on the southwest corner of 9th and & Scott streets
4 Renaming of McAlmont to Sid McMath
4 Election of LRHDC officers (chair and vice -chair)
V. Adjournment
(-." ovo'&�
Little Rock Historic District Commission
4 May 2000 Minutes, Page 2
The second Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application for consideration was:
Applicant: Christopher Pratt
Address: 308 East 14th Street
Request: Rehabilitation of structure into a single-family home (Deferred request)
The owner presented the request to rehabilitate and convert the structure into single-family; this
request was deferred due to the need for detailed information. The HVAC unit proposed for the
rear roof will be relocated to the west side in the rear, by the first unit. Computerized drawings of
each facade and a revised listing of nine items were presented. The computer drawings depicted
each elevation after rehab and photos depicted the existing condition of the structure. Greer
reviewed the itemized listing individually: window replacements; storm windows; door and
window openings; shiplap siding repair; HVAC units; and gutter repair.
There was lengthy discussion relating to the shiplap siding on the southwest corner of the west
facade, or roughly one -quarter of the elevation. It is different sized siding and does not match the
existing siding on the facade (4" versus 3 "). Discussion focused on repair work and LRHDC's
role in deciding the level of detail, such as siding width, in preserving architectural integrity.
Specific windows were discussed in terms of retaining or eliminating the openings. The listed
items were discussed as part of the conditional approval:
Item #1 -- windows must match original in dimensions and details; extant sashes
will be utilized; header trim to be matched
Item #2 -- storm windows details as presented will be used in prefinished bronze or white
Item #3 -- front porch door on east side will be closed and 3" siding installed
Item #4 -- replace front door with wooden french windows and sidelights -- need
cut sheet with details for approval
Item #5 -- damaged siding replaced; on west replaced with Ysiding to match
Item #6 -- both HVAC units on west side; landscaping submitted for staff approval
Item #7 -- front porch gutter on the south will be repaired and reinstalled
Item #8 -- close window on second story east elevation with appropriate siding;
enlarge other window and utilize details and dimensions
Item #9 -- rear door opening on west will be retained with fixed, six -panel wooden door
There was a motion to approve the COA request for 308 E. 14th Street as revised and with
specific detail cuts submitted for staff approval. It was approved unanimously.
Under old business, there were updates on the following: demolition of 1423 Cumberland;
stabilization of 1324 Cumberland due to fire damage (it requires a COA for rehab); and the
1999 CLG projects of infill housing plan and architectural survey of Stiffts' Station are
progressing on schedule. As there was no business, the LRHDC meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.