HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1996-001 Letter From COLR HDC To Ron Woods, Chairman 01/08/1996City of Little Rock,
Historic District Commission
723 West Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
(501) 371-4790
January 8, 1996
Ron Woods, Chairman
Little Rock Planning Commission
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Dear Commissioner Woods,
The Little Rock Historic District Commission (LRHDC) is initiating the process, as
prescribed by state legislation and city ordinance, to establish the Hillcrest neighborhood
as a "local ordinance historic district." As part of the process, the Commission has made
an investigation to identify the buildings and sites of architectural and historic
significance. The Commission has found that the boundaries of the Hillcrest Historic
District, currently a National Register Historic District, constitute appropriate boundaries
for a local ordinance district.
Therefore, the LRHDC respectfully submits this letter and attachments as our report for
your consideration in this regard. Attachments include:
• Arkansas State statute on establishment of historic districts
• Hillcrest Historic District legal description
• nomination form for listing on National Register of Historic Places
(initial 1990 application and 1992 amendment)
• an informative brochure titled Hillcrest: The History and
Architectural Heritage of Little Rock's Streetcar Suburb
• by reference (not attached), the entire 231 pages of architectural survey
data used for the National Register nomination.
The investigation by staff and a LRHDC member found a number of houses, both
contributing and noncontributing have been demolished. This fact was confirmed by a
thorough site inspection of the district and information provided by Neighborhoods and
Planning demolition permits records. Below are the accurate totals for the district.
1990
1992
1995
survey
survey
Total
ev
contributing structures
1,035
65
1,100
I,094
noncontributing structures
576
56
632
629
noncontributing sites
-
5
5
5
total
1,611
126
1,737
L728
The following timeline represents the composite thinking and hours of work from the
Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Little Rock Neighborhoods and Planning,
Quawpaw Quarter Association, Hillcrest Residents Association and the Little Rock
Historic District Commission.
Development of Hillcrest Historic District
Dec. 86 CLG grant to survey Hillcrest neighborhood.
Sep. 88 Survey for National Register of Historic Places finished.
12/11/90 Hillcrest listed on National Register of Historic Places.
10/8/92 Amendment to the Hillcrest Historic District.
1/9/95 Hillcrest Residents Association began process moving towards local
ordinance status.
9/14/95 Hillcrest Residents Association presents plan to neighborhood.
12/7/95 Hillcrest Residents Association formally asks LRHDC to create the
Hillcrest Historic District.
12/13/95 Investigation by staff and representative of LRHDC into using the
application for the National Register of Historic Places as the report.
1/4/96 Acceptance of the report by the LRHDC.
The legislation provides that the Little Rock Planning Commission's recommendations
be read in full at a public hearing held by the Historic District Commission. It further
stipulates that the Planning Commission's failure to make recommendations within sixty
days after receipt of our report shall be taken as approval of the report.
The Little Rock Historic District Commission is gladly complying with the portion of the
law that requires the submission of the report. We believe that your recommendations
can be an invaluable contribution to the success of the project. We look forward to
receiving your comments. Should you want further information, we would be delighted
to provide or supply you with additional data.
Sincerely,
Chairman John Bush
Mr. Carl F. Menyhart, Jr.
Mr. Tommy Jameson
Mr. Bob Roddey
Ms. Julie Wiedower