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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report with MinutesApril 3, 2025 Historic District Commission IV Roll Call DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1 334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435 www.Iittlerock.gov LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTE RECORD Thursday, April 3, 2025, 4:00 p.m. Board Room, Little Rock City Hall, 500 W. Markham Members Present: Christina Aleman, Chair Amber Jones, Vice Chair Tom Fennell Dr. Thomas DeGraff III Chase Waters Members Absent: Scott Green Diane Thomas -Holliday Staff Present: Hannah Ratzlaff Raeanne Gardner Cameron Bowden Finding a Quorum A quorum was present being five (5) in number. Citizen Communication Ms. Donna Colon addressed the commission. Ms. Colon expressed concern regarding HDC2025-005 and enforcement action regarding the property at 1420 Commerce Street. The item was deferred to the May 1st meeting due to the applicant providing the incorrect hearing date in the public notice letter. Minutes None 1 April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission V M IM National Register Nominations None Deferred Certificates of Appropriateness None New Certificates of Appropriateness 1. HDC2025-004 Joe Tollett 515 Rock Street Rehabilitation, Site Improvements, Front Porch Alterations and Reconstruction 2. HDC2025-005 CPA OZ Investments LLC 1420 S. Commerce Street Skylights, Front Porch Alterations, Fencing Deferred to May 1st, 2025 meeting due to failure to meet public notice requirements 3. HDC2025-006 First Lutheran Church 700 S. Rock Street Rehabilitation, Site Improvements, Rear Two -Story Enclosed Porch Alteration 0) I Wr 41M v r° /1 y oo ov = pip • Eoe,zA�i'pzi ■ a,w o� E ID1HL 9 a �� ' � � WyGyyll9lb bbyK z roleu �o It-5as L faw2,[ID! COO w ]0a 2'K-,r ' 1 ®■ fe1H 21 �� �� ■ �� ecve�rvnEs L ` I f 'zl April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission Development History The Welch -Cherry House displays a compound front-facingT plan with an asymmetrical front gable and cross -gable roof. The home displays subdued Italianate details, such as tall and narrow two -over -two wood windows with hooded, segmental arches, and simple eaves with built-in gutters. Frame partial porches, single -story and two-story, sit against each elevation with collective square porch supports with beveled (chamfered) corners. Masonry details include brick window hoods and courses parged and painted to appear like stone. The first story belt course along the street facing facades is precast concrete or stone. Uniquely, the home retains its original slate tile roof and five brick chimneys. The home lacks common ornate Italianate details such as cornices and eave brackets. The structure is first depicted in the 1897 Sanborn map as a two-story brick masonry dwelling with a slate roof with various single -story wood frame porches along each elevation with roofing made of non-combustible material, likely metal (Figure 4). By 1913, the rear (west) elevation porch was replaced with a two-story wood frame porch with roofing made of a non-combustible material, likely metal (Figure 4). By 1939, the south elevation porch was raised to two stories with the upper story enclosed (Figure 5). The second story was enclosed and the first story partially enclosed by the 1980s (Figure 8). The residence was built for Reverend Thomas R. Welch who was a prominent Mason and served as the pastor of Little Rock's First Presbyterian Church, at 800 Scott Street, for 25 years. Upon his death, Welch left the home to the directors of the Southwestern Presbyterian University in Tennessee. In 1892, the university sold the house to Lewis W. Cherry who was in the ice manufacturing business and later became president of the Peoples Building and Loan and president of the State National Bank in Little Rock. After Cherry's death in 1922, his widow occupied the house until her death in 1957. The home was later converted to apartments. In 1984, the First Lutheran Church, at 314 E 8th Street, received a Conditional Use Permit to convert the structure to office space and utilize the interior land of Block 42 for shared parking between the church, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, and J. Tucker Morse. The Welch -Cherry House was leased by J. Tucker Morse and RPM until recently. The church plans to continue the use of the home as office space. Previous Action On May 30, 2024, a COC (HDC2024-022) was issued to First Lutheran Church for exterior masonry and wood repairs, installation of handrail on front pathway steps, porch repairs, concrete walkway replacement, box gutter repairs, fencing repair, and HVAC replacement and screening. 15 April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission On January 25, 2017, a COC (HDC2017-001) was issued to the First Lutheran Church for replacement of the slate roof with architectural shingle and exterior wood repair. On August 16, 2002, a COA (HDC2002-010) was issued to the First Lutheran Church for a wood side ADA ramp on the south porch facing the shared parking. On December 6, 1990, a COA (HDC1990-010) was denied for signage. On April 5, 1984, a COA (HDC1984-004) was issued to the First Lutheran Church for restoration and repair, rear (west) porch alterations and enclosure, and shared parking lot design for Block 42. No previous actions were found on this site. 16 April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission Figure 6. 700 S Rock Street, 1897, Sanborn Map, Little Rock. Figure 7. 700 S Rock Street, 1939, Sanborn Map, Little Rock. Sanborn Maps 17 Figure 5. 700 S Rock Street, 1913, Sanborn Map, Little Rock. Figure 5. 700 S Rock Street, 1950, Sanborn Map, Little Rock. April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission Historic Photographs & Drawings Figure 6. Welch -Cherry House, 1978, QQA architectural resource survey. WELGii-CHERRY RFSTORA'rim Figure 7. Welch -Cherry East Elevation Drawing, Allison Moses Reddin, 1984. Figure 8. Welch -Cherry, approved alterations to south elevation, Allison Moses Reddin, 1984. J, _ South Elevation 18 April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission C. EXISTING CONDITIONS: See site photos (Attachment A) and application packet (Attachment B). The application packet includes cover letter, application, architectural plans, and email correspondence related to a state conservation easement, etc. The property owner has applied for a Historic Preservation Restoration Grant (HPRG) Option 2 with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for the same scope of work. The property has an active conservation easement held by the State of Arkansas. D. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS: The time of distribution, there were no comments regarding this application. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site and all neighborhood associations registered with the City of Little Rock that surround the site were notified of the public hearing. E. ANALYSIS: Rear Enclosed Porch Alteration The application proposes to remove existing lattice panels and metal floor -to -ceiling window wall system installed in the 1984-1985 restoration and rehabilitation of the property. The porch enclosure system will be replaced with wood (Spanish cedar) one - over -one non -operable windows with exterior mullions, arranged two and three per bay. Wood horizontal siding and trim in the same dimensions and exposure are proposed beneath the windows to match the south elevation porch. The proposal includes the restoration of all existing and original chamfered porch columns, pilasters, and remaining brackets. One existing column that is non-originalwill be replaced with a column that matches the originals in design and material. The four (4) existing brackets are proposed to be relocated from the second story to the first story, south elevation, of the porch. The brick masonry porch foundation will be deconstructed and rebuilt for stabilization with concrete footings and CMU (concrete masonry unit) bearing, with brick veneer salvaged from the existing foundation. It is staff's understanding that the existing horizontal siding covering the eaves, soffit, fascia, and foundation of the rear porch will be removed. These porch elements will be replaced with wood boards of the appropriate dimensions to be compatible with the other porches on the structure. 19 April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission Staff finds the proposed rear porch alterations are mostly consistent with the Design Guidelines, specifically Section 4.13(5). The proposed alterations preserve identified historic porch features, such as the columns and brackets. The proposed non -historic elements will be installed behind existing architectural details and the existing large single pane windows will be replaced with pairs and groupings of one -over -one wood windows dimensionally compatible to the existing openings. Staff finds that the proposed wood siding beneath the windows are too similar to the wood siding of the historically enclosed south elevation porch and recommends the use of simple solid panels for this element. Examples of enclosed secondary porches in this configuration in the MacArthur Park Historic District are shown below: Figure 9. Holtzman-Vinsonhaler House, 500 E 8th, 2023. Figure 11. Hanger House, 1010 Scott Street, 2023. Figure 10. 601 Rock Street, 2023. 20 April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission Staff finds the proposal is inconsistent with standard 3 of the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation: "Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken." Staff finds the proposal is consistent with standard 9 of the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation: "New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment." Accessibility Ramp The application proposes the removal of the existing wood accessibility ramp on the south elevation and replacement with a concrete ramp and metal handrails. The ramp will connect the south porch to designated handicap parking. Staff finds the proposed accessibility ramp is mostly consistent with the Design Guidelines, specifically Section 4.30, regarding material and screening. The ramp is located on a secondary fagade, is visible from Rock Street, and is made of concrete rather than wood. Staff recommends a wood accessibility ramp in consideration of the structure's architectural style, historic use, and the ability to be more easily removed. Concrete accessibility ramps are more appropriate on commercial and institutional structures that are an extension of the sidewalk to a storefront or entrance. Staff finds the proposal is inconsistent with standard 9 of the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation: "New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment." Porch Handrails The application proposes the installation of black, metal handrails with lamb's tongue ends along the porch steps of the front and south porches. One handrail is proposed for the front porch while retaining existing wood rails, two handrails are proposed for the south porch. The handrails are required by building code. Staff finds the proposed handrails are consistent with Guideline 4.13(7). The proposed 21 April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission handrails are simple and subordinate in design and compatible with the historic attributes of the property. Staff finds the proposal is consistent with the SOI Standards, specifically Standard 9: "New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment." F. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the approval of the application, as submitted, with the following conditions: 1. Simple, solid panels shall be used below the windows of the proposed rear enclosed porch to avoid conjecture with the early-20t" century south elevation porch. 2. The accessibility ramp shall be composed of wood with wood railings and be screened with landscaping to reduce visibility, as viewable from Rock Street. G. STAFF RECOMMENDATION (APRIL 3, 2025) Staff member Ratzlaff presented the application to the Commission. Mr. Ed Sergeant, representative of the property owner and project architect, addressed the Commission and advocated for the use of brick on the accessibility ramp and siding that matched the 20th-century enclosed porch for the proposed rear porch enclosure. Commissioner Aleman inquired how the proposed siding was inconsistent with the Design Guidelines. Ratzlaff explained that staff found the siding to be inconsistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, specifically Standard 3, as it could create a false sense of historical development. She further referenced Section 4.13(5) of the Design Guidelines, which encourages simplified architectural features for enclosed porches to avoid conjectural designs. Commissioners Fennell and Jones discussed the proposed siding. Commissioner Aleman asked Mr. Sergeant whether the applicant would be amenable to staff's recommendations or to using vertical beadboard. Mr. Sergeant confirmed the applicant's openness to using beadboard. The Commission also discussed materials for the accessibility ramp. Commissioner Jones expressed opposition to the use of brick or concrete. Ratzlaff cited Section 4.30 of 22 April 3, 2025 Historic District Commission the Design Guidelines, which states: "Accessibility ramps shall be simple in design, constructed of wood that is stained or painted, and be screened with landscaping where visible from the public right-of-way." She noted that if the Commission wished to grant a waiver of this guideline, it would need to provide a justification. Following discussion, Commissioner Fennell made a motion to approve the application with the following conditions: • Simple solid panels or vertical beadboard shall be used below the windows of the rear enclosed porch. • The accessibility ramp shallfeature wood railings, and the surface may be composed of a wood composite material, on the bases of durability. Commissioner Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed with 5 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 absent. 23