The Historic District Commission approved four applications on Oct. 7, and three of the four were contributing properties dating back to the city’s early days.
An application from 263 Spring St. by owner Sharon Lawlor asked to build a wooden deck 10 feet square, with a white PVC gazebo. The property dates to 1884 and is considered contributing. Commissioners initially expressed reluctance about the PVC material, but the gazebo will be below street level, and not visible from the street. Lawlor acknowledged that the structure would be visible from the sidewalk. She explained that the structure will be removable, and commissioners approved the application with one abstention.
Rob Strauch asked to build a two-car carport at Redbud Manor, 7 Kingshighway. The property dates to 1905 and is considered contributing. Strauch was asked if the carport would impinge upon a driveway that serves two other houses and explained that the concrete pad was already in place. He also noted that the carport will lie on the rear property line and will not obstruct the view of the house. All approved the application.
Commissioners also approved a roof extension for Coltan Scrivner at 7 Armstrong St. Scrivener explained the drainage problems he had faced at the rear of the Peabody House, which dates to 1883 and is considered contributing. Scrivner said he had tried French drains and gutters. Those measures helped, but he said extending a section of the first-story roof would solve a lot of problems. The new roof will tie onto the existing roof and will continue in the same plane. It will not be visible from the road.
The HDC will not ordinarily approve murals painted directly onto a building, but they approved a mural at 3010 E. Van Buren for Greg Clark. The building lies at the outer edge of the historic district, and commissioners noted that most people do not consider that area as part of the district. Cassie Dishman, director of Planning and Community Development, said she had sought opinions from the Eureka Springs Arts Council, and they endorsed the project. All approved the application.
The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Level III applications were due Oct. 8, and Level II applications were due Oct. 14. Dishman reminded the commissioners that two members will be attending a seminar in Hot Springs, so the remaining members will all be needed for a quorum.