The Historic District Commission postponed decisions on two applications at the March 18 meeting. After site visits to the two properties, the HDC approved both applications at the April 1 meeting.
Alan Lankford had asked to replace a front window with a sliding door for access to a new deck at 19 Jackson St. Some commissioners had balked at the notion of a sliding glass door and suggested that a pair of French doors would look better. Lankford said the sliding doors would intrude less on the small space. His application was approved after commissioners looked at the sliding door unit he planned to install, with a grid dividing the open expanse of glass.
James and Stacey Humphries Smith had asked to create a new parking area at 180 N. Main St., and they also wanted to add a small third-floor balcony. Commissioners had reservations about using metal railings instead of wood, but the owners said a metal railing would provide more safety. Cassie Dishman, director of Planning and Community Development, had contacted the Arkansas Historic Preservation Project and that agency did not object to adding the balcony. The property dates to 1900 and is considered contributing. The railing will look similar to existing railings, and their application was approved with one abstention.
At 16 White St., David Chrystall received approval for his plan to extend a roof over a rear deck. The property dates to 1897, and is considered contributing, but commissioners noted that the back part of the house is an addition. The project will not be visible from the street, and the HDC told him he could use rolled asphalt roofing on the shallow-sloped roof.
Cory O’Hara was elected secretary for the commission. This was the first meeting for new commissioner Katie Lopez.
The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Level III applications were due April 2, and Level II applications were due April 8.