At the Jan. 5 Historic District Commission meeting an application for a new restaurant in Pine Mountain Village received quick approval. Marshall Johnson currently operates the Rockin’ Pig Saloon and described plans to revitalize the entire complex. Beverly Blankenship, who owns a business across the highway from the project, wrote a letter in support of the project. The letter said her business has suffered with the sharp decline at Pine Mountain in recent years, and she welcomed the project, which she said would help restore traffic to that area.
Blankenship also said Pine Mountain should not be included in the historic district. The historic district was drawn broadly, she wrote, because it was cheaper and simpler than protecting the truly historic areas of the city.
Fencing for Fido
Linda Cayce received conditional approval for a fence at 9 E. Mountain Dr. She did not attend the meeting, but City Historic Preservation Officer Glenna Booth said Cayce has not yet moved to the property. She wants to have the yard fenced for a dog before she relocates.
The request called for a fence made of pine boards, four feet high, running across the front of her property, along the side, and connecting to the rear corner of the house. Although HDC guidelines ordinarily restrict front-yard fences, Cayce’s application noted many houses in the neighborhood with fenced front yards.
Commissioners familiar with the neighborhood agreed, although they balked at the 48-in. height. HDC guidelines limit fences in front and side yards to 42 inches. The application was approved at that height, and Cayce can come back to the commission if she still wants to seek approval for a higher fence.
Bicycle bridges get assent
Commissioners unanimously approved two bicycle bridges already in place. The Bentonville/Bella Vista Trailblazers had constructed the bridges as part of a system of bike trails around Magnetic Springs Road. One of the bridges is 90 ft. long and six ft. wide, with a railing. The other is 15 ft. long and seven ft. wide, with no railing.
Building Inspector Bobby Ray had inspected a shed at 141 W. Van Buren St. for Sam and Vicki Highfield. His report called the shed a “serious safety issue.” He also said the cost of repair would be prohibitive, and recommended demolition. Commissioners agreed.
The commission deferred action on an exterior stairway requested by Sam Dudley at 34 E. Mountain Dr. Dudley did not attend the meeting.
Level III applications are due by Jan. 23. Other levels are due Jan. 30.
Guidelines workshop scheduled
Booth said she has kept a list of HDC guidelines that “seem thorny, or not covered.” Incoming Chair Dee Bright asked the other commissioners whether to hold a separate workshop or discuss the guidelines during a regular meeting, and they decided on the informality of the workshop with changes coming back to the table during the meeting. The HDC will review guidelines at a workshop 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, with the regular meeting to follow at 6 p.m.