The Historic District Commission had postponed a decision on two projects at its July 3 meeting. Last week, the HDC approved both those projects.
At 42 Prospect Ave., Keith Scales and Rebecca Becker had asked to remove failing stone pillars on the front porch. Scales proposed replacing them with tapered wooden columns, in keeping with the Craftsman style of the house. Commissioners said the house had an overall Victorian style, with round columns on the other faces of the house. They also had serious concerns about losing the property’s contributing status.
Although the stone columns were added 25 years after the house was built, they still fall within the historic period. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program advised either rebuilding the stone pillars or removing the stone columns and a low stone wall. The owners chose the latter option, and posts and railings will match the rest of the exterior. Scales said he expects to start work “as soon as possible.”
At 110 Wall St., David Grosshans had received approval in May to increase the size of an accessory building and change the pitch of the roof. A stop-work order was issued after a contractor strayed from the original design. The contractor had increased the height of the building by two feet so the eave would not butt into the eave of the adjacent house.
Commissioners found the roofline inconsistent with the neighborhood. They also expressed concerns about the possibility of losing the property’s contributing status. A consultation with the AHPP showed that previous records were incomplete, and the property is no longer considered contributing because of significant alterations to the original structure. Without the threat of losing a contributing property, commissioners compromised on the roofline. Grosshans had met with the fire marshal, and his plans would protect the existing structures.
In other business:
- Jack Moyer represented Crescent Properties, and asked approval to demolish a garage at 505 Spring St. The building does not have a roof and is considered a hazard. It was built in 1970. Although the adjacent house is a contributing property, Moyer said removing the garage would not affect that status. All approved the demolition without discussion.
- The commission has a vacancy, and anyone interested in serving can contact Kyle Palmer, the city’s Director of Planning and Community Development.
- Commissioner Frank Green asked about a burned house on Spring Street. Palmer said the house is a total loss, and a demolition application is expected soon.
- Some of the commissioners will attend an upcoming national preservation forum in Florida, and travel plans were briefly discussed.
- The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Level III applications were due July 25, and Level II applications are due July 30.