The Historic District Commission’s final meeting of 2024 presented commissioners with a difficult choice.
Lloyd Leibee had installed a metal carport at 26 Emporia St., and Building Inspector Paul Sutherland flagged the project and told him he needed HDC approval. Sutherland and Cassie Dishman, director of Planning and Community Development, informed Leibee that the HDC would never approve a metal carport. They told him he might have a chance at approval if he removed the metal siding and replaced it with siding similar to his house. The house was built in 1990, and is non-contributing, but HDC guidelines still prohibit such structures
Leibee explained that he would add additional wood framing to the metal trusses to support the siding. He planned to leave both ends open, and the carport would shelter his RV. He could not place the carport further back on his lot because the ground slopes downhill away from the road.
Chair Dee Bright said the addition of wood siding would not conceal the metal carport, and Leibee said other properties in town have metal carports. Bright explained that a metal carport in his neighborhood was already in place when the historic district was formed. Leibee mentioned another carport on East Mountain Drive, but that lies outside the historic district.
Commissioners suggested that enclosing the ends might sway their decision, but they still expressed reservations about opening the door to other metal carports. All agreed that a more detailed drawing of the expected outcome would help their decision, and the application was tabled pending the receipt of better graphics.
After Leibee left the microphone, commissioners bemoaned the lack of public awareness regarding HDC regulations. Commissioner Debbie Davis said notices were sent out several years ago, but maybe those notices should go out annually. Dishman said the HDC could certainly do that, although she would have to check the commission’s budget. Bright reminded everyone that many of the notices sent out last time came back by return mail.
With new residents arriving steadily, commissioners discussed ways to reach them. Davis said historic districts are “not the norm” in other communities, especially a historic district covering more than a few blocks. The commissioners mentioned reaching out to real estate agent or having a brochure to send out when someone begins a new water service. Title companies might also help spread the word. “When we bought property with a homeowner association, we received the HOA rules at closing,” Davis said.
Dishman said maps on city websites show the dimensions of the historic district. A future workshop may be planned to further consider this.
In other business:
- Mark Farha received approval for Level II upgrades to properties at 1 and 3 Eugenia St. At 1 Eugenia, he planned to replace and add siding, replace gutters, and replace a window and a door with glass block windows. The plans for 3 Eugenia were similar, replacing a door with a glass block window, replacing gutters and siding, and replacing aluminum windows with vinyl. Davis noted that the vinyl windows were allowed because the house was built in 1996.
- At 95 Wall St., Julia Boyer asked to replace windows with new vinyl windows. The house was built in 1970, and Bright noted that the construction date made vinyl windows appropriate.
- Lyla Allison admitted she has “a lot of work ahead” at 48 Anderson. Her application listed removing a section of front deck, replacing two rear windows with vinyl windows, and using the two rear windows to replace two front windows. She also asked to replace a rear door with a window. She explained that the door is well below standard height. The house dates to 1920 but is non-contributing. All approved the application.
- The next HDC meeting would have fallen on Jan. 1, so the commission will not meet until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Level III applications are due Jan. 2, and Level II applications are due Jan. 9.
- Dishman said she is working on a grant with an application deadline of Dec. 31. She asked for a rough idea of how many commissioners might want to attend a Destination Downtown session in September in El Dorado. She hopes to find grant money to cover such educational opportunities. Bright said the event is promoted by Main Street, and representatives from Louisiana and Alabama will attend.
- Bright thanked everyone who participated in the Tour of Homes, which sold 821 tickets.