When the Historic District Commission met on May 1, objections to a planned project took up half of the 40-minute meeting. Troy Drollinger had asked to create a parking area by adding a retaining wall, and neighbors complained in person or submitted their concerns through email.
Commissioners also had reservations, and decided on a site visit to the Carry Nation Home at 35 Steele St. The property slopes away from the street, and a retaining wall ranging from four-to-eight feet in height would be required to create a parking area with a pad 30 feet by 15 feet.
Drollinger explained that the concrete retaining wall would be faced with natural stone. He said the project met all setback requirements, and neither the building inspector nor Public Works had any objection.
Commissioners visited the site prior to the May 15 meeting. Commissioner Debbie Davis asked about the 15-ft. depth of the parking pad, and said Drollinger already had eight feet of parking next to the road. Drollinger estimated that space at closer to four feet and said his dimensions would tally with the city guidelines of an 18-ft. length for a parking space. With that question settled, commissioners quickly approved the application.
Unlike the previous meeting, only one person spoke against the project. Maureen Miller said the parking area would look “absolutely hideous,” and she reminded commissioners of overwhelming neighborhood opposition voiced on May 1.
In other business:
- Kyle Palmer, the city’s Director of Planning and Community Development, discussed the need for a workshop to review HDC guidelines. He said new commissioners would receive updated books with current guidelines. No date was set, but Palmer said he would investigate possible dates for commissioners to consider. The workshop may be held at city hall or the Eureka Springs Community Center.
- The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. Level III applications are due May 23, and Level II applications are due May 30. Palmer said the June 3 agenda will include a Level III application, and he asked commissioners to drive by the site prior to the meeting. Palmer said he would arrange a formal site visit if necessary, but asked commissioners to at least drive by the location after receiving their meeting packets.
- The HDC still has one vacant position.