Members of the Historic District Commission usually offer stiff resistance to demolition requests, but the HDC granted two demolition permits last week with little discussion.
At 23 Fairmount St., Kathy Martone and Gary Toub asked to remove a garage which had been neglected over a long period of time. The structure had become unsafe, and they spent less than two minutes at the podium before receiving unanimous approval.
John Dortch also received unanimous approval to remove a non-original addition at 289 N. Main St. The original structure is considered contributing, but the addition was added in the 1970s, and has deteriorated.
In other business:
- Michael Walton and Brent Lowther received approval to repair an existing side porch and add a new deck with a screened porch at 12 Washington St. Their application included an extensive set of pictures and drawings.
- Charlotte Destry received approval to enclose a terrace at 13 Emporia St. City Historic Preservation Officer Kyle Palmer noted that the terrace was at the rear of the house and below street level.
- At 15 Douglas St., Kenneth Gaillot received approval for a picket fence 42 inches high in front of his house. The 117 linear feet of fencing will include two 48-in. gates, and pickets will be spaced an inch apart. The house dates to 1889 and is considered contributing. Commissioner Marty Cogan cast the sole vote against the application.
- A workshop on stone and masonry has been rescheduled to March 15. This will give commissioners more time to assemble pictures and compile questions. Local contractors will be invited to participate.
- A training camp for Planning commissioners is scheduled for May 5 in Fort Smith. Commissioner Magi Hayde described it as “a really valuable learning experience,” especially for new commissioners. More details will be available at upcoming meetings.
- Chair Dee Bright mentioned the Ned Shank Award for Outstanding Preservation Publication, which was presented to the HDC and the City of Eureka Springs for the revised guidelines for the historic district. “This is very important for Eureka Springs,” she said, reminding everyone that Shank was the first president of the Preservation Society here.
- This was the first meeting for new commissioner Kelli Cole Ladwig.
- The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Level III applications were due Feb. 16, and Level II applications were due Feb. 22.