The Historic District Commission continued recent discussions of retaining walls and other masonry issues. At the April 5 meeting, commissioners spoke of the need to develop better guidelines in this area. A recent workshop with local contractors helped inform commissioners, and they will schedule another workshop before developing new guidelines. The topic will continue on the April 15 HDC agenda.
In other business:
- At 28 Fairmont St., Mark Anderson sought approval to build a new garage. The house dates to 1904 and is considered contributing. It is eligible for the National Register and is held in a perpetual preservation program through the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
The application called for placing the garage in the northeast corner of the lot. Construction would complement the house and the neighborhood. Commissioner Kelli Cole Ludwig noted that the siding material would not match the house. City Historic Preservation Officer Kyle Palmer said the garage would “align with the historic use of the property.” He also noted that the AHPP concurred. All voted in favor. They also approved 45 linear feet of retaining wall, which the AHPP had also endorsed.
Chair Dee Bright thanked Anderson for his preservation work, and he said, “It’s a project. I’ll be back.”
- A new fire escape at 190 Spring St. was approved at the rear of the building, known as the Library Annex.
- An application for a new deck and backyard fencing was approved for Deb and Dwight Johnson at 29 Ridgeway Ave.
- Commissioners approved an application for work at the Eureka Springs Community Center, including upgrading a ramp to meet standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The application also included a retaining wall and new doors to access the ramp. Board member Jack Moyer thanked the HDC and the community for supporting the ESCC.
- Judy Holden will serve as commission secretary.
- Palmer will invite Jacqueline Wolven, executive director of Main Street Eureka Springs, to the April 19 commission meeting. The HDC and Main Street may plan a joint workshop.
- Bright also noted that the process has been completed to legally change the name of the Downtown Network to Main Street Eureka Springs. She said the process had been derailed by the pandemic but was restarted last August.
- Bright said that information is maintained at City Hall about the history of individual properties, and homeowners can find information about their homes. Homeowners can repaint or perform interior changes without commission approval, but she recommended keeping the official record at City Hall upgraded for the benefit of anyone who might own the property in the future.
- Palmer mentioned some upcoming training events available to commissioners. The AHPP will host a session in Ft. Smith on May 5, and a virtual training session is scheduled for Aug. 23-24.
- The commission will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. Level III applications were due April 6, and other levels were due April 12.