At the Feb. 18 meeting, the Historic District Commission considered an application for a project that had already begun. Commissioners considered the application from Steven Mongeau, at 10 Eugenia St., who asked to remove a failing wooden deck and replace it with stamped concrete.
The house dates to 1914, and is considered contributing, and that status affected the decision of the commission. The application did not include sufficient site drawings, and the HDC asked Mongeau to return with a complete application. Mongeau said he would continue removing the old deck “on an emergency basis.” Cassie Dishman, director of Planning and Community Development, said Mongeau could work with her and Building Inspector Paul Sutherland to create a temporary structure for access to his front door.
Continuing education
Commissioners have the opportunity to attend an annual statewide preservation conference. A national conference is held every other year. Dishman told commissioners that a grant that ordinarily pays for attendance at those events has been reduced.
The statewide conference had been planned in Fayetteville in March, but lack of funding affected that event. It was rescheduled for October in Hot Springs, in conjunction with a Preserve Arkansas conference.
Commissioner Dee Bright explained that Eureka Springs may have more in common with larger cities, because smaller cities typically have very small historic districts. She asked how many commissioners could attend the national meeting if no one attended the statewide event. The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions will be held in Minneapolis in July.
Dishman said the budget would allow for three commissioners to go to Minneapolis if no one attends the statewide event in Hot Springs. She said she will attend both events, and explained that she has a budget separate from the commission. Dishman asked everyone to think about the topic before the next meeting.
In other business:
- Commissioners discussed the ongoing project to refinish the floor in the basement of the Aud.
- Several commissioners spoke about the loss of former commissioner Susan Daniels, who died recently. “She loved this town and the preservation of our historic structures for future generations,” Chair Debbie Davis said.
- Commissioner Frank Green was chosen to replace Daniels as treasurer.
- The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4. Level III applications were due Feb. 19, and Level II applications were due Feb. 25.