A proposed addition to a small house at 268 N. Main St. drew positive responses from the Planning Commission on Jan. 22.
The Historic District Commission had approved the addition on Jan. 16. In commercial zones, Planning reviews applications that change the footprint of a building. Contractor Penny Pemberton spoke on behalf of property owner Danny Ford, explaining drawings showing the addition and ample off-street parking.
The small house, built 50 years ago, has no plumbing. An 8 x 12 ft. addition at the rear of the small house will add a bathroom, allowing the property to be used as guest lodging. Roofing and siding will match the rest of the two-story house, which currently measures 12 x 17 ft. Pemberton said the new electrical service would meet commercial codes.
Commission Chair Ann Sallee said, “It’s exciting that building will have something done to it.”
The small house will never require more than one or two parking spaces, Pemberton said, and the parking area could easily accommodate more than six spaces. The Arkansas Department of Transportation has already approved the curb cuts. Commissioner Tom Buford insisted on having the parking area detailed, and although the addition extends the ridgeline of the house, Buford said the application needs to list the height explicitly.
Commissioner Abbey Abbey asked about a more detailed architectural plan, and Pemberton said she would not know the exact footprint of the addition until she finds out how far the house can extend into the bluff line behind the house. She asked commissioners if she could proceed with excavating into the bluff and return with specific plans, and they replied that the building inspector could issue a permit.
Ghost tours need to wrangle ghost hunters
Sallee said bed-and-breakfasts located in R-1 zoning cannot give tours, so they cannot take part in the Ghost Tour. Only one Conditional Use Permit has been extended for a tour home, she said, and no other permits would be given because that is no longer a permitted use. She asked for opinions from the other commissioners before sending notices to the properties in violation.
“I don’t want the ghost tours to go away, but they can’t infringe on properties or guests in the middle of the night,” Sallee said. “People should not be able to get off the bus.”
Buford recalled complaints from neighbors about people walking onto neighboring properties during the late-night tours. He and the other commissioners agreed with Sallee, and she will send cease-and-desist letters.
Planning will next meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12. The agenda will include electing a secretary to replace Susan Harman, who resigned the commission. Sallee said she planned to meet with Mayor Butch Berry the day after this meeting to discuss this vacancy and other vacancies on the commission. Only four commissioners attended this meeting, a bare quorum. They could not officially approve the minutes of the last meeting, because one of the four had missed that meeting and could not vote on the question.
A workshop will precede the Feb. 12 meeting, beginning at 4 p.m.