The Historic District Commission continues to deliberate about minimum maintenance issues, including issues of health and sanitation. Discussion included the term “demolition by neglect,” but commissioner Dee Bright cautioned against using that phrase. Instead, she emphasized addressing adverse conditions before they grow into major problems.
City Historic Preservation Officer Kylee Hevrdejs said minimum maintenance expectations are needed “so you don’t get negative impacts on individual properties or the overall district.” Commissioners tentatively planned a workshop for 5 p.m. on March 16, before the scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. They are working toward a draft ordinance, but first they plan to seek more public feedback and review the issue again at the commission level.
Approvals glide through
The HDC approved several applications with minimal discussion. At 104 N. Main St., Patrick Head can extend an existing deck. The assessment prepared by Hevrdejs noted that the deck would be “subordinate in size and scale,” and would have a minimal effect on the property.
Robin Grattidge received approval for a six-ft. privacy fence to enclose an equipment storage area at the rear of his property at 3 Judah St. Grattidge explained that the location will make the enclosure “virtually unseen.”
An application for Jeff Chapman, at 304 Spring St., had been approved in 2019, but that Certificate of Approval had expired. Chapman received a new approval to add architectural details and a picket fence.
Other business
- Commissioner Kyle Palmer mentioned the Dollars and Sense program offered by Preserve Arkansas. He described it as an educational program to outline tax credits for historic properties. Preserve Arkansas will present a program at no cost to the commission. Commissioner Marty Cogan expressed some skepticism, referring to the program as “blue sky.” Others on the commission thought the program might benefit local property owners, and they placed the item on the agenda for the March 16 meeting.
- The commission has updated its design guidelines, with the assistance of an outside contractor. Hevrdejs said the city’s current Certified Local Government grant has been amended to provide $7,000 for outreach and printing costs for the release of updated design guidelines. Commissioners discussed ways to let the public know about the new guidelines. Postcards sent to property owners might include a QR Code to take them to a website.
- Hevrdejs reported that the city has received a CLG grant for $39,000. Those funds will pay for a GIS database, training and travel for commissioners, and a new survey of the Lake Leatherwood national registry district.
- Hevrdejs said Preserve Arkansas has an annual focus on Arkansas’ most endangered places. This awareness campaign gives people the opportunity to nominate important historic properties facing challenges. The nomination period remains open until the end of March, and commissioners will discuss the topic further at the next meeting. Examples can be found at the preservearkansas.org website.
- The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16. Level III applications were due March 3, and other levels were due March 9.