By Nicky Boyette – The Historic District Commission began its year with one application on the Jan. 6 agenda. Debbie Davis was renovating the 19th century structure at 4 Summit, and wanted to build a porch where one had stood before and change out a window with rotten sashes with a door because a door had originally been in that spot. Commissioners approved the porch, and in May they approved Davis’ choice of doors.
Roof materials
Metal roofs have been controversy for HDC in recent years, so commissioners convened two workshops during the year to discuss roofing reflectivity.
At the Feb. 17 meeting, two different metal roofs were approved. A standing seam roof of a burnished slate color was approved for the residential structure at 6 Hazel, and a lap panel steel roof was approved for three of the Joy Motel buildings because it was a commercial property and buildings were mostly hidden from the road.
As a result of their workshops on Roofing Reflectivity, commissioners approved at the August 17 meeting this addition to their guidelines:
“Historically, structures in Eureka Springs were roofed with materials made of wood on sloped roofs and tar products on flat roofs. These historic materials were darker colors ranging from a light brown to much darker colors. Today’s roofing materials come in a rainbow of colors. However, the darker shades are more in keeping with the historic look of roofs and are recommended.
Guidance: It is imperative that qualified roofing contractors be consulted when considering roofing materials. The products available today and in the future allow the use of historic colors and greater energy efficiency.”
New family residence
Bill King first appeared at the April 6 meeting with his new construction project on Point Street. He planned to build a single-family three-level residence with a 16×26 footprint. The commission approved the footprint and agreed to consider other elements of his design as they were presented. They were not favorable to his request for a lap panel steel roof because the property was in a residential zone. King observed that decisions on allowing lap panel steel roofs seem arbitrary.
At the June 1 meeting, King returned with a revised plan. This time, he wanted to build a two-story structure with an 830-sq. ft. footprint, maintaining preference for a burnished slate lap-panel steel roof. He commented the design guidelines allow for this roof in new constructions. Chair Dee Bright reminded commissioners the property in question is not visible from the main street.
Commissioner Doug Breitling said he had no problems with King’s plan except for more specifics about the doors. King agreed to return with more on the doors and the paint colors at another meeting. The vote to approve the revised plan was unanimous.
New development
At the May 4 meeting, the commission also approved the first two new constructions at the Corley Loop development on East Mountain.
Demolition saga
Al Larson and Glenn Crenshaw represented the Eureka Springs School District and the Community Center Foundation at the June 15 meeting to ask for an extension on the Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish B-100 on the old high school property because unexpected property line complications had slowed down progress. Commissioner Virgil Fowler suggested a three-month extension and Bright asked for reports and photos showing progress on the project.
At the Sept. 7 meeting, Larson and Crenshaw announced a new complication. Engineers had realized that the front corner of the building, which was a stack of glass blocks, would not stand by itself without the other walls and the roof. Commissioners extending the COA three months, but asked Larson and Crenshaw to return with a clearer visual.
By the Oct. 5 meeting, the asbestos had been removed from B-100. Larson and Crenshaw brought a new architect’s rendering what the stage area with the glass blocks might look like. The vote to approve the new rendering failed 3-2 but commissioners encouraged Larson and Crenshaw to return with a different rendering showing clearly the use of the glass blocks.
Two weeks later, Larson and Crenshaw were there with another rendering of their vision for the use of the glass blocks as the backdrop of a stage. Commissioners were assured they could inspect glass blocks while they were being stored and finally approved the revised plan. The school board approved a bid for demolition at its October meeting.
Ask first
In July a project already underway came before the commission. Commissioners were dismayed. The word to the contractor was, “Please ask them to come to us before they start you on a project.”
Need to fix it
In November, Chris Fischer applied for a “fairly dramatic repair” to his gutter system and soffits at 33 Ridgeway. Fowler mentioned the guidelines call for gutters to be repaired if possible. Fischer acknowledged it was possible, adding that such a repair would only set up the same difficulty for someone else down the line. The commission approved Fischer’s plan.
At the Dec. 7 meeting, Fischer applied to take down one chimney and shorten the other. The commission approved removing the secondary chimney but asked Fischer to maintain the height of the primary chimney and repair it.
Summary
During the year, HDC reviewed 12 new residential applications plus five garages, studios and additions. There were also projects that saved blighted properties such as 8 Washington and 4 Summit.