Russellville Historic District Commission

RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES Council Chamber City Hall – Thursday, May 27, 2021 6:00PM Commissioners Present: Betsy McGuire - Chair Leo Cantu - Vice Chair Judy Galloway – Secretary Suzanne Alford Polly Hardin Beverly Hooten Nathan George Greg Barborek Commissioners Absent: Steve Newby City Council Liaison Absent: Phyllis Carruth Staff Present: Victoria Marchant - Historic Preservation Officer and Planner 1 Advisors Present: Sara Jondahl - City Planner Liaisons Absent: Danielle Housenick - MSR Director, Trey Smith - City Attorney, T. Kirt Sloan - Fire Chief, Richard Setian - Deputy Building Official Call to Order, Roll Call & Welcome: Ms. McGuire called the May 27, 2021 meeting of the Russellville Historic District Commission to order at 6:02PM. The roll was called and a quorum was established. Approval of Minutes: Ms. McGuire asked if everyone had read the minutes of the April 22, 2021 meeting. Mr. George made the motion to approve the minutes and Ms. Hardin made the second. The motion passed by a voice vote. Agenda: The first item on the agenda was a discussion of a revision of the timelines for the survey of the Russellville Old Town area of Russellville, the absence of photos and survey forms. The Field Investigation of the area was due on March 10, 2021, the Draft survey report and forms were received by AHPP and the City of Russellville on April 30, 2021 and the Final survey report and forms to AHPP and the City of Russellville HDC will be due on June 25, 2021. Terracon is paid $4000.00 as each milestone is reached. Travis Ratermann, AHPP Survey Historian, is not concerned about meeting the timeline for his reviewing of the survey forms. The commission has now received more legible survey forms and photos of surveyed properties. Ms. Jondahl reported that a complete copy of this report includes over 100 pages and she did not print one for each commissioner. Ms. McGuire has a printed copy, Ms. Hardin requested a copy that she will share with Ms. Alford and Ms. Galloway requested a copy of the photos only. Other commissioners will view the digital copies. Any errors or additions are to be reported to Ms. Jondahl. The next item on the agenda was discussion of a need for reference books to help residents of historic districts to make best practice decisions for their properties. Ms. Galloway talked about A Field Guide to American Houses" by Virginia Savage McAlister and "Paint in America: The Color of Historic Buildings" written by a paint historian, Roger RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting May 27, 2021 Page 2 Moss. Ms. Hodges suggested that the books be kept in the history section of the library. Some commissioners thought most information is available on line. Funding for books was not discussed and no decisions were made. The next item was discussion by the commission regarding the review of paint colors in the historic district or whether it would be better to suggest a color palette for each of the different styles of buildings in the district. This was brought up at the last meeting by Ms. Alford and deferred until today's meeting. The Preservation Leadership Forum of the National Trust had a discussion of this question and the general consensus was that it was probably not a good idea to review paint colors though some commissions do. "It can become a lightning rod for those opposed to local regulation" was one of the statements made on the forum. The blog suggested that it would be better to recommend paint colors and schemes used on architectural styles in the historic district. Ms. Alford has collected historic color palettes from Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. Ms. Galloway pointed out the Pittsburg Paints and Valspar also had historic color palettes. Ms. Galloway offered to write guidelines for best practices for paint colors in historic districts for review by the commission at the next meeting. Ms. McGuire reported on the opening of the Smithsonian Green Book exhibit at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock last Thursday. This exhibit gave the visitor a feel for what it would be like for a back traveler during the Jim Crow era in the south. A large contingent from Russellville representing the Friends of the Latimore Tourist Home was present. Helaine Williams, features writer and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, took a group photo and said that she would like to write an article for the paper about Latimore. The group was also photographed by a writer for Arkansas Parks and Tourism. Ms. McGuire reported on the completion of the Jackalope building downtown. The bike shop opened for business on Tuesday and the finished exterior was completed appropriately. The bricks for the front support columns matched existing brick on the façade very well. One of the commissioner said that the brick had to be cut down in order to match the rest of the building and so that the mortar joints would match. Mr. Barborek suggested that the steel beam be painted the same color as the beam to prevent flaking of the finish coating on the steel. Mr. Cantu suggested that the commission write a letter on city letterhead to the owner complimenting the good job on the project. Everyone will sign at the next meeting. Unfinished Business: Mr. George gave a report on the progress of the brochure and letter to property owners. He will revise the outdated copy and Emily Young, a downtown business owner, will help by providing photographs of the historic district. They have a meeting scheduled for next week. Ms. Galloway asked if the commission needed to vote on the consolidation of Ordinances 2023, 2048, 2212 and 2236 and inclusion of date changes to include technical review. Ms. Jondahl said that was not necessary. Ms. Galloway said that she thought that Ordinance 2011 that created the Historic District Commission should remain as a standalone ordinance. In order for the consolidation to go into effect by the first of next year, it will need to be codified by Ms. Jondahl and approved by the City Attorney for it to be presented to the City Council by September. This would allow the ordinance to be read three times by the City Council before a vote. Mr. George was concerned that technical review would place more work on City Council members. Ms. Marchant explained that it was an avenue for eliminating incomplete COAs and postponement of review by the HDC and would not involve the council. The next question by Ms. Galloway concerned changing the month for election of officers to coincide with the planning commission. Ms. Jondahl said the time for election of officers was not a part of the ordinance. It is a part of the bylaws and can be voted on later. New Business: Ms. McGuire reported that Charity Park, the daughter-in-law of Judith Stewart Abernathy retired ATU archeologist, RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting May 27, 2021 Page 3 will be appointed by Pope County Judge Ben Cross as the official county historian. Current historian, David Vance, is in poor health and unable to continue in the position. On Saturday June 19th the Friends of the Latimore Tourist Home will have a public presentation at James School Park regarding preservation of this historic property. The presentation is a part of one of the Juneteenth celebrations to be held in Russellville. Adjournment: Ms. Alford made the motion to adjourn at 7:05PM and Mr. Barborek made the second. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Betsy McGuire - Chair Date