Russellville Historic District Commission

RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES Council Chamber City Hall – Tuesday, November 16, 2021 6:00PM Commissioners Present: Judy Galloway – Secretary Greg Barborek Nathan George Suzanne Alford Polly Hardin Steve Newby Commissioners Absent: Betsy McGuire - Chair Leo Cantu - Vice Chair Beverly Hooten City Council Liaison Absent: Phyllis Carruth Staff Present: Victoria Marchant - Historic Preservation Officer and Planner 1 Advisors Present: Sara Jondahl - City Planner, Iain Montgomery - State CLG Director 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: The Chair and the Vice-Chair were absent at this meeting. Greg Barborek was selected as Chair Pro Tem for this meeting since he has experience as past president. The November 16, 2021 meeting was called to order at 6:01pm, the role was called and a quorum was established. Ms. Jondahl introduced the new intern in the planning office, Michael Hale, to the commissioners. Approval of Minutes: Mr. Barborek asked if everyone had read the minutes of the October 28, 2021 meeting. Ms. Hardin noted that absent commissioners had been omitted from the minutes. Ms. Galloway will make the correction in the record. Mr. Newby made the motion to accept the minutes as corrected and Ms. Hardin made the second. The minutes were approved by a voice vote. Agenda: The only item on the agenda was review of a COA for vinyl window graphics on the storefront windows, right west side door and a painted metal sign attached to wooden infill on the west front corner of the building at 311 West "C" Street requested by Friendship Community Care (Steve Ward). HPO Marchant reported that the applicant met the applicable guidelines in Section 10.27 of the Russellville Historic District Guidelines that include: A. meets the size requirements and does not detract from the architectural integrity; B. Is of appropriate material; C. the color is in harmony with the façade of the building; D. fits within the architectural features of the building; E. is not lighted; F. is not scrolling or flashing and G. is appropriately located. Staff recommended approval of the COA with the condition that sign permits from the City of Russellville are obtained. Mr. George made the motion to approve the COA and Mr. Newby made the second. The COA was approved by a voice vote. Ms. Alford recused from voting since she is the owner of the building. RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting October 28, 2021 Page 2 Unfinished Business: The first item of unfinished business concerned the addition of a check box to indicate whether or not the applicant has a tax credit project or if receiving grant money for the project. Ms. Jondahl passed out to the commissioners a copy of the revised COA application. Revisions included a check box for tax credit projects, a check box for grant funding, removal of the signature line for the building owner and notation that any applicant who is not the building owner must attach and "Appointment of Agent" form signed by the owner. Mr. Newby suggested that a revision number be added to the COA application. Consensus of commissioners was that this would be a good idea. No vote was taken. The second item of business was follow-up with members of the Old Town Neighborhood regarding a meeting of home owners in the historic survey area. Ms. Alford, who lives in the neighborhood, said that she and Mr. Cantu are working on bringing residents together to discuss feelings for having an historic district in their neighborhood. Mr. George gave an update of the letter to property owners and business owners and the updated brochures. Mr. Newby is now working on the brochure and will send out a PDF to commissioners for review. Ms. Alford gave an update on Phase I of the Latimore Tourist Home. She said that she, Randy Hendrix, Jane Pittman and Bob Hiegel had given a presentation to the Russellville Lions Club in their effort to raise funds and received a good reception. As a result of the FOTLTH presents at the Downtown Fall Festival, they had received a $40,000 dollar donation from a couple with the caveat that the check be deposited before the end of the year and that the couple remain anonymous. This donation is half the estimated budget for Phase I. New Business: Mr. Newby wanted to report that he has an appointment with Mayor Harris tomorrow November 17th to discuss the Community Arts Center. He would like to bring the Center to the downtown in the old Central Fire Station. He would like the current location to be repurposed in a different way, maybe as a venue of some type to give it new life. Adjournment: Mr. Newby made the motion to adjourn at 6:29PM and Mr. George made the second. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Greg Barborek - Chair Pro Tem Date