Russellville Historic District Commission

RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES Council Chamber City Hall – Thursday, August 24, 2023 5:00PM Commissioners Present: Betsy McGuire, Chair Leo Cantu, Vice-Chair Judy Galloway, Secretary Suzanne Alford Polly Hardin Beverly Hooten Kelly Jones Steve Newby Commissioners Absent: Greg Barborek, Polly Hardin City Council Liaison Present: Emily Young Staff Present: Victoria Marchant - Historic Preservation Officer and Planner 1 Advisors Present: Sara Jondahl - City Planner, Danielle Housenick - MSR Director Liaisons Absent: Trey Smith - City Attorney, T. Kirt Sloan - Fire Chief, Richard Setian - Deputy Building Official Call to Order, Roll Call & Welcome The August 24, 2023 meeting was called to order at 5:00pm, the role was called and a quorum was established. Approval of Minutes: Ms. McGuire asked if everyone had read the minutes of the July 24, 2023 meeting. Ms. McGuire noted two typos for correction. Ms. Hooten made the motion to accept the minutes with corrections and Mr. Newby made the second. The minutes were approved by a voice vote. Agenda: The first item on the agenda was for review of a COA submitted by Doug Williams for Peters Family Living at 200 N. Commerce Avenue for awnings new fabric awnings on the west and south sides of the building. The previous metal awnings were damaged in a storm last June and had to be removed. The new rigid frame awnings will read "Peters Family Living" on the west and "Furniture And Appliances" on the south. HPO Marchant recommended approval of the COA because the awning meets all of the applicable guidelines in Section 10.4 of the Russellville Historic District Design Guidelines regarding awnings. Specifically, the awning meets (A) the minimum setback from the curb of two- and-a-half feet, (C) will be secured with wall mounted brackets, (E) is appropriate fabric, (I) color is solid and compatible with the overall color scheme of the façade, (J) shed awnings are appropriate over rectangular openings, and (K) will not obscure significant features or historic details of the building. Mr. Newby made the motion to approve the COA based on the stated guidelines and Mr. Cantu made the second. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Unfinished Business: The first item of unfinished business was as inquiry about the contract with Stantec of Austin Texas to complete the nomination forms to the National Register of Historic Places for the Old Town Neighborhood. Ms. Jondahl reported that the contract price cost much more that the grant money the CLG was awarded for the work. The selection RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting August 24, 2023 Page 2 committee met again and selected Johnson Consulting of Little Rock to do the work. Their bid was also higher than the money awarded for the project and the AHPP CLG Director, Ian Montgomery, is revising the grant amount to cover the additional cost. Ms. McGuire reported on Phase 1b of the Latimore Tourist Home. She reported that there are several items that have yet to be determined in Phase 1b and that October the 1st is the deadline for their determination. The concrete block piers are not yet installed as a part of Phase 1a. A grandson of the Latimore's will be in Russellville on September 6th at the New Prospect Fellowship Hall for a meet and greet and reception and questions about his memories of his grandparents. The public is invited to attend. Ms. Galloway asked if the maintenance on the "I Heart Russellville" mural had been addressed and if the HPO had a list of appropriate coatings that are weather-proof and vandalism resistant. Ms. Jondahl said that the technical adviser for the AHPP had provided them with a list. Ms. McGuire asked for the list to be emailed to the commission. The mural owner has been contacted. The last item of unfinished business involved the hangings on the northern exterior of the Jackalope business at 110- 112 N. Commerce. Ms. Marchant said that code enforcement was going by and explaining that if hangings are to remain, it will be necessary to apply for a COA. Emily Young, City Council liaison, said the hangings are to be replaced with different hangings in the near future. New Business: Staff approval granted since last reported was relocation of the "Garden Sass" sign from S. Boulder to N. Commerce, the new location for the business. Adjournment: Mr. Cantu made the motion to adjourn at 5:25PM and Ms. Alford made the second. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Betsy McGuire - Chair Date