HDC Minutes 04.10.2014City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Annex
111 North 12th Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES
Thursday April 10, 2014
The Van Buren Historic District Commission held its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at
5:30 P.M. in the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex.
Members present - Vickie Davis Chairperson, John Symonds, Derald Porter and Paul Gibson
Members Absent – Jody Rhoads
Others Present- Lisa Franklin Recording Secretary, Merle Reynolds City of Van Buren, Wes Turner with
The Old Town Merchants Association President and Janice Cochran, King Opera House.
Items on the Agenda:
1. Approval of the minutes from the last meeting
2. COA Approval for outdoor sign for new business, Dos Ponchos, at 700 Main Street represented by Mr.
Jamie Martinez
3. Discussions on COA approvals, Meeting with The Old Town Merchants Association, CLG audit
information
4. Nomination and election for Vice Chairperson
5. Any other business that comes before the commission
Chairman Vickie Davis called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The first item on the agenda is to
approve the minutes from the last meeting. John Symonds makes the motion to approve and
Derald Porter seconds the motion. The commission approves the minutes unanimously.
The second item on the Agenda is the COA for Dos Ponchos sign. Mr. Martinez presents a color picture
of his sign. Vicki Davis clarifies the colors used and asks the commission if they accept the font and
graphics of the sign. John Symonds states he feels the fonts are acceptable.
John Symonds motions that the sign does not "significantly affect the surrounding buildings."
Paul Gibson motions to accept the COA for the proposed sign and Derald Porter 2nds the motion. The
Dos Ponchos sign COA is accepted.
The third item on the Agenda is discussion for COA requirements and the CLG Audit. The COA
requirement discussion is for clarification and any updating to the Historic colors and fonts the
commission finds acceptable for outdoor signage. The commission states any of the paint colors
promoted as Historic colors by the local paint store suppliers would be acceptable. The fonts for lettering
on signs and windows in general need to be a block lettering style and with what is acceptable through the
state standards.
The CLG Audit information is not complete and the deadline is nearing. Lisa Franklin, Secretary for the
commission requests the commission to discuss the CLG questionnaire and the answers to the
questionnaire be finalized in order to mail to the state by the requested deadline. Vickie Davis
volunteered to complete the questionnaire on behalf of the commission with the permission of the
commission.
The fourth item on the agenda is the nomination and election of a Vice Chairperson for the Historic
District Commission. Mr. Symonds nominates Jody Rhoads for the Vice Chairperson position and
Derald Porter seconds the motion. The commission elects Jody Rhoads unanimously
Also on the agenda is a recap of the meeting with The Old Town Merchants Association. Wes Turner and
Janice Cochran are attending this evening’s HDC meeting for recap on the meeting with TOTMA in
efforts to work toward some historic district downtown revitalization and historic downtown community
development.
Vickie Davis informs the Historic District Commissioners of the discussions at the TOTMA meeting and
that the action list included suggesting the cleaning up of the empty storefronts and to make a staged
appearance in storefront windows to the public view. This would make a nicer appearance on the street
for everyone involved including to help the building owner rent or sell the building. The question arises
as to what the storefront set- back for appearance from the street is in the Historic District Ordinance.
This is determined to be 24 ft. on the maintenance of a storefront appearance. John Symonds inquires
about the ordinance number. Lisa Franklin states she will get this info to the commission. Everyone
agrees that addressing the empty storefronts or buildings with no storefront appearance is a good idea
however; the approach should be with care and to the benefit of all involved. Wes Turner also inquires if
there are ever grants available for museums. He states there has been many suggestions made that people
would like a museum downtown and it would be beneficial in the downtown historic district.
We have other business that has come before the commission presented by Merle Reynolds with the City
of Van Buren. Merle is here to bring information about repairs needed in the Historic District. The
repairs discussed included the bathroom paper holders that are being damaged and destroyed by
vandalism, the outside lights on the bathrooms in the park area and the front lower roof and façade
awning on the King Opera House.
Merle shared the colors and material available for the repairs and fixtures needed and requests to see if
they may have a source available for grant money to fund the repairs regarding the King Opera House.
John Symonds volunteers to check on a source for bathroom paper holders and after some discussion
regarding the need for repair on the King Opera House, the commission agrees that if there is any grants
or funding available that the funds should contribute to the repairs.
Lisa Franklin will look for available grant funds and get back with Merle.
There is no further business before the commission. There is a motion to adjourn made by Paul Gibson
and seconded by John Symonds and the meeting adjourned.
___________________________ ____________________________
Vickie Davis, Chairman Lisa Franklin, Recording Secretary
PROGRESS IS
OUR PROJECT