HDC minutes 07.10.2014Annex
111 North 12th Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES
Thursday July 10, 2014
5:30 P.M.
Members Present: Vickie Davis, Chairman; Jody Rhoads, Vice Chairman; Paul Gibson, Derald Porter
and Lisa Willis. Members absent are Wes Turner, ex-officio (TOTMA President).
City Staff Members Present: Joe Hurst and Lisa Franklin with the Van Buren Planning Department.
Others Present: Patricia Blick, State CLG Coordinator from AHPP, an agency of the Department of
Arkansas Heritage and Ralph Irwin, Owner of Ralph Irwin Studio.
I. Call to Order
The Van Buren Historic District Commission held its monthly meeting on Thursday July 10, 2014 at
5:30 P.M., in the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex. Chairman Vickie Davis called the
meeting to order. A quorum is established
II. Approval of Minutes
Chairman Davis asked for a motion to approve the revised minutes from the May 8, 2014 meeting. Vice
Chair, Rhoads moved, seconded by Commissioner Gibson. The revised minutes approve unanimously,
5-0.
Chairman Davis asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting June 12, 2014.
Commissioner Gibson moved, seconded by Commissioner Porter. The June minutes approve
unanimously, 5-0.
III. Introduction and Welcome
Chairman Davis welcomed new Commissioner Lisa Willis and asked her to introduce herself. Ms.
Willis gives the Commission an overview of her background. Vice Chair Rhoads expressed thanks to
Lisa Willis for being here and for her service.
Chair Davis introduced Patricia Blick, State CLG Coordinator for the Arkansas Historic Preservation
Program and agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Ms. Blick addresses the Commission and
states she is here as part of the CLG Audit required by the state. She explained she is here to observe
procedurally how the meeting is carried out and how the Commission reviews applications. Ms. Blick
tells the Commission that she is happy to be here and she will be glad to answer any questions the
Commission may have.
IV. COA Review
A. Application Number 5-2014, Level I/Sign, represented by Ralph Irwin
COA- The request is for temporary banners to serve as locators for Craftsman on Main Street.
The banners would be hanging in front of businesses to act as a locator for local Craftsman that
will be setting up on Main Street on Saturdays.
Chair Davis introduced Mr. Irwin and asked him to explain his request to the Commission.
Mr. Irwin explained that the purpose of the banners is to serve as locators for the public to see that
Craftsman are working there on the street and draw attention to them. He said this would take place on
Saturdays.
The Commission addressed the way the banners would be hung and requested them to be hung as
consistent as possible in order to keep uniformity and for the banners to be most effective in being seen
by the public. The Commission requested that any hardware used would be a flat dark color such as a
flat black and should not be shiny.
The Commission agrees the COA request does not materially affect any of the surrounding properties.
Chair Davis asked for a motion to approve the COA request for the banners. Commissioner Gibson
moves, seconded by Commissioner Porter, the motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
V. Historic Geocache Walking Tour
The geocache walking tour update was given by, Lisa Franklin. Ms. Franklin updated the Commission
with information on the possible structure of the geocache, the brochures and pricing for the brochures
obtained from PAC Printers.
Chair Davis requested a second quote on pricing for the brochures. The Commission agreed to choose
the sites to be included in the tour and once they have selected the tour sites, they will decide on
descriptions and information describing the sites and any other information to be included in the
brochures. The Commission agreed they would bring suggested sites to the next regular scheduled
meeting.
VI. Study Group Review
The Commission agreed to review and discuss the Design Guidelines and Preservation Plan at the
adjournment of next month’s meeting.
VII. Arkansas Downtown Network
Lisa Franklin provided an update on information for the Arkansas Downtown Network presentation
announcing the date and time of the presentation by Main Street Arkansas and AHPP staff to take place
July 31, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. at the King Opera House.
VIII. Other Business
There is none.
IX. Questions & Answers with Patricia Blick
There was a request to clarify the purpose of the Commission and their qualifications to host outreach
events. Patricia Blick states, the Commission is quasi-judicial and that they are required to provide
design review according to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, at a minimum. She
also encouraged the Commission to engage in outreach and some suggestions included a newsletter,
walking tours, an awards program for preservation and informational brochures.
X. Adjourn
There is no further business before the Commission. Chair Davis asked for a motion to adjourn.
Commissioner Gibson moves, seconded by Commissioner Porter. The motion carried unanimously and
the meeting adjourned.
Approved
______________________________ ______________________________
Vickie Davis, Chairman Lisa Franklin, Planning Assistant
PROGRESS IS
OUR PROJECT