Historic District Meeting Minutes 04-09-2015CAYf oVan Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
1 1 1 North 12°' Street e Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES
April 14, 2015
The Van Buren Historic District Commission held its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 5:30 P.M. in
the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex.
Members Present — Chairman Vickie Davis, Vice Chairman Lisa Willis, Derald Porter, Cathy Gifford and Lonnie
London.
Others Present — Mayor Bob Freeman, Planning Assistant Julie Copple, Allyson Siler, Martha Siler and Jean
Allison.
Historic District Commission Chairman Vickie Davis called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The first action by
the commission was to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. A correction was made to previous month's
minutes. A motion was made by Lonnie London and seconded by Derald Porter to approve the minutes. The
motion was approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was Mayor Bob Freeman informing the commission about the Van Buren Original, an
organization excited about helping revitalize the historic downtown. Mayor Freeman spoke to the commission about
the history of VBO, and the timing of it. One of the goals is looking at the long term investment for downtown. We
are at the beginning stages with the VBO, and need to keep in mind that all the downtown organizations are working
together to see it prosper.
Next item on agenda was the update on the geocache. Vice Chairman Lisa stated we need more brochures. Lisa
stated she will be meeting with Meryl, A&P, to order more. We have the brochures at the Welcome Center and the
A&P. Texarkana requested some brochures, but we do not have enough to send them.
Next item on agenda COA#1-2015, Allyson Siler, 720 Main Street, Portobello Market. A motion was made by
Lonnie London and seconded by Lisa Willis to accept that the COA does not significantly affect any surrounding
buildings. A motion was made by Cathy Gifford and seconded by Lisa Willis to accept COA application. The
motion was approved unanimously. COA#2-2015, Jean Allison, 504 Main Street, Creative Furnishings. A motion
was made by Lonnie London and seconded by Derald to accept that the COA does not significantly affect any
surrounding buildings. A motion was made by Lonnie London and seconded by Cathy Gifford to accept COA
application. The motion was approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was other business. Vice Chairman Lisa Willis presented goals for the HDC for 2015:
Economic growth and development
- Increase the foot traffic, geocache tour
Educate citizens of VB on benefits of preservation
Include a post/comment Facebook page
Information on website City of Van Buren
Post on Merchants' web page
Assist in restoration of facades
- Develop a grant program for bldgs./business owners
AHPP GRANTS
For what activities can CLG grant money be used?
CLG pass-through grants can be used for a wide variety of local historic preservation
projects. CLG grants can also be used to assist cities and counties that want to join the
program. Only cities and counties can apply for CLG grants.
Some examples of what Arkansas CLG grant money has been used for include:
• Training for historic district commissioners and their staff
• Staff support for a historic district commission
• Architectural surveys of historic areas
• Nominations to the National Register of Historic Places
• Development of design guidelines for use by historic preservation commissions in
their review of new construction and alterations to properties within historic districts
• Archeological surveys and excavations
• Preservation plans for the protection of local historic resources
• Interpretive signage for historic sites
• Educational materials for property owners on preservation practices
• Brick -and -mortar restoration work on historic properties
A motion was made by Derald Porter and seconded by Lonnie London to adjourn. The motion was approved
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Vickie Davis, Chairman Joseph Hurst, Planning Director