HDC Minutes May 2017LAty of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 IN 12°Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES
May 119 2017
The Van Buren Historic District Commission held its monthly meeting on Thursday,
May 11, 2017 at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex,
Members Present: Chairman Lisa Willis, Vice Chairman Vickie Davis, Cathy Gifford,
Paul Gibson, Dexald Porter and Alan Foliart, Others Present: Julie Copple, Planning
Assistant, City of Van Buren, Bryan Whitaker, Rick Bond and Debbie Edwards.
Chairman Lisa Willis called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The first item on the
agenda was to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Derald Porter noted
the training date needed to be changed from May 9`h to May 8t". A motion was made
by Vickie Davis and seconded by Paul Gibson to accept the minutes as changed. The
motion was approved unanimously.
The agenda in packet has changed since it was mailed. There are three Certificate Of
Appropriate's (COA) that have been added to the agenda. The first to be heard was
COA#3-2017, Pam Martin, 820 Main Street. Pam was not present so the COA for
the sign was tabled until next month. Alan Foliart stated Ms. Martin was wanting to
hang her temporary banner for the Old Timer's Day festival. A motion was made by
Cathy Gifford and seconded by Paul Gibson to approve the temporary banner. The
motion was approved unanimously. The second certificate was COA#4- Bryan
Whitaker, 620 Main Street A and B. Mr. Whitaker stated he would like to replace
both awnings and paint some trim. Paint color for trim is Mission Gray. The
awnings will be blue (China Aster) and gray. A motion was made by Paul Gibson and
seconded by Alan Foliart to accept that the Certificate of Appropriateness does not
significantly affect any surrounding buildings and is in accordance with Van Buren
Eistoric District Design Guidelines. The motion to approve was unanimously. The
next certificate was COA#5-2017, Rick Bond and Debbie Edwards, D&R Trolley
Stop, 703 Main St. They are requesting approval for the design of a building/structure
that will be around the smoker. The design looks like a historic carriage house that
will fit nicely with the building. The colors will be granite and black from the historic
color chart at the paint store. A motion was made by Vickie Davis and seconded by
Cathy Gifford to accept that the Certificate of Appropriateness does not significantly
affect any surrounding buildings and is in accordance with Van Buren Historic
District Design Guidelines. The motion was approved unanimously.
The next item was on the agenda for the sign update. Derald Porter passed around
the depot sign, and stated it will be ready this week, and installed before the festival.
A motion was made by Paul Gibson and seconded by Vickie Davis to approve the
800 block depot sign. The motion was approved unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was for the pop-up temporary seating for downtown.
Trolley stop seating towards the 400 block of Main Street. The Literacy council has a
pop-up that needs to be taken down. Julie Copple will speak with code enforcement.
The next item was for training updates: Chairman Lisa Willis, Vice Chairman Vicl�ie
Davis and Julie Copple attended the National Register Training on April 29" in Little
Rock. Chairman Lisa Willis stated it was a very good training with great information.
Chairman Willis also stated she would like to proceed with starting the process of. the
Pittman's house, in the 400 block of Drennen, for the National Register. Derald
Porter and Julie Copple attended the CAMP training in Conway. Next training dates
will be sometime in the fall. Chairman Willis stated the importance of training as a
commissioner and we need to stay current on preservation issues.
New Businessr Some issues were brought up concerning the Arts Center that will be
downtown. Chairman Willis suggested we contact them to see if they can come to the
commission and update us with their plans. It would also be beneficial for them so we
can explain tax credits and incentives. Cathy Gifford will contact Jane or Lisa
Huckabee for possibly attending our next meeting.
A motion was made by Paul Gibson and seconded by Cathy Gifford to adjourn. The
motion was approved unanimously.
Lisa Willis, Chairman Joseph Hurst, Planning Director