Fight against entropy continues through HDC efforts

EUREKA SPRINGS -- A local property will be getting a new lease on life with the approval of the Historic District Commission (HDC).

Jim Puckett appeared before the HDC on July 16 to explain a major overhaul of a house at 14 Spring Garden.

Owners Puckett and Jeff Burdsall will be tearing down and replacing a rotted-out addition to the old house, among other things, expanding what was formerly a bathroom into a bedroom space, to add to the salability of the property.

The original structure will be restored as much as possible, but because of the extensive disrepair of the property, it will require new roofing, siding, a porch, windows, doors, and a foundation under the addition. It will be painted "Van Halen" green.

In addition to the Spring Garden property, HDC conducted site visits prior to the meeting at 173 S. Main St., 105 E. Van Buren, and 7 Washington St.

Former Bistro to house new restaurant

The realtor responsible for the former Bistro restaurant at 173 S. Main St. appeared before the HDC to clarify the possibility of raising the roof five feet on an addition to the structure to make room for a kitchen, as a pre-condition of closing a sale of the property.

The commission agreed to approve the changes as described, and the owner will have to come back and formally apply.

Lumberyard's new deck

Katrina Johnson, owner of the Lumberyard at 105 E. Van Buren, appeared to get permission to add a rear deck of treated lumber to the restaurant, as well as roof fans, and paint. Her requests were approved.

Following a site visit to 7 Washington St., HDC approved Jim Walden's requests to elevate the pitch of the rear roof to help solve leaking problems, add a deck, replace the garage door, replace siding, repave the driveway and paint.

Spring St. property restored

The commission re-approved Debbie Ashley's requests for restoring the property at 226 Spring St., including modifying the porch to its original size and replacing the current windows with original windows.

The commission entertained discussion of demolition and new construction at 124 E. Van Buren.

The owner of 27 Nova St. asked for and got approval to install a picket fence inside her property lines "for a new puppy."

The owner of 21 Singleton St. will be replacing porch spindles and adding trim, with HDC approval.

The commission approved four items on the consent agenda. The agenda consists of Level I items such as repainting within HDC guidelines, signage, minor landscaping or other items not deemed to require a public hearing.

These items go before Economic Development Coordinator and City Preservation Officer Glenna Booth for approval.

Any questions involving deviations from HDC guidelines always go before the commission.

The consent agenda included: a sign and base at 3010 E. Van Buren; a marquee sign at 124 W. Van Buren; new paint colors for the property at 91 S. Main; and a sign at 9 N. Main.

In her report at meeting's end, Booth said she and HDC Chair Richard Grinnell had recently attended the Biennial National Alliance of Preservation Commissions in New Orleans with 450 other attendees.

Preservationists coming next May

Booth said she has been meeting with board members of the statewide non-profit organization The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, which will be bringing 150 to 200 preservationists to Eureka Springs next May for its annual preservation conference. At that time, Booth added, there will be a commissioner training camp.

Booth ended the meeting by reading into the record a number of small changes and clarifications of HDC regulations which will be voted on at the next meeting.