Lovely County Citizen: Local News: HDC allows new deck material (06/13/12)

EUREKA SPRINGS -- Roger Muterspaugh applied three years ago to build a deck using treated boards listed in Historic District Commission (HDC) guidelines of approved materials. At the June 6 meeting he told commissioners the approved materials had already failed and he was having to rebuild his deck.

This time he wanted to use deck boards made of a new kind of composite material with a 25-year warranty. He said the boards are made primarily of resin from recycled plastic, which will not chip, fade or discolor according to the manufacturer.

Muterspaugh said he intends to live here forever, so he wants a deck that will last. He also pointed out that his house is only 35-years old and not a contributing house.

Commissioner Doug Breitling pointed out right away that guidelines specifically do not allow non-wood decks visible from the street. Commissioner Richard Grinnell replied, however, the house is a non-historic structure, and they have more leeway in evaluating applications like this. He said guidelines on decks apply more to historic homes, not Muterspaugh's home.

Breitling responded that he really did not have a problem with the material and if commissioners allowed Hardie board for particular situations they could apply the same logic to this application.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the application.

The commission also unanimously approved the following applications:

* 247 N. Main -- gate across creek bridge

* 188 N. Main -- new patio

* 1 Magnetic -- new shed; pave driveway

These applications on the Consent Agenda also got unanimous approval:

* 188 N. Main -- new paint colors; new sign

* 115 ½ W. Van Buren -- add windows to east side of previously approved addition

* 15 White -- new paint colors

* 3 Prospect -- new paint colors

* 23 Fairmount -- new sign

* 3220 E. Van Buren -- new sign

* 77 Spring -- new sign; re-paint same colors

* 18 Hale -- new sign

-- 508 Village Circle -- new sign

* 306 Village Circle -- new sign

Consent Agenda items are Level I applications that the City Preservation Officer Glenna Booth believes to be in accordance with the design guidelines. Any commissioner or member of the public may place any consent agenda item on the regular agenda for discussion.

These administrative approvals were presented by vice-chair Greg Moon. They are applications for repair or for work involving no changes in materials or color or applications for changes in roofing color.

* 138 Mill Hollow -- re-roof, new color

* 1 Magnetic -- gutters

* 188 N. Main -- rebuild retaining wall; repair siding

* 33 Elk -- repaint

* 1 Prospect -- replace porch flooring

* 105 Oakridge -- re-roof

* 11 Hillside -- repair porch floor, roof, soffit

* 1 Howell -- re-roof

* 3 Eugenia -- repaint; repair siding

* 11 Kingshighway -- reroof

Next meeting will be Wednesday, June 20, at 6 p.m.