HDC member paints house with sponge, without approval

A member of the Eureka Springs Historic District Commission ( HDC) agreed to repaint his house last week when the commission decided he did not use a proper technique in applying exterior paint.

Frank Green Jr. apologized to the commission for going ahead with the paint job on his house at 9 Pine St. without their approval.

He said he had wanted to get the new colors approved during the regular meeting of April 7, but the meeting had run too long.

He went ahead with the painting project. When he decided the initial base coat of paint was too light, he added a second, darker color on the stucco portion of the house using a "sponge painting" technique.

"I didn't think about sponge painting not being allowed because it isn't in our guidelines," he said during the meeting of April 21. "I was just trying to add some depth to the colors, some texture."

Chairman Debbie Frisbie said, "Because something isn't specifically prohibited doesn't mean it is appropriate. We have gotten telephone calls and letters about this paint job."

Commissioner Janet Farthing, an expert in restoration and painting techniques, said "Sponge painting is generally an interior painting technique. Because the layer of paint applied with a sponge is so thin, it will not last long in the sun, rain or cold. The house will have to be repainted soon, anyway."

She explained there are a lot of ways of painting structures to give the impression of architectural detail, but sponge painting isn't one of them.

Before the commission members could vote on the issue, Green said he would repaint the house if they would approve the colors. They did.

An application to do major repair and renovation work to the structure at 184 N. Main, the old Painted Pony building, was greeted and approved enthusiastically by the commission.

J.D. Harris has purchased the building and wants to use the main structure for his home and gallery space.

He wants to reconstruct an addition to the north of the house similar to an addition seen in a photograph from the 1890s used as a monument company.

Harris' addition will become an art gallery and studio space.

The HDC saved the existing two-story structure from demolition several years ago. The building leans to the north and seems to be in danger of falling over.

Harris said he has had to jack up part of the flooring more than 12 inches to try to level the supports and bring the house back into line.

The commission approved exterior paint color changes, the replacement of windows in the building with windows of the same size and style, repair/rebuilding of porches and siding.

Frisbie said HDC guidelines say that additions to contributing structures should be made in the back of the building.

Commissioners agreed that since Harris wants to reconstruct additions according to historic photographs, they encourage the work.

Frisbie said she would send the application and plans to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) office in Little Rock for review before the commission could vote on that part of the project.

An AHPP review of an application to enlarge a living room to include approximately half of the front porch at 23 Hale discouraged the change.

Although the house is listed as a contributing structure to the historic district, there is a large picture window in the front and the windows on the sides of the house are not historically accurate.

Marcie Hayes said she needs to enlarge the living room to accommodate a wheel chair for her husband.

The commission agreed to allow the enclosure of part of the front porch, the replacement of the windows with windows more appropriate to the house, replacement of the front support columns with square posts, and repainting of the house.

Cuts in the retaining walls on the new Main Street sidewalk were approved to allow access to the house at 115 S. Main.

Owner Bobbie Yandell said she had been told by Robert Forrest of the city's public works department that two sets of steps, one to the front of the house and one to the back, were planned when the sidewalk was built.

Yandell has asked for a third cut for steps to the parking area below the sidewalk, just south of the house.

Forrest said limestone steps and imprinted concrete would be used for the project. Black handrails to match those along the sidewalk will also be installed.

The construction of planters on top of an existing rock wall at the side of 156 Spring St. was approved. John Folker presented the project on behalf of owner Pat Fitzsimmons.

The addition of a 5 foot by 10 foot area to the lower deck at 23 Hillside was approved, along with repairs to a picket fence and changing of accent paint colors.

Architect Larry Troillett presented an amendment to the application already approved for the construction of a lunch room addition to the north building at Eureka Springs High School.

He told the group the brick color in the original building could not be matched, as he had thought. He suggested using windows to separate the two buildings.

He reported the school board had selected "Light Stone" as the color for the standing seam metal roof.

Lindblad warns council of possible FOIA case

Eureka Springs Alderman Karen Lindblad cautioned other members of the City Council Monday evening about sending e-mails to each other discussing possible votes on agenda items as violations of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

HDC member paints house with sponge, without approval

A member of the Eureka Springs Historic District Commission ( HDC) agreed to repaint his house last week when the commission decided he did not use a proper technique in applying exterior paint.

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