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Home My WebLink AboutOrdinance 7021Page 1 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Ordinance: 7021 File Number: 2026-2391 AN ORDINANCE TO ADD THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 515 NORTH PARK AVENUE TO THE OAK GROVE HISTORIC DISTRICT BY AMENDING § 33.321 HISTORIC DISTRICTS OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY CODE WHEREAS, on February 3, 2026 the property owners at 515 N. Park Avenue submitted a written request for inclusion in the Oak Grove Historic District; and WHEREAS, both the Historic District Commission and Planning Commission voted unanimously to support the inclusion of this property in the district. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 33.321 Historic Districts to add the property located at 515 N. Park Avenue by repealing subsection (B)(1) and enacting a replacement (B)(1) and Exhibit A as follows: “(1) Oak Grove Historic District shall consist of that area of the city as shown and legally described on Exhibit A attached hereto consisting of forty-one (41) parcels of land.” PASSED and APPROVED on August 4, 2026 Approved: _______________________________ Molly Rawn, Mayor Attest: ___________________________________ Courtney Spohn, Senior Deputy City Clerk Treasurer This publication was paid for by the City Clerk-Treasurer of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Amount Paid: $100.32 Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 www.fayetteville-ar.gov CITY COUNCIL MEMO 2026-2391 MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2026 TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council THROUGH: Keith Macedo, Chief of Staff Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director Britin Bostick, Long Range Planning/Special Projects Manager FROM: Kylee Cole, Long Range & Preservation Planner SUBJECT: ADM-2026-0021: An ordinance amending the Oak Grove Local Historic District to add the property at 515 N. Park Avenue. RECOMMENDATION: The Historic District Commission, Planning Commission, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and Long Range Planning staff recommend approval of an ordinance to amend the Oak Grove Historic District as shown in ‘Exhibit A’. BACKGROUND: On February 3, 2026 property owners at 515 N. Park Avenue submitted a written request for inclusion in the Oak Grove Historic District. This proposed addition includes property to the west of the current boundary along Park Avenue. This property was not included within the original boundary as proposed by petitioners in the initial Oak Grove Historic District and the property owner now requests to be included. At their May 14, 2026 meeting, the Historic District Commission unanimously voted to forward this request to the Planning Commission for review. At the Planning Commission’s June 8, 2026 meeting they unanimously recommended in support of the amended boundary and the Chair issued a letter of support (attached). On June 2, 2026, the State Historic Preservation Office issued a letter concurring with staff’s determination that “this amended boundary is appropriate” citing the residence’s style and history as “an appropriate thematic match to Oak Grove’s current configuration.” The full letter is attached. At the Planning Commission's June 8, 2026 meeting, commissioners recommended in favor of the amendment. On July 9, 2026 the Historic District Commission held a public hearing (no public comment) and forwarded the item to City Council 5-0. DISCUSSION: The proposed addition to the district is significant for its part in the development of the neighborhood at the end of Noah Fields Drake’s influence on residential development in Oak Grove. Under the Arkansas Historic Districts Act, property owners have the opportunity to petition a city for a local historic district with protections for properties within the district. The subject property was not included in the Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 www.fayetteville-ar.gov original petition boundary and the property owner has requested in writing that the boundary be amended to include their property. This request has been reviewed by the Fayetteville Planning Commission, Arkansas State Historic Preservation Office, and Fayetteville Historic District Commission. Please see the attached staff memo for a detailed and illustrated explanation of the request. Should the Council choose to amend the Oak Grove Local Historic District, requests for exterior alterations that meet the threshold for a public hearing will be considered by the Historic District Commission. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: N/A ATTACHMENTS: 3. Staff Review Form, 4. Exhibit A, 5. Oak Grove Amendment Report Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Page 1 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Legislation Text 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 File #: 2026-2391 AN ORDINANCE TO ADD THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 515 NORTH PARK AVENUE TO THE OAK GROVE HISTORIC DISTRICT BY AMENDING § 33.321 HISTORIC DISTRICTS OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY CODE WHEREAS, on February 3, 2026 the property owners at 515 N. Park Avenue submitted a written request for inclusion in the Oak Grove Historic District; and WHEREAS, both the Historic District Commission and Planning Commission voted unanimously to support the inclusion of this property in the district. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 33.321 Historic Districts to add the property located at 515 N. Park Avenue by repealing subsection (B)(1) and enacting a replacement (B)(1) and Exhibit A as follows: “(1) Oak Grove Historic District shall consist of that area of the city as shown and legally described on Exhibit A attached hereto consisting of forty-one (41) parcels of land.” Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2026-2391 Item ID 8/4/2026 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non-Agenda Item Kylee Cole 7/16/2026 LONG RANGE PLANNING (634) Submitted By Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: An ordinance amending the Oak Grove Local Historic District to add the property at 515 N. Park Avenue. Budget Impact: Account Number Fund Project Number Project Title Budgeted Item?No Total Amended Budget $- Expenses (Actual+Encum)$- Available Budget $- Does item have a direct cost?No Item Cost $- Is a Budget Amendment attached?No Budget Amendment $- Remaining Budget $- Purchase Order Number:Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Change Order Number:Approval Date: Original Contract Number: Comments: Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council THRU: Keith Macedo, Chief of Staff Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director Britin Bostick, Long Range & Special Projects Manager FROM: Kylee Cole, Long Range & Preservation Planner Historic District Commission MEETING DATE: July 9, 2026 SUBJECT: ADM-2026-0021: An ordinance amending the Oak Grove Local Historic District to add the property at 515 N. Park Avenue. Recommendation: The Historic District Commission, Planning Commission, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and long range planning staff recommend approval of an ordinance to create the Oak Grove Historic District as shown in ‘Exhibit A’. Background: On February 3, 2026 property owners at 515 N. Park Avenue submitted a written request for inclusion in the Oak Grove Historic District. This proposed addition includes property to the west of the current boundary along Park Avenue. This property was not included within the original boundary as proposed by petitioners in the initial Oak Grove Historic District and the property owner requests to be included. At the May 14, 2026 regular meeting, the Historic District Commission unanimously voted to forward this report to the Planning Commission for review. At the Planning Commission’s June 8, 2026 meeting they unanimously recommended in support of the amended boundary and the Chair issued a letter of support (attached). On June 2, 2026, the State Historic Preservation Office issued a letter concurring with staff’s determination that “this amended boundary is appropriate” citing the residence’s style and history as “an appropriate thematic match to Oak Grove’s current configuration.” The full letter is attached. At the June 8, 2026 meeting, the Fayetteville Planning Commission recommended in favor of the amendment. On July 9, 2026 the Historic District Commission held a public hearing (no public comment) and forwarded the item to City Council 5-0. The proposed local historic district amendment has been evaluated following the procedure outlined in the Arkansas Historic Districts Act (attached). The Historic District Commission, Planning Commission, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and long range planning staff Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 are in favor of the amendment to the Oak Grove Historic District as shown in ‘Exhibit A’. Alignment with Adopted Plans: The creation of local historic districts is supported by four elements of the City’s Heritage & Historic Preservation Plan adopted in July 2023: Heritage and Historic Preservation Master Plan Relevant Goals and Action Items • 1.9 – Plan Review - Include historic preservation staff in review of proposed major projects and zoning changes to determine impacts to historic resources. • 1.10 – Demolition Ordinance - Pass an ordinance to allow for the review of proposed demolitions for resources forty-five years or older. Staff to evaluate each property for significance. Work with property owner to discourage demolition. Reviews should be taken up by HDC as needed. • 3.7 – Local Historic District Designation - Poll NRHP historic district property owners to gauge interest in becoming a local historic district. Based on poll results, prioritize facilitation of local historic district designation. • 4.9 – Community Engagement: Transparency - Publish information about historic preservation reviews and demolitions of historic properties to increase transparency. Boundary: The proposed amendment would modify the district’s western boundary along North Park Avenue to encompass the subject property. More specifically, the amended boundary is shown in ‘Exhibit A’. History: The Oak Grove Historic District, located just north of Fayetteville’s historic commercial downtown, extends roughly between Highland Avenue on the east, North Park Avenue on the west, West Louise Street on the north, and West Maple Street on the south. This area contains land originally incorporated into the city through the Oak Grove and Englewood Additions in the early 1900s (Figures 2 & 3). Figure 2. 1907 Plat Map of Englewood Addition. Portion of proposed district outlined in red. Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 This area broadly captures the eastern portion of the Wilson Park Historic District (NRHP). As outlined in the National Register of Historic Places nomination, “the initial development of the Wilson Park District occurred in the early part of the century during a boom period for Fayetteville.”1 The development of Oak Grove and the far eastern portion of the Englewood Addition was primarily led by Noah Fields Drake, a geologist and University of Arkansas professor.2 After the construction of his family home at 501 N. Forest Ave., Drake tried his hand at residential and commercial real estate development. He purchased lots in the Oak Grove and Englewood additions, including the subject property, and revised the plats. Drake constructed eleven residences between 1925 and 1936, many of which are located in the Oak Grove Local Historic District.3 Other lots within and around the neighborhood were sold and developed by owners, including the property at 515 N. Park Ave. which Drake sold to James Gordon Davis and Mildred H. Davis on February 2, 1945. Drake was instrumental in the development of Wilson Park, Fayetteville’s original City Park, just northwest of the neighborhood. He and other businessmen formed the City Park Company, which improved the park and built the first permanent pool in 1926.4 Drake was also vital in the establishment of the municipal airport. In 1929, he donated $3,500 to the city to purchase the land for an airport, then in 1947 the City renamed the airport Drake Field in honor of Noah Fields Drake.5 Architecture of Oak Grove The Oak Grove neighborhood is architecturally distinctive, with a high concentration of Craftsman homes, including significant examples of residences constructed by Noah Fields Drake known locally as “Rock Houses.”6 1 Kenneth Story, “Wilson Park Historic District National Register of Historic Places Nomination”, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, February 2, 1995. 2 Drake was born on January 30,1864 near Summers, around 20 miles west of Fayetteville. He graduated in 1888 from the Arkansas Industrial University (now University of Arkansas) with a degree in civil engineering. After graduation, he worked on the Arkansas Geological Survey, then relocated to Texas for work with the State Geological Survey. In 1893, he followed mentor Dr. J.C. Banner to Leland Stanford University in California, where he earned several degrees, including a Ph.D. in geology in 189 7. Following graduation, he spent one year with the United States Geological Survey before accepting a position at Pei Yang University in Tientsin China to teach geology and mining and worked on several high-profile government projects. In 1911, Drake returned to the U.S. and accepted a position at the University of Arkansas as a professor of geology and minin g. Drake served as the state geology, chair of the Geology Department, and curator of the University Museum before retiring from academia in 1920. 3 He created Drake’s Replat of Block IV of the Revised Plat of Gate’s [sic] Subdivision to Oak Grove Addition and Drake’s Replat of Blocks I and VI of Englewood Addition. Four of Drake’s houses are located on Park Avenue, six of them on West Davidson Street and one on Highland Avenue. Dowling, “Building a Vernacular Neighborhood and Beyond.” 4 Story, “Wilson Park Historic District.” 5 Wappel and Garrison, On the Avenue, 9. 6 Cyrus A. Sutherland with Gregory Herman, Claudia Shannon, Jean Sizemore Jeannie M. Whayne and Contributors, "Wilson Park and Rock Houses", [Fayetteville, Arkansas], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/AR-01-WA20, accessed: October 6, 2025. Figure 1. 1908 Plat Map of Oak Grove Addition. Portion in proposed district outlined in red. Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Most of the homes within the boundary feature some level of Craftsman detail or influence. Many feature prominent front porches, deeply set windows, exposed rafter tails, and low-pitched gabled roofs, characteristic of the Craftsman style.7 The residence at 515 N. Park Avenue is primarily a plain/traditional design with some minor Craftsman details. Like the residences at 9 W. Davidson St., 506 N. Forest Ave., and 511 N. Forest Ave., the home leans almost to the minimal traditional with a simple rectangular form and very shallow overhanging eaves. Narrow, square railings, low-pitched side-gable roof, and textured lap siding provide some hints toward the Craftsman style seen elsewhere in the neighborhood. This home was constructed around 1945, later than most other homes in the district and during a period when the popularity of Craftsman style was beginning to wane and serves as an important bookend to the early construction of the neighborhood. Discussion: The proposed addition to the district is significant for its part in the development of the neighborhood and the end of Noah Fields Drake’s influence on residential development in Oak Grove. Public Comment: Staff received one inquiry from an adjacent property owner. No public comment has been received or provided at public meetings. Attachments: • Excerpt from Arkansas Historic Districts Act • SHPO Letter • Planning Commission Letter • Property Photos • Chain of Title • Property Owner Request 7 Virginia Savage McAlester, A Field Guide to American Houses, (New York: Knoft, 2023), 567. Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Planning Commission Fayetteville, Arkansas June 8, 2026 Chair Christine Myres & Fayetteville Historic District Commission City of Fayetteville, Arkansas RE: Oak Grove Local Historic District Amendment Dear Ms. Myres & Historic District Commissioners, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendment to the Oak Grove Local Historic District. In accordance with the Arkansas Historic Districts Act, this letter serves as the Planning Commission’s official reply. The Planning Commission gives its full support to this proposed amendment. As indicated in the report, it is evident that this property contributes to the historic significance of the district. The Planning Commission wishes to offer our support now and in the future for development-related requests that may come before our body which preserve the historic significance of the district. We also want to express our support for waiving fees for variance applications associated with historic properties. We hope that this will incentivize the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic buildings and appropriate infill in Fayetteville’s historic neighborhoods. Respectfully, Nick Werner Chair, Planning Commission Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Photos8 8 All photos from Zillow, accessed 3.6.2026, https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/515-N-Park-Ave- Fayetteville-AR-72701/72850274_zpid/?. Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Chain of Title Date Book/Page Grantee Grantor 11.15.2019 2019/35324 Max F. McAllister III & Karen J. McAllister Rahmat Sadelisoebagia Soemadipradja 8.10.2002 2002/116368 Rahmat Sadelisoebagia Soemadipradja Lewis Stanley Deen 6.23.1997 97/41810 Lewis Stanley Deen John M. & Kimberly Hooker 5.21.1997 97/37634 John M. & Kimberly Hooker Pine Tree Investments LLC 3/18/1997 97/16951 Pine Tree Investments LLC Robert Ross 8.21.1984 1118/314 Robert Ross Robert Scott Thompson 4.26.1984 1107/378 Robert Scott Thompson Douglas D. Knapp & Sandra J. Pringle 3.26.1983 1059/427 Douglas D. Knapp & Sandra J. Pringle Bennett Warren Holtzclaw & Mary Katherine Holtzclaw 12.20.1974 880/6962 Bennett Warren Holtzclaw & Mary Katherine Holtzclaw J. Foster Holtzclaw & Grayce Fay Holtzclaw 6.1.1970 791/327 J. Foster Holtzclaw & Grayce Fay Holtzclaw Bennett A. Shiley & Matilda Shiley 5.1.1956 486/537 Bennett A. Shiley & Matilda Shiley Mildred H. Davis (widow of James Gordon Davis) 4.8.1954 461/14 James Gordon Davis George McKinney & Lillie Mae McKinney 2.2.1945 437/258 James Gordon Davis & Mildred H. Davis N.F. Drake & Lota West Drake Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465 Outlook Re: Request for 515 N Park Ave, Fayetteville be included to the Oak Grove Historic District From Cole, Kylee <kcole@fayetteville-ar.gov> Date Wed 2/4/2026 2:04 PM To Karen-Max McAllister <karenormax@gmail.com> Karen, Received! I'll reach out if I need any additional info and will let you know when it will be before HDC for the ﬁrst time. (Tentatively at the March 12th meeting). Thanks! Kylee Cole, AICP Long Range & Historic Preservation Planner Development Services Long Range Planning City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 479-575-8327 fayetteville-ar.gov From: Karen-Max McAllister <karenormax@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 1:07 PM To: Cole, Kylee <kcole@fayetteville-ar.gov> Subject: Request for 515 N Park Ave, Fayetteville be included to the Oak Grove Historic District CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Fayetteville. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Ms. Cole, I am writing to formally request the inclusion of the property located at 515 N Park Ave in the recently established Oak Grove Historic District in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Our home is a 1944 Mid-Century Modern residence featuring construction details characteristic of that era. It is situated near the boundaries of the new district, which is generally bordered by North P ark Avenue to the west and surrounding streets. Please let us know if you have any questions or require additional information to process this request. Best regards, Karen and Max McAllister 5/15/26, 8:40 AM Mail - Cole, Kylee - Outlook https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AQMkADBiZTFmNzRmLWRjNzUtNDI4My1hMmI0LWE2M2FkODY3NjU5YgBGAAADMSOntT2yKEahNBPkTRJMUAc…1/1 Docusign Envelope ID: E260182B-BCAF-8DEF-8374-60A383E91465