HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-11 - Agendas - Final May 14, 2001
City of Fayetteville RECEIVED
Planning Conunission
113 W. Mountain Street MAY 14 2001
Fayetteville, Ar 72701 PLANNING DIV.
To whom it may concern:
This letter is in reference to the proposed parking lot under consideration for Central
United Methodist Church(LSDO I-14.00 & CUOO-14.00). My family and I own the property
directly north of the proposed site on the eastern side. We have various concerns over the
construction of yet another parking lot in our neighborhood.
First, since we own the existing rock wall and approximately four feet directly adjoining
the construction, we need to know how our property is going to be affected. There are numerous
bushes and trees on our property that provide privacy to our backyard and we want to ensure that
these will not be cleared out for the construction project. We also are concerned with the request
to waive the five foot buffer zone in favor of a three foot buffer between our property and the
proposed lot.
Second, currently skateboarders use the Post Office parking lot and the existing church
parking lot on a nightly basis, and will most certainly use the proposed lot also. As this directly
adjoins our yard, it will further reduce our privacy and bring more activity to our residence.
Third, we feel that the addition of a parking lot will surely decrease the property values of
the neighborhood. Since we are the only residence that is directly adjoining the proposed lot, we
have the most to lose. My family and I have lived in this house for four years and my wife was
brought up in the house after her grandparents bought it in 1970. This area of town has a number
of historical houses still used as residences. However, with the increasing number of businesses
and parking lots, it will become harder and harder for families to maintain residences in this area.
This proposed lot is literally going into our backyard. We understand that the church has
a parking problem. However, it is solely due to the fact that they erected an activity center
covering up the majority of their existing parking. We feel that thirty-one additional parking
spaces will do little to alleviate the problem and will lead to the expansion of another parking lot
in the vacant lot which adjoins us on the east side. We do not wish to be completely surrounded
by asphalt and ask that permission of this project be denied.
Sincerely,
Jeff Boyett
125 W. Lafayette Street
Fayetteville, Ar 72701
Planning Commission
June 11, 2001
LSDOI-14 Central UMC
Page 2.7
40 - :�I
0
First of all be assured that the residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Central are pleased and
excited that the Church not only remains in its historic setting, but also continues to make
substantial capital improvements to its complex. This sustained investment represents a belief in
the significance of the center-city, in the importance of the Church's continuing presence in its
historic setting, and a dedication to enhancing the quality of life of the community. We also
appreciate the Church's periodic armouncements prompting its membership to park in overflow
areas,to carpool,wak etc.
The Church serves three communities: the spiritual,the social and the physical. To abandon any
one of these communities risks undermining the potency of the Church's mission. Tlrus� the
physical setting and perception of the Church must be studied continuously, commensurate with
its sustained growth and increased physical presence in the city. The Church is dynamically
linked to the Square on an axis along East Avenue. In the urban scheme of Fayetteville the
Church enjoys a hierarchical position equitable to that of the old Courthouse. While the old
Courthouse represents the administrative structure of our society, Central Methodist stands in
representation of the religious underpinnings of our culture. The Wesley and Education
buildings,in concert with the Sanctuary,provide a wonderfully scaled streetscape along Dickson
Street,tempered by beautiful trees and vegetation.
The new Activities building is surrounded by parking, is isolated from its context and fails to
effectively define the space of the street along Ifighland Avenue. This isolation will be
exacerbated by the extension of surface parking to the north and west. If the property along
Lafayette is converted to surface parking there will be open space, with few trees and buildings,
from the intersection of Maple and Forest to Dickson Street, and beyond, resulting in a loss of
scale and a feeling of placelessness. The resulting sense of isolation may be both literal and
symbolic, severing the Central complex from the physical and social ties to its surrounding
neighborhoods.
Of equal concern are the trees and topography found between Lafayette, St Charles and the
existing parking lot on the north side of the Activities Building. Physically, Fayetteville is
defined by the relationship of its architecture to its ever-present sloping terrain and by the
symbiotic dependence of the built and the natural. In particular the older neighborhoods around
the church gain much of their character through the grandeur of trees and greenery. The site in
question,given its steep grade is ill suited for surface parking.To adapt the site to such a purpose
would involve considerable earthwork, root destruction and paving which would likely lead to
the demise of the trees found on the property.
In our walks to and from Central we pass by the Washington Elementary School parking lot(30+
spaces) and within sight of the lot adjacent to the Amozone on Lafayette. These lots, generally
empty, are within easy walking distance of the church. They are underutilized even on Easter
Sunday.
The demise of urban centers in America is well documented and studied. We must learn from the
errors of others and avoid making similar mistakes which, given the size and quality of
Fayetteville, may be even more tragic and poignant. It is proven that the loss of population
density,social alienation by isolation and the loss of urban vitality are partially related to the loss
of urban fabric associated with the expansion of surface parking. Destroying the buildings and
vegetation that define our streets,among the most important social spaces of a city, is a recipe for
physical and social blight.
�Ianni mmission
eA Y
L 01-14CentralUMC
Page 2.8
25 May 1999
Rev. J.Anthony Holifield
Senior Pastor
Central United Methodist Church
6 West Dickson Street
PO Box 1106
Fayetteville AR 72702
Dear Tony,
As a member of your congregation, a neighbor of our church and acting Director of the
University of Arkansas Community Design Center, I appeal to you and the Board of Trustees to
reconsider any pending plans to construct surface parking lots along the 100 W. block of
Lafayette Street.My reasons against the conversion of this property to surface parking are rooted
in a concern for the physical/social connection of the Church to its host neighborhood, the
continuity of street and neighborhood, and the preservation of architecturally significant
structures. These arguments stem from a concern for the mutual well-being of the Church and the
neighborhood.
First of all be assured that the residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Central are pleased and
excited that the Church not only remains in its historic setting, but also continues to make
substantial capital improvements to its complex. This sustained investment represents a belief in
the significance of the center-city, in the importance of the Church's continuing presence in its
historic setting, and a dedication to enhancing the quality of life of the community.
The Church serves three communities: the spiritual, the social and the physical. To abandon any
one of these communities risks undermining the potency of the Church's mission. Thus, the
physical setting and perception of the Church must be studied continuously, commensurate with
its sustained growth and increased physical presence in the city. The Church is dynamically
linked to the Square on an axis along East Avenue. In the urban scheme of Fayetteville the
Church enjoys a hierarchical position equitable to that of the old Courthouse. While the old
Courthouse represents the administrative structure of our society, Central Methodist stands in
representation of the religious underpinnings of our culture. The Wesley and Education
buildings,in concert with the Sanctuary,provide a wonderfully scaled streetscape along Dickson
Street,tempered by beautiful trees and vegetation.
The new Activities building, though a fine building and facility, is surrounded by parking,
isolating it from its context and fails to effectively define the space of the street along Highland
Avenue. This isolation will be exacerbated by the extension of surface parking to the north.If the
property along Lafayette is converted to surface parking there will be open space, with few trees
Planning Commission
June 11, 2001
LSDOI-14 Central UMC
Page 2.9
and buildings, from the intersection of Maple and Forest to Dickson Street, and beyond,resulting
in a loss of scale and a feeling of placelessness. The resulting sense of isolation may be both
literal and symbolic, severing the Central complex from the physical and social ties to its
surrounding neighborhoods.
Recent articles' have documented the history of structures along Lafayette, including the Treece
House and the old Brown Store. Though interested in these histories, my appeal is not rooted in
preservationist stance dependent upon 'event' criteria (i.e. George Washington slept here.) for
historic status. Few persons, including myself, knew, previous to these articles, the Brown Store
to be the site of a nefarious act corrunitted by criminals. Rather I have simply marveled at it as a
significant structure representing a lost part of our culture, the neighborhood store. The Treece
House is truly an architecturally significant structure of the Victorian Style, admittedly in dire
need of restoration. Although I realize the Church has no designs on the Treece property,there is
little doubt that its isolation by parking lots and loss of vegetation will effectively severe it from
its context, likely accelerating its dernise.
The neighborhood store and the apartment house, if saved from destruction, might be revitalized
as part of the Central Complex. They may be used for outreach missions, in the manner of the
Greenhouse, or leased to organizations with proactive social agendas. Increased pedestrian and
social activity along Lafayette Street will be welcomed by all.
Of equal concern are the trees and topography found between Lafayette and the existing parking
lot on the north side of the Activities Building. Physically, Fayetteville is defined by the
relationship of its architecture to its ever-present sloping terrain and by the symbiotic dependence
of the built and the natural.In particular the older neighborhoods around the church gain much of
their character through the grandeur of trees and greenery. The site in question, given its steep
grade is ill suited for surface parking. To adapt the site to such a purpose would involve
considerable earthwork,root destruction and paving which would likely lead to the demise of the
trees found on the property.
Anne and I chose to join Central for a number of reasons, including the fact that we wanted to
attend a Church within walking distance of our house on Forest Avenue. We moved to
Fayetteville from Florence, Italy where we experienced a wonderful quality of life, in large part
owing to the pedestrian nature of the city and the social cohesion associated with the density of
the neighborhood. I realize that our congregation is comprised of members living all over the city
and beyond. I would like to see the Church administration enact a policies promoting walking to
church activities, carpooling and ridesharing not only to reduce our need for parking, but to
increase the interactive social mission of the church. This may be accomplished through The
Messenger and through periodic announcements by the clergy.
Bonnie and Clyde-legends part offayetteville's history. Northwest Arkansas Times,
November 8, 1998
Church, historians disagree onfate ofstore. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,March 14, 1999.
History buffs try to save Clyde Barrow crime site.Dallas Morning News,March 15, 1999.
10 structures on 'endangered'list.Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,May 12, 1999.
Planning Commission
June 11, 2001
LSDOI-14 Central UMC
Page 2.10
In our walks to and from Central we pass by the Washington Elementary School parking lot(30+
spaces) and within sight of the lot adjacent to the Autozone on Lafayette. These lots, generally
empty, are within easy walking distance of the Church and a mere 100 feet of the old Brown
Store.They are underutilized even on Easter Sunday. An arrangement with the AutoZone and the
School Board could be pursued similar to the standing agreement held with the Post Office for
use of their lot.
Much as you have dedicated your life to spiritual matters, following in your father's footsteps, I
have dedicated mine, as did my father, to the physical environment and its inherent social
ramifications. Thus please realize that my appeal comes from my profound concern for, and
continued dedication to studying, the built environment. The denrse of urban centers in America
is well documented and studied. We must learn from the errors of others and avoid making
similar mistakes which, given the size and quality of Fayetteville, may be even more tragic and
poignant. It is proven that the loss of population density, social alienation by isolation and the
loss of urban vitality are partially related to the loss of urban fabric associated with the expansion
of surface parking. Destroying the buildings and vegetation that define our streets, among the
most important social spaces of a city,is a recipe for physical and social blight.
I hope we can work together to insure the spiritual, physical and social health of our city and
neighborhoods. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of any assistance to you in
seeking alternative courses of action for this property.
Respectfully yours,
Tim de Noble,A.I.A.
Acting Director,U. of A. Community Design Center
Assistant Professor of Architecture
cc.Members of the Board of Trustees
Planning Commission
June 11, 2001
LSDOI-14 Central UMC
Page 2.11
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Wy 7 3 2001
From: "Ken Grunewald" <KenG@arkansasheritage.org>
To: <tconklin@ci.fayetteville.ar.us> PLANNING Dk,
Date: 5/23/01 11:13AM
Subject: The Treece House
Tim Conklin
City Planner
City of Fayetteville
May 23, 2001
Dear Mr Conklin;
I received an e-mail letter from Paula Marinoni yesterday expressing
concern over plans for a parking lot on W. Lafayette and the fact that
these plans would impact the Treece House at 113 W. Lafayette. This
house was listed as one of the state's 10 most endangered historic
places in 1999. It is an asset to the state and is potentially eligible
for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. I encourage
you to take this into consideration as you consider the plans for the
parking lot.
Sincerely;
Ken Grunewald, Director
Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
Planning Commission
June IJ, 2007
LSDOI-14 Central UMC
Page 2.12
RECEIVED
M6Y 2 2 2001
PLANNING DIV, fill
Tim Conklin 9
City Planner
&Planning Commissioners
City of Fayetteville
113 West Mountain
Fayetteville, AR 72701
May 22,2001 Pk M.4 F...7&, d 1�,dew
617 Wat Lafaye�Streer
Dear City Planners; F.,,��A,�.�72701
501-444-6170
I am writing in regard to upcoming consideration of a parking lot on
St. Charles Avenue requested by Central United Methodist Church.
I invite you to view the parking plans of the church in a holistic manner,taking into consideration the total
impact on the surrounding historic neighborhood and,in particular,on certain historic structures. In this
light,I propose a compromise.
In 1995 the church was given approval for 39 parking places extending along Lafayette Street. No amount
of landscaping will be able to soften the permanent sear this will leave on this,the most important historic
artery in Fayetteville. This parking plan was approved(before I moved back to Fayetteville),as part of
their large scale development when they built the Family Life Center. At the time that parking placement
was all they had to work with. The new acquisition allows the opportunity to revisit the original plan. I
propose that you offer a trade. Send their parking plan back through for reconsideration. In the
compromise they would agree to give up the 39 parking places on Lafayette Street in exchange for approval
of the proposed 31 parking places. This will move parking to the center of the block where it will be closer
in walking distance,more desirable topographically,and lessen the visual imposition. The original plan
shows a new entrance from Lafayette Street with a landscape buffer on the west side of the vacant lot. This
could be eliminated to free up at least four more parking places,leaving the difference to just four parking
places. It would also save money spent on the landscape buffers along Lafayette Street and Highland
Avenue. If they would offer the Lafayette Street properties for sale at fair market value,I will work to find
buyers for the properties that will build appropriately where vacant,and renovate appropriately where there
are structures.
The entrance of the proposed parking lot on St. Charles Avenue should be landscaped with dense
vegetation to buffer its visual impact on the residents to the west. The proposed Photinia is fine as long as
it is a variety that will lend itself to blocking the view and that it would be clipped in that manner. The
desired end product would be allowed to fill in and reach a height of 8-10 feet. Since this point is
important to the residents to the west,I ask that you add this into the agreement and make it a mandatory
condition. I
For the vacant lotjust west of 113 W.Lafayette,I propose a lot split. The front of the lot,on Lafayette
StreM could be returned to a historically compatible structure and the back of the lot could be used to
extend the parking lot. This parking area is already planned and approved,but would need to be revisited
to connect it to the west. In fairness,I request that the same tree requirements of the original approval be
grandfathered-in.
The historic considerations arc extensive. My time alone in the preservation of this area would ran into
thousands of hours. My files are also extensive. One file on the Brown's Grocery Store was used as a
Planning Commission
June 71, 2001
LSDOI-14 Central UMC
Page 2.13
0 0
primary source of information for Philip Steele's nationally distributed book,The Family Story of Bonnie
and Clyde. (It is available at Barnes and Noble in Fayetteville. See enclosure.)
The original parking approval allowed for the removal of the Brown's Grocery Store at I I I W.Lafayette.
Brown's Grocery was the site of a 1933 robbery by the notorious Bonnie and Clyde gang. This property is
of national significance. Representatives of another important Bonnie and Clyde site could not believe that
our city would allow this building to be tom down,as their annual"Bonnie and Clyde Days"are the main
tourist attraction for their entire county. Of all the activism that I have been mvolvcd in during the last five
years,the discussion of the church wanting to tear down this building for a parking lot was the only time,
that I know of,that the discussion was picked up by the National Associated Press. Thcchurchhas
commented that they don't want to be a part of glorifying bandits. In view of the fact that the topic of
Bonnie and Clyde could be debated into infinity,and considering the negative repercussions if the building
is removed,I ask that the church consider the merit of putting themselves in the position of censoring
history and if that is an cfficient use of their time and energies. If they feel strongly about this,the
property could be sold with deed restrictions.
Also threatened is the Treece Home at 113 W.Lafayette. I nominated this property to Arkansas's Most
Endangered Historic Places in 1999. It was one of 10 chosen on the first list of the first year of this effort
by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas in observance of Arkansas Heritage Month and
National Preservation Week. The Treece Home was built circa 1876 by Mr. A-M.Byrnes,a contractor
who worked on Old Main on the University of Arkansas campus. Mr.Byrnes built this house and the one
to the west of it(that Central United Methodist has already torn down)with left over materials from the
construction of Old Main. He built the houses for two of his daughters.
On Tuesday,May 11,of 1999,1 picked up Mr.Treece at 6:00 AM.and we drove to Little Rock for the
announcement. The statement that was read by Lieutenant Governor Winthrop Rockefeller at the
announcement ceremony held in the Rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol stated,"The Treece Home is
listed among Arkansas's Most Endangered because it is in the path of institutional expansion. The house to
the right of 113 West Lafayette(the other one Mr.Byrnes built for his daughter)was purchased and
demolished by Central United Methodist Church for a large parking lot." Rockefeller's statement
continued,"The house is original to West Lafayette Street,and offers a glimpse of the original approach to
the University of Arkansas at a time when the area was a grid of quiet,residential streets."
Central United Methodist Church is actively attempting to purchase the historic Treece Home to complete
the planned total scraping of that section of West Lafayette Street. Your decision will be an important
turning point in Fayetteville's planning history. Your decision and that of the church will be referenced for
years to come. It is up to those involved as to whether that legacy will haunt or inspire.
I have enclosed the original large scale development plan,a proposed plan,and a few support materials. if
you should require additional information,I assure you,I will get whatever you need,and I will continue to
focus on turning this situation around
Further,in the approval of the large scale development of 1995,it was later apparent that key members of
the decision making process for the city were also key planning members of Central United Methodist
Church. I respectfully request that anyone in the decision making process of this proposal,who is a
member of the church,identify themselves publicly and consider whether their involvement represents a
conflict of interest.
u for your time and your interest in preserving the historic integrity of the City of Fayetteville.
S' rel
T
IPa
ula nom
The W shington County Historic Preservation Association
And eader of the five-year effort to save Camall Hall
Planning Commission
June 11, 2001
LSDOI-14 Central UMC
Page 2.14