HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-12 - Minutes -CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE MEETING MINUTES
ARKANSAS
Meeting of the Historic District Commission
January 12, 2023 5:30 PM
RM 111 City Hall & Zoom
NOTE: The January 12, 2023 Historic District Commission meeting was held virtually and
in person, with commissioners attending remotely or in person. Staff were present in
person.
Members: Christine Myres — Chair, Meredith Mahan — Vice Chair, Alex Lee, Mark Harper,
Joann Goodley, Tommie Flowers Davis, Julie Preddy
City Staff: Britin Bostick - Long Range Planning & Special Projects Manager, Sherry Marie
Smith — Long Range & Preservation Planner
Call to Order: 5:31 pm
In Attendance: Christine Myres, Meredith Mahan, Mark Harper, Joann Goodley, Tommie
Flowers Davis, Julie Preddy, Britin Bostick, Sherry Marie Smith, and Marilyn Heifner
Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve by Commissioner Preddy, second by Commissioner
Harper. Motion approved (6-0-0).
Announcements: Bostick announced that the Heritage & Historic Preservation Plan draft
would be available to the Commissioners for their review as early as the February
meetings, and if not by then the March meeting. The CAMP training date and time have
not yet been set.
Unfinished Business
1. The Commissioners present were satisfied with the proposed Bylaws changes, and
tabled a vote on the adoption of the Bylaws to the February meeting as staff had not
provided a copy of the proposed Bylaws at least 10 days prior to the meeting as
required by the current adopted Bylaws.
New Business
1. Presentation by Marilyn Heifner on the designation of the Butterfield Overland
Trail as a National Historic Trail: Heifner shared the recent success of two decades
of efforts to establish the Butterfield Overland Trail as a National Historic Trail, the
newest of only about 20 National Trails in the United States. The designation was
approved by Congress in December 2022 and signed by President Biden on January
5, 2023. The Butterfield Overland Trail was established in 1858 and connected St.
Louis, MO and Nashville, TN to San Francisco, CA. The route passed through
Fayetteville, crossing what is now Lake Fayetteville from Springdale. The route
included parts of the Trail of Tears and Civil War routes. Heritage Trail Partners and
Butterfield Overland Trail Friends have websites and social media pages with more
information. There is also a book covering the details of the Missouri, Arkansas, and
Mailing Address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Oklahoma sections of the trail. Similar to Route 66, this trail is an attraction for tourists
and those wanting to learn more about American history and historic travel routes.
2. Heritage & Historic Preservation Master Plan Survey Report: Bostick presented
highlights from the survey report from Stantec and McDoux Preservation, including a
high level of support for historic preservation, an even distribution of respondents from
the four wards, an even distribution of ages excepting people younger than 19, and
hundreds of open-ended comments that highlighted important places in Fayetteville's
history, provided contact information that staff have followed up on, and in a few
instances expressed opposition to historic preservation as a priority or need for the
city. This input from the community is being incorporated into the first draft of the
preservation plan.
Other Business: Bostick requested that the Commissioners let staff know if they were
interested in additional presentations. The Commissioners and staff discussed placing
National Historic Preservation Month in May on the next agenda to plan education, outreach
events, and partnering with businesses to share local history books.
Adjourned: 6:31 pm
