FENCE DEBATE CONTINUES: Waiver for this fence at 14th and Scott to be discussed later this month.

  • FENCE DEBATE CONTINUES: Waiver for this fence at 14th and Scott to be discussed later this month.

I dropped the ball in following up on a recent story about continued efforts by two Quapaw Quarter residents to find a way around rules limiting the height of front-yard fences to 40 inches, in keeping with historic practice in the Governor’s Mansion Neighborhood of the Capitol Zoning District Commission.

Advertisement

I wrote earlier that Patrick Cowan was trying again — despite having lost a court case on the issue previously — to get a waiver for a 48-inch wrought iron fence he’s already built around his house at 14th and Scott. The Commission could eventually move to have the fence removed if he’s unsuccessful. Gabe Holmstrom has built a 40-inch fence, which he contends is legal but which the Commission staff says requires a waiver because it’s placed atop a poured concrete wall/foundation and exceeds 40 inches altogether.

The Cowan fence was to come up in July at both the neighborhood advisory committee and then the full Zoning Commission. But proper advance notice to neighbors wasn’t given. So now, the neighborhood committees will take a look Aug. 22 and the full Commission Aug. 29 and consider the Holmstrom waiver request as well.

Advertisement

Also in the neighborhood:

The Zoning Commission will have a special meeting Aug. 14 to consider an application for a Dollar General in the shopping center at Broadway and Roosevelt that began life as a Weingarten’s but has seen several grocery and other tenants in succeeding years. The staff believes a grocery store is compatible with the neighborhood, with the addition of “good neighbor” and signage and design rules that applied to previous tenants. But some neighbors have objected about trash and loitering under previous operation.

Advertisement

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article North Little Rock news: New home for bus station; wet-dry elections coming Next article Common Cause: Taxpayers subsidize ALEC junkets for legislators