Little Rock, Arkansas – In a city known for its rich history and close-knit communities, a recent rezoning proposal in Little Rock has sparked heated debate, pitting development against preservation in the Hillcrest neighborhood. On Tuesday night, the Little Rock Board of Directors approved a plan that would allow Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church to build a much-needed parking lot in an area currently occupied by two vacant homes and some green space. The proposal was passed by a vote of 6-3, following hours of passionate discussion.
The church, which currently has 93 parking spaces, has been struggling to accommodate its growing congregation. Gary Smith, a church member, highlighted the difficulty in parking for the church’s services, especially on Sundays. “We have 93 parking spaces, and it’s very difficult to park 1,000 people on a Sunday,” he explained. “We have about eight parking spaces that are available during the day, and if we have a special event, like a funeral, people are parked down the hill, and it’s tough on the elderly people, and we are very short of handicapped parking.”
However, the proposal has been met with staunch opposition from several residents of the Hillcrest Neighborhood, where the church and proposed parking lot would be located. The area is known for its historic charm, walkable streets, and tight-knit community, which many fear will be disrupted by the development. Kathy Webb, the city director for the area, voiced her disapproval at the meeting, saying, “I was very disappointed. I did not support the parking lot.” Webb expressed concern about the potential impact on the character of the neighborhood, as well as the loss of green space and housing.
The Hillcrest Residents Association, led by president Pittman Ware, also stands firmly against the project. Ware cited concerns over possible drainage issues, decreased property values, and the loss of housing in an area with limited residential properties. “There’s a finite amount of housing inside this neighborhood, so any loss is a net loss of housing,” he said. “It’s also a loss to our historic character. That’s something we really pride in this neighborhood, is that we preserve our historic housing.”
Webb echoed these concerns, stating that the arguments presented by Hillcrest residents should have been enough to stop the proposal. “Most of the people who spoke in favor of the parking lot do not live in this neighborhood,” she said. “And so I appreciate their wanting to have more convenience for the hour or so a week that they’re here, but my primary interest is the people who live in this neighborhood 24/7.”
While the opposition has been vocal, supporters of the project argue that the church’s expansion is necessary to meet the needs of its growing congregation. Smith emphasized that other institutions in the area have significantly more parking spaces, with some reaching as many as 253, and yet Holy Souls would be adding only a fraction of that. “Other institutions in our area have as many as 253 parking spaces with very little landscaping in the heart of the historic district,” he told the board. “And we’re going to have over 100 fewer than that, and we’ve got the most members of any institution like us.”
The church’s plan also includes efforts to mitigate the impact of the parking lot on the community. An architect, who is also a church member, spoke at the meeting and assured the board that the church would do its best to avoid drainage issues, claiming that flooding would not be a significant concern. Additionally, the church has proposed to help relocate one of the homes on the property, offering up to $10,000 to cover moving costs. However, Webb was critical of this offer, stating, “$10,000 to help move a house is a drop in the bucket for what something like that would cost.”
The project would not only address the parking shortage but also involve the creation of a 3,000 square-foot school garden and outdoor classroom, which church representatives say could serve both students and the broader community. This aspect of the proposal, designed to provide a community resource, has been presented as a way to balance the development with the neighborhood’s values.
Despite the proposed benefits, the question of how to balance the needs of the church with the preservation of the neighborhood remains unresolved. Hillcrest residents, particularly those who cherish the area’s historical charm, fear that this development could set a precedent for further encroachment on their beloved community. The controversy raises important questions about the future of neighborhoods like Hillcrest, where growth and development are often at odds with the desire to maintain the unique character of the area.
As the project moves forward, the church and its supporters will continue to advocate for the parking lot, while opponents will remain steadfast in their efforts to preserve Hillcrest’s integrity.
The rezoning approval is just one step in what promises to be an ongoing debate about development, preservation, and the future of Little Rock’s historic neighborhoods.
