Lawrence historic resources Commission
Meeting SUmmary
City Commission Room, City Hall, 6 E. 6th Street
May 19, 2005 - 7:00pm
_____________________________________________________________
COMmissioners present: Sizemore, McKenzie, Alstrom, Antle, and Veatch
Staff present: Zollner, Miller and Saker
ITEM NO. 1: Action summary
Typographical errors were noted in the meeting minutes. The Commission directed Staff to revise the testimony of Dennis Brown, Vice-President of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance, to clarify his remarks as to the closing of Massachusetts Street to pedestrian traffic.
Motioned by McKenzie, seconded by Antle to approve the April 21, 2005 meeting summary as revised.
Motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
Motioned by Antle, seconded by McKenzie to approve the May 4, 2005 special meeting summary as revised.
Motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
ITEM NO. 2: CorrespondEnce
ITEM NO. 3: DR-04-24-05: 820 Ohio Street; Demolition; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by James Caskey, property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of the Old West Lawrence Historic District, National Register of Historic Places.
STAFF PRESENTATION
Staff showed photographs of all elevations of the subject property and roof detail views.
APPLICANT PRESENTATION
Dan Riedemann, applicant, explained he wanted to demolish the existing structure, which was significantly destroyed by a fire. It was noted that the Commission prefers to review drawings of the proposed new structure with a demolition request. Staff explained this case involved a public safety issue posed by the remaining portions of the structure.
It was verified the applicant understood that the Commission would have to review and approve the proposed new structure when drawings were done.
Mr. Riedemann said the concrete foundation was not original, but was poured when the building was moved from its original location at 912 Ohio. He said the same footprint would be used if the foundation were found to be usable.
PUBLIC HEARING
No member of the public spoke on this item.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
It was verified the subject property was in the environs, not the district, and that Building Inspections and the Fire Department make safety declarations regarding buildings.
ACTION TAKEN
Motioned by McKenzie, seconded by Veatch to approve the demolition of the existing structure at 820 Ohio Street.
In accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs (1998), staff recommends the Commission approve the proposed project and make the determination that the project does not encroach upon, damage, or destroy any listed historic property or its environs with the following conditions:
1. The property owner will allow staff access to the property to photo document the project before construction begins.
2. Any changes to the approved project will be submitted to the Historic Resources Commission prior to the commencement of any related work.
3. Plans for any new construction of the site are to be reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission at that time.
Motion carried unanimously, 5-0
ITEM NO. 4: MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
A. Review of any demolition permit applications received since the April 21, 2005 regular meeting.
· 1219 New York Street
Ms. Zollner referenced the letter in tonight’s correspondence regarding the structural integrity of the subject building and the applicant’s wish to proceed with the demolition request.
Staff provided photographs of the subject ancillary structure and explained that staff would usually approve the request administratively but wanted to give the Commission a chance to express any concerns.
It was discussed that the structure was not dated but was on a previous historic survey. It appeared that the structure had been open to the elements for some time, leading to significant internal and external deterioration.
The Commission directed staff not to release this project for demolition yet, and to continue researching the structure’s possible historic significance. Alstrom specifically asked that staff check for the structure on the Sanborn map.
The Commission discussed the problem of demolition by neglect and the City’s responsibility to deal with cases of environmental blight.
Betty Alderson commented there was a concern years ago about barns in this part of town and she was pleased that the Commission chose to look further into the issue before approving demolition.
· 1333 New York Street
Ms. Zollner explained this project was still being discussed with Code enforcement to see if there were acceptable alternatives to demolition. Staff agreed to bring additional information to the Commission as it became available.
B. Architectural Review Committee and Administrative Reviews since the April 21, 2005 regular meeting.
There were no ARC reviews to discuss.
Administrative Reviews
DR-03-14-05: 13 E. 8th Street; Sign; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Luminous Neon, Inc. for the property owner of record. The property is listed as a contributing structure to Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District.
This item was deferred prior to the meeting.
DR-04-21-05: 701 Massachusetts Street; Rehabilitation; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Dan Sabatini for the property owner of record. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The property is located in the environs of the House Building (729-731 Massachusetts) and Miller’s Hall (723-725 Massachusetts), Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District.
It was discussed that timing of the review and approval process for this project had been quick and additional reviews were likely to come.
DR-04-22-05: 909 New York Street; Driveway Repair; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Dave Root for the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of the North Rhode Island Street Historic District, Saint Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church (900 New York), National Register of Historic Places.
DR-04-23-05: 714 Vermont Street; Garage Door Replacement; Certified Local Government Review and Certificate of Appropriateness Review. Submitted by Tom Fritzel for the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, the Eldridge Hotel (701 Massachusetts), the United States Post Office Building (645 New Hampshire), National Register of Historic Places; the House Building (729-731 Masssachusetts), Kansas and Lawrence Register of Historic Places; and Miller’s Hall (723-725 Massachusetts), Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District.
DR-04-25-05: 711 E. 23rd Street; New Ancillary Structure; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by the City of Lawrence for the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of Haskell Institute (Haskell Stadium, 2300 Barker), National Historic Landmark.
It was clarified that the new construction in this vicinity approved on the April 2005 agenda was brought to the full Commission because it involved a primary structure on a vacant lot. Administrative Review was allowed in this case because it involved an ancillary structure.
DR-04-26-05: 736 Massachusetts Street; Egress; Certified Local Government Review and Certificate of Appropriateness Review. Submitted by Jennifer and Spencer Sievers for the property owner of record. The property is listed as a contributing structure to Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the environs of the House Building (729-731 Masssachusetts), Kansas and Lawrence Register of Historic Places; and Miller’s Hall (723-725 Massachusetts), Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The property is located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District.
DR-04-27-05: 348 E. 12th Street; Demolition of an Ancillary Structure; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Curtis Martell, the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of the North Rhode Island Street Historic District, the South Rhode Island Street Historic District, and Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places.
Ms. Zollner explained that the property owner requested to demolish the ancillary structure because it was too close to the primary structure and was creating negative drainage impacts. It was verified that the structure was in the environs, not the district, and an exact construction date was unknown.
ACTION TAKEN
Motioned by McKenzie, seconded by Sizemore to approve the Administrative Reviews as presented.
Motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
C. Provide comment on variance (BZA) requests received since April 21, 2005.
There were no BZA issues to review.
D. General public comment.
Dennis Brown, Vice-President of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance, commented on several items. He wanted to make sure the applicant understood the demolition permit for 820 Ohio applied to the primary structure only. He said Paul Caviness told him the ancillary structure on the subject property was on the Sanborn Map, making it historically significant even if it is “not much to look at.”
Mr. Brown read from information given to him by another LPA member about wood windows, stating that wood windows with storm windows (well-fitting and maintained) were more efficient and long-lasting than new double-hung metal windows.
Mr. Brown told the Commission about the two historic tours the LPA Educational Outreach Committee were organizing for the newly renovated Eldridge Hotel and the Haskell University Campus. Commissioners were invited to attend both tours.
Mary Lisa Pike asked for the Commission’s assistance with a problem she faced with her property at 945 Rhode Island. She explained she was sued by the City in January 2004 for long-term code violations. The case had been granted two continuances, but negotiations between the applicant, the HRA, and the Neighborhood Resources Department delayed approval of her building permit.
Ms. Pike described the expense and effort being put into the project and the financial and environmental conditions that were causing further delays that would extend past the final continuance date. She said the judge indicated a third continuance would likely not be granted.
Ms. Pike asked if the Commission could forward comments to Neighborhood Resources to support a dismissal of the case, giving her more time to continue working on repairs. She understood the case could be re-filed with the courts at any time.
Ms. Zollner further described delays to the project, specifically lengthy negotiations between Historic Resources and the Neighborhood Resources Department about appropriate and acceptable foundation materials. She said that, in staff’s opinion, this was one of the most historically significant structures in Lawrence and doing the repair and renovation correctly was important.
It was noted that the discussion of historic preservation vs. modern construction was an ongoing issue and the Code contains sections providing exceptions for historic structures.
Alstrom spoke about other communities requiring licensed historic contractors.
Ms. Zollner responded to questioning that, in staff’s opinion, the property owner was doing everything in her power to see that the repairs were progressing as quickly as possible. She commented on the property owners’ financial limitations and environmental delays.
The Commission discussed forwarding a letter to various parties in support of allowing Ms. Pike more time to do the necessary work on her property.
ACTION TAKEN
Motioned by Sizemore, seconded by McKenzie to direct staff to draft a letter with the assistance of the City Attorney to express support of allowing Ms. Pike additional time to bring her property into Code compliance, based on a determination that the historic significance of the structure made such a request reasonable.
Motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON THE ACTION
It was verified the motion was intended to include granting the Chair authority to sign the letter on behalf of the Commission and for staff to forward the letter to all involved parties.
Betty Alderson commented that LPA had been concerned for years about the state of the property at 945 Rhode Island. She said the City Commission used to frequently allow multiple extensions for properties with no historic significance. She understood this trend had been reversed to avoid items “piling up” on the agenda, but felt that the historic significance of this property made it a special case, worthy of extra consideration.
E. Miscellaneous matters from City staff and Commission members.
Ms. Zollner said the draft Sidewalk Dining Guidelines were being revised according to direction given at the May 4 special meeting. The new draft would be posted soon on the Planning Department website and would be placed on the City Commission’s May 31st agenda.
ADJOURN – 8:20 p.m.
Official minutes are on file in the Planning Department office.