Lawrence-Douglas Country Metropolitan Planning Commission Planning Office

Sixth & Massachusetts Street

P.O. Box 708

Lawrence, Kansas 66011 0708

January 16, 2006

Re: Proposed Rezoning of 1512 W. ^5th Street

Dear Commissioners;

My wife, Rhonda Cook, and I are the owners of the properties located at 1512 West 5^th Street and 430 Minnesota Street, Lawrence, Kansas. The structure located at 1512 West 5^th Street is located within the area of proposed rezoning action identified as Z-10-67-05.

My wife and I met with Dave Corliss, Randy Barnes and Sheila Stogsdill earlier today with regard to the proposed rezoning. Dave and Sheila suggested that we write a letter to the commission outlining our concerns and opposition to the proposed rezoning of the property to class RS-2.

It is our understanding that the proposed rezoning was initiated after an informal walking tour of the neighborhood indicated that the properties along West 5^th Street were single family homes and should be zoned accordingly. Our property at 1512 West 5<sup>`h</sup> Street is treated as a single property duplex sharing utilities and a plat line with our property located at 430 Minnesota Street. When we purchased the properties in November, 2002, the properties shared a single tax assessment, were purchased as a single property and are subject to a single title insurance policy. We have been advised that because the 430 Minnesota Street structure sits on the plat line of 1512 West 5`^h Street, the properties cannot be separated.

We know that the structures have been utilized as multiple-family residential for many years, and given the shared utilities and legal status combining the two structures, multiple-family residential is the only reasonable and appropriate classification for the two structures.

If the proposed rezoning of part of our properties were to go through, the city would be creating an island of single-family residential (RS-2) properties within a surrounding sea of multi-family residential (RM-2) properties. Additionally, the proposed rezoning of the structure located at 1512 West 5^`h Street would create a non-conforming use given the legal status of 430 Minnesota Street. It is our understanding that other properties have had their zoning recommendation modified and we believe that our property at 1512 West 5^th Street should be added to this group

Lawrence-Douglas Country Metropolitan Planning Commission Planning Office

January 16, 2006

Page 2

and our property should continue to reflect its longstanding use and remain zoned as multiple-family residential.

It is our intention to attend the January 23^rd meeting of the commission, and we would like an opportunity to speak, if our property is still included in the proposed rezoning. If you have any questions regarding our property, we would be happy to speak with any or all of you prior to the meeting. My cell phone number (785) 979-3160, our home phone is 841-1503 and our email address is sdgjkcl@sbcglobal.net.

Sincerely,

John K. Cook

cc: Dave Corliss, Sheila Stogsdill, Randy Barnes