ITEM NO. 6:   DR-01-05-06:  7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and Massachusetts Street; Communications Antennas; Certified Local Government Review and Certificate of Appropriateness Review.  Submitted by Lawrence Freenet for the property owner of record.  The property is located in Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. The property is in the environs of the House Building (729-731 Massachusetts) and the Hannah Building (933 Massachusetts), Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District.

STAFF PRESENTATION

Staff explained the proposal to place telecommunications antennas on existing light poles in the Downtown area.  Staff suggested deferral of the item in anticipation of the City Commission establishing guidelines for the placement of communication equipment in the public right-of-way in this area.  Staff further suggested the Commission forward to the City Commission any questions or concerns they had regarding such guidelines.

APPLICANT PRESENTATION

No one present to speak for the applicant.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No member of the public spoke on this item.

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

Comm. Alstrom asked if other potential placement locations had been considered.

The Commission directed Staff to communicate the following concerns to the City Commission:

• The HRC would like to see light pole guidelines similar to those adopted for Downtown guardrails.
• This specific installation is not of primary concern, the HRC is more concerned about general rules about how many communication installations will be allowed and what they may look like.
• The Downtown Design Guidelines (DDG) will have to be amended to incorporate whatever light pole guidelines are approved.  However, this project would not necessarily have to be delayed until this revision is complete. See Miscellaneous section for related comments about the DDG update.

ACTION TAKEN

Motioned by Comm. McKenzie, seconded by Comm. Hickam to defer the item to the March 2006 agenda.

Motion carried unanimously, 6-0.