Historic resources commission

Action Summary 

May 18, 2006 – 7:00 p.m.

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Commissioners present: Alstrom, Hickam, Marvin, Sizemore Veatch and Meyer

Staff Present:  Zollner and new Historic Preservation Intern Laura Wagner

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ITEM NO. 1:  Action summary

Motioned by Hickam, seconded by Sizemore to approve the April 20, 2006 Action Summary with one typographical change.

          Motion carried 5-1, with Meyer abstaining because she was not at the March meeting.

ITEM NO. 2:  CoMMUNICATIONS

• Ms. Zollner explained that Commissioner Sizemore submitted an application for a project involving his personal residence.  This project was sent to and approved by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) with no involvement by City Staff.
• Randy Hamm has received a termite inspection for the ancillary structure at 242 Perry Street.  This inspection revealed significant termite damage.  Revised project plans will be seen by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) in the near future.
• No abstentions were indicated.

ITEM NO. 3:  L-02-01-06: Public hearing for consideration of placing the structure located at 820 New Jersey Street on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places. Submitted by Nicolette Proudfoot, the property owner of record. Adopt resolution recommending listing 820 New Jersey Street to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places and its associated environs definition, if appropriate.

STAFF PRESENTATION

Staff showed picture of the nominated property and the structures in the area, reminding the Commission of their action at the April 20, 2006 meeting.  At that meeting, Staff was directed to draft a resolution nominating the structure to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places and to create an environs definition to accompany the resolution.

Ms. Zollner said nothing in the nomination or the environs definition would run contrary to the development proposal submitted for the subject area by Harris Construction. 

It was clarified that the Harris project contains residential uses on the west side of Pennsylvania Street and retail commercial uses for the east side.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No member of the public spoke on this item.

ACTION TAKEN

Motioned by Hickam, seconded by Marvin to approve the resolution and associated environs definition and forward it to the City Commission.

          Motion carried unanimously, 6-0.

ITEM No. 4:  MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

A.  Review of any demolition permit applications received since the April 20, 2006 regular meeting.

Ms. Zollner said one demolition permit had been approved administratively to address timely safety issues following a house fire at 838 Louisiana Street.  This was done in cooperation with the SHPO to ensure an adequate review process was followed.

          An additional demolition permit request had been submitted and would come

          forward in June.

B.  Architectural Review Committee and Administrative Reviews since the April 20, 2006 regular meeting.

The ARC had met to review site modifications at 1425 Tennessee Street, which had been revised to address concerns raised by the Commission.  The ARC expressed approval of the revised drawings, but advised the applicants to consider attachment methods that would not permanently damage the stone walls of the primary building.  Attention was also drawn to drainage issues on the site.

Administrative Reviews

DR-04-35-06:        1837 Vermont; Site Modifications; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Landplan Engineering for USD #497, the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of the Eugene F. Goodrich House (1711 Massachusetts), National Register of Historic Places.

Commissioner Hickam said several people associated with this project had expressed concern about getting the proposal approved.  Staff and the Commission agreed that the proposed modifications were not radical and adequately met the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.

DR-04-36-06:        936 New York; Site Modifications; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by BG Consultants for USD #497, the property owner of record. The property is in the environs of St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church (900 New York), Register of Historic Kansas Places.

DR-04-37-06:        1605 Vermont; Exterior Modifications; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by David Baldwin for Charles Ennis, the property owner of record.  The property is located in the environs of the Ludington-Thacher House (1613 Tennessee), National Register of Historic Places.

DR-04-38-06:   1613 Tennessee Street, Ludington-Thacher House; Chimney Repair; Certificate of Appropriateness and Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Terry Riordan, the property owner of record.  The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

DR-04-39-06:        1039 New York Street; Ancillary Demolition; Certified Local Government Review.  Submitted by Martin Olson, the property owner of record.  The property is located in the environs of the North Rhode Island Historic District, National Register of Historic Places.

DR-05-40-06         838 Louisiana Street; Demolition; Certified Local Government Review.  Submitted by Lelon Capps, the property owner of record.  The property is in the environs of Old West Lawrence Historic District, National Register of Historic Places.

DR-05-42-06         2^nd and Locust; Intersection Improvements; Certified Local Government Review.  Submitted by the City of Lawrence, the property owner of record.  The property is in the environs of the Union Pacific Depot, State Register of Historic Places.

Staff clarified that the project would remove a portion of the existing corner and the property on the west side of the Union Pacific Depot.  This project would also provide a left turn lane to reduce accidents at this high-risk intersection.

Ms. Zollner noted that the neighborhood had met with Public Works and had agreed with the option that best retained mature landscaping and the neighborhood character. 

ACTION TAKEN

Motioned by Sizemore, seconded by Veatch to approve all Administrative Approvals as presented.

C.  Provide comment on variance (BZA) requests received since April 20, 2006.

     There were no BZA items for comment.

D.  General public comment.

Betty Alderson said she had enjoyed the recent Historic Preservation Conference, but she was surprised and disappointed by the noticeable absence of media advertisement or coverage.  Staff echoed this disappointment.

E.  Miscellaneous matters from City staff and Commission members

• Commissioner Alstrom asked if Staff had been approached by the owners of the 8^th Street Tap Room at 8^th and New Hampshire Streets, noting that the sidewalk on New Hampshire Street had been barricaded off.  Ms. Zollner replied that no contact had been made with Staff, but it was possible that the brick material was in such poor condition that it had begun falling off the building, creating a safety hazard.  Staff was directed to investigate the situation at this property and relay the Commission’s concerns that this building not be subject to demolition by neglect.

• Ms. Zollner explained an additional Summer Intern would start work soon and would be dealing with several committee-related issues.  Staff suggested delaying the designation of these committees until this intern was in place.

• Ms. Zollner said New Commissioner Training would take place beginning at 6:00 p.m. prior to the June 15^th Agenda Meeting.  The Agenda Meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be advertised as such.

• Staff said the ARC would be contacted soon to meet with Staff and the architects for the Carnegie Library project and the Hamm project in North Lawrence.

• Ms. Zollner responded to questioning that the project north of Vermont Street had been deferred indefinitely, but not yet withdrawn.

ADJOURN – 7:25 p.m.

Official minutes are on file in the Planning Department office.