PLANNING

 

MEMO

 

 

 

 

 

OFFICE

 

To:

Planning Commission

From:

Lynne Braddock Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator

Subject:

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:

ITEM NO. 11A: ZONING OVERLAY DISTRICT; BETWEEN 8TH & 9TH STREETS AND NEW JERSEY & DELAWARE STREETS 8TH & PENNSYLVANIA (LBZ)

Date:

March 15, 2006

 

Introduction/History

On November 17, 2005, the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) initiated the Urban Conservation Overlay District for the 8th and Penn Neighborhood Redevelopment Zone in accordance with Chapter 20, Article14C of the Code of the City of Lawrence.  The purpose of the Conservation Overlay District is to

            A. encourage development that conforms to the size, orientation and setting of existing buildings in a neighborhood or area;

            B. reduce the need for zoning variances for development that conforms to the size, orientation and setting of existing buildings in a neighborhood or area;

            C. provide building setbacks, lot dimensions and related physical characteristics;

            D. foster development and redevelopment that is compatible with the scale and physical character of original buildings in a neighborhood or area through the use of development/design standards and guidelines; and,

            E. conserve the cultural resources, historic resources and property values within a identified neighborhood or area.

 

Chapter 20 Article 14C requires district-specific development and design standards to guide redevelopment and development within an Urban Conservation Overlay District.

 

At their meeting on December 15, 2005, the HRC approved the Conservation Overlay District for the 8th and Penn Neighborhood Redevelopment finding:

1. The general pattern of development, including streets, lots and buildings, has been established at least 25 years prior to creation of the district.

2. The area possesses built environmental characteristics that create an identifiable setting, character, and association.

3.  The area is covered by an approved neighborhood plan.

4.  The designated area is a contiguous area of at least 5 acres in area. 

The associated design guidelines for the 8th and Penn Redevelopment Zone were approved by the HRC on February 23, 2006.

 

A full report from the HRC as required by 20-14C0-07 is attached to the Staff Report.

 

Discussion

 

According to Article 14C, following the public hearing and recommendation of the Historic Resources Commission, the Planning Commission must hold a public hearing and make a recommendation that the UC-O district zoning be approved, approved with condition(s), or denied. The Planning Commission’s recommendation must be submitted to the City Commission. The recommendation must be accompanied by a report containing the following information:

1.  An explanation of the planning and zoning implications related to the designation of the proposed area and related to the district-specific development and design standards recommended by the Historic Resources Commission;

2.  A map showing the recommended boundaries of the UC-O district;

3.  A record of the proceedings before the Planning Commission.

 

In the review of the Urban Conservation Overlay District and the associated design guidelines for the 8th and Penn Neighborhood Redevelopment Zone, the HRC did not address issues they believed to be outside the scope of the HRC review.  The land use and development standards including lot area, setbacks, parking requirements, density, and traffic were all items the HRC deemed appropriate for Planning Commission and City Commission review, not HRC review. 

 

Chapter 20 Article 14C also identifies that when there are conflicts between the development/design standards of the underlying base zoning district and adopted UC-O district development/ design standards, the UC-O development/design standards will govern.  For this reason, it is imperative the Planning Commission complete a thorough analysis of the Design Guidelines proposed for this Urban Conservation Overlay District.

 

The City Commission is responsible for making a final decision to approve or deny the Urban Conservation Overlay District zoning and the associated design guidelines.

 

Action

Per 20-14C, the Planning Commission must hold a public hearing and make a recommendation that UC-O district zoning be approved, approved with condition(s), or denied. The Planning Commission’s recommendation and required report must be submitted to the City Commission.