PLANNING	MEMO
OFFICE

To:	Planning Commission
From:	Lynne Braddock Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator
Subject:	ITEM NO. 10:  RS7 to RM12; 10.74 ACRES; ALL OF LOTS 1-4 OF BLOCK 1 Z-07-21-06:   A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 10.74 acres, from RS7 (Single Dwelling Residential) to RM12 (Multi-Dwelling Residential). The property is located at 3000 Sherwood Drive; all of Lots 1-4, Block 1, Deerfield Woods No. 3 Submitted by Donald Funk for Cheer Pole, Ltd., property owner of record.
Date:	October 25, 2006

Introduction/History

The subject property for the above zoning request includes an archeological site commonly referred to as the “John Doy” site or farm.  According to the National Park Service Network to Freedom data base, on which the site is listed,

The Dr. John Doy homesite, today about three miles northwest of downtown Lawrence, Kansas was part of the original 160 acre tract where abolitionist, John Doy settled in October 1854 as part of the New England Emigrant Aid Company. Doy was called the “General Conductor” of the UGRR in the Lawrence area. On this property he lived in a log structure with family from 1854-1860. In 1999 the remains of a foundation, a limestone well and a cistern were discovered in a wooded part of the original tract by a neighborhood boy. Although no documentation has been found about UGRR activity on the property, there is ample documentation—including his own book published in 1860—of Doy’s UGRR activity. He was captured in January 1859 while taking 13 Blacks north on the UGRR. His daring rescue from the St. Joseph, Missouri jail by “The Immortal Ten” was reported nationally. In 2001, a pedestrian archeological survey of the Doy property was done. Although much of the former quarter-section of the Doy property has been developed, the ruins, some of the woods and a small creek still remain.

(Additional site investigation was done during the Summer of 2005)

Staff has determined, based on a field survey using GPS equipment, that the “house” foundation portion of the site is located on land that is dedicated public right of way.  Any physical development of this land may be subject to K.S.A. 74-5401 through 74-5408.  Enacted in 1967, this state statute recognizes the state's awareness of the need to conserve significant archeological remains on state, county, and municipal lands. It establishes a commission to protect and regulate the removal of antiquities from these public lands.

Staff has contacted the State Archeologist and is in the process of identifying the process that will be necessary for development to occur.

Action

No action is required.  This memo is for your information.