Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning Department

 

TO:

David Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Lynne Braddock Zollner

CC:

Scott McCullough

Sheila Stogsdill

Date:

January 2, 2008

RE:

Future Agenda Item

 

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission agenda for consideration on a future agenda.

 

I. Project/Item Description.  At their meeting on November 27, 2007 the Lawrence City Commission requested the Historic Resources Commission review and comment on the new project design for the Oread Inn submitted to the City Commission on November 21, 2007.  The HRC held a public meeting on December 20, 2007 and reviewed the design that was submitted to the City Commission on November 21st and a subsequent design from the project applicant. The subsequent design and the Action Summary from the December 20th HRC meeting are attached.

 

II. Project Description/History.  The proposed project includes the demolition of structures located at 1140 Indiana Street, 1142 Indiana Street, 1144 Indiana Street, and 618-620 West 12th Street and the construction of a new multi-story, mixed use structure that will house a hotel, restaurant and bar, and possible retail, extended stay, and condominiums.  On September 20, 2007 the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) denied (7-0) the proposed demolition and new construction request for the structures located at 1140 Indiana Street, 1142 Indiana Street, 1144 Indiana Street, and 618-620 West 12th Street.  At the time of the project submission, the subject properties were not listed individually or as contributing structures to any historic district but they were located in the environs of the Hancock Historic District, National Register of Historic Places and the Oread Historic District, Register of Historic Kansas Places. (The Oread Historic District is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.) The property is also within the environs of the Jane A. Snow Residence, National Register of Historic Places and Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The applicant appealed the HRC determination to the Lawrence City Commission per Chapter 22 of the Code of the City of Lawrence and K.S.A. 75-2724.

 

III. Discussion. The HRC reviewed both new designs submitted by the applicant.  The overall consensus was the proposed structure- in both designs- does not meet the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs and the criteria established in Chapter 22.  The new designs do not significantly alter the overall height, scale and massing. However, the HRC was of the opinion that the revised designs, specifically the one submitted to the HRC on December 20, did address some of the design concerns expressed by the HRC and the public.  The HRC encouraged the applicant to continue to work with the design to make it more compatible with the listed properties.

 

The HRC also discussed possible planning to minimize the harm the demolition and new construction will cause to the listed properties.  Of particular concern was the timing of the release of the demolition permits.  After discussion, the HRC requested staff send the following items to the City Commission as suggestions from the HRC of possible planning that will minimize harm to the listed properties.

 

1.      Complete documentation of all structures to be demolished.  This should be done by a professional and should include scaled drawings and photographs.

2.      1142 Indiana Street should be moved rather than demolished.  A reasonable amount of time should be allowed to investigate the removal of this structure.  The property should be advertised in the local paper for removal. If no means or opportunity exists after a reasonable amount of time, this provision could be removed.

3.      An approved and designated pedestrian path should be designed to allow for ease of pedestrian traffic during the construction process.

4.      Complete construction documents should be submitted and approved by the Historic Resources Administrator before the release of the demolition permits.  TIF financing should be approved by the City Commission before the issuance of the demolition permits. This will help to ensure that a replacement structure will be constructed on the site of the demolished structures.