CHAPTER ELEVEN - HISTORIC RESOURCES

 

Citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County recognize the importance of historic resources in the county.  Understanding and preserving the past not only helps define a community's sense of place but provides a sense of direction for future development and growth.  Citizens view historic resources with a sense of pride, community identity, and a respect for the physical and cultural heritage of the community.

 

The Comprehensive Plan encourages identification, protection, preservation and adaptive reuse of the wide diversity of historic buildings, structures, sites and archeological sites that can be found in Lawrence and Douglas County.  The Plan seeks to balance historic preservation and land use issues when making planning decisions.

 

 

STRATEGIES:  HISTORIC RESOURCES

 

The following statements summarize the goals and objectives of the city and county's overall approach for the protection, develop­ment and utilization of historic resources:

 

•        Facilitate the identification, evaluation, designation and preservation of historic and archeological resources by developing and implementing a Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan for Lawrence and the unincorporated portions of Douglas County.  When practical, the plan should seek the involvement and cooperation of all municipalities within Douglas County.

 

•        Integrate the identification, evaluation and designation of Lawrence's and Douglas County's significant historical and archeological resources into the planning process, including the funding of a comprehensive resources inventory program.

 

•        Develop appropriate mechanisms for the identification, evaluation, designation and preservation of historic and archeological resources at all levels of municipal government.  Efforts to maintain and strengthen preservation efforts among municipal, county, state and federal entities are strongly encouraged.

 

•        Establish traditional and non-traditional economic incentives and adaptive reuse alternatives for historic resources.

 

•        Increase awareness of historic preservation through development of public education programs, technical assistance programs and heritage tourism.  Information regarding historic preservation and historic resources should be readily accessible in a variety of locations and mediums.

 

•        Develop appropriate zoning and building code regulations to facilitate the preservation, renovation and rehabilitation of historic resources.

PRESERVATION PLAN FOR LAWRENCE AND DOUGLAS COUNTY

 

A Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan should form the basis of specific goals and policies which guide historic preservation efforts in the community.  There are many agencies and organizations involved with preservation efforts in Douglas County including local volunteer, state and federal agencies.  The new historic preservation plan must strive to coordinate the efforts and actions of the various groups involved in order to provide a unified and effective plan of action.

 

The historic preservation plan should contain a survey plan which outlines and prioritizes historic inventory survey tasks for Lawrence and unincorporated Douglas County.  It should first focus on sites and areas which are potentially vulnerable to change.  The inventory should include historically and culturally significant buildings, sites and areas as well as archeological resources.  Where archeological resources may be involved, the inventory and evaluation process should be coordinated with the Kansas State Historical Society and the State Archeologist.  Additionally, the inventory should be well organized and maintained in electronic computer records, as well as being accessible to the public in general.

 

When completed, the Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan should be amended into the Comprehensive Plan.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCESS

 

Local historic preservation organizations should continue to be aware of projects and programs pending in the city and unincorporated Douglas County which may impact historic resources.  Like Lawrence, Douglas County should prepare and adopt a historic preservation ordinance to help protect important historic resources.  Upon adoption of the new Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan, these ordinances would be reviewed, updated and expanded as appropriate.


HISTORIC RESOURCES GOALS AND POLICIES

 

 

Historic Resources in Lawrence and Douglas County enhance the quality of life within the community and are integral in defining the character of the community.  Guidelines are needed to ensure consideration of these resources in land use decisions.

 

GOAL 1:      Develop and Implement a Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan

 

Policy 1.1:    Develop a Comprehensive Historic Resources Survey Plan

 

Develop a plan for and conduct a survey of historic resources throughout the city and county.

 

Policy 1.2:    Develop Appropriate Mechanisms for the Identification, Evaluation, Designation and Preservation of Historic Structures

 

a.       Develop and adopt an historic preservation ordinance for the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.

 

b.       Develop alternate protection mechanisms such as design guidelines and conservation district zoning overlays.

 

c.       Encourage interdepartmental and intergovernmental cooperation in using existing resources and programs to facilitate the preservation of historic resources.

 

 

Mechanisms are needed to integrate historic preservation efforts in all planning processes.

 

GOAL 2:      Integrate the Identification, Evaluation and Designation of Significant Historic and Archeological Resources into the Planning Process

 

Policy 2.1:    Develop Appropriate Regulations

 

Develop appropriate zoning and building code regulations to facilitate the preservation, renovation and rehabilitation of historic resources.

 

Policy 2.2:    Require Historic Preservation Elements

 

Require historic preservation elements as part of neighborhood plans, area plans and sector plans.

 

Policy 2.3:    Review Impacts

 

Review all new ordinances for their impact on historic resources and historic preservation efforts.

 

 

Economic incentives are needed to help facilitate historic preservation.

 

GOAL 3:      Encourage the Development of Traditional and Nontraditional Economic Incentives and Adaptive Reuse Alternatives for Historic Structures

 

Policy 3.1:    Facilitate Adaptive Reuse

 

Develop additional zoning regulations which facilitate the adaptive reuse of historic structures.

 

Policy 3.2:    Develop Incentives

 

Develop additional economic incentives such as modified tax structures, grants, etc. for the rehabilitation of historic structures.

 

 

 

Public awareness of Historic Resources is needed to encourage heritage tourism and education about historic preservation.

 

GOAL 4:      Increase Awareness of Historic Preservation

 

Policy 4.1:    Promote Public Education

 

Develop and promote public education programs and technical assistance programs.

 

Policy 4.2:    Encourage Heritage Tourism Efforts

 

Encourage and expand heritage tourism efforts as part of the overall economic development program.

 

Policy 4.3:    Increase Information Access

 

Provide information regarding historic preservation and historic resources in a variety of locations and mediums.