4_pl_johnson_block_staff_report

LAWRENCE HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION

ITEM NO. 4: L-16-00269

STAFF REPORT

A. SUMMARY

L-16-00269 Public hearing for consideration of placing the properties located at 801, 805, 809, 815, 817, 823, 825, 829, 833, 839, and 845 Missouri Street, and 800, 804, 806, 818, 820, 824, 828, 832, 838, 844, and 846 Arkansas Street, on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places as the Johnson Block Historic District. Adopt Resolution 2016-10, if appropriate. The nomination of the Johnson Block Historic District to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places is being made with the consent of nine (9) property owners of record which is greater than the 20% owners of record as prescribed by Chapter 22-402(A).

The public hearing for the nomination of the district to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places will be held at 6:30 p.m., or thereafter, at Lawrence City Hall, 6 E 6^th Street, in the City Commission Room.

Legal Description:

Lots 1-24, in Block 16, Lane Place Addition, in the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas

B. HISTORIC REGISTER STATUS

The properties located within the proposed historic district are not listed in any historic register.

C. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

1) History Summary

According to the nomination application written by Dale Nimz on behalf of the applicants, the Johnson Block was developed by prominent local businessman Victor Johnson beginning in 1909 and the block was almost completely developed by August, 1949. The structures in the district were primarily constructed during the “A Quiet University Town, 1900-45” period described in the multiple property documentation form for the National Register “Historic Resources of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas,” (1998). The block was initially platted during the brief town-building boom in Lawrence history from 1864 to 1873. Lane Place Addition was dedicated on March 14, 1871 although the subdivision did not begin to develop until 1909. Johnson developed the block with deed restrictions that stipulated each house “must stand back thirty feet from the line [front lot line], must stand five feet from the north lot line, must not cost less than $2,000 and each buyer bound himself to put in cement walks and to favor paving the street.” Sewer and water pipes were then laid in the alley and gas mains in front so “each home would have the benefit of modern conveniences as soon as completed.” The majority of the structures were built prior to 1925 with only four built after this date (two in 1930, one in 1950 and one in 1954).

Additional information is included in the nomination application.

2) Architectural Integrity Summary

The nomination application includes the following summary for the architecture represented in the district:

Constructed from 1909 to c. 1930, the residences that contribute to the sense of historic time and place in the Johnson Block are representative examples of the “Comfortable House,” a term referring to the profusion of styles and types built in residential settings from 1890-1930. These residences freely combined forms and ornament. Some of the subtypes found in the Johnson Block are the Queen Ann, Foursquare, and Craftsman. Other houses can be identified as 20^th Century Revival and American Movement houses with subtypes such as Tudor Revival and Prairie style. The Johnson House, 845 Missouri, is a well preserved example of Prairie style architecture which is relatively uncommon in Lawrence.

All of the contributing structures in the district maintain a high degree of integrity. Only two structures are considered non-contributing to the district. A district map showing the contributing and non-contributing properties is attached. Accessory structures on properties are not identified as contributing or non-contributing but are also included on the map.

3) Context Description

The Lane Place Addition plat filed in 1871 continued to arrange streets and lots in the established grid pattern of the city. The platted lots also continued the typical size of 50’ X 117’ lots in the city. The right-of-way established for both Missouri and Arkansas streets was 80’. All of these patterns exist today.

When the Johnson Block began to develop in 1909, the property was still located on the western edge of the city. The area to the east and north were well developed with residential structures and the areas to the south were beginning to develop. While there were residential structures to the west, the area was not platted until the late 1950s.

Currently the area surrounding the Johnson Block is residential primarily with individual structures on individual lots. The majority of the structures immediately surrounding the block continue to have structure styles and construction dates similar to the district. The majority of the area continues to have the patterns associated with the development of the district including the public right-of-way size, front yard, side yard, structure location, rear yard, and alleys. The area on the west side of Michigan Street that was originally platted as Lots 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of Block 18 in Lane Place Addition were replatted in 1979 as the Sunrise Addition to accommodate an apartment complex that was constructed on these lots plus land to the west c. 1982. This development exists today.

4) Planning and Zoning Considerations

The Johnson Block is zoned RS5, Single Dwelling Residential District. The primary purpose of the RS Districts is to accommodate predominantly single detached dwelling units on individual lots. The zoning district is intended to create, maintain and promote housing opportunities for individual households, although it does permit nonresidential uses that are compatible with residential neighborhoods.

The properties to the north, east and west are also zoned RS5. The properties to the south across 9^th Street are zoned RM12D and RM12. The RM districts accommodate multi-dwelling housing. The zoning districts are intended to create, maintain and promote higher density housing opportunities in areas with good transportation access. The RM12D zoning district is differentiated from the other RM zoning districts on the basis of building type and the maximum allowed net density. In the RM12D zoning district, the building type is restricted to duplexes or attached dwellings of 2 units. Only one principal building per lot is permitted in this zoning district.

Prior to the adoption of the 2006 Development Code, the Johnson Block and the adjacent areas to the north, east, and west were zoned RS2, single-family residential. The area to the south was zoned RM-D and RM-1 for multi-family.

The Johnson Block is appropriately zoned for the existing uses – single dwelling. The Old West Lawrence Neighborhood Plan includes this block. The block is located within the boundaries of the Old West Lawrence Neighborhood Association.

5) Fiscal Comments

There are no monetary benefits directly associated with nomination of a structure to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places at this time. However, Chapter 22 of the Code of the City of Lawrence does identify mechanisms for financial incentives. If these programs become available in the future, structures listed on the Lawrence Register will be eligible for participation.

Listing on the local register does help preserve built resources important to Lawrence's history and helps to maintain streetscapes in older neighborhoods through environs reviews.

The original information submitted with nominations for properties to the Lawrence Register is kept on file in the City Planning office for public review and consultation with regard to development projects within the notification area.

6) Positive/Negative Effects of the Designation

The positive effect of designation is the creation of a permanent record of the historical significance of an individual property, for its architectural quality or its association with a significant local individual or event. This provides the local Historic Resources Commission with pertinent historical data which can help to provide an ‘historic' perspective to property owners when they desire to improve, add on, or redevelop a property within an older section of the City.

The public accessibility of this information is also a resource as it can be used by realtors, builders/developers, and others in the community prior to a property's resale, redevelopment or rehabilitation. In a more general sense, this information can be used by the Chamber of Commerce and existing businesses and industries to ‘identify' one of the facets that makes up Lawrence's Quality of Living.

Additional effects of designation are the creation of an arbitrary, 250' environs notification and review area. Within this 250' circle, projects which require city permits, e.g., demolition, redevelopment, renovation or modification, require review by Historic Resources staff or the Commission. These environs reviews permit scrutiny of proposed development/redevelopment by individuals sensitive to historic preservation.

A Certificate of Appropriateness or a Certificate of Economic Hardship is required to be issued by the Historic Resources Commission before a City permit can be issued for the proposed project. If the Historic Resources Commission denies a Certificate of Appropriateness or a Certificate of Economic Hardship, the property owner can appeal to the City Commission for a new hearing. The City Commission can uphold the decision of the HRC or it can grant the proposed development over the Historic Resources Commission's action. Certificates of Appropriateness or Economic Hardship are required for a project within the 250' radius of a Local Register property.

Examples of projects which would require review and approval are: projects involving the alterations of buildings and monuments which are considered ‘structural’ changes, demolitions or partial demolitions. Minor changes which require a city permit can be administratively approved by the Historic Resources Administrator.

7) Summary of Applicable Designation Criteria

Chapter 22, of the City Code is the Conservation of Historic Resources Code for the City of Lawrence. Section 22-403 of this code establishes criteria for the evaluation of an application for nomination to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.

D. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION AND DESIGNATION - Section 22-403

Nine criteria are provided within this section for review and determination of qualification as a Landmark or Historic District. These criteria are set forth below with staff's recommendations as to which this application qualifies for:

(1) Its character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the community, county, state, or nation;

The Johnson Block Historic District represents the growth and development of residential areas in Lawrence. The district is an early example of a developer purchasing land with the intent to develop a subdivision of the city with specific development criteria.

(2) Its location as a site of a significant local, county, state, or national event;

(1) Explanation of the significance or lack of significance of the nominated landmark or historic district as it relates to the criteria for designation as set forth in section 22-403;

(2) Explanation of the integrity or lack of integrity of the nominated landmark or historic district;

(3) In the case of a nominated landmark found to meet the criteria for designation:

(A) The significant exterior architectural features of the nominated landmark that should be protected; and,

(B) The types of construction, alteration, demolition, and removal, other than those requiring a building or demolition permit, that cannot be undertaken without obtaining a certificate of appropriateness.

(4) In the case of a nominated historic district found to meet the criteria for designation:

(A) The types of significant exterior architectural features of the structures within the nominated historic district that should be protected;

(C) A list of all key contributing, contributing and noncontributing sites, structures and objects within the historic district.

(5) Proposed design guidelines for applying the criteria for review of certificates of appropriateness to the nominated landmark or historic district.

(6) The relationship of the nominated landmark or historic district to the on-going effort of the commission to identify and nominate all potential areas and structures that meet the criteria for designation.

(7) A map showing the location of the nominated landmark or the boundaries of the nominated historic district.

E. RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends the Johnson Block, legally described as Lots 1-24, in Block 16, Lane Place Addition, in the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, for designation as a Historic District on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places pursuant to Criteria #1, and #6, as described in Section 22-403.

If the Historic Resources Commission recommends this property for local nomination, the Commission should adopt a resolution for recommendation to be submitted to the City Commission for designation as a historic district. In addition to the resolution, the Commission should direct staff to prepare a report to accompany the resolution including the information set forth in Section 22-404.2(B) and (D) - (G), and the environs definition.

Staff recommends the following for the report to the City Commission:

(B) (1) Explanation of the significance or lack of significance of the nominated landmark or historic district as it relates to the criteria for designation as set forth in section 22-403;

The Johnson Block is significant for its architecture and for its association with the growth and development of the City of Lawrence.

(2) Explanation of the integrity or lack of integrity of the nominated landmark or historic district;

The district maintains significant integrity of location, design, materials, and workmanship that make it worthy of preservation.

(D) In the case of a nominated historic district found to meet the criteria for designation:

(1) The types of significant exterior architectural features of the structures within the nominated historic district that should be protected;

Roof forms, eaves, returns, and materials; porches including forms, materials, columns, pedestals, and balustrades; chimneys including placement, form, and materials; windows including size, material, location, and surrounds; historic exterior cladding; decorative shingles, brackets, quoins, lintels, and water tables; visible historic foundation material or cladding; and bay projections.

(2) The types of construction, alteration, demolition, and removal, other than those requiring a building or demolition permit that cannot be undertaken without obtaining a certificate of appropriateness.

Alteration or removal of: roof eaves, returns, or materials; porches including forms, materials, columns, pedestals, or balustrades; chimneys including placement, form, or materials; windows including size, material, location, or surrounds; historic exterior cladding; decorative shingles, brackets, quoins, lintels, or water tables; visible historic foundation material or cladding; and bay projections.

(3) A list of all key contributing, contributing and noncontributing sites, structures and objects within the historic district.

801 Missouri Street	Contributing
805 Missouri Street	Contributing
809 Missouri Street	Contributing
815 Missouri Street	Contributing
817 Missouri Street	Contributing
823 Missouri Street	Contributing
825 Missouri Street	Contributing
829 Missouri Street	Contributing
833 Missouri Street	Contributing
839 Missouri Street	Contributing
845 Missouri Street	Key Contributing*
800 Arkansas Street	Contributing
804 Arkansas Street	Contributing
806 Arkansas Street	Contributing
818 Arkansas Street	Non-Contributing
820 Arkansas Street	Non-Contributing
824 Arkansas Street	Contributing
828 Arkansas Street	Contributing
832 Arkansas Street	Contributing
838 Arkansas Street	Contributing
844 Arkansas Street	Contributing
846 Arkansas Street	Contributing

* Key Contributing - A building, site, structure, or object of such an outstanding quality and state of conservation that it significantly adds to the architectural qualities, historic association, or archeological values of an historic district because: (1) It was present during the pertinent historic time; (2) It possesses integrity and reflects its significant historic character or is capable of yielding important information about the pertinent historic period; and, (3) It independently meets the standards and criteria of Chapter 22.

Accessory structures were not evaluated for contributing or non-contributing status for this nomination.

(E) Proposed design guidelines for applying the criteria for review of certificates of appropriateness to the nominated landmark or historic district.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, published in 1990, and any future amendments, in addition to any criteria specified by Chapter 22 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas.

The HRC may also adopt An Analysis of the Environs for the Johnson Block Historic District and delineate how environs review will be conducted in relation to the listed property.

(F) The relationship of the nominated landmark or historic district to the on-going effort of the commission to identify and nominate all potential areas and structures that meet the criteria for designation.

A primary goal of the HRC is to build a Register of properties which show the diversity and growth of Lawrence since its inception. The nomination of this property is another step toward registering a wide variety of historic properties which together present a visual history of Lawrence’s past. The goal of the Lawrence Register of Historic Places is to represent all socioeconomic strata; businesses and industries which illustrate the diversity that has been prevalent in Lawrence since its inception.

(G) A map showing the location of the nominated landmark or the boundaries of the nominated historic district.

See attached