HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION
Action Summary
January 20, 2005
7:00 p.m., City Commission Room, City Hall
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Commissioners Present: Lodwick, Alstrom, Sizemore, Dean, McKenzie and Hickam
Staff Present: Zollner and Saker
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ITEM 1: ACTION SUMMARY
Motioned by Comm. Dean, seconded by Comm. McKenzie to approve the December 2004 Action Summary as presented.
Motion carried unanimously, 6-0
ITEM 2: CORRESPONDENCE
ITEM NO. 3: DR-12-117-04: 445 Indiana Street; New Ancillary Structure; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Joella Hammeke, property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of the Pinckney I Historic District and the Pinckney II Historic District, National Register of Historic Places.
STAFF PRESENTATION
Ms. Zollner presented pictures of all elevations and explained the applicant’s request to construct a new ancillary structure on a property located within the environs of two National Register historic districts (Pinckney I & Pinckney II). She noted the minimal line of sight from the primary structure to the corner of the Pinckney I district and said there would be no line of sight from the new structure to the Pinckney II.
APPLICANT PRESENTATION
The applicant/property owner stated his agreement with the conditions recommended by Staff. He explained the project would have to obtain variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals for the proposed structure, since it would encroach into the 5’ required side yard setback and was over the maximum rear yard coverage. It was noted that the Commission would have an opportunity later to comment directly on the variance requests.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No member of the public spoke on this item.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Vice-Chair Lodwick said he would be more concerned about the size of the proposed structure if this neighborhood were more densely urbanized. As an environs issue, he did not see the proposed size as a problem.
Staff clarified upon request the Staff Report statement that a reduction in size would have a minimal impact on the environs. This was meant to convey that reducing the size of the new structure to the accepted minimum dimensions of a 2-car garage (22’ X 24’) would not significantly change (increase or decrease) the structure’s impact on the environs.
The Staff Report expressed concern that the proposed structure significantly exceeded the regulatory maximum rear yard coverage, but noted that this element also had little to no impact on the environs. It was noted that it would be impossible to construct a 2-car garage on this lot within the 30% rear yard coverage requirement.
Comm. Hickam thought this was an appropriate addition given the character of the neighborhood and the low impact on the environs. He said that, from a realtor’s perspective, this addition would increase the value and marketability of the home.
Comm. McKenzie said she could see no reason to deny the request, based on the property’s minimal visual connection to both districts.
Comm. Alstrom said he supported the request and suggested the Commission also forward a comment to the BZA at the appropriate time that the project was a complimentary addition to the environs. He also suggested forwarding a comment that the Commission supported the approval of the variance request to establish a build-to line along 5th Street.
Comm. Dean said he agreed with Staff’s concerns but also with their analysis that the project would have minimal impact on the environs.
ACTION TAKEN
Motioned by Comm. McKenzie, seconded by Comm. Hickam to approve the Certified Local Government Review for the project at 455 Indiana Street, in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs and based on the determination that the project will not encroach upon, damage or destroy any historic property or its environs. Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Complete construction documents with material notations, window details and trim details to be approved by the Historic Resources Administrator; and
2. Any changes to the approved project will be submitted to the Historic Resources Commission prior to the commencement of any related work.
Motion carried unanimously, 6-0.
ITEM NO. 4: MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
There were no demolition permits for the Commission to review.
The ARC held no meetings since the last regular agenda meeting.
Administrative Reviews
DR-10-88-04: 843 New Hampshire; Sign; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Travis Oliver for the property owner of record. The property is in the environs of Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District and the North Rhode Island Street Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Urban Conservation Overlay District. This item was deferred prior to the meeting.
DR-11-96-04: 401 N. 2nd Street; Sign; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Cowtown Signs for the property owner of record. The property is in the environs of the Union Pacific Depot (402 N. 2nd Street), Kansas Register of Historic Places.
DR-12-109-04: 101-269 Pinecone Drive; Replacement of Balconies; Certificate of Appropriateness and Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Covenant Contracting Incorporated for the property owner of record. The property is in the environs of the Robert H. Miller House (1111 E. 19th Street), National and Lawrence Register of Historic Places.
DR-12-111-04: 911 Massachusetts Street; Sign; Certified Local Government Review and Certificate of Appropriateness Review. Submitted by Luminous Neon, Inc. for the property owners of record. The property is a non-contributing structure to Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. The property is located in the environs of the Carnegie Library (200 W. 9th Street), National Register of Historic Places and the Hanna Building (933 Massachusetts), Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District.
DR-12-112-04: 941 Kentucky Street; Sign; Certificate of Appropriateness and Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Jack M. Harry for the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of the Oread Historic District, Lawrence Register of Historic Places, the Col. James and Eliza Blood House (1015 Tennessee), the Benedict House (923 Tennessee), and the George and Annie Bell House (1008 Ohio), National Register of Historic Places. The property is also in the environs of the Duncan House, (933 Tennessee) National and Lawrence Register of Historic Places.
It was verified that a sign had been in place at this location, but was removed and replaced with a new sign when the building was taken over by a new business. The new sign was not code compliant and would have to be redesigned or obtain a variance from the Sign Code Board or Appeals.
DR-12-113-04: 19 W. 9th Street; Sign; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Sign-A-Rama for the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District and the Carnegie Library (200 W. 9th), National Register of Historic Places. This property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District.
DR-11-114-04: 1011 Vermont Street; Sign; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Luminous Neon, Inc. for the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District and Watkins Bank (1047 Massachusetts), National Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District. This item was deferred prior to the meeting.
DR-12-115-04: 800 Massachusetts Street; Sign; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Star Signs and Graphics, Inc. for the property owners of record. The property is a contributing structure to Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District.
DR-12-116-04: Intersection of 7th & Kentucky Streets; New Traffic Signal and Street Repair; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by the City of Lawrence. The property is located in the environs of Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, the Eldridge Hotel (701 Massachusetts Street), and the Old West Lawrence Historic District, National Register of Historic Places.
DR-12-118-04: 700 Massachusetts Street; Sign; Certified Local Government Review and Certificate of Appropriateness Review. Submitted by Star Signs and Graphics, Inc. for the property owners of record. The property is a contributing structure to Lawrence’s Downtown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. The property is in the environs of the House Building (729-731 Massachusetts) and Miller’s Hall (723-725 Massachusetts), Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The property is also located in the Downtown Conservation Overlay District. This item was deferred prior to the meeting.
DR-12-119-04: 701 Massachusetts Street; New Elevator; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Eric Endecott for the property owner of record. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
DR-12-120-04: 2337 Barker Avenue; Rehabilitation; Certified Local Government Review. Submitted by Dale Gajewski for the property owner of record. The property is located in the environs of Haskell Institute (Haskell Stadium and Pushmahata Hall, 2300 Barker), National Historic Landmark.
ACTION TAKEN
Motioned by Comm. Dean, seconded by Comm. McKenzie to approve all Administrative Reviews as presented by Staff.
Motion carried unanimously, 6-0.
C. Provide comment on variance (BZA) requests received since December 16, 2004.
After discussion, the Commission agreed to maintain their usual stance of not commenting directly on specific variance requests gong before the BZA.
D. General public comment.
Dennis Brown, 806 Ohio, introduced himself as the Vice-President of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance. He stated the group’s desire to work closely with the Commission and keep abreast of future agenda issues.
Mr. Brown said the Alliance had an active educational program and invited the Commissioners to attend a meeting on February 5th at 9:30 a.m. at St. Luke Episcopal Church. He said this gathering was to educate the public about an effort to restore the church and emphasize its connection to the literary figure Langston Hughes.
Mr. Brown said LPA was having difficulty in obtaining copies of demolition permits and it was discussed that all demolition permits should be provided to the Historic Resources Administrator by the Neighborhood Resources Department as a matter of course. Staff agreed to follow up on this issue with Neighborhood Resources.
Betty Alderson, 1920 Maine Street, asked about the status of the register nominations for the Oread Neighborhood and the area north of the Kansas University stadium. Ms. Zollner replied that a field study of the stadium area would be completed when the weather permitted to establish contributing vs. non-contributing structures to the proposed new historic district. Staff should know in February if the grant for the Oread nomination is approved.
Ms. Alderson commented on the number of properties that could be cited as contributing historic locations due to their connection with the University.
E. Miscellaneous matters from City staff and Commission members.
Ms. Zollner pointed out that the February 17th regular agenda meeting was scheduled for the City Commission Room as usual, but this conflicted with the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for the same room at the same time. The Commission would be notified if the meeting were relocated.
ADJOURN – 7:45 p.m.
Official minutes are on file in the Planning Department Office.