historic resources Commission
Agenda MEETING – FEBRuary 15, 2007, 6:30 pm
ACTION SUMMARY DRAFT
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Commissioners present: Antle, Marvin, Meyer, Sizemore, and Veatch
Staff present: Zollner, Wagner
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ITEM NO. 4: L-12-04-06 Public hearing for consideration of placing the structure located at 1646 Massachusetts Street (the Edward House House) on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places. Submitted by Matt and Judy Veatch, the property owners of record. Adopt resolution recommending listing 1646 Massachusetts Street to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places and its associated environs definition, if appropriate.
Staff presented photographs of all elevations of the main structure and a photograph of the ancillary structure.
There was no applicant presentation
Dennis Brown, President of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance, said he was in favor of placing the House House on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places. He elaborated that the property occupies a prominent corner of the city and retains high degree of architectural integrity. Because the listing contains a garage, cistern and cellar, he believed the house has been taken care of and preserved over the years. Mr. Brown congratulated Matt and Judy Veatch on making such a good application. He concluded by saying he hoped it will be placed on both State and National Registers.
Albert Burgstahler said he had lived at 1620 Massachusetts Street since 1957. He noted the changes occurring on the entire 1600 Block of Massachusetts Street. His main concern was not that 1646 Massachusetts Street would be a historic site, but the possible implications for the sale of houses within the 250’ feet environs. He asked if there would be severe restrictions placed on upgrading homes in the environs. He said all of the neighbors have done various things to their homes, including modernization.
Commissioner Sizemore responded there were no restrictions on the sale of historic structures or properties within their environs. For projects requiring a building permit, the project is also reviewed by the Historic Resources Administrator and/or the HRC to evaluate the changes, specifically possible negative impacts on the listed structure.
Ms. Zollner emphasized that any project that requires a building permit would be reviewed for its effects on the listed property. She differentiated between administrative review and full commission projects. She explained staff has proposed that only environs projects that involve demolition, new construction, and major additions would be reviewed by the HRC.
Commissioner Antle added that interior renovations were not reviewed by the HRC.
Mr. Burgsthaler said he was possibly misinformed as to the implications of environs review.
Ms. Zollner said research at the national level shows that historic designation stabilizes property values, at worst, and increases property values because of the honorific association, at best. She attributed increases in property values to the accountability for property modifications on the part of neighbors.
Mr. Burgsthaler expressed concern that taxes would increase because of possible increasing property values. He noted that some neighbors are having financial difficulties with raising property values. He said he was worried that staff was not thinking deeply about the people in these areas. He said historic sites are great, but not if there was a negative impact on people living near the site.
David Hamill, 1637 New Hampshire Street, asked if historic designation was meant to protect the neighborhood. Mr. Hamill said the homes in the area are undergoing improvements and that he understood that the designation of 1646 Massachusetts Street would require property owners to undergo an extra step when making improvements. He said he would never buy a house in a historic district because of the hassle it puts on the homeowner. In conclusion, Mr. Hamill said unless there is a real need for historic designation this is another step to burden homeowners.
K.T. Walsh, 732 Rhode Island, said she understands why people worry about the HRC process. She attributed misinformation to much of the worry. She noted that community members fought for a 30 day demolition delay because it allowed governmental transparency. Ms. Walsh felt the HRC meetings were not adversarial. She said the free architectural advice provided by the Historic Resources Review process was a major benefit. Finally, Ms. Walsh said she is privileged to live on such a historic street.
In order to differentiate between state/national and local review processes, Ms. Zollner gave the example of the Hobbs Taylor lofts, which met local environs guidelines, but did not meet state environs guidelines. This property went through the process, with the applicant altering the designs. However, the project eventually was appealed to the City Commission, which hears HRC appeals.
Mr. Burgsthaler asked if 1711 Massachusetts Street was declared a historic property before or after the Babcock Apartments were constructed. Commissioner Sizemore responded that 1711 Massachusetts Street was most likely designated after the
apartment construction; he also said the apartments, as they appear today, would most likely not meet the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs, which are used to evaluate environs projects.
Mr. Hamill asked if Dillon’s as it is designed today would meet HRC approval. Mr. Brown emphasized that the current agenda item was the public hearing for 1646 Massachusetts Street.
Charlie Dominguez, 1611 Massachusetts Street, said he does not want the Edward House House to be listed because of environs review. The Commission informed Mr. Dominguez that his property is not located within the proposed local environs.
Mr. Burgsthaler asked if there are any financial inducements for people to list their homes. Ms. Zollner said yes and she would give him the information after the meeting.
Ms. Zollner reminded the Commission that there is an additional public hearing after their March meeting at the City Commission meeting. Additionally, minutes from this meeting will be forwarded to the City Commission.
Staff asked if there were any questions about the environs definition. Staff confirmed the two environs areas were based on a line of sight to the property.
Commissioner Sizemore said he knows there are always concerns with the environs. He felt fairly certain that a consensus about environs review could not be achieved during the HRC meeting. However, most of the adjacent property owners were already in the environs of a historic property, specifically the Goodrich House at 1711 Massachusetts Street. He concluded that he saw little detriment to listing the Edward House House to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.
Commissioner Antle noted that due to the property’s architectural integrity and prominent location he was in favor of forwarding the HRC recommendation to the City Commission.
ACTION TAKEN
Motioned by Antle, seconded by Marvin, to approve the resolution and associated environs definition and forward it to the City Commission recommending the structure at 1646 Massachusetts Street be nominated to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.
Motioned carried 4-0-1, with Veatch recusing.