Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Planning & Development Services
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager
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FROM: |
Brian Jimenez, Code Enforcement Manager
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CC: |
Scott McCullough, Director Planning & Development Services
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Date: |
May 10, 2012
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RE: |
1106 Rhode Island
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Background
On March 13, 2012, Resolution No. 6964, was adopted by the city commission setting a public hearing date of May 15th, 2012, to review staff’s findings concerning the condition of the principal building (house) and the accessory structures (shed, garage, barn) located on the property. Staff provided the following pictures dated February 22, 2012, a memo dated March 6, 2012, and a cost analysis of rehabilitating the house for the City Commission to review.
As noted in the above mentioned memo, the house and accessory structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as contributing structures to the North Rhode Island Street Residential Historic District. Therefore, Lynne Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator, presented a memo dated April 13, 2012 to the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) at their meeting on April 19, 2012, that outlined staff’s findings on the condition of the property as well as staff’s recommended actions for HRC to consider. As a result of that meeting, Lynne Zollner provided a follow up memo to staff dated May 8, 2012, that identified HRC’s findings on the matter.
It is important to note that a demolition permit would need to be reviewed and approved by HRC due to the structures being listed as contributing structures to the North Rhode Island Street Residential Historic District. Secondly, as noted in the memo dated May 8, 2012, HRC was not asked to conduct the required reviews under the State Preservation Law or Chapter 22 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, nor was the HRC asked to prejudge such required reviews if a permit request to repair or demolish is forthcoming.
Due to the severity of dilapidation of all structures located on the property, staff has prepared Resolution No. 6972 for the city commission to consider adopting which will declare the structures unsafe and dangerous resulting in the repair or demolition of the structures by July 16, 2012.
In addition to the structure violations, staff cited the property for exterior yard violations of the City’s Environmental Code and has provided a memo dated May 3, 2012, updated pictures taken on May 9, 2012 and Resolution No. 6973 which orders the yard violations to be resolved. As noted in the memo, staff has learned that Mark Elston has been hired to perform two auctions at the property to remove most if not all of the miscellaneous storage located in the yards, accessory structures and the house. Staff is recommending the deadline of July 13, 2012 to be set which will allow for the two auctions to be completed.
Action Requested
Approve Resolutions No. 6972 and 6973 which will begin the process of resolving all applicable City Code violations located within the property.