Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
CC:	Scott McCullough, Director of Planning & Development Services Brian Jimenez, Code Enforcement Manager
FROM:	Kurt Schroeder, Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services
DATE:	October 17, 2014
RE:	608 Kentucky Street – Public hearing to consider condemning the two-story front porch as dangerous and unsafe, and to consider ordering the porch to be repaired or demolished

Background

On September 16, 2014, Resolution No. 7093 was adopted, setting an October 28, 2014 public hearing date for the Commission to consider condemning the large two-story front porch of the building at 608 Kentucky Street as dangerous and unsafe, and to consider ordering the porch to be repaired or demolished.  A September 9, 2014 memorandum provided background information in support of Resolution No. 7093.

Since adoption of Resolution No. 7093, Free State Framing, L.L.C. (contracted by the property owner on September 8, 2014) has completed additional exploratory work to fully determine the structural conditions of the two-story front porch.  After completion of exploratory work, the property owner contracted with Robert E. Quick, licensed professional engineer, to detail and seal drawings for necessary porch repairs. 

On October 13, 2014, Free State Framing, L.L.C. and the property owner submitted a building permit application to repair the two-story front porch, along with sealed drawings, for staff review.  On October 16, 2014, a building permit was issued for the two-story front porch repair work (permit number 1-14-01358).

As of October 17, 2014, building permit restoration/repair work had not been initiated.

Attached are pictures of the front porch taken on March 14, 2014 and October 17, 2014.  

Staff Recommendation

Because the two-story front porch at 608 Kentucky Street remains in its unrepaired and structurally unsafe condition, staff has prepared Resolution No. 7095 for City Commission consideration.  The resolution declares the two-story front porch to be unsafe and dangerous, and orders the owner to complete substantial structural repairs to the porch or to initiate removal of the porch by no later than December 15, 2014.  If substantial repairs are not substantially complete or the porch is not removed by the owner by December 15, 2014, the City will proceed to remove the porch.  Staff recommends adoption of Resolution No. 7095, if appropriate.

Action

Conduct the public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 7095 declaring the two-story front porch at 608 Kentucky Street to be unsafe and dangerous, and ordering the owner to complete substantial repairs to the porch or to initiate removal of the porch within the specified period of time, if appropriate.