Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Planning and Development Services
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TO: |
Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager |
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CC: |
Scott McCullough, Director Planning and Development Services Ernie Shaw, Director Parks and Recreation Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager |
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FROM: |
Lynne Braddock Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator |
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DATE: |
June 29, 2015 |
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RE: |
Historic Properties Owned by the City of Lawrence |
Background
The City Commission received a request to start the Landmark process for certain City owned properties to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places from the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission (HRC) on May 5, 2015. This request was referred to staff to evaluate the impacts of listing on Parks and Recreation as they are responsible for the maintenance of several of the buildings and parks.
Project Description
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 properties is a 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.
The HRC has responded to public comment that questioned why City owned properties that are listed in the Kansas or National Registers or eligible for listing in the Lawrence Register have not been listed in the Lawrence register by seeking owner authorization from the City Commission to start the Landmark process for City owned properties.
The following properties are currently listed in the Lawrence Register of Historic Places and are subject to review under Chapter 22 of the City Code:
The HRC would like to start the nomination process for the following properties that are currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places and/or the Register of Historic Kansas Places and are already subject to review under the State Preservation Law:
The following properties are not listed on any historic register:
The HRC recommends that all of the above properties that are not listed in the Lawrence Register should begin the landmark process. The HRC has requested the City Commission, as the owner of the properties, initiate the landmark process. The initiation of this process does not list the properties in the Lawrence Register. The City Commission will make the final determination to Landmark the properties at a future date with a recommendation from the HRC in accordance with Chapter 22.
Impacts of Listing on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places
One of the positive effects of designation as a Landmark 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 event. In addition, the Lawrence Register is an honor roll of significant properties to the history of Lawrence. There is a discrepancy in the Lawrence Register and the National and State registers in that the National and State registers recognize significant historic properties in Lawrence that are not recognized by the City of Lawrence with Landmark status.
Properties listed in the Lawrence Register are subject to the review criteria in Chapter 22 if improvements or demolition is proposed to the Landmark property. The HRC may recommend and the City Commission may include in the ordinance establishing the Landmark any improvements it deems should not be reviewed. In addition, listing on the Lawrence Register does not require review for ordinary maintenance.
Currently there are only two identified properties that are not subject to State Preservation Law review or Chapter 22 review. These properties are Oak Hill Cemetery and Clinton Park.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting
Planning staff met with Parks and Recreation staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on May 12, 2015 to discuss the process and value of listing properties in the Lawrence Register of Historic Places. While both staff and the Advisory Board are supportive of identifying significant historic properties owned by the City and maintained by Parks and Recreation, there is considerable concern by both parties that the existing budget will be impacted by the listing of two additional properties. Due to the standards that must be followed to implement changes to historic properties, the cost of maintaining historic properties can cost more than properties that are not listed. As additional properties are added to any register, Parks and Recreation does not receive any additional funds to maintain these properties. Consideration of this issue should be addressed.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to support the initiation of the Landmark nominations with the concerns about the budget issues forwarded to the City Commission. Parks and Recreation staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board expressed that additional funding should be provided for historic properties so that other projects and needs do not experience a decline in revenue due to the costs associated with historic properties.
Process
The process for a property to become a Landmark in the Lawrence Register is as follows:
Staff Recommendation
Initiate the Landmark nomination process for the following properties that meet the criteria in Chapter 22 for listing in the Lawrence Register of Historic Places:
Action
Initiate the Landmark nomination process for the following properties that meet the criteria in Chapter 22 for listing in the Lawrence Register of Historic Places: