Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services

 

TO:

Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager

FROM:

Lynne Braddock Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator

CC:

 

 

DATE:

Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager

Brandon McGuire, Assistant to the City Manager

Scott McCullough, Director Planning and Development Services

November 25, 2015

RE:

Appeal of the Historic Resources Commission’s Determination for the Inclusion of an Arch in the Sidewalk Dining Area located at 1012 Massachusetts Street

 

Background

1012 Massachusetts Street is located in the Downtown Urban Conservation Overlay District and is subject to the Downtown Design Guidelines. The Design Standards for the Downtown Urban Conservation Overlay District, the Downtown Design Guidelines, were originally adopted by the City Commission in 2001. In 2009, the City Commission adopted amendments to the guidelines.

 

An application for sidewalk dining was reviewed by planning staff in accordance with the Land Development Code 20-308(3), the Downtown Design Guidelines, and City Code 6-1209.2 with Administrative Policy Number AP-105.  Planning staff denied the application on September 14, 2015.  The applicant appealed staff’s determination to the Historic Resources Commission (HRC), and the HRC reviewed the application on October 15, 2015. The HRC determined that the application did not meet the intent of the Downtown Design Guidelines, and did not approve the application.  The applicant is appealing the determination of the HRC.

 

Project Description

The applicant proposes to install an archway as a gateway to the dining area and the restaurant located at 1012 Massachusetts Street.

 

Appeal Process for Development Design Standards

Section 20-308(g) outlines the appeal process for determinations made by staff and the HRC.  Section 20-308(g)(3) states that the City Commission is the final decision-making authority in determining whether a proposed project meets the adopted Development/Design Standards.

 

Staff Recommendation

Staff is of the opinion the proposed arch does not meet the intent of the Downtown Design Guidelines.

 

Action

Make a determination for the installation of a metal arch associated with the sidewalk dining area located in the public right-of-way adjacent to 1012 Massachusetts Street based on the Downtown Design Guidelines.

 

 

Attachments

Staff Denial Letter

Patio Review Letter

Application for Exterior Plans

HRC Action Summary

Final Staff Report

Action Summary

Request to Appeal