photo by: Rochelle Valverde/Journal-World

Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., is pictured on Jan. 31, 2023.

The chapter of Lawrence’s city code responsible for creating the local register of historic places and establishing the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission will soon get its first update in more than three decades, and city planning staff hopes those changes will make the code clearer and more streamlined.

The Conservation of Historic Resources Code was first adopted nearly 35 years ago in late 1988, and the Historic Resources Commission is now seeking further public feedback before making any changes official. Historic Resources Administrator Lynne Braddock Zollner spoke with the Journal-World Wednesday and detailed a few of them.

“I think the biggest reasons to update the code are that we are looking at different properties being eligible for listing now and looking at more modern ways to review projects that require review,” Braddock Zollner said. “(We’re) looking at design guidelines and standards in the document to make it more clear and more user-friendly. There’s some drawings in there that I think are very helpful. And … a lot has changed in the past 30 years, and just wanting to get that updated so we’re up to speed with our colleagues across the nation.”

Braddock Zollner said one significant change in the updated code is that it would add “vernacular architecture” to the list of sites, structures or areas eligible for nomination and review for the Lawrence Register of Historic Places. “Vernacular architecture” covers historic structures that were made with local needs and materials in mind and that weren’t designed by a trained architect but instead by a builder, either without professional guidance or by using a set of plans.

As the Journal-World reported earlier this year, another change would affect the approval process for projects within 250 feet of a designated landmark or historic district.

Under the current code, projects near a historic site have to undergo an “environs review,” which means they have to go through the full Historic Resources Commission, not just through an administrator. The updated code, however, would allow for many projects in the 250-foot radius, now known as a “context area” to be reviewed and approved administratively, without the commission’s involvement. The only projects exempt from the rule would be demolitions, construction of new buildings and additions to existing buildings that are larger than 20% of the building’s existing footprint.

That’s an adjustment that was met with mixed reactions from folks involved with historic preservation around Lawrence, but Braddock Zollner reiterated Wednesday that the move is intended to make the review process easier.

“… I think the biggest change for this chapter is ‘environs’ going away and being replaced by ‘context area,’ and then most of the projects in those context areas will be reviewed administratively where now a lot of them have to go to the full Historic Resources Commission,” Braddock Zollner said. “That should help with process and getting people their permits faster.”

The proposed code update also includes a fresh set of drawings that help explain the design criteria for new construction and additions to buildings in and around a historic structure or district, the type of work someone may be seeking a permit for. They illustrate requirements for elements like height, scale, setbacks and roof shapes.

photo by: City of Lawrence

The updated chapter of Lawrence City Code pertaining to the conservation of historic resources includes a set of new drawings that illustrate design criteria for projects taking place around historic structures and districts, like this one that shows height requirements.

The code as originally adopted included a full list of landmarks and historic districts included on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places when it was first established. But the updated document omits that list since the City of Lawrence now maintains an interactive map identifying all historic properties and surrounding areas.

Later this month, the Historic Resources Commission is holding a public meeting to receive public comment on the proposed draft. That meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 20 in the City Commission Room at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St. Folks can also provide questions or comments in advance of that meeting by sending them to Braddock Zollner at lzollner@lawrenceks.org or 785-832-3151. The submission deadline for advance comments is 10 a.m. July 20.