To the editor:

This letter responds to a letter by Elder Jeff Southard of First Presbyterian Church about a denial of his historic landmark application.

This space is too small for the entire story, but the City Commission wisely denied the application because FPC sought to restrict KU property extending a half-mile away (according to the KU Endowment Association) together with many other properties. In the words of Mayor Bart Littlejohn, “it’s just such a big parcel and it affects so many other pieces.” Southard’s complaint fails to mention that commissioners invited FPC to resubmit its application with a narrower focus.

Unfortunately, the expense of compliance with a Lawrence historic designation primarily falls on neighbors, and it can restrict property far from the landmark. Federal and state historic recognitions do not impact neighbors the way a Lawrence designation would.

FPC is suing the City of Lawrence about the definition of “duplex,” and seeks to restrict affordable housing near the church. Park 25 Apartments has been a good neighbor to FPC for a very long time, and hopes that the well-reasoned city protection of KU property will extend to us as well.

To protect owners when they “restore” or “repair” their property and utilities (defined as “ground disturbing projects”), the commission should amend the historic code to avoid restricting neighboring properties, and FPC should love their tax-paying neighbors instead of using legal maneuvers to increase housing costs.

Thank you, City Commission, for some historic common sense.

James A. Peterson,

president of Park 25 Inc.