In this issue:
- Good Neighbor Ordinances
- City replacing traffic signals
- 23rd Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit Opens
- Frequently Asked Questions
Good Neighbor Ordinances
Help keep your neighborhood enjoyable with these simple tips
Whether you’re new to Lawrence or lived here your entire life, the city offers residents a few tips for keeping Lawrence a great place to live, work and play. For a detailed listing of city services, visit www.lawrenceks.org/pdf/streetscape.pdf.
Disposal of Household Items
Usable items such as televisions, furniture, appliances and clothing can be donated instead of discarding the items. Share these items with friends or donate to thrift stores.
For bulky items you want to throw away, call the Solid Waste Division at 832-3032 for curbside pickup of large items such as old, non-working appliances or couches. Up to five auto tires per household, per year may also be picked up free.
Cleaning out the garage and need to get rid of some household hazardous waste such as paints, solvents, auto fluids and household cleaners? Do not dispose of these items with weekly trash pickup. Call the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division at 832-3030 to schedule a drop-off appointment at the City of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
Good Neighbor Ordinances
Good habits make good neighbors. Familiarize yourself with Lawrence’s good neighbor ordinances:
Roommates – No more than three unrelated persons can reside in one housing unit in a neighborhood zoned single family.
Noise – Music should not be heard outside of your house. It is illegal to play music from a vehicle that can be heard from 50-feet away.
Parking – Do not park on lawns or sidewalks. Vehicles parked on streets must be moved every 48 hours.
City replacing traffic signals
New LED lighting increases energy efficiency and lessens maintenance costs
The City of Lawrence Traffic Engineering Division was the first in Kansas to start using LED lamps in traffic signals and the first to require their use in all new traffic signal installations and upgrades.
Since the beginning of the program in the mid-1990s, almost 70% of all signal indications in Lawrence have been converted to LED.
Incandescent traffic bulbs use approximately 135 watts of energy per hour. When compared to traditional traffic signals, LEDs use approximately 15 watts of energy per hour of usage, saving 120 watts per hour.
The city has already realized $100,000 per year cost savings from the LED traffic signals. In 2011, the city will continue to replace the remaining traffic signals to LED and will cut approximately another $33,000 per year in energy costs.
LEDs save the city money by having reduced maintenance costs and do not need to be replaced as often as incandescent bulbs. For more information on the city’s sustainability efforts, visit our website at lawrenceks.org/sustainability.
23rd Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit Opens
Take a walking tour through downtown to see this year’s selected pieces
In June, the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission unveiled its latest exhibit of outdoor artwork in downtown Lawrence. The tour is a great way to explore art and appreciate the use of art in public spaces in Lawrence. The tour is funded by the City of Lawrence’s Cultural Arts Commission. This year, varying styles and mediums are on display. A new mobile version of the arts tour is available at www.lawrenceks.org/advisory_boards/lac/m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I find out results from the latest citizen survey?
A: The City of Lawrence completed a citizen survey in spring 2011 and the results are now available online at www.lawrenceks.org/2011_citizen_survey. Over 50% of the people who received the survey responded to the survey and, overall, city departments were ranked favorably for services and programs provided. Respondents noted that maintenance of streets, sidewalks and infrastructure, and traffic flow/congestion needed to be improved and were top priorities for the community. Go online to check out the survey and let us know your thoughts at cityhall@lawrenceks.org.