A Historic Preservation Ordinance, Chapter 22 – Conservation of Historic Resources Code, has been enacted by the City of Lawrence to help protect and encourage the preservation of Lawrence’s historic and architectural resources. The Ordinance establishes the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) and calls for the establishment of local historic districts and local landmarks.
In addition to the City of Lawrence’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, the State of Kansas has adopted the Kansas Historic Preservation Act (K.S.A. 75-2715 – 75-2725) which provides for the protection of properties listed on the Register of Historic Kansas Places and the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, the City of Lawrence has entered into an agreement with the State Historic Preservation Officer for the HRC to conduct reviews required by this statute in Lawrence.
Proposed Changes to Chapter 22
The Conservation of Historic Resources chapter of the City Code, Chapter 22, is in the process of being revised. The final draft approved by the Historic Resources Commission to forward to the City Commission for review is now available: Proposed Ordinance 10016
The Historic Resources Commission held a public hearing on July 20, 2023 and August 17, 2023 to receive public comment on a revised draft of Chapter 22. The final draft of Chapter 22, as proposed by the Historic Resources Commission, will go to the City Commission for Public Hearing on December 19, 2023. This meeting will be held in a hybrid format. Members of the public are invited to join the meeting in-person at City Hall or virtually using Zoom. Written public comment must be received by the City Clerk’s Office by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Send correspondence electronically to ccagendas@lawrenceks.org. If you wish to have your contact information withheld, please indicate so in your correspondence. Comments received after the deadline will not be posted and there is no guarantee that such comments will be considered.
Please contact Lynne Braddock Zollner at lzollner@lawrenceks.org or 785-832-3151 if you have questions.
Listed Properties and Environs
The City of Lawrence has developed an interactive map which identifies all historic properties and environs.
Landmark Designation
The City of Lawrence established the Lawrence Register of Historic Places in 1988. This register identifies architectural characteristics and other historic resources of the city which represent elements of the city’s cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history. Landmarks and historic districts may include structures, property, interiors of structures, objects, or landscape features.
The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission (HRC) reviews nominations for designation and makes its recommendation to the City Commission. The City Commission is the designating authority for Landmarks and Historic Districts.
State Law Review
When rezoning, building, demolition or other permit or licence is required for work on a state or national register property, the project is submitted to the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission for review (PDF). Project materials are submitted the Lawrence Douglas County Planning Office according to the submission schedule. The City of Lawrence has entered into an agreement with the SHPO for the HRC and the Historic Resources Administrator to conduct the required state law reviews at the local level.
The Historic Resources Administrator will determine whether the project is “major” or “minor.” Generally, a minor project is any maintenance, repair, replacement that uses materials which are identical to the original or existing materials. A major project is one that uses materials that are different than those that are currently there or changes in appearance to the structure such as additions or modifications.
Minor projects may be approved by the Historic Resources Administrator and a building permit may be obtained from the Building Safety Division. Major projects must be approved by the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission (HRC) at its regular monthly meeting. Meetings are generally held on the third Thursday of the month in the City Commission Room of City Hall (1st floor, 6 E. 6th Street). The HRC may approve, approve with amendments or deny an application. Appeals of the HRC’s determinations may be made to the City Commission.
The Historic Resources Commission uses the Secretary of the Interior Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation to make its determination on the proposed project. Failure to comply with the State Historic Preservation Act may result in civil fines up to $25,000.
Application Process and Required Documents
A presubmittal meeting is required for Landmark and Historic District Nominations. Completed applications (PDF) shall be submitted to the Planning Office and include a legal description of the property and a property ownership list certified by the County for properties within 250 feet.
- Applicants are encouraged to have a presubmittal meeting with the Historic Resources Administrator.
- Items for consideration at a meeting shall be submitted to the Planning Office in a completed format by the submittal date shown on the HRC Calendar.
- Typical submittal materials include the application (PDF), existing photographs, to scale elevation drawings, floor plans, materials list and a statement about the proposed project. (Please note additional materials may be required.)
- For State Law Reviews and Certificate of Appropriateness (COA): applicants need to submit one paper copy of all information and one electronic copy. For properties needing State Law Review & COA: applicants need only submit one paper copy of all information and one electronic copy.
- For Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) or Certificates of Economic Hardship (COE) Reviews: One paper copy and one electronic copy.
Please contact Lynne Braddock Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator, at the Planning Office to obtain an application and schedule a presubmittal or review meeting by calling (785) 832-7700.
Certificate of Appropriateness
A “Certificate of Appropriateness” is a design permit issued by the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission based on approval of any construction, alteration, demolition, or removal of a structure within an historic district, local historic landmark or property located within the environs of a listed property.
A Certificate of Appropriateness application, and instructions for completing the materials, may be obtained by contacting the Lawrence/Douglas County Planning Office at City Hall Riverfront, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Ste 320 or by calling 832-7700.
The Historic Resources Administrator will determine whether the project is “major” or “minor.” Generally, a minor project is any maintenance, repair, replacement that uses materials which are identical to the original or existing materials. A major project is one that uses materials that are different than those that are currently there or changes in appearance to the structure such as additions or modifications.
Minor projects may be approved by the Historic Resources Administrator and a building permit may be obtained from the Building Inspections Division. Major projects must be approved by the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission (HRC) at its regular monthly meeting. Meetings are generally held on the third Thursday of the month in the City Commission Room of City Hall (1st floor, 6 E. 6th Street). The HRC may approve, approve with conditions or deny an application. Appeals of the HRC’s determinations may be made to the City Commission.
The Historic Resources Commission uses the Standards for Review and the Design Criteria contained in Chapter 22 of the City of Lawrence Code to make its determination on the proposed project.
Certificate of Economic Hardship
A certificate of economic hardship serves as an alternative to a certificate of appropriateness wherever a certificate of appropriateness would otherwise be required. The purpose of the certificate of economic hardship is to provide relief where the application of this Chapter would otherwise impose undue hardship.
A Certificate of Economic Hardship application and instructions for completing the materials, may be obtained by contacting the Lawrence/Douglas County Planning Office at City Hall Riverfront, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Ste 320 or by calling 832-7700. Applications typically include significant financial information for the determination of the hardship.
The HRC shall review all the evidence and information required of an applicant for a certificate of economic hardship and make a determination within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the application whether the denial of the application will deprive the owner of the property of reasonable use of, or reasonable economic return on, the property. Any person dissatisfied with a determination by the Commission concerning a certificate of economic hardship may file an appeal to the City Commission within fifteen (15) days of the date of notification of that determination.
Design Guidelines
Teaching with Oak Hill Cemetery is a four-part series which is part of Kansas standards–based lessons developed to enable students to understand, summarize, and evaluate materials provided related to the history, design and development of Oak Hill Cemetery. Each lesson was designed to stand-alone, but they may be used in multiple combinations to suit the needs of the educator. Taken together they tell a rich history of Kansas and Oak Hill Cemetery. This series is inspired by the National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places standards.
In the “What is a Rural Cemetery?” lesson students will be asked to analyze and evaluate the similarities and differences between Oak Hill, Greenwood, and Mount Auburn Cemeteries. Using a step-by-step process, students will acquire historical thinking skills and learn to analyze and assess primary and secondary source materials. Through close reading and comparative analysis students will make logical inferences building on the central question “What is a Rural Cemetery?”
In the “Symbolism in the Cemetery” lesson students will analyze the symbology utilized on grave markers in Oak Hill Cemetery. Using a step-by-step process they will acquire historical thinking skills and learn to read the meaning of these commemorative graphical depictions.
In the “Civil War Veterans” lesson students will investigate the histories of Civil War Veterans buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. Using a step-by-step process, students will acquire historical thinking skills, work with and organize data, and learn to analyze and assess primary and secondary source materials. Lastly, students will research and produce a story covering a Civil War Veteran’s history.
In the “People of Oak Hill” lesson students will explore the lives of notable Kansans buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. Using a step-by-step process, students will acquire historical thinking skills and will organize and analyze data. Lastly, students will develop and defend position statements and opinions about the importance of the contributions these Kansans have made to our society.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lawrence Preservation Ordinance applies to all properties listed on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places and to those properties within 250′ of the Lawrence Registered listed Landmarks or Historic Districts.
Review by the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission of a Lawrence register listed property is required: when exterior construction, alteration or removal requires a city permit; when demolition, in whole or part, is proposed which requires a city demolition permit; and, when an exterior modification is proposed which was specifically identified as a contributing feature when the property was designated as Historic Landmark or an Historic District.
Review by the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission is also required for properties within a 250′ delineated ‘environs’ of a listed property when: When exterior construction, alteration or removal requires a city permit; or, when demolition, in whole or in part, is proposed which requires a city demolition permit. No review is required for a property owner to do ordinary maintenance or repair of a structure or building; or when interior alterations are proposed which do not require exterior alterations to the property.
The ordinance provides protection to a property owner or a neighborhood because it provides a forum for review and control of proposed development and redevelopment projects before a public body which could have an impact on the physical appearance, historic context, and value of a Register property or properties. At this time, there are no monetary benefits directly related to the listing of a property on the local register.
Properties on the Lawrence Register are listed by address in an index in the City Planning Office. There is also a map and address listing at the City planning office of properties within the environs (250′). Contact the Planning Office for the most current information.
The Historic Resources Commission (HRC) is a 7-member; city appointed advisory board to the City Commission. Three of the members on the commission are required to come from preservation-related backgrounds [architecture, architectural historian, historian, landscape architect, and planning]. Four of the members on the commission are required to come from a diversity of professions or be lay persons with demonstrated interest, knowledge and training in fields closely related to historic preservation [history, architecture, landscape architecture, architectural history, archeology, planning, real estate, law, finance, building trades, urban design, and geography.]
- Identifying distinctive architectural characteristics and historic resources of the city which are representative of the city and which are representative of elements of the city’s cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history;
- Fostering civic pride in the past accomplishments of the City; Conserving and improving the value of property in and around designated Historic Landmarks, and Historic Districts;
- Fostering and encouraging preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of structures, areas, and neighborhoods; and, Educating the general public in the what is historic in the community and how these resources can benefit the individual property owners and the community at large.
Generally, they meet on the third Thursday of every month in the City Commission room on the first floor of city hall, 6 E 6th St. To confirm a meeting date it is best to call 832-3154 prior to the meeting date. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. See schedule for dates and times.
An individual with a general question or concern may attend a meeting and speak under COMMUNICATIONS or PUBLIC COMMENTS, at the discretion of the chairman. Projects for review are scheduled according to the submittal date.
Safeguarding the city’s historic, aesthetic, and cultural heritage helps to stabilize and improve property values in historic districts, encourages civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past, protects and enhances the city’s attractions for tourists, thereby benefiting business and industry and strengthening the city’s economy and promotes the use of landmarks for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of the city.
An historic district is a special area established by City Ordinance or National Register Nomination, with defined boundaries, which contain a high concentration of historically and/or architecturally significant buildings. An historic district is a group of historic resources that are deemed significant as a collection of structures. The principal purpose of the district is to protect significant buildings within its boundaries from unnecessary or insensitive destruction, alteration or removal. The Old West Lawrence Historic District and the Oread Neighborhood Historic District are examples of historic districts.
A historic landmark is recommended for listing by the Historic Resources Commission and designated by the City Commission because of has a special character or special historic or architectural values as part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the city, state or nation. A property or object is generally considered eligible for landmark status when it is 50 years old or older. The House Building (729-731 Massachusetts Street) and the Eldrige House (945 Rhode Island Street) are examples of historic landmarks.
The Lawrence Register of Historic Places, the Register of Historic Kansas Places, and the National Register of Historic Places are the city’s, state’s and nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of recognition and preservation. Properties listed on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places are subject to regulation by the City of Lawrence under the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. Properties listed on the Register of Historic Kansas Places and the National Register of Historic Places are subject to regulation by the State Historic Preservation Act.
The City’s historic preservation ordinance and the state historic preservation statutes require projects within a certain distance of the listed property be reviewed for possible effects on the listed property. Structures or sites located within 250 feet of a property listed on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places are considered to be within the environs of the listed property and are subject to review under Chapter 22.
The Planning Office maintains a listing of properties on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places, Register of Historic Kansas Places and the National Register of Historic Places and properties within the environs of properties listed on the Lawrence Register. Please contact the Planning Office to determine if your property is listed on the local, state or national register of within the environs of a property listed in the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.
