Historic Preservation – State Law Review

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Historic Resources

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. 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.

Administrative Review Type List