10/15/26 Historic Resources Commission

The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission met October 15, 2026, to review historic-preservation applications, development proposals, and committee work. The commission approved a rear addition at 1500 Ohio Street (5–0) and approved changes to the former Borders building at 700 New Hampshire Street, including design conditions to keep storefront glazing active and obscure interior storage features. It also forwarded recommendations on the building’s design and special-use permit to the Planning Commission and City Commission; the special-use recommendation passed 4–1. The commission approved demolition of the severely deteriorated structures at 439 Illinois Street and recommended 1500 Leonard Avenue for the Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The Central Park nomination was continued pending additional information from the State Historic Preservation Office, with staff directed to prepare draft materials for a later meeting. The commission made no recommendation on a proposed rezoning at 1403 Tennessee Street and approved design changes for a large residential project at 1423/1433 Ohio and 1430/1432 Louisiana (3–1, with one abstention).

The commission also discussed an upcoming statewide meeting of Certified Local Government staff, possible grant support for evaluating the city’s preservation program, and an ad hoc review of Chapter 22 intended to clarify and streamline processes—not undertake a broad rewrite. No contracts, vendor selections, bid approvals, or procurement spending decisions were identified; grant funding was discussed only as a possibility.