HRC recommends approval of multifamily redevelopment plan at 909–913 Tennessee Street, including lot consolidation and rezoning

The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission on Feb. 20 recommended that the Planning Commission and City Commission approve a multi-component redevelopment proposal for 909 and 913 Tennessee Street that would consolidate two parcels, allow three-story multifamily construction under an RM32 rezoning, and approve a preliminary development plan tied to a housing trust fund grant.

Lynn Braddock Zollner, historic resources administrator, presented the project and supporting materials. The proposal calls for a new three-story building on a currently vacant lot adjacent to an existing multiunit structure at 913 Tennessee, parking accessed from the alley, and design features intended to match Oread neighborhood character (taller-than-wide windows, a front porch and shingle detailing). Staff recommended conditioning the certificate of approval on refinements to the amount of stone applied to the front façade and on the front porch design to reduce perceived massing; staff also noted the project meets the intent of Chapter 22 and the Oread neighborhood design guidelines.

Commission staff said the project is paired with a minor subdivision request to consolidate the two lots so the development can meet RM32 minimum site-area and planned-development density requirements and to allow shared parking, trash enclosure and pedestrian connections. The project is funded in part by a housing trust fund grant and is intended to provide income-restricted affordable units; staff said this public funding weighed in favor of allowing consolidation despite guidelines that generally discourage combining historic lots.

Leticia Cole of Paul Werner Architects, the applicant, confirmed materials and porch dimensions are negotiable and said roofing will be asphalt shingles. Commissioners asked about alley width, parking location and the effect on neighbors; staff and the applicant said the existing alley width (16 feet) would remain unchanged and a variance will be requested because City code prescribes a 20-foot alley. Commissioners also discussed concerns from a nearby property owner about alley access; staff said alley use and access are not proposed to change.

The HRC made separate recommendations: approve the certificate of approval subject to staff review of stone height and porch details; recommend approval of the minor subdivision (Plat-24-1010) to the planning director; recommend the preliminary development plan (DP-24-1007) to the Planning Commission and City Commission; and recommend rezoning (Z24-1020) from CS UC (Commercial Strip with Urban Conservation Overlay) to RM32 UCPD (multifamily residential with Urban Conservation and Planned Development overlays). Each recommendation carried 4-0 (Commissioner Klein, Commissioner Buchanan, Commissioner Cunningham and Chair Joy Coleman voting aye). Staff noted the project advances city goals for affordable housing and that Family Promise will be associated with the new structure.