Commission approves demolition of deteriorated accessory garage at 1312 Vermont Street

The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission voted unanimously (5–0) on May 15 to issue a certificate of approval and Oread Neighborhood Design Guidelines approval for demolition of a deteriorated accessory garage at 1312 Vermont Street and to permit the property owner to rebuild a similarly sized replacement structure when funding and site work are complete.

Lynn Braddock Zollner, the city’s Historic Resources Administrator, presented the item and said the accessory structure is more than 50 years old but has significant deterioration: no foundation or interior floor in places, wood rot, roof failures and structural lean. Zollner said rehabilitating the building would require lifting the structure, pouring a foundation and significant reconstruction and that staff concluded the condition warrants demolition.

The applicant said the structure has a dirt floor, is not now usable for storage and that additional municipal work (a discovered sewer connection issue on nearby properties) will delay immediate reconstruction. The applicant told commissioners the material list in the packet was for the proposed replacement structure; the owner also noted recent engineering expenses tied to sewer work on adjacent lots, saying a $6,000 engineering charge had just been billed.

Commissioners asked about salvage and reclamation of historic materials. The applicant said they typically reclaim wood where feasible but that the accessory building’s roof and interior alterations over time have already removed or replaced portions of the original fabric. The application packet included plans showing intent to rebuild a similarly sized accessory structure at the same footprint, but the applicant said reconstruction will occur later and is contingent on resolving the sewer and other cost items.

After public and commissioner discussion, Commissioner Buchanan moved to find the project met Chapter 22 standards and issue the certificate of approval; the motion was seconded and carried 5–0. The commission also separately found the project met the Oread Neighborhood Design Guidelines and approved that determination 5–0. The commission’s recorded action notes that demolition is allowed based on the structure’s condition and that the applicant intends to rebuild on the site when feasible.

The demolition approval allows the property owner to remove the unsafe accessory structure; any replacement construction will require appropriate permitting and must meet design guidelines and the material list included in the application packet.