Historic panel approves 3-story infill at 700 New Hampshire Street over neighbors' objections

The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission voted 3–2 on May 15 to issue a certificate of approval and clear the Downtown Overlay design review for a three‑story residential building planned for 700 New Hampshire Street, despite multiple neighbors saying the project is too large and out of scale with adjacent historic homes.

The commission’s vote came after a lengthy public hearing that included a staff presentation, an applicant presentation from the design team and more than a dozen neighbors speaking in opposition. Lynn Braddock Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator for the City of Lawrence, opened the hearing by identifying the property and the two parallel review tracks: downtown design guidelines and the Chapter 22 certificate of approval for projects in the environs of a designated historic property.

The project proposes a three‑story residential building and an on‑site garage/parking layout on a lot currently used as a parking area. Zollner said staff finds the project “meets the intent of the guidelines,” while recommending a red‑brick exterior as more compatible with nearby buildings. Paul Werner of Paul Werner Architects, representing the applicant, told the commission, “This is in our minds, this is not a historic preservation project. This is a project about developing a parking lot that is in a commercial district.” Werner said the design…