Commission agrees to allow relocation of historic house to 1428 Tennessee while asking staff to explore parking alternatives

The Historic Resources Commission approved permitting the relocation and rehabilitation of an existing house to 1428 Tennessee Street, concluding that relocation would preserve a structure that the current owner plans to demolish. Staff recommended approval if the applicant placed the building at the same height above grade as it currently sits and agreed to avoid front‑yard parking; the commission added direction that the applicant and staff explore alternatives to front‑yard paving before parking in the front becomes the solution.

Tiffany Asher (speaker 13) of Paul Werner Architects said timing constraints make summer or winter moves necessary and that the prospective owner willing to save the house requires two additional parking spaces to meet code; the applicant group warned that without those spaces the relocation would not be feasible this year. Mike Delaney, representing the Lawrence Preservation Alliance (speaker 11), said the house is “absolutely worth saving” and suggested the city consider a license for two on‑street spaces—similar to a nearby example—to avoid permanent concrete in the front yard. Commissioners repeatedly flagged a tension between the new development code’s parking formulas and preservation goals and directed staff to work with the applicant on design alternatives (pervious pavers, rearranging on‑site parking, or municipal licensing) before final permits are issued. The motion to allow the relocation with the staff‑directed conditions passed unanimously, 5‑0.