HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes, Monday, April 18, 2011
Council Committee Conference Room / City Hall
220 SE Green Street
Chairperson Smith called the April 18, 2011 public meeting of the Historic Preservation
Commission to order at 6:02 p.m.
Roll Call
Chairperson Kathy Smith
Ms. Julie Cawby
Mr. Craig Luebbert
Mr. Brett Methner
Present
Absent
Absent
Present
Mr. Matt Baird
Ms. Linda Tompkins
Mr. Art Jones
Present
Present
Absent
Liaisons Present: Planning Commissioner Colene Roberts
Staff Present: Chris Hughey, Staff Planner; Carrie Craver, Planning Secretary
Chairperson Smith asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Baird motioned to approve
and was seconded by Ms. Tompkins.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted
unanimously by voice vote to approve the agenda.
Public Comment
Ms. Alinda Miller, President of Lone Jack Historical Society, visited as a guest to observe the
meeting. Ms. Miller stated that she moved to Lone Jack in 2000 and became President of the
Historical Society in 2002. She is also the curator for the Lone Jack Civil War Museum. As
Chair of the new Preservation Commission in Lone Jack, Ms. Miller wanted to observe and
compare how Lee’s Summit Preservation Commission operated.
1.
Approval of Consent Agenda:
A. Minutes of the March 21, 2010 Historic Preservation Commission meeting
Chairperson Smith pointed out corrections to the minutes on page 3, paragraph 3. ‘The
Tribune’ should be changed to ‘Parks and Recreation’. ‘Linda Tompkins’ should be changed to
‘Alinda Miller’, and ‘Trisha Drake’ should be changed to ‘Trisha Drape’.
Ms. Tompkins motioned to approve the consent agenda as amended and was seconded by Mr.
Baird. The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously by voice vote to approve the
consent agenda.
2.
Discussion and Recommendation: one of the six National Register of Historic Places
Nomination applications for #2010-002 Old Town East National Register Nominations
A. SE Third and SE Corder Ranch House District nomination
Ms. Sally Schwenk, with Sally Schwenk Associates, Inc., summarized that Lee’s Summit’s
community began in the early 1990’s with their first survey of historic properties, and since then
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 21, 2011
has initiated a systematic approach to nominating eligible properties by district into the National
Register of Historic places. This began with the Downtown Historic area. Ms. Schwenk
displayed a map via Power Point presentation which depicted the finalization of previous grant
projects of which there was a number of dis-contiguous districts of early 20th - mid 20th century
neighborhoods. Tonight’s discussion was about the first ranch house district.
The State has asked how this ranch house district is different from others. Ms. Schwenk has
tried to set up a methodology that can be used by any consultant on which to base eligibility for
decisions regarding nominations. This district is transitional, platted on a grid, and accesses
pre-existing major collector streets. One important factor that was discussed is the fact that
many of these homes contain vinyl siding and the question is raised of how this affects the
original building material and historical quality. The State Historic Preservation Office has
advised that if vinyl is covering vertical board and batten underneath it, then the surface has lost
its integrity. However, if it’s covering the original surface and was applied correctly, the vinyl
may not be an issue relating to integrity. Another area that was looked at is that of landscaping
and how it impacts the historical integrity of the property.
Ms. Schwenk pointed out that this ranch house neighborhood is located just on the edge of
downtown. Some of the streets within the area were previously platted in 1929. This
neighborhood had three major building plans used by the builder, Claude Perdue, which
included linear, complex, and L-shape. She highlighted some of the distinct features of each for
Commissioners. Other distinctions between the buildings included a variety of features to the
roof ridge and eave line. Ms. Schwenk displayed various examples of these features and
pointed out the architectural differences between them. Another fascinating feature of many of
these properties is the matching windows incorporating horizontal muntins and they were prefabricated. Many of them also contained the original doors. Many of the properties had original
brick and/or permi-stone. In talking to some of the residents, many of the homes also still have
original kitchen tile.
Ms. Schwenk displayed a couple of properties that were ruled out from the nomination due to
excessive vinyl over the entire façade. One property had a serious modification to what was
previously a garage, and this impacted the historical integrity as well.
Ms. Tompkins asked if the driveways being asphalt or concrete affected the eligibility. Ms.
Schwenk said that she looks for cumulative features. For example, if there are other things in
addition to the driveway that affect the eligibility, rather than just the driveway material itself.
Mr. Baird motioned to recommend approval of this nomination and was seconded by Ms.
Tompkins. The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously by voice vote to
recommend approval of the SE Third and SE Corder Ranch House District nomination to the
Missouri State Historic Preservation Office.
3.
Discussion: 2011 May Preservation Month Subcommittees and Tasks Updates – Final
Public Preparation and Planning Meeting
Chairperson Smith stated that Ben Martin is working on the final draft of the script which will be
e-mailed to all the Commissioners. All ads have been placed including a poster designed by
Dan Hadley. Ads include the Lee’s Summit Lifestyle magazine, the Tribune, the Journal, and
the Examiner newspapers. The Examiner matched $1500 worth of ads for a total $3000 of ads.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 21, 2011
Mr. Hughey advised there is also a post on the City’s website and on the Historic Preservation
Commission’s website.
Shannon Lawrence has finished composing a piece called ‘Border War’ for the event. Several
other authentic pieces will also be incorporated. Re-enactors are also in place and photographs
were taken of some re-enactors at cemetery grave sites to display at the event. A horse is
going to be utilized outside the event as a directional attraction. Commissioners need to be
available to collect money for the programs and any miscellaneous tasks that Ben Martin needs
filled.
Mr. Hughey stated that the order has been placed for the historic building plaque for the
Strawberry Lawn Feté event. He passed around the final mark-up of the plaque for
Commissioners to see. A local company called Fast Signs in Kansas City is fabricating and
installing the plaque for approximately $1500. This should be completed and installed one week
before the event. Downtown Main Street is posting the light pole banners next week, providing
one additional week of advertising. Finally, Kelli Welch is working on the newspaper ads for the
Strawberry Lawn Feté.
Chairperson Smith stated that Shannon Gammon sent her a check that the Historical Society is
going to match for the purchase of another panel with photos of the Marquette family. This will
be displayed on the interior of the building.
Chairperson Smith stated that she was approached by the manager of the Lee’s Summit Airport
discussing the idea of having a Wilbur Wright re-enactment. There are a lot of people interested
in doing an aviation re-enactment event. Although it does not involve historic preservation, the
Commission might be interested in volunteering to help in various ways in an event like this.
Other Items
None.
Roundtable
Mr. Hughey stated that the Design Standards will be discussed in the May meeting, therefore,
Commissioners should have any comments and/or concerns ready at that time.
If
Commissioners want to send questions and comments prior to the meeting they may also do
this. Chairperson Smith stated that Deputy Director Linda Tyrrel is working on the formatting of
the Design Standards to make them more organized and compatible with Unified Development
Ordinance (UDO) formatting.
Adjournment
As there were no further comments, Chairperson Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
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