MINUTES
LEAVENWORTH PRESERVATION COMMISSION
December 5, 2012
Chairman Ken Bower called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. and found a quorum present,
including members Joshua Dunn, Jane Gies, and John Karrasch. Also present were staff
members Berrin Nejad and Jane Turner. Absent were members Ed Otto and Felix Derezinski;
there is one vacant seat on the board. Chairman Bower welcomed new member Joshua Dunn to
the commission and called for approval of the minutes of the July 11, 2012 meeting. On motion
by Ms. Gies and second by Mr. Karrasch, the minutes were approved as written.
Chairman Bower called for the first item of business, which was the review of a major certificate
of appropriateness for a carport to be constructed at 1013 3rd Avenue, in the 3rd Avenue Historic
District.
Ms. Nejad gave the staff report, reporting that the applicant wished to construct a carport over a
gravel area in the rear of the lot. She displayed site and district maps and photos of the house
and parking area.
Chairman Bower opened the public hearing, and owner James Guitterez spoke, indicating he
does not want to do a metal carport similar to ones all over town. He passed around a photo of
the wooden craftsman-type of structure he wants to erect.
Finding no one else wishing to speak, Chairman Bower closed the public hearing and called for
Board comments or questions. He noted that the house at 1013 is non-contributing to the district,
and stated he does live in that district but has no interest of any kind in the subject property. Ms.
Gies stated she thought the carport would improve the appearance of the residence. Mr. Dunn
questioned whether the pitch of the roof be close to that of the house. Mr. Guitterez responded
that it would not be as steep due to the size of the structure, as that would provide lots of roof
over a little building. Chairman Bower stated he had no problem with the structure. Mr.
Karrasch asked if the columns and structure would be painted, and if so what color. Mr.
Guiterrez replied that he preferred to use cedar trim to match the porch of the house but would do
whatever the board suggested. He stated he would like to paint the gables to match the light blue
of the house, possibly with white columns.
Ms. Gies moved to approve the certificate as the project would not encroach upon, damage or
destroy the historic property or the district. The motion was seconded by Mr. Karrasch and
carried unanimously.
Chairman Bower called for the next item on the agenda, a major certificate of appropriateness to
demolish the old County jail building at 503 S 3rd St.
Ms. Nejad present the staff report, displaying site and environs maps and stating the building has
been vacant for a lengthy time and had numerous deficiencies when it came forward for
demolition approval in 2007. She stated that no repairs or corrective measures have been taken
in the interim. She reminded the board they could not take the condition or economic feasibility
into consideration in making their determination, only whether demolition would encroach upon
or destroy a historic property or district. She stated the staff was making no recommendation.
Chairman Bower opened the public hearing and, finding no one wishing to speak, closed the
public hearing. He stated that he did not sit on the board when the County filed for the
demolition permit in 2007. Ms. Gies stated that the board should take a stand on anyone letting a
building deteriorate because they want to tear it down. She stated this was a WPA project and
looks like one and that it may be the only example of one left in town.
Mr. Karrasch asked what the intention of the county was after demolition of the building.
Chairman Bower responded that he thought they were planning a parking lot but couldn’t really
answer that question. John Forslund, Chief of Buildings & Grounds for Leavenworth County,
stated that the long-term plan has always been to expand courtrooms to the south of the existing
Justice Center building, and when that happens there will be no parking available. They would
eventually like to put parking on the south side of Walnut St. as well as in the jail building’s
location.
David Van Parys, Counsel for the County, stated that the building is an environmental hazard
and serves no purpose, and is viewed as a liability by their insurance. He stated there is very
limited parking on court days. He stated it would cost millions to fix the building up enough to
store boxes in, and it will come down sooner or later. He stated that as a WPA project it
provided employment for people to build and served a purpose but not that purpose is gone.
When there is snow and ice on the ground people that could otherwise park right there have to
park blocks away.
Ms. Gies stated that this is the second building the board has been asked to approve for
demolition that has been allowed to deteriorate. Mr. Dunn asked if any study had been done as
to what it would take to reuse the building. Chairman Bower stated that was a good question but
the projected cost could not cloud their judgment or decision. He reminded the board that it is a
Feth-designed structure, and that the Feths designed numerous buildings. He stated we lose part
of our heritage whenever buildings are torn down. He stated that demolition is never an
appropriate option based on the rules and standards the board is given to follow. He stated he
doesn’t dispute the cost of rehabilitating, but the board has to look at its historic value. He
reminded the board that the applicant has the right to appeal to the City Commission if the board
denied the certificate of appropriateness.
Mr. Karrasch commented that as the first city in the state, instead of wanting to tear down
structures we should be finding ways to reuse them.
Finding no other comments or questions, Chairman Bower called for a motion. Mr. Karrasch
moved to deny the certificate of appropriateness as the demolition would encroach upon, damage
or destroy the historic nature of the building and the environs of the Courthouse and the
Industrial District. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gies and carried, 4-0.
Chairman Bower recognized and thanked the board for their work, and gave a farewell to Ms.
Sally Hatcher, a long-time member of the board and preservation community, as she is moving
from the area. Ms. Gies added that Ms. Hatcher had been the moving force behind a lot of things
in the city.
There being no further business, following motion by Ms. Gies, second by Mr. Dunn and
unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
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