Historic Kansas City has put out a demolition alert for the mansion at 4526 Warwick.
DEMOLITION ALERT – Act by Wednesday, November 15th
An application has been filed with the Historic Preservation Commission by the property owners to demolish the historic home and garage at 4526 WARWICK BLVD., THE “GEORGE B. RICHARDS RESIDENCE.” Case #CH-DR-2023-00079 will be heard by the Historic Preservation Commission at 9:00 a.m. Friday, November 17th, at City Hall, 414 E. 12th St., 26th Floor, and via video conferencing. View the applicants’ statement here:
https://compasskc.kcmo.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService/...
The property at 4526 Warwick Blvd was placed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places by vote of the City Council on September 28th, 2023. (ORDINANCE NO. 230705) Per the Historic Preservation Commission Ordinance, the property owner has the right to file an application requesting approval to make exterior material changes, including demolition, that can be seen from the public right-of-way.
WHAT YOU CAN DO!
Historic Kansas City opposes the request to demolish and encourages its members and supporters to testify in opposition. Options include;
• Send written comments to the City Historic Preservation Officer at
kchp@kcmo.org by Wednesday, November 15th
• Speak at the public hearing: 9:00 a.m. Friday, November 17th, at City Hall, 414 E. 12th St., 26th Floor
• Register to speak remotely via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/.../WN_mwXCv38ORRan7RwD3v0Zsg...
In past cases, the commission reviews the demolition of a historic structure by determining if it retains its historic integrity for which it was initially designated. The National Register of Historic Places defines historic integrity as the ability of a property to convey its significance. There are seven aspects to integrity, location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. See the purpose for which the property was designated here:
https://compasskc.kcmo.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService/...
This application will likely involve a two-step hearing process. The purpose of the November 17th hearing is for the Historic Preservation Commission to determine if the historic property retains historic integrity for which it was designated; therefore not warranting demolition. If the Historic Preservation Commission denies the applicant’s request to demolish, the applicant has the opportunity to claim economic hardship within 30 days of that denial. A separate hearing would then be held by the Commission to hear that case. Only with the denial of that application would the 36-month wait period go into effect.
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