Demolition of Butler house put on hold
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Peabody City Council members canceled a plan Monday night to demolish the former Butler house at 203 Sycamore. They removed it from the list of free city lots and put the house back into play in the housing market to see if restoration might be a viable alternative. Bob Bettis, Kansas State Historic Preservation Officer, had denied the city's request to demolish the structure.
Peabody Main Street Director Kristen Hooper asked the city to abide by the KSHS opinion and not rush into demolition until the property could be marketed more effectively.
On a motion by councilman Ed Slocombe, the council voted 4-1 to put demolition on hold for a year, remove the property from the free lots program, secure the property to keep out trespassers, and see if the property can be reclaimed. Alan Yock voted against the motion.
Slocombe made the motion following discussion of the creation of a Certified Local Government, a steering committee appointed to guide community preservation efforts in cooperation with Kansas State Historical Society.
The council approved the creation of a CLG with up to seven board members selected from Peabody Historical Society, Peabody Main Street Association, Peabody City Council, downtown business owners, and homeowners who reside within 500 feet of the historic downtown district.
"I think we should hold off on demolition of the Butler house," said Slocombe. "Its been there for more than 100 years. What's the hurry? If the city secures the windows with sheets of plywood and padlocks the doors, we should be able to buy some time.
"If we are going to appoint this CLG group right after we have bulldozed an historically contributing property, what kind of message will we be sending them?" he asked. "Let them work on the place for a year or so and see what they can come up with."
Yock indicated he felt the property was too far gone to be saved and the city was wasting time offering it for restoration.
"I think it's too late for this place," he said. "Its been gutted too many times. There is nothing left of the historically significant parts of the home.
"Something could go on that lot that would contribute better to the neighborhood and downtown," Yock said.
Mayor Tom Schmidt appointed city councilmen Steve Rose and Gene Schmill to a nominating committee to select the group of CLG board members. City administrator Jeff Benbrook will contact local historical society president Carmen South to act as the third member of the nominating committee.
The group will bring their recommendations to the council at a future meeting.
In other business, the council:
— heard from resident Sam Wingert that he objects to statements by Peabody Police Chief Jeff Pohlman quoted in a recent issue of Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. Pohlman had noted damage done around downtown businesses by youngsters on skateboards. He said police officers would crack down on skateboard activity and begin writing tickets.
Wingert reviewed the city's ordinance which prohibits skateboards from being ridden in the street, but says nothing about them being used on city sidewalks. He also requested the council give Peabody Recreation Commission permission to build a skate park in the city. No action was taken.
— approved special payment arrangements for a resident whose water bill exceeded $300 because of an unnoticed leak. An adjustment also was made for sewer charges.
— heard that a final sewer project walk-through with Smoky Hill Construction did not take place because Dale Yeager of Rural Development did not attend. No plans were made to reschedule the visit.
— learned Inland Paving and Flaming Metal Products will begin work this week on the streets and new city shop respectively.
— accepted a bid from Business Systems Incorporated for software that allows for filing and archiving electronic files.
— approved resolution 1113-06, a cooperation agreement with Ranson Housing Compliance, L.L.C., which has been appointed by the state to work with financial discounts for home buyers. The resolution by council was necessary to approve RHC's operation in the community.
— approved a special request for Elizabeth Ines to wait up to 90 days to get a car tagged and insured. Ms. Ines needs confirmation of her status in the U. S. from immigration services which determined it would take 30 to 90 days for the City of Peabody to receive formal notification.
— voted to declare the nuisance abated for properties at 407 Plum and 411 N. Maple. Both property owners will receive letters indicating the city expects the compliance to be maintained.
— heard plans for Western Wonderland Prairie Christmas from members of the Christmas promotion committee. The committee urged Mayor Tom Schmidt and council members to enter a float in the parade.
— heard a positive report from Benbrook about city finances as the year winds down.
— learned the city will host training Nov. 17 for all employees who will be using the new copy machine.
