Historic preservationist Randy Greaves to leave Unified Government; commission hears design‑guidelines and zoning‑code updates

Randy Greaves, the Unified Government’s historic preservationist, told the Kansas City, Kansas Landmarks Commission that this meeting will be his final regular appearance; he said his last day with the Unified Government is Friday. Greaves has led permit reviews, outreach and planning work for the commission and said staff will explore interim coverage via on‑call consultants while a replacement is sought.

Greaves also updated the commission on several ongoing preservation initiatives. He said staff completed consultant interviews for downtown historic design guidelines and expected to announce a selection soon. Greaves reported that the commission’s most recent draft for the historic district nomination was sent to the state on Jan. 13 and that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is reviewing the submission and is expected to follow up.

During an extended "Historic Preservation 101" presentation, Greaves reviewed: the four criteria for listing properties (association with persons, events, architecture, or archaeology); the seven aspects of integrity (materials, design, workmanship, location, setting, feeling, association); the difference between local certificates of appropriateness, environs reviews and state law reviews; and standards for permitted treatments and compatible new construction. He highlighted that the local ordinance prohibits replacing historic wooden windows with vinyl in historic districts and described how the local "environs" review was narrowed from 500 feet to 200 feet in a prior code update.

Commissioners raised operational questions: how the commission can influence the zoning‑code update (particularly whether to retain environs reviews), the timing of a planned SHPO training for the commission, and the status of three vacancies on the Landmarks Commission (Districts 1, 5 and 7) that the commission chair asked staff to follow up on with appointing commissioners.

Why it matters
Greaves manages reviews that affect property owners seeking rehabilitation, demolition or incentives such as state/federal tax credits; his departure will require interim arrangements to maintain review timelines and public outreach. The zoning‑code changes under discussion could alter how the commission reviews development near historic resources.

What’s next
Staff said they will share consultant selection details for the downtown design‑guidelines project when available, coordinate with SHPO on additional training, and continue engaging with appointing commissioners to fill vacancies. Greaves suggested staff will rely on on‑call consultants and internal coverage while recruiting a successor.