Architectural Review Process
Fort Benjamin Harrison
To satisfy the requirements of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was entered into by the United States Army and the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority. This MOA provided for the identification of historic properties within the Fort, analysis of the characteristics of these properties and establishment of protective covenants which require review of any and all alteration to existing buildings and new construction development within areas identified as historical. Architectural reviewers use as guidance the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.
Specifically, as it relates to the Lawton Loop area, which is considered an historic district at Fort Benjamin Harrison, three approval letters are required for any unit owner wishing to do any exterior remodeling to a unit. Reviews should be conducted in the following order:
- Lawton Loop West Association Architectural Review Committee, Attn. President of the Board
- Lawton Loop East Association Architectural Review Committee, Attn. President of the Board
- Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Historic Preservation Department, Attn. Ashley Thomas
- Fort Harrison Reuse Authority Architectural Review Commission (ARC), Attn. Executive Director
All other areas within the boundaries of Fort Benjamin Harrison (not governed by the Lawrence Village at the Fort PUD) are subject to the review of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority Architectural Review Commission. Guidelines for review and district zoning information can be found in the Master Reuse Implementation Strategy.
Lawrence Village at the Fort
The boundaries of Lawrence Village at the Fort are 59th Street (north) to Lee Road (east) to 56th Street (south) to Post Road (west.)
Design standards and architectural improvements/changes within the Lawrence Village at the Fort district are governed by a Planned Unit Development (PUD). All submittals are reviewed by the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority Architectural Review Commission. A thorough review will be done and processed within two weeks of receipt.
Package Submittal Checklist. In order to insure a timely review of the proposed project at Fort Harrison, the following checklist should serve as a helpful guide. These items should be included in your project submittal to allow for a comprehensive review of your project and help the ARC determine if your proposal meets the standards of the Master Implementation Strategy of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority.
- 100% Construction documents
- Site layout with dimensions and utility connections
- Signage program with site layout and dimensions
- Photometric layout of site lighting
- Building material samples including, but not limited to brick, paint color, window, shingle, gutters, downspouts, lighting fixtures, etc.
- Signage material samples including, but not limited to brick, paint color, sign materials, lighting fixtures, etc.
- Inventory of plant materials
- Parking lot layout with space count
- Storm water and drainage plans
City of Lawrence Permitting. The Fort Harrison Reuse Authority ARC must sign off on all architectural plans and submissions prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy or Building Permit by the City of Lawrence DPW.
Modifications to the PUD. If any modifications to these plans are sought, an approval petition would have to be submitted to modify the D-P statement. A petition normally must be heard by the Hearing Examiner and Metropolitan Development Commission which takes approximately two months. A special request can be made at any Hearing Examiner meeting to ask that a case be scheduled directly with the Commission, saving about three weeks. Approval petitions can be downloaded at http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DMD/Planning/Zoning/Pages/forms.aspx
Questions regarding the review process or a specific project may be directed to the FHRA directly by calling (317) 377-3400 or by e-mail to fhrainfo@fhra.org.