June 20, 2004

To the City Commission:

The Hillcrest, Old West Lawrence, and Pinckney Neighborhood Associations are writing to ask the City Commission to initiate the development of an “area plan” for a critical part of central Lawrence:

5^th Street to 7^th Street

Alabama to California Streets

Contiguous properties within 100 feet

This strategic area is a primary gateway into town and straddles 6^th Street, the main arterial connector between West Lawrence and downtown.  It is the typical visitor’s first exposure to our city.  Yet it is an area that has fallen between the cracks.  Much of the region is not part of any neighborhood association – it has been overlooked rather than appropriately treated as an anchor to three longstanding neighborhoods in the heart of Lawrence.  History partly explains the lack of an updated strategy or plan for this area – it was zoned in the mid 1960s when 7^th Street was still the main highway through town.  The current patchwork of zoning and land uses reflects this nearly half-century old approach.  We urge you to take a broader look at this fragile and strategic part of Lawrence’s urban core in order to develop a positive long-term vision for the area.

Area plans have been successfully developed in other key areas of the city, including 6^th and Wakarusa and East Lawrence; a similar process is in order here.  The plan we envision would be similar in nature to the one devised for East Lawrence, but on a significantly smaller scale.  Ideally this plan would develop guidelines to help ensure, for example:

• The minimization of traffic on local side streets and the improvement of neighborhood safety
• The enhancement and preservation of historic resources and sites
• An effective transition between high and low-density developments that will preserve the integrity of our neighborhoods
• Infill development that is compatible with the character of the existing neighborhood
• The attraction and retention of neighborhood-friendly and local businesses
• Pedestrian-friendly, well-maintained, and well-landscaped streetscapes

In order to give this area plan a chance for success, we ask that the City Commission place a moratorium on the acceptance of any site development plans until an area plan is completed.  It is absolutely critical that impending and future development demonstrate positive steps towards implementing a long-term strategic plan, rather than simply reflect the unintended results of 40-year-old zoning ordinances designed for a very different setting.  Many key lots in this area are likely to develop or redevelop in the next 5 to 10 years.  These lots include, for example, the large lot owned by the Eagles Lodge, the empty lot at 7^th and Wisconsin Street, and the College Motel lot.  What happens on these lots will inevitably set a precedent for what happens across this important 18-block region.  In order to minimize the inconvenience for property owners, we ask that the city devote the resources necessary to expedite the creation of an area plan.  Our neighborhoods are fully committed to this proposed effort and would be willing to provide the input necessary to ensure its timely completion. 

We are excited about this rare opportunity to help shape this pivotal part of our city in a way that will benefit not only the area’s property owners and our neighborhoods, but the historic core of Lawrence as a whole.  We appreciate your time and attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

The Hillcrest Neighborhood Association

The Pinckney Neighborhood Association

The Old West Lawrence Neighborhood Association