NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:

 

ITEM NO. 13:           REVIEW & RECOMMEND ON CITY PARK LAND ACQUISITION

The City Commission is requesting review and comment on the land use and planning concerns regarding the purchase and property transaction for approximately six acres of undeveloped land located west of Mary’s Lake for additional City park land.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Planning Commission has expressed an interest in being involved in the consideration of new park land acquisitions.  In response to this request, the City Manager’s office has forwarded the attached memo and map to Staff regarding the possible acquisition of park land near Mary’s Lake.

Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:

Linda Finger, Director of Planning

 

FROM:

David L. Corliss, Assistant City Manager & Director of Legal                                       

Services

CC:

Mike Wildgen, Fred DeVictor, Bill Fleming (Barber Emerson)

 

Date:

October 9, 2004

 

RE:

Proposed City Purchase of Property near Mary’s Lake

 

 

The City of Lawrence is seeking to purchase approximately 6 acres of undeveloped property located west of Mary’s Lake currently owned by Mary’s Lake Properties L.L.C.    As part of the transaction the City is also proposing to sell a 19,927 square foot undeveloped parcel located adjacent to East 28th Terrace to Mary’s Lake Properties L.L.C.  Pursuant to City Commission direction, Planning Commission review of this proposed transaction as it relates to planning and land use concerns is desired.

 

Background

In early 2001 the City entered into a no-fee revocable license agreement with Honeywell, Inc. to allow the placement of a hard surface trail across a portion of the Honeywell property near Mary’s Lake.  The trail was part of a comprehensive trail system throughout the park providing access to and around the lake south of the Prairie Park Nature Center.  The current owners of the Honeywell property desire to develop and redevelop the former Honeywell property and they further desire to terminate the license agreement.   There is approximately 15 acres of property now owned by Mary’s Lake Properties L.L.C. between the former Honeywell facility and the Mary’s Lake property owned by the City  The City desires to permanently acquire 6 acres of the property immediately adjacent to Mary’s Lake to preserve the densely wooded habitat, assist in the conservation of the lake area, and to protect the existing trail system.  The sale of the City owned 19,927 square footage property adjacent to East 28th Terrace is deemed appropriate because it is further removed from the lake and trail area thereby reducing its park and recreational values and sale of the property reduces the net City cost of the acquisition of the 6 acre tract.   Mary’s Lake Properties L.L.C. has indicated that they will seek City land use approvals (rezoning, platting) to allow for the development of the approximately 9 acres (the 15 acre tract reduced by the proposed 6 acre sale to the City) and the East 28th Terrace parcel.  Preliminary proposals discussed by representatives of Mary’s Lake Properties L.L. C. provide for residential development of this property.

 

Requested Action

The Planning Commission is requested to review the proposed City property transaction in light of land use and planning concerns and forward their views and recommendations to the City Commission for consideration.