ITEM NO. 16A: A TO RM-1; 12.264 ACRES; NORTH OF W. 6TH STREET (HWY. 40) AND EAST OF GEORGE WILLIAMS WAY (EXTENDED) (PGP)
Z-09-46-04: A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 12.264 acres from A (Agricultural) to RM-1 (Multiple-Family Residential) District. The property is generally described as being located north of W. 6th Street (Hwy. 40) and east of George Williams Way (extended). Submitted by Landplan Engineering, P.A., for Bluejacket Ford, LC, contract purchaser. Graycliff Holdings, L.C. is the property owner of record.
ITEM NO. 16B: A TO RS-2; 15.679 ACRES; NORTH OF W. 6TH STREET (HWY. 40) AND EAST OF GEORGE WILLIAMS WAY (EXTENDED) (PGP)
Z-09-47-04: A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 15.679 acres from A (Agricultural) to RS-2 (Single-Family Residential) District. The property is generally described as being located north of W. 6th Street (Hwy. 40) and east of George Williams Way (extended). Submitted by Landplan Engineering, P.A., for Bluejacket Ford, LC, contract purchaser. Graycliff Holdings L.C. is the property owner of record.
ITEM NO. 16C: A TO RM-D; 32.391 ACRES; NORTH OF W. 6TH STREET (HWY. 40) AND EAST OF GEORGE WILLIAMS WAY (EXTENDED) (PGP)
Z-09-48-04: A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 32.391 acres from A (Agricultural) to RM-D (Duplex Residential) District. The property is generally described as being located north of W. 6th Street (Hwy. 40) and east of George Williams Way (extended). Submitted by Landplan Engineering, P.A., for Bluejacket Ford, LC, contract purchaser. Graycliff Holdings L.C. is the property owner of record.
ITEM NO. 16D: PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR OREGON TRAIL ADDITION; NORTH OF W. 6TH STREET (HWY. 40) AND EAST OF GEORGE WILLIAMS WAY (EXTENDED) (PGP)
PP-09-22-04: Preliminary Plat for Oregon Trail Addition. This proposed single and multiple-family residential subdivision contains approximately 60.33 acres and is located north of W. 6th Street (Hwy. 40) and east of George Williams Way (extended). Submitted by Landplan Engineering, P.A., for Bluejacket Ford, LC, contract purchaser. Graycliff Holdings L.C. is the property owner of record.
Items 16A, 16B & 16 C were discussed simultaneously. Item 16D was withdrawn prior to the meeting.
STAFF PRESENTATION
Mr. Patterson explained the preliminary plat (Item 16D) for this development had been withdrawn, but the applicant asked the Commission to consider the three accompanying rezoning requests (items 16A, B & C) in anticipation of a new preliminary plat that would be on the November agenda.
Mr. Patterson showed a breakdown of the requested zonings on the overall subject area. He addressed circulation patterns between this development and its surroundings.
Staff recommended approval of the rezonings, conditioned upon approval of a final plat.
The Commission asked why the applicant was not requesting a planned residential development to accommodate the different densities and uses. Staff replied that planned development was intended for use only when conventional zoning would not allow the proposed project. That was not the case with this request so separate conventional zonings were requested.
Mr. Patterson showed that the northern boundary of this property formed the southern boundary of the Perry-Lecompton School District, meaning the entire subject property was within the Lawrence School District.
Staff was asked to explain why the Commission was being asked to consider piecemeal rezonings for this area before an area plan was adopted to decide how this property would interact with the larger area. Ms. Finger stated that an area plan had been adopted. The Northwest Area Plan, created with the combined efforts of City Staff and the neighborhood residents, showed collector and arterial roads as well as intensity transitions. Zonings were not specified, but general land uses were identified and this request fit that adopted plan.
Comm. Burress expressed concern that the Commission did not have data to support Staff’s determination that this request followed the area plan. Ms. Finger replied that the Northwest Area Plan was provided to each Commissioner when they took office and was referenced throughout the Staff Report.
APPLICANT PRESENTATION
Tim Herndon, Landplan Engineering, was present on behalf of the applicant. He had no additional comments and stated agreement to the recommendations of Staff.
PUBLIC HEARING
No member of the public spoke on this item
CLOSING COMMENTS
There were no closing comments from the applicant or Staff.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Comm. Krebs asked if it would be appropriate to ask the applicant to develop the property as a single planned residential development (PRD) instead of three separate pieces. Ms. Finger said a PRD should not be used if the project could be accomplished with conventional zoning. Comm. Krebs pointed out that PRD’s allowed the Commission to require additional greenspace, increased setbacks and other elements. Ms. Finger said those elements were adequate in the current proposal and requiring a PRD would not be of significant value to the city.
Mr. Herndon added that PRD’s were typically reserved for properties with unique qualities of development challenges. He said that PRD zoning carried a requirement for detailed landscaping plans that would be difficult to finance for a project of this size so early in the process.
Comm. Johnson said the Comprehensive Plan did not give direction that there was “something special to be acquired” from this property.
ACTION TAKEN
ITEM 16A
Motioned by Comm. Eichhorn, seconded by Comm. Riordan to approve the rezoning of 12.264 acres from A to RM-1 as presented by Staff.
DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION
Comm. Burress said he would oppose the motion because he did not feel the maps provided by Staff gave enough information on traffic circulation.
ACTIONS TAKEN
ITEM 16A
Motion on the floor was to approve the rezoning of 12.264 acres from A to RM-1 and forward it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based on the findings of fact presented in the body of the Staff Report and subject to the following condition:
Motion carried 7-1, with Comm.’s Haase, Riordan, Jennings, Johnson, Erickson, Krebs and Eichhorn voting favor. Comm. Burress voted in opposition.
ITEM 16B
Motioned by Comm. Eichhorn, seconded by Comm. Jennings to approve the rezoning of 15.679 acres from A to RS-2 and forward it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based on the findings of fact presented in the body of the Staff Report and subject to the following condition:
Motion carried 7-1, with Comm.’s Haase, Riordan, Jennings, Johnson, Erickson, Krebs and Eichhorn voting favor. Comm. Burress voted in opposition.
ITEM 16C
Motioned by Comm. Eichhorn, seconded by Comm. Krebs to approve the rezoning of 32.391 acres from A to RM-D and forward it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based on the findings of fact presented in the body of the Staff Report and subject to the following condition:
Motion carried 7-1, with Comm.’s Haase, Riordan, Jennings, Johnson, Erickson, Krebs and Eichhorn voting favor. Comm. Burress voted in opposition.