August 18, 2004
Mr. John Haase, Chairman
Lawrence/Douglas County Planning Commission
6 E. 6th Street
Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Dear Commissioners:
I want to express my support of the South East Area plan as prepared and presented by the Planning Staff. I think this plan is a realistic direction for the future of this area that takes into account the many transportation, land-use, and development issues facing Lawrence.
The issue of Land-Use for this area was raised and discussed at length at the July planning commission. This discussion centered on the question of the suitability of this area as a large industrial center which would include the Kitsmiller property (640 acres) which is currently designated as residential on the area plan.
Our group includes the majority of the landowners within the South East Area and we are greatly concerned by the possibility of the Kitsmiller property being designated as Industrial. Future Industrial centers must be planned for but these areas must be in various locations, which meet the unique transportation and market requirements of industrial property. The Area Plan as presented proposes large areas for industrial use along K-10 Highway and the future SLT right-of-way. In addition to these areas designated as industrial on the plan, there are the industrial possibilities of the Farmland property north of K-10, which is not included in the study area.
The idea that an additional 640 acres should also be designated for industrial land-use ignores the current need for residential development and greatly over estimates the need for future industrial property in this area. Other areas must be considered for future industrial development that can offer different opportunities to potential industrial users. One possibility is the area at the intersection of K-10 and the Farmers Turnpike. This area was considered for industrial development earlier this year but was rejected because of the lack of sewers in this area. Obviously, this area is an ideal location for FUTURE industrial use when the public infrastructure is available in that area.
There is one factor, which will determine the development potential of the South East Area. This factor is the availability of sanitary sewers, which are not currently present in this area. Our group has presented a plan to Douglas County and to the City of Lawrence, which will provide for the construction of a sanitary sewer network for this drainage basin. More importantly, this plan presents an immediate solution for the millions of dollars in cost associated with this project, which are to be borne by the property owners through a sanitary sewer benefit district. These improvements will open up the South East area for development but can happen ONLY if there are enough participating landowners in the benefit district who can share the in the costs. This WILL NOT happen if 1000 plus acres are earmarked for a future industrial area that will certainly not build out within the next 20 years.
Our group has submitted preliminary plats for over 800 acres, which include the Farmland property south of K-10 and the 640-acre Kitsmiller property. These plans call for a neighborhood commercial center on O’Connell road, an industrial area south of K-10, and a majority of the property has been planned for low density, affordable residential development. We recognize that this area, located on the eastern fringes of Lawrence, without the sub-surface rock as found in west Lawrence, is our LAST BEST HOPE of providing affordable housing with the City of Lawrence. Much has been said about the need for affordable housing, much has been written about the need for affordable housing, and elections have been won over the issue of affordable housing, but we have no affordable housing. We have tried in the past to provide affordable housing in in-fill areas but this has never been possible due to neighborhood concerns, infrastructure cost, etc. We now have a great opportunity to plan for affordable neighborhoods so greatly needed in Lawrence.
This discussion reminds me of the old saying “Half of something is better than all of nothing”. We can have a lot of industrial land opened up for development as shown on the proposed area plan but only if there is a mechanism to provide for the cost of the infrastructure. Without the residential component of this plan, nothing will happen or even be possible in this area.
I would ask that the commission consider these issues when discussing this plan at the August meeting. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please call me at my office with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Michael Keeney, ASLA
785-838-3338
E-mail Correspondence Received:
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Subject: |
Prairie Park |
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Date: |
Wed, 20 Oct 2004 11:13:34 -0500 |
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From: |
Jeff and Becci mailto:hardshipp@sunflower.com |
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To: |
mailto:bojojohnson@hotmail.com, mailto:rockdoc@sunflower.com, mailto:sus@jerickson.com, mailto:hhk@ku.edu, mailto:dennis.lawson@fcbw.com, mailto:geichhorn@earthlink.net, mailto:thomasjennings@hotmail.com, mailto:D-BURRESS@UKANS.EDU, mailto:TRiordanmd@hotmail.com, mailto:jhaase@sunflower.com |
“The Prairie Park Neighborhood Association opposes light industrial zoning for the land east of O’Connell, south of 25th Street, west of Franklin Road and north of N. 1300 Road. We would like to see this property used as commercial, office and primarily residential with appropriate transitional property beginning east of Franklin Road.
We feel that the former Farmland property would better be suited for light industrial. Our group consists of approximately 350 homes and 700 voters and taxpayers."
Please take this into consideration!
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Hardie
-------- Original Message --------
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Subject: |
East side plan |
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Date: |
Wed, 20 Oct 2004 11:17:43 -0500 |
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From: |
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To: |
mailto:jhaase@sunflower.com, mailto:TRiordanmd@hotmail.com, mailto:D-Burress@UKANS.EDU, mailto:bojojohnson@hotmail.com, mailto:rockdoc@sunflower.com, mailto:sus@jerickson.com, mailto:hhk@ku.edu, mailto:dennis.lawson@fcbw.com, mailto:jeichhorn@earthlink.net, mailto:thomasjennings@hotmail.com |
To the members
of the City & County Planning Commissions
The
Prairie Park Neighborhood Association opposes light industrial zoning
for the
land south of K-10 east of O'Connell West of Franklin Road and north
of N.
1300 Road. We would like to see this property used as commercial,
office
and residential.
We feel
that the former Farmland property and land south of 25th Street and
east of
Franklin Road would better be suited for light industrial with
appropriate
transitional property beginning east of Franklin Road.
We feel that with the position of the KDOT it would be in the best interest of that we go forward with the movement of taking 31st street through till Franklin Road and connecting those two roads. Also it was brought up by Mr. Haase in a meeting with our group that he wanted to bring 59 highway around to the east side to connect with Franklin road. We agree with the state position that this would not work or benefit this area. The KDOT stated that they would not have any money to expand K-10 or the SLT till at least 2009 so why do we want to put light industrial zoning into an area that will not handle the traffic. Please take into the consideration of moving light industrial to the east of Franklin Road. It will would make more sense and also cost less money towards the residents of Lawrence Douglas County.
-------- Original Message --------
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Subject: |
Lawrence Plannig Commission - SE Prarie Park Area |
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Date: |
Wed, 20 Oct 2004 14:37:42 GMT |
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From: |
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To: |
jhasse@sunflower.com, TRiordanmd@hotmail.com, D-BURRESS@UKANS.EDU, bogojohnson@hotmail.com, rockdoc@sunflower.com, sus@jerickson.com, hhk@ku.edu, dennis.lawson@fcbw.com, geichhorn@earthlink.net, thomasjennings@hotmail.com |
Dear Planning Commission Members:
We are writing as residents of the Prairie Park neighborhood adjacent and south of the former Farmland property in southeast Lawrence. It is our understanding at this time that a considerable amount of the property is being considered for industrial zoning. We would like to see the area used primarily for residential housing and commercial/office space.
We are supportive of growth in Lawrence, but want to be sure the growth is well planned and doesn't degrade the quality of the neighborhood around the developing area. We also recognize that this is a prime location for industrial development, but feel that we would like to see industrial usage occur after an appropriate transitional zoning space beginning east of Franklin Road. We especially feel that the property south of Highway 10, and between O'Connell and Franklin Road should be primarily zoned for residential housing with commercial zoning use as a strip along Highway 10.
Thank you for your time. We appreciate your consideration of our concerns, views, and preferences.
Stephen & Kathryn Egbert
2941 Bishop Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
email: egbertks@juno.com
-------- Original Message
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Subject: |
Fw: PPNA Corrected Position |
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Date: |
Tue, 19 Oct 2004 20:24:36 -0500 |
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From: |
Duane Stohs <dstohs@sunflower.com> |
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To: |
mailto:jhaase@sunflower.com, mailto:TRiordanmd@hotmail.com, mailto:D-BURRESS@UKANS.EDU, mailto:bojojohnson@hotmail.com, mailto:rockdoc@sunflower.com, mailto:sus@jerickson.com, mailto:hhk@ku.edu, mailto:dennis.lawson@fcbw.com, mailto:geichhorn@earthlink.net, mailto:thomasjennings@hotmail.com |
The Prairie Park Neighborhood Association opposes light industrial zoning for the land east of O’Connell, south of 25th Street, west of Franklin Road and north of N. 1300 Road. We would like to see this property used as commercial, office and primarily residential with appropriate transitional property beginning east of Franklin Road.
We feel that the former Farmland property would better be suited for light industrial. Our group consists of approximately 350 homes and 700 voters and taxpayers.
Thank you,
Duane Stohs
2920 Prairie Ct.
-----Original Message-----
From: sus@sunflower.com [mailto:sus@sunflower.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 8:09 AM
To: lfinger@ci.lawrence.ks.us
Subject: fwd: SE Area Plan
--- Forwarded message from "Danny Drungilas" <danny@drungilas.com> ---
"The Prairie Park Neighborhood Association opposes light industrial zoning for the land east of O’Connell, south of 25th Street, west of Franklin Road and north of N. 1300 Road. We would like to see this property used as commercial, office and primarily residential with appropriate transitional property beginning east of Franklin Road.
We feel that the former Farmland property would better be suited for light industrial. Our group consists of approximately 350 homes and 700 voters and taxpayers."
Danny Drungilas
Co-coordinator PPNA
2132 E. 26th Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 838-3858
-------- Original Message --------
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Subject: |
Lawrence South East Area Plan |
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Date: |
Sat, 16 Oct 2004 19:38:15 -0500 |
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From: |
John Riedl mailto:jriedl@sunflower.com |
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Reply-To: |
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To: |
mailto:jhaase@sunflower.com, mailto:TRiordanmd@hotmail.com, mailto:D-BURRESS@UKANS.EDU, mailto:bojojohnson@hotmail.com, mailto:rockdoc@sunflower.com, mailto:sus@jerickson.com, mailto:hhk@ku.edu, mailto:dennis.lawson@fcbw.com, mailto:geichhorn@earthlink.net, mailto:thomasjennings@hotmail.com |
Lawrence/Douglas County Planning Commissioners:
My wife and I, along with The Prairie Park Neighborhood Association, firmly oppose light industrial zoning for the land south of K-10 east of O’Connell, west of Franklin Road and north of N. 1300 Road. We would like to see this property used as commercial, office and residential.
We feel that the former Farmland property and land south of 25th Street and east of Franklin Road would be better suited for light industrial development with appropriate transitional property beginning east of Franklin Road.
Sincerely,
John and Karen Riedl
1705 Whitmore Ct.
-------- Original Message --------
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Subject: |
zoning |
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Date: |
Sun, 17 Oct 2004 13:37:04 -0500 |
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From: |
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To: |
Mrs. Erickson,
As a member of the Prairie Park Neighborhood Association, I oppose light industrial zoning for the land south of K-10 east of O’Connell West of Franklin Road and north of N. 1300 Road. I would prefer to see this property used as commercial, office and residential.
I feel that the former Farmland property and land south of 25th Street and east of Franklin Road would better be suited for light industrial with appropriate transitional property beginning east of Franklin Road.
Thank you,
Jessie Strange
2105 E 28th St
785-843-6584
-------- Original Message --------
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Subject: |
East Side Plan |
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Date: |
Sun, 17 Oct 2004 20:28:56 -0500 |
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From: |
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Reply-To: |
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To: |
jhaase@sunflower.com, TRiordanmd@hotmail.com, D-Burress@UKANS.EDU, bojojohnson@hotmail.com, rockdoc@sunflower.com, sus@jerickson.com, hhk@ku.edu, dennis.lawson@fcbw.com, jeichhorn@earthlink.net, thomasjennings@hotmail.com |
To the members of the City & County Planning Commissions
The Prairie Park Neighborhood Association opposes light industrial zoning
for the land south of K-10 east of O’Connell West of Franklin Road and north
of N. 1300 Road. We would like to see this property used as commercial,
office and residential.
We feel that the former Farmland property and land south of 25th Street and
east of Franklin Road would better be suited for light industrial with
appropriate transitional property beginning east of Franklin Road.
With the new construction already taking place along O'Connell, it would only be sensible to move any industrial expansion further away from already established neighborhoods.
Sincerely
Brenda Augusto
2136 E. 26th Street
785-842-0560