Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning Department

TO:	Mike Wildgen
FROM:	Sheila M. Stogsdill
CC:	Linda M. Finger David Corliss Debbie Van Saun
Date:	November 22, 2005
RE:	November 29, 2005 Agenda Item

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the November 29, 2005 meeting:

Project History.

Bo Harris has been working for several years on his proposed 8th & Pennsylvania area redevelopment project.  Mr. Harris has assembled property along both sides of the 800 block of Pennsylvania in Old East Lawrence and is proposing redevelopment of a mixed use commercial/office/residential project. 

Design guidelines have been submitted to the Historic Resources Commission for review.  At their meeting last week, the HRC initiated rezoning to create an Urban Conservation Overlay (UC-O) District.  City staff has assisted Mr. Harris in formulating a timeline for review of the various components of the plan.

Staff has identified the need to examine Chapter 6 of the Comprehensive Plan to potentially amend Horizon 2020.  Horizon 2020 identifies different classifications of commercial uses and relies on the suburban node model for new commercial development.  Staff has indicated that this chapter may need to be amended to specifically address mixed use development in redevelopment areas of the community.  This review of the commercial chapter of Horizon 2020 is anticipated to occur concurrently with review of the proposed redevelopment project.

Action Request.

Planning Department staff requests the City Commission consider the attached request to initiate a comprehensive plan amendment and to direct staff to work with the developer concurrent with the review of the UC-O and proposed rezoning necessary for the redevelopment proposal.

C:  Roger N. (Bo) Harris