July 11, 2005
Paul G. Patterson
City/County Planner
Sixth and Massachusetts P.O. Box 707 Lawrence, KS 66044-0708
Re: Z-06-43-05
On the surface, this rezoning proposal looks like the Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship is asking the general public to donate to the church's coffer by increasing the value of their property.
The United States Supreme Court has recently ruled that the Ten Commandments can not be displayed inside of public court houses. The highest legal court in the land has let it be known that religious organizations are prohibited from imposing their will on the general public. It is my belief that if this rezoning were allowed it would amount to the general public subsidizing the church by inflating the price over its current market value.
In order for the general public to make an intelligent decision in regards to rezoning, I believe several questions need to be answered by a representative(s) of the Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship:
1. Why do they request rezoning?
2. Would the property have a greater market value after rezoning?
3. Has the owner ever received a real estate tax exemption?
4. Has the owner ever received a personal property tax exemption?
5. Would rezoning improve the traffic on Harvard and Wakarusa?
It is my belief that that general public would not be in favor of rezoning if in fact the Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship is applying for rezoning for their own financial benefit.
Sincerely yours,
J. Joe Herynk
Paul:
Thank you for your explanation of the POD-1 zoning. Even though this designation seems to allow the City to better regulate restrictions on the redevelopment of this church property, my concerns still remain the same. The church and all of its "green space" has been a good neighbor to our area. The added daily traffic generated by an office complex will certainly not be a wise move. I feel that much consideration should be given to the traffic impact on Wakarusa and Harvard, and Wakarusa and 6th St. intersections. Careful planning now will ensure that traffic moving through 6th & Wakarusa will not soon and ultimately overflow the alterations which are now taking place at that intersection.
Please consider my concerns and deny this request for re-zoning.
Dorothy Cook
4715 Moundridge Ct. Lawrence, KS 66049
Paul Patterson wrote: Hello Dorothy Cook,
The applicant is requesting a rezoning to POD-1 rather than 0-1 Office District, as it will alleviate concern that the property might be able to be used for commercial retail use in the future.
POD-1 is a Planned Office Development.
The Planned Office Development District is intended to encourage office or mixedoffice/multi-family residential development in a planned manner consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan of the City and compatible with nearby or adjacent residential and non-residential areas. The POD-1 District is intended to be a non-residential district which can be developed with uses which may buffer more intensive uses from less intensive uses, such as the commercial along W. 6th Street from the residential along Harvard.
The Planned Office Development allows for a more creative approach to development and would also allow for the City to place more regulated use restrictions and closer review as part of a development plan that would need to be approved by the Planning Commission and City Commission as part of any redevelopment of the property.
If you have any additional questions, please give me a call at 832-3153.
Thank you. Paul Patterson
----- Original Message----
From: Dorothy Cook [mailto:dotron©sunflower.com]
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 11:40 AM To: Paul Patterson
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Harvard & Wakarusa Item No. 17]
Paul:
I note there is new notice of public hearing posted on Wakarusa near the church. There is only that one sign - nothing on Harvard this time. I see that there is a change in the request for re-zoning from RM-1 to POD-1. Will you tell me that this means?
I will be out of town on July 27th and will not be able to attend the hearing. But, this item continues to be of the utmost interest to me and my neighbors.
Thank you, Dorothy Cook
July 17, 2005
Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission Sixth & Massachusetts
PO Box 706
Lawrence, KS 66044
Attn: Paul G. Patterson
RE: Request for Rezone of Land Z-06-43-05
I would like to express my opposition to the above rezoning request.
I am an adjoining property owner and feel the area for which they are requesting the change is not nearly large enough to erect any sort of office building without being "squelched" in there.
Thank you for consideration of my request. Sincerely,
Carol King
805 Moundridge Dr Lawrence, KS 66049