PC Minutes 12/12/05

ITEM NO. 8:              USE PERMITED UPON REVIEW FOR LAWRENCE PUMP STATION #1; 301 NORTH STREET (LAP)

UPR-10-09-05:  Use Permitted upon Review request for Lawrence Pump Station #1, located at 301 North Street. This project proposes the construction of a new pump station as recommended in the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan.  Submitted by Bartlett and West Engineers, Inc. for City of Lawrence, property owner of record.

PC Minutes 12/12/05

ITEM NO. 9:              USE PERMITED UPON REVIEW FOR LAWRENCE PUMP STATION #2; 570 WALNUT STREET (LAP)    

UPR-10-10-05:  Use Permitted upon Review request for Lawrence Pump Station #2, located at 570 Walnut Street.  This project proposes the construction of a new pump station as recommended in the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan.   Submitted by Bartlett and West Engineers, Inc. for City of Lawrence, property owner of record.

Staff presentation

Items 8 and 9 were presented together.

Staff commented that the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan addresses the need for the UPR for the pump station #1 upgrade. Staff requested additional landscaping in addition to six new trees. Staff would also like to see screening around the Westar transformer. Staff recommended approval.  Staff commented that pump station #2 also conforms with the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan recommendations, but will need a Corps of Engineers permit. Screening should be added around the transformer.Staff recommended approval.

Public hearing on Item 8

A representative from Bartlett and West Engineers was available for questions. The applicant could not answer questions about the decibel level, but he noted that all pumps are submersible pumps and thus you could stand next to it and hear the pumps, but not from a property line.

Public hearing on Item 9

Matt Gilhousen, 603 Elm Street, commented that he is not opposed to this project, but was present to find out more information. Mr. Gilhousen is getting ready to build a new house a half block away.

Mr. Gilhousen asked several questions:

• Does the city own the whole parcel? Staff responded that the city is purchasing the portion shown on the URP site plan where the pump will be located. The owner will maintain ownership of the rest, which is zoned RS-2.
• Is there an image of what this will look like? Staff explained that the lot split application will result in one lot for the pump stations and two RS-2-zoned buildable lots.

Matt Eales asked if there was any possibility of the pump station moving to upper left corner of the parcel. The applicant responded that the pump station will go in upper right corner. Mr. Eales asked who to talk to about the valuation of the lot. Staff directed him to the Director of Legal Services.

Eichhorn asked the applicant to speak to what the the external structure will look like. The applicant commented that the pump station will look similar to the Prairie Park neighborhood pump station, i.e. a pebble finish building with flat top roof and two brown doors that open out. He noted that the building is made in western Kansas and will be dropped down on the underground structure. There is essentially no building on site. The applicant also noted that the location of the pump station was chosen primarily because of the existing pump station, and that it can be moved but that would require additional work and would need to be verified..

Commission discussion

There was no further Commission discussion on these items.

Action Taken

Motioned by Eichhorn, seconded by Ermeling to approve the Use Permitted upon Review for the  Lawrence Pump Station #1 and forwarding it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based upon the findings of fact presented in the body of the staff report, subject to the following conditions:

1. Revision of the site plan to include the following changes:

a. Removal of plan notes “Zoned M-3”.

b. Change of plan note “Current Use: Commercial/Open Lot” to read “Current Use: Open Lot”.

c. Removal of plan note “Existing Tree to Remain”, as no tree exists in the subject location.

d. Additional landscaping, such as shrubs, along the northwestern edge of the site to serve as a visual buffer per the approval of the City’s landscape supervisor.

e. Inclusion of vegetation to screen the Westar transformer per approval of the City’s landscape supervisor. [Note: the sides of the transformer without a door can be screened.]

f. Inclusion of a note, stating all site lighting will be shielded to prevent off-site glare.

g. Change of note from “Location for KPL transformer” to “Location for Westar transformer”.

2. Submittal and approval of a Floodplain Development Permit application.

3. Submittal and approval of a photometric plan.

4. Submittal of a Site Plan Performance Agreement.

Motion carried unanimously, 9-0.

Motioned by Krebs, seconded by Ermeling to approve the Use Permitted upon Review for the Lawrence Pump Station #2 and forwarding it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based upon the findings of fact presented in the body of the staff report, subject to the following conditions:

1.  Revision of the site plan to include the following changes:

a. Removal of plan notes “Lot 1 lot split property line” and “Lot 1 property line”.

b. Removal of plan note “8” aggregate”.

c. Change of plan note “Current Use: Residential” to read “Current Use: Open Lot”.

d. Inclusion of vegetation to screen the Westar transformer per approval of the City’s landscape supervisor. [Note: the sides of the transformer without a door can be screened.]

e. Inclusion of a note, stating all site lighting will be shielded to prevent off-site glare.

f. Change of note from “Location for KPL transformer” to “Location for Westar transformer”.

2.  Submittal and approval of a lot split application.

3.  Submittal and approval of a photometric plan.

4.  Submittal of a Site Plan Performance Agreement.

Motion carried unanimously, 9-0.