Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:	Mayor and City Commission
FROM:	Mike Wildgen, City Manager David L. Corliss, Assistant City Manager & Director of Legal Services
CC:	Sheila Stogsdill, Debbie Van Saun
Date:	February 9,  2006
RE:	West of K-10 Area Plan

Last week several City staff members met with a property owner (approximately 400 acres) west of K-10 and his consultants to discuss possible annexation/land use/extension of City service issues in this area.  The property owner indicated that a development proposal was not imminent in terms of months, but likely in the near future in terms of seeking the necessary approvals to be able to seek building permits later this decade.   Also, last year the Commission reviewed and rejected the Voth property/Windover located on the west side of K-10 adjacent to this property owner.

Staff believes that this area is appropriate for the initiation of an area plan, and seeks Commission direction and guidance on the next steps for such a plan.  The scope and contours of such a plan have not been determined.  The attached map is generally for reference purposes.  The composition of possible public and private stakeholders in any planning group has not been determined.  The recent HOP and Burroughs Creek area plan process may serve as a model – or a different process may be appropriate.  Direction to create an area plan to the Planning Commission for land use issues may be appropriate.   The process for the plan development is an important Commission issue, and can respond to the Commission’s desire to lead the development process rather than respond to development requests. At our meeting last week, staff identified a number of issues which will impact any development in this area, including but not limited to:   extension of sanitary sewer services, extension of water service, proximity to fire/medical department services, the importance of the K-10/ Bob Billings Parkway interchange, the Commission and the community’s interest in a different type/style of residential subdivision design, parks and open space opportunities.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

If the Commission desires to proceed with this project, direction to staff to prepare an outline of the planning process for an area plan – with options for Commission consideration - would be the next step.