PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT

Consent Agenda – Non-Public Hearing Item

PC Staff Report

4/17/06

ITEM NO. 3:              ANNEXATION OF APPROX. 97 ACRES SOUTH OF K-10 HIGHWAY AND EAST OF E 900 ROAD ALSO KNOWN AS SESQUICENTENNIAL PARK (DDW)

SUMMARY

A-02-01-06:  Consider annexation of approximately 97 acres of land south of K-10 Highway and east of E. 900 Road.  The area is known as Sesquicentennial Park.  This action was initiated by the Lawrence City Commission on February 7, 2006.  The City of Lawrence leases the ground from the US Army Corp of Engineers.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the annexation of approximately 97 acres of land south of K-10 Highway and east of E. 900 Road and forwarding a recommendation to the City Commission for approval.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Current Zoning and Land Use                    A (Agricultural) District; Sesquicentennial Park.

Surrounding Zoning and Land Use:             A District to the north, east, and west; single-family residences and US Army Corps of Engineers property.

                                                          A District to the south, Mutt Run Park.

STAFF REVIEW

Annexation Procedure and General Location:

This property is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers and is currently being leased by the City of Lawrence, who has petitioned this request for annexation.  The property is generally located south of K-10 Highway and east of E. 900 Road.  The subject property is contiguous with the main portion of the city boundaries.

When a property owner petitions for annexation of land contiguous to the city limits, Kansas law (K.S.A. 12-510 et. Seq.) provides for annexation by ordinance of the City Commission.  Lawrence City Policy includes the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission review of all annexation requests for parcels of land over ten acres is size.

Site Characteristics:

The subject property is located just outside of the Urban Growth Area (UGA) defined in Horizon 2020.  The site is surrounded on three sides by the UGA.  The site contains wooded areas, grassy areas, and hiking and biking trails.

Infrastructure and Utility Extension:

Rural Water:            There are no rural water facilities on this property.

City Water:              The subject property is not served by City water.

Sewer:                    The subject property is not served by City sewer.

Private Utilities:         The subject property is not served by private utilities.

Public Right-of-Way:   The subject property is accessed by E. 902 Rd.

Discussion:

The subject property is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers and leased by the City of Lawrence.  The City Commission initiated the annexation on February 7, 2006.    The subject property is surrounded on three sides by the UGA.  The city is leasing the property and using it as Sesquicentennial Park. 

Immediately south of the subject property is a parcel of property that is already within the City limits and is being used as a park.  This parcel, as well as the subject parcel, are planned to be part of the City’s regional park and open space system for this area.  The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan talks about developing the Clinton Lake leased property as a regional park that “creates a strong sense of community pride and livability”.

The annexation request does not include a rezoning request.