SUMMARY

This list summarizes the variety of “plans” that have been adopted by the governing bodies and serve to provide direction on a variety of community issues.  Many of the services provided by the City of Lawrence are provided by following these adopted plans.  Additionally, a hierarchy of plans has been drafted that serves to show the relationship between the various planning efforts.  These plans, as they are updated and new plans are adopted, affect the appearance of the City and the services provided. 

City Of Lawrence Master Plans

Airport

A Master Plan Update Study, 1990 – 2010 was completed in September, 1990.   In July, 2001, an Airport Layout Plan Report (ALP) was completed by the Airport Development Group (consultants) and considered to be a “mini” master plan update, due to the increase in the population of the service area and the changing needs of the airport.  A Facility Requirements Summary was developed as part of the ALP, which provides a synopsis of facility needs (such as runway extensions, pavement rehabilitations, etc.) for the Lawrence Municipal Airport through 2020. This plan is currently being configured for placement on the City’s website.

Horizon 2020

The Comprehensive Plan for the City of Lawrence & Unincorporated Douglas County was reformatted and revised in 1998 and amended in 2001.  The Planning Commission is in the process of completing the five-year comprehensive plan update. The comprehensive plan is a policy guide for the community’s vision for directing future land development. 

Stormwater

In May, 1996, Burns & McDonnell completed the Lawrence, Kansas Stormwater Management Master Plan.  The plan presented the consultant’s analysis of the performance capability of the existing major drainage system, recommendations for improvements to the existing facilities, recommendations for policy revisions, analysis of financing options available to the City, and recommendations on establishment of a stormwater utility and rate structure as the revenue source for the stormwater management program.  Additionally, watershed maps and a Stormwater Management Criteria manual were prepared as companion documents to the report.

Parks and Recreation

In July, 2000, the Parks and Recreation Department completed a Comprehensive Master Plan.  Consultants were Leon Younger & PROS, with ETC Leisure Vision and Bucher, Willis & Ratliff assisting.  The Plan utilized a public survey and a school survey to rate satisfaction levels with current parks and recreation facilities.  Additionally, the plan included a review of each park facility and recommendations for improvements or enhancements.  And finally, the plan discussed organizational alignments that would be recommended to accomplish the action plan and the public’s expected levels of operational standards.

Public Safety

In February, 1996, the Department of Legal Services, Lawrence Fire Department, and Lawrence Police Department staff produced a City of Lawrence, Kansas Public Safety Report, 1997 – 2001.  In 2005, a Resource Plan for the Lawrence Police Department was completed “to assist with key considerations for resource decision-making by the City of Lawrence” for this department. 

Transportation

Transportation 2025 (T-2025) is the Long-Range Transportation Plan for the Lawrence Metropolitan Planning Area.  T-2025 represents the best attempts by the City and transportation experts to develop a vision for a less congested, healthy, and safe transportation system which will adequately serve Lawrence to 2025 and beyond.   

Wastewater

The latest Wastewater Master Plan was completed in 2003.  The original Master Plan was finished by Black & Veatch in 1995 and that plan and the various updates since 1995 have been adopted by the City Commission as the planning document to be used by staff to meet the wastewater collection, treatment, and residuals management needs of Lawrence.  The Utilities Department Capital Improvement Plan has been based on the findings of this master planning document since 1995.  The 2003 master plan included a larger study area (proposed urban growth area used for T-2025) and studied the service needs (regulatory, growth and system reliability) for the community through 2025. 

Water

The latest update to the Water Master Plan was completed in 2003.  The report provided recommendations, costs, and improvements necessary to meet future water requirements (addressing regulatory, growth, and system reliability issues) for the urban growth area through the year 2025.  Also included in this master plan was a discussion of the long range outlook for the City’s sources of supply (water rights).  The Utilities Department Capital Improvement Plan has been based on the findings of this master planning document since 1995.    

General/Area Planning Documents

6^th & SLT Nodal Plan

This nodal plan was approved by the City Commission in 2003 via Resolution 6508.  This plan extends one half mile in each direction from 6^th Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT).  A nodal plan is a long-range, site specific plan of an intersection identified as a commercial node.

Northwest Area Plan

This land use plan was completed in 1997 and covers four square miles north of 6^th Street.  An area plan is a planning tool intended as a furtherance of a more generalized long range plan, such as Horizon 2020.

6^th & Wakarusa Nodal Plan

Approved by the City Commission in 2003, this plan was intended to supplement and update the Northwest Area Plan as well as Horizon 2020.    

West 6^th Street Annexation Service Plan

Approved by the City and County Commissions in 2001, this service plan addresses the various infrastructure, water and wastewater service delivery plans for the 721 acres from 6^th St and Wakarusa to 6^th St. and the SLT that were annexed prior to the W. 6^th Street road construction project.

Capital Improvements Plan

This list of capital improvement projects for the City of Lawrence is approved annually by both the Planning Commission and City Commission and provides the basis for the annual Capital Improvement Budget. 

Other Plans

Clinton Reservoir Area Mini-Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Downtown Plan

Downtown Urban Design Concept Plan

HOP (Hillcrest, Old West, & Pinckney) District Plan

Southern Development Plan

South Lawrence Trafficway Corridor Land Use Plan

Western Development Plan

Lawrence Bicycle Plan

Studies & Surveys

· Pedal Plan

· 6^th Street Corridor Study

· North 2^nd Street Corridor Study

· South Lawrence Trafficway Study

· Downtown Lawrence Architectural Survey

· East Lawrence Architectural Survey

· North Lawrence Architectural Survey

· Old West Lawrence Architectural Survey

· 31^st Street Corridor Study, Iowa to County Rte 1057

Neighborhood Plans

· Burroughs Creek Area Plan (on website)

· Brook Creek – Far East Lawrence Neighborhood Plan

· India Neighborhood Plan

· Old West Lawrence Neighborhood Plan

· Oread Neighborhood Plan

· North Lawrence Neighborhood Plan

· Pinckney Neighborhood Plan

· South Lawrence Land Use Plan

· East Lawrence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan

City of Lawrence Strategic Policies

The City of Lawrence Administrative Policy Manual contains the strategic policies that have been developed to provide guidance and structure for a variety of operational issues that are both internal and external to the organization.  Key policies include the following:

• Development Policy – governs the financial participation of the City with regard to the construction of streets, sidewalks, storm drainage, sanitary sewers, underground wiring, and water improvements.
• Tax Abatement Policy – establishes the official policy and procedures of the City of Lawrence for the granting of property tax exemptions for real and personal property being added to the tax rolls by “Kansas basic industry” in accordance with the provisions of the State of Kansas Constitution and state statutes.
• Financial Policies – administrative policies of the City that guide the development of the budget.

Fixed Assets Policy

Investment Policy

Temporary Notes/Bonds Policy

Investment and Cash Management Policy

Governmental Accounting Policy

Fund Balance Policy

Mid-Year Funding Request Policy

Debt Management and Fiscal Policy

• Miscellaneous Internal Management Policies (examples)

          Family and Medical Leave Policy

          Purchasing Policy

          City Ethics Policy

          Open Public Records Policy