Memorandum
Lawrence/Douglas County
Planning Department
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TO: |
David Corliss, City Manager Craig Weinaug, County Administrator |
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FROM: |
Planning Staff |
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CC: |
Scott McCullough, Planning and Development Services Director Sheila Stogsdill, Assistant Planning Director |
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Date: |
September 18, 2007 |
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RE: |
Revised Southern Development Plan and CPA-2007-03
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Please include the following item on the City Commission regular agenda for consideration at the September 25, 2007 meeting:
Project History.
The original Southern Development Plan was completed and adopted on March 1, 1994 by the City Commission. The plan is currently thirteen years old and considered out of date. At the November 15, 2006 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission directed the Comprehensive Plans Committee (CPC) to revise and update the Southern Development Plan to direct future land use in the area. The CPC worked to update the plan and expanded the planning area beyond the original boundaries. The new planning area is bounded roughly to the north by W. 31st Street and the properties north of W. 31st Street between Ousdahl Road and Louisiana Street; to the west by E. 1150 Road (Kasold Drive) extended; to the south by the north side of the Wakarusa River; and to the east by E. 1500 Road (Haskell Avenue).
A property owner meeting was held on June 7, 2007 to introduce the first draft of the plan to property owners and interested persons in order to request feedback. Comments regarding the draft were collected and then discussed by the CPC. A second draft was completed and incorporates a number of the comments given at the public meeting. The second draft was posted on the Planning Department website in mid July to allow for the public to view the document and the draft is ready for Commission action.
Project Status.
The Planning Commission, at their August 29, 2007 meeting, received the draft of the Revised Southern Development Plan, held a public hearing, and voted 8-1 to recommend approval of the plan with two changes to the text and forwarding it on to the City and County Commissions for approval. The PC recommended additions are as follows:
- Add language referencing T2030 and subsequent transportation plans,
- Change the maps on pages 21 and 22 related to the Snodgrass property from low-density residential to medium-density residential, also making the corresponding change on page 18 in the descriptions.
Staff supports the modification to the future land use map and corresponding land use descriptions to change this specific area from low-density residential to medium-density residential. The PC took into consideration the surrounding land use when considering the request to change the land use recommendation from low-density residential to medium density residential for the property northwest of the intersection of W. 31st and Louisiana Streets.
Staff supports the recommendation to add the reference to T2030 and subsequent transportation plans. This should be accomplished by adding an additional policy in the Recommendations section, under Transportation Network and Corridors. This policy should state the following:
6. Transportation 2030 or subsequent Long-Range Transportation Plans, once adopted, shall supersede any recommendations, actions, or policies referenced in Transportation 2025.
This language has been discussed with the person who made the Planning Commission motion and the person who seconded the motion. Both agree with the language and location.
At the same meeting, the PC also held a public hearing and recommended approval 8-1 on CPA-2007-03 to amend Chapter 14 to add the reference to the Revised Southern Development Plan.
Action Request.
Staff recommends the following actions: