CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Revised SmartCode Draft Available Online
A revised SmartCode draft is available online at www.lawrenceplanning.org. Included with the SmartCode draft is a summary of changes. In addition, drafts of two comprehensive plan amendments related to the SmartCode are also available for review and comment.
Traditional Neighborhood Design Principles
Anticipating the initiation of SmartCode, Planning staff prepared a brief overview of the principles of Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND) as a reminder that the SmartCode is built on these general principles. A presentation was provided to the Planning Commission at their November mid-month meeting to educate the newer members on these concepts as they begin to consider the SmartCode. Many of the pictures in the document are TND examples from the Lawrence or Kansas City area.
Street Division Prepares for Winter Weather Events
On November 6, 2007, the Street Division held their annual snow practice day (see attached photos). Crews reviewed the routes and prepared the equipment. The Street Division has been receiving salt and sand for last few weeks and the two storage sites at 11th and Haskell and Wakarusa are full, supplied with 900 tons of sand/salt mix, 2200 tons of salt and 1100 tons of sand. The Street Division has 42 people that will split into two 21 person, 12 hour shifts to cover weather events. The City has 10 large plow trucks and 8 smaller trucks. Depending on the area and type of event (snow versus ice) we also use 2 tractors and 2 graders. The attached snow removal plan, snow plow routes and salt/sand spreader routes provide more information on the City’s response to winter weather road conditions. These materials are also posted on the City’s website at http://www.lawrencepublicworks.org/annc-snow-plan.shtml.
Burroughs Creek Rail Trail Funding Application Submitted
On October 18, 2007, the City Commission authorized the submittal of a Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program funding application for the Burroughs Creek Rail Trail project. The application was submitted on November 7, 2007 to the Kansas Department of Transportation. The award will be announced sometime in April or May of 2008. The attached cover letter for the application contains a synopsis of the project, and the entire application can be viewed online at http://www.lawrencepublicworks.org/pdf/burroughs_creek_rail_trail_application.pdf.
Staff Researches Options for Preserving Agricultural Lands
At the October Planning Commission meeting a request for discussion of preserving agricultural lands was received. While the topic has had various levels of discussion throughout the years, staff has prepared the attached memo to outline some of the options known to exist throughout the nation related to the topic.
Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority Annual Report Received
Please see the attached 2006 annual report for the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority.