PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Regular Agenda – Public Hearing Item
PC Staff Report
11/28/07
ITEM NO. 11: CPA-2007-4 (MJL)
This comprehensive plan amendment (CPA) to Horizon 2020, Chapter 14, Specific Plans, to add the reference to the Southeast Area Plan was initiated by the City Commission on June 12, 2007. This CPA will add the title of the plan, a description of the approximate planning area boundaries, approval dates, and the future review date.
STAFF REVIEW
Included as part of this staff report, is the proposed amendment to Chapter 14, Specific Plans. This amendment is intended to add the reference to the Southeast Area Plan to the list of specific plans. Staff reviewed this amendment based upon the comprehensive plan amendment review criteria listed below which are identified in Chapter 13, Implementation, of Horizon 2020.
A. Does the proposed amendment result from changed circumstances or unforeseen conditions not understood or addressed at the time the Plan was adopted?
The proposed amendment is a result of changing circumstances that have occurred since the comprehensive plan was first written. At the time Horizon 2020 was written, there was no Chapter 14, Specific Plans, or place where approved ancillary land use plans are referenced. This is the incorporation of a new plan and it provides further clarity regarding the future land use designations and policies in the specific planning area. The specific plans are recommended to be adopted as a part of the comprehensive plan and staff has suggested doing this by referencing the plan in Chapter 14, Specific Plans. The plan is listed with a description of the approximate planning area boundaries, approval dates, and the future review date.
B. Does the proposed amendment advance a clear public purpose and is it consistent with the long-range goals and policies of the plan?
The proposed amendment is an advancement of a clear public purpose and is consistent with the long-range planning goals and policies of the community. The proposed amendment helps further the goals and policies by further guiding development in the planning area while staying consistent with the overall intent of Horizon 2020 and the goals and policies relating to residential land use, commercial land use, transportation, economic development, parks and recreation, and the various other components of the comprehensive plan. The amendment helps to provide a framework for future development in the southeast area and is more specific regarding policies for the planning area.
C. Is the proposed amendment a result of a clear change in public policy?
As the City of Lawrence continues to grow and expand, there is a need to clearly plan potential areas of growth. The planning process needs to occur before growth can take place and clear guidance needs to be incorporated into the comprehensive plan which supports the community’s goals. Chapter 14, Specific Plans, was a clear change to the comprehensive plan and to keep it up to date, the newly adopted land use plans need to be referenced to establish clear direction for the planning areas.
PROFESSIONAL STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Insert Southeast Area Plan (Horizon 2020 Page 14-2)
Specific Plans
Location: The intersection of 6th Street (US Highway 40) and the SLT (South Lawrence Trafficway)
Adoption Date: November 11, 2003 by Lawrence City Commission
Review Date: 2009
Location: The intersection of 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive
Adoption Date: December 2, 2003 by Lawrence City Commission
Review Date: 2009
Location: Bordered by W. 5th St. on the north, California St. on the west, W. 7th St. on the south and Alabama St. on the east.
Adoption Date: May 10, 2005 by Lawrence City Commission
Review Date: 2010
Location: Area around the former BNSF railroad corridor between E. 9th St. and E 31st St.
Adoption Date: February 14, 2006 by Lawrence City Commission
Review Date: 2011
· East Lawrence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan
Location: Bordered by the Kansas River on the North; Rhode Island Street from the Kansas River to E. 9th Street, New Hampshire Street from E. 9th Street to approximately E. 11th Street, Massachusetts Street from approximately E. 11th Street to E. 15th Street on the west; E. 15th Street on the south; BNSF railroad on the east.
Adoption Date: November 21, 2000 by Lawrence City Commission
Review Date: 2010
· Revised Southern Development Plan
Location: Bounded roughly to the north by W. 31st Street and the properties nor of W. 31st Street between Ousdahl Road and Louisiana Street; to the west by E. 1150 Road extended (Kasold Drive); to the south by the north side of the Wakarusa River; and to the east by E. 1500 Road (Haskell Avenue).
Adoption Date: September , 2007 by Lawrence City Commission
September , 2007 by Douglas County Board of Commissioners
Review Date: 2017
· Southeast Area Plan
Location: Bounded roughly to the north by E. 23rd Street/K-10 Highway; to the west by O’Connell Road; to the south by the northern boundary of the FEMA designated floodplain for the Wakarusa River; and to the east by E. 1750 Road (Noria Road).
Adoption Date: December , 2007 by Lawrence City Commission
January , 2008 by Douglas County Board of Commissioners
Review Date: 2018