Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, Cynthia Boecker, Diane Stoddard

FROM:

Planning Staff, Paul Patterson

CC:

Sheila Stogsdill, Scott McCullough, John Miller, Crystal Miles, Mark Hecker, Ernie Shaw, Matt Bond.

Date:

February 13, 2008

RE:

February 19, 2008 Agenda Item

University Park Preliminary Development Plan, request from applicant for direction from City Commission.

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission regular agenda for consideration at the February 19, 2008 meeting:

University Park - Request from Applicant

 

The applicant, Allen Belot, has submitted a Preliminary Development Plan and Rezoning request for University Park to Planning. University Park would be an infill project of approximately 9.9 acres located on the west side of the 1300 Block of Iowa Street. The project proposes 42 single-family houses.

 

The proposed University Pak project is being reviewed by staff and revisions to the plan based on the Development Code are expected prior to the project proceeding to the Planning Commission. There are several issues associated with the application involving street connectivity, access to Iowa Street, protecting sensitive lands, buffering from adjacent properties and other more minor issues. The Preliminary Development Plan and Rezoning request will first go to the Planning Commission for their recommendation, then to the City Commission for consideration and final action.

 

OPEN SPACE

 

As part of that review, the applicant is working with staff to discuss the possibility of designing the stormwater detention basin into more of an amenity for the residents and neighborhood and the potential dedication of required open space to the City to expand the adjacent undeveloped City Park (Quarry Park).

 

SENSITIVE LANDS

 

Due to the presence of mature stands of trees, approximately 60-70% of the property is considered to be sensitive lands. The project is required to proceed per Section 20-1101(d) under either a Planned Development or Cluster Housing. A Cluster Housing project is limited to a maximum of 35 Dwelling Units per Section 20-702(c).

 

For a Planned Development, 20% of the property is required to be common open space with half of this (10% of the property) to be suitable for recreational open space (Section 20-701(k)).

 

Per Section 20-701(l)(5) mature stands of trees or individually significant mature trees, vegetative cover, watercourses and other natural site features shall be preserved to the greatest extent possible. At a minimum the standards of Article 10 (Landscaping and Screening) apply.

 

The applicant is requesting the City Commission to provide direction on the following issues:

  1. Acceptance of dedication of a Planned Development’s common open space to be incorporated into an existing City Park.
  2. Use of public park land to apply toward the required open space for a Planned Development.
  3. Use of sensitive lands within a Planned Development.

 

Action Request.  Consideration of applicant’s request on sensitive lands/dedication and use of common open space for additional city park.

 

Attachments:  Request Letter from University Park Applicant

                   Submitted University Park Plan