PC Minutes 1/28/08 DRAFT

ITEM NO. 2: RM24 TO RSO; 4.41 ACRES; SOUTH HALF OF 1803 W 6TH ST & 1710 W 7TH ST (MJL)

Z-10-69-05: A request to rezone two tracts of land totaling approximately 4.41 acres from RM24 (Multi-Dwelling Residential) to RSO (Single-Dwelling Residential-Office) [Note: the request originally rezoned the tracts from RM-2 (Multiple-Family Residential) District to RO-1B (Residence-Office) District]. The property is generally described as being located north of W. 7th Street, west of Wisconsin Street (south half of 1803 W. 6th St., and 1710 W. 7th St.). Initiated by the City Commission on 10/25/05, based on recommendations in the HOP District Plan. (PC recommended approved 10-0 on 12/14/05; City Commission referred the item back to the Planning Commission 12/4/07)

STAFF PRESENTATION

Ms. Leininger presented the item. She stated the reason for the request was to follow the recommendations of the HOP District Plan to zone property to the current use based on the neighborhood association task force study and recommendations.

Commissioner Moore asked if the existing use in the club would be a legal use in the RSO district.

Ms. Leininger said that in the use in the RSO district it would require a Special Use Permit but since they are existing they would be grandfathered. If they were to make significant changes they would be required to get a Special Use Permit.

Commissioner Moore asked if it was correct that at this point they would not need to do an SUP.

Ms. Leininger said that was correct.

PUBLIC HEARING

Emily Hill, Vice President of Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Association, worked with Planning for 4 years to develop and implement the plan. The same rezoning was unanimously approved by Planning Commission previously. She stated that approving this proposal would reaffirm a decision that Planning Commission already made. She said the primary goal was to create a plan that would insure positive development in this area of Lawrence because it is a gateway into downtown. She said that their primary efforts were to review and update the zoning. She said that most of the area was zoned in the mid 1960’s when 7^th Street was a highway. She felt that these types of high use zonings were not appropriate for the area now. Ms. Hill said that the zoning change was more critical now that the new zoning code from 2006 allows more units per acre. These 2 lots will have the biggest impact in the area because they are big lots. The intent in updating the zoning was to have the support of the neighborhood. She felt that the RSO zoning was something of a replacement for reduction in density.

Sean Williams, gave the history of the area. He stated that the transportation changed over the years but the zoning was never changed to reflect the current lower density uses. He said that 7^th Street was a residential area, not commercial.

ACTION TAKEN

Motioned by Commissioner Harris, seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the rezoning of approximately 4.41 acres from the RM24 District to the RSO District and forwarding it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval based on the findings of fact found in the body of the staff report.

Commissioner Finkeldei disclosed he had ex parte conversation with Emily Hill about the background on the project.

Unanimously approved 8-0.