PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT

Regular Agenda – Public Hearing Item

 

 

PC Staff Report

11/28/07

 

ITEM NO. 14:     CPA-2007-5 (DDW)

 

CPA-2007-5:  Amend Horizon 2020, Chapter 14 Specific Plans, to add a reference to the Farmland Industries Redevelopment Plan.

 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  Staff recommends approval of this comprehensive plan amendment to Horizon 2020 by amending Chapter 14 - Specific Plans to add a reference to the Farmland Industries Redevelopment Plan for the City of Lawrence and unincorporated Douglas County and recommends forwarding this comprehensive plan amendment to the Lawrence City Commission and the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation for approval.

 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  If appropriate, approve and sign Planning Commission Resolution 2007-03.

 

SUMMARY

 

This comprehensive plan amendment (CPA) to Horizon 2020, Chapter 14, Specific Plans, to add the reference to the Farmland Industries Redevelopment Plan was initiated by the Planning Commission at the September 24, 2007 meeting.  Initiating the CPA before the plan is adopted is part of a new process to try to move items through the planning process more efficiently.  This allows the plan and the CPA to travel together through the process.  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 Farmland Industries Redevelopment 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.

 

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW

 

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 the changing circumstances that have occurred since the comprehensive plan was first written.  When Horizon 2020 was adopted, Farmland Industries was an operating industrial employer in Douglas County.  Due to a bankruptcy filing, the future designation of the property needs to be addressed in this plan.  At the time Horizon 2020 was written, there was no Chapter 14, Specific Plans, or anywhere that approved ancillary land use plans were referenced.  This is a new plan and provides more clarity regarding the recommended future land use designations and policies in the plan, the specific plans are recommended to be adopted as a part of the comprehensive plan.  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 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 and unincorporated Douglas County continue to grow and expand, there is a need to clearly plan potential areas of growth and redevelopment to support employment uses.  The planning process needs to occur before growth and redevelopment 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

 

Staff recommends approval of this comprehensive plan amendment to Horizon 2020, Chapter 14, Specific Plans, and recommends forwarding this comprehensive plan amendment to the Lawrence City Commission and the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation for approval.

 

Insert Farmland Industries Redevelopment Plan (Horizon 2020 Page 14-2)

 

Specific Plans

 

  • 6th and SLT Nodal Plan

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

 

  • 6th and Wakarusa Area Plan

Location: The intersection of 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive

Adoption Date: December 2, 2003 by Lawrence City Commission

Review Date: 2009

 

  • HOP District Plan

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

 

  • Burroughs Creek Corridor Plan

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

 

  • Farmland Industries Redevelopment Plan

Location: The former Farmland Industries property is located east of Lawrence along K-10 Highway and just west of the East Hills Business Park.  It is approximately one half mile south of the Kansas River. 

Adoption Date: December XX, 2007 by Lawrence City Commission

                              December XX, 2007 by the Douglas County Board of   Commissioners

Review Date: 2013