PC Minutes 3/24/08  DRAFT

ITEM NO. 6A      RS7 TO GPI; 9.03 ACRES; 2145 & 2201 LOUISIANA (MKM)

 

Z-01-03-08: A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 9.03 acres, from RS-7 (Single-Dwelling Residential) to GPI (General Public and Institutional). The property is located at 2145 & 2201 Louisiana. Submitted by Landplan Engineering PA, for Lawrence Public Schools USD 497, property owner of record. 

 

ITEM NO. 6B      RS7 TO GPI; 4.09 ACRES; 1430 HASKELL AVE (MKM)

 

Z-01-04-08: A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 4.09 acres, from RS-7 (Single-Dwelling Residential) to GPI (General Public and Institutional). The property is located at 1430 Haskell Ave. Submitted by Landplan Engineering PA, for Lawrence Public Schools USD 497, property owner of record.  

 

STAFF PRESENTATION

Ms. Mary Miller presented items 6A & 6B together.

 

Commissioner Harris asked if staff recommended approval rather than deferral.

 

Ms. Miller said yes, all the school properties are zoned GPI but that staff does not have an objection to deferring it.

 

Commissioner Eichhorn asked if the Text Amendment would take care of all the school districts at once.

 

Ms. Miller said that was correct.

 

Commissioner Jennings inquired why the zonings were not included initially.

 

Ms. Miller said they might have been overlooked since the schools were not being used at the time.

 

APPLICANT PRESENTATION

Mr. Tom Bracciano, Division Coordinator for USD 497, discovered the land was zoned residential when a neighbor brought it to their attention. He said they would like to have all the school district property zoned GPI. He also said that money could not be made off of the property so it would not be commercial. He said they have no purpose in using the property in any other capacity than educational purposes.

 

Commissioner Harris inquired how much time it would take for a Text Amendment for GPI district.

 

Ms. Miller said that a Text Amendment could come back to them for the May Planning Commission.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

Ms. Karen Shore, Cornerstone Baptist Church, purchased the neighboring land from the school district and was concerned about the property that they had bought being used as parking for school recreational purposes.

 

Commissioner Eichhorn stated that the school district could not use the church property without permission.

 

Ms. Marsha Hopkins was concerned about the property being used for other purposes.

 

Commissioner Eichhorn stated that the current RS7 zoning would allow for residential development.

 

Mr. Michael Almon, Brook Creek Neighborhood Assoc, had no problem with the school district using their property. He gave the history of the property. He said that at one point it was talked about making that property as a distribution center and have trucks coming and going. He stated that the school district can sell the property. He asked that the item be deferred. He said that that block had been zoned multi family residential and had been rezoned to RS7. He did not that land to become multi-family homes. He also stated that he was not opposed to mobile classrooms, but was opposed to mobile houses.

 

Commissioner Eichhorn stated that the Planning Commission did not want any of those uses in the GPI district either.

 

ACTION TAKEN ON ITEM 6A

Motioned by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Blaser, to approve the rezoning request [Z-01-03-08] for approximately 9.03 acres from RS7 (Single-dwelling Residential) District to GPI (General Public and Institutional Use) 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 Harris said she would be voting in favor but understood the concerns of the Brook Creek Neighborhood.

 

Unanimously approved 7-0 approved.

 

ACTION TAKEN ON ITEM 6B

Motioned by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Blaser, to approve the rezoning request [Z-01-04-08] for approximately 4.09 acres from RS7 (Single-dwelling Residential) District to GPI (General Public and Institutional Use) 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.

 

Unanimously approved 7-0 approved.