PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT

Regular Agenda – Public Hearing Item

 

PC Staff Report

04/21/08

ITEM NO. 4         A-1 TO RS-40; 140 ACRES; BAUER BROOK ESTATES (SLD)

 

Z-03-08-08: A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 140 acres for Bauer Brook Estates from A-1 (Suburban Home Residential) to RS-40 (Single-Dwelling Residential) for public hearing at future meeting. (Initiated by Planning Commission on 3/24/08)

 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of rezoning approximately 140 acres A-1 (Suburban Home Residential) to RS-40 (Single-Dwelling Residential) District and forwarding it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval based upon the findings of fact outlined in the staff report.

 

Applicant’s Reason for Request:

(Applicant is City of Lawrence)

 

The property has been annexed into the City of Lawrence. The Current A-1 County residential zoning district is no longer applicable.

 

KEY POINTS

·         This is a request to rezone to a City residential zoning district.

·         This request is associated with an annexation of property (Ordinance 8194)

·         No additional development is proposed other than that consistent with the platted lots of the development.

 

GOLDEN FACTORS TO CONSIDER

CHARACTER OF THE AREA

Very low density residential subdivision

CONFORMANCE WITH HORIZON 2020

Prior to annexation property was located in Service Area 2.

 

ASSOCIATED CASES

·         Final Plats of Bauer Brook Estates have previously been approved and recorded

·         A-02-03-08          Bauer Brook Estates properties; located at southeast corner of Folks Road & Peterson Road; approx. 138 acres Ord. 8194 adopted on second reading 2/26/08; published in newspaper 2/29/08

 

OTHER ACTION REQUIRED

·         City Commission approval of the requested rezoning.

·         City Commission adoption of rezoning ordinance.

·         Publication of rezoning ordinance.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT RECEIVED PRIOR TO PRINTING

·         Bob Fry, 1701 E 1100 Road; inquired about purpose of rezoning

·         Carolynn Winters-Hazelton; 4504 Roundabout Circle, concerned about future division of property to further subdivide or additional rezoning for multi-family use.

 

 

 


GENERAL INFORMATION

Current Zoning and Land Use:         

A-1 (Suburban Home Residential) District; existing homes and vacant lots.

 

Surrounding Zoning and Land Use:

 

         

OS (Open Space) District to the north and northeast; undeveloped park property and planned small parking lot with access from Folks Road.

 

R-1 (Single-Family Residential) County District to the east; existing residential homes along Folks Road.

 

RS7 (Single-Family Residential) District and GPI (General Public and Institution) District to the south; existing residential development and Free State High School.

 

RS7 (Single-Family Residential) District and RS10 (Single-Family Residential) District to the west; developing residential homes

 

Summary of Proposal

The City has initiated rezoning following annexation of the subject property. The City of Lawrence is the applicant of this request.

 

1.        CONFORMANCE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

 

Staff Finding – The subject property is proposed to be rezoned to RS40 (Single-Dwelling Residential) District the lowest density residential district available.  The proposed rezoning of the subject property, given its location is consistent with Horizon 2020.  The Future Land Use Map of Horizon 2020 designates the subject as being located in Service Area 2 of the Urban Growth Area and appropriate for low density residential land use. The subject property is further detailed in the Northwest Plan as low density residential land use. The proposed zoning is in conformance with Horizon 2020 and the related area plan known as the Northwest Plan.

 

2.        ZONING AND USE OF NEARBY PROPERTY, INLCUDING OVERLAY ZONING

 

Staff Finding – The subject property is surrounded by a variety of residential and open space zoning and land uses.

 

3.        CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD

 

Staff Finding – The subject property is located along the west side of Folks Road.  The area is characterized as part of a low density residential neighborhood north of Overland Drive.

 

4.        PLANS FOR THE AREA OR NEIGHBORHOOD, AS REFLECTED IN ADOPTED AREA AND/OR SECTOR PLANS INCLUDING THE PROPERTY OR ADJOINING PROPERTY

 

Staff Finding – The subject property is located within the bounds of the area described in the Northwest Plan. The north portion of the area plan is anticipated for “very low density residential land use.” The proposed zoning is consistent with this land use recommendation.

 

5.        SUITABILITY OF SUBJECT PROPERTY FOR THE USES TO WHICH IT HAS BEEN RESTRICTED UNDER THE EXISTING ZONING REGULATIONS

 

Staff Finding – The subject property has been subdivided into large residential lots. Several lots have been developed or are being developed with residential homes. This development activity is consistent with the existing and future development of the lots. The current County zoning is no longer suitable for the property upon annexation.

 

6.        LENGTH OF TIME SUBJECT PROPERTY HAS REMAINED VACANT AS ZONED

 

Staff Finding – The property has been annexed into the City Limits and is partially developed with residential homes on platted lots.

 

7.        EXTENT TO WHICH APPROVING THE REZONING WILL DETRIMENTALLY AFFECT NEARBY PROPERTIES

 

Staff Finding – Approving the rezoning will not detrimentally affect nearby properties because the majority of the surrounding property is also residential in nature. Approval of the request will reflect the existing and future large lot development of the subdivision.

 

8.        THE GAIN, IF ANY, TO THE public health, safety and welfare due to the denial of the application, as compared to the hardship imposed upon the landowner, if any, as a result of denial of the application

 

Evaluation of this criterion includes weighing the benefits to the public versus the benefit of the owners of the subject property. Benefits are measured based on anticipated impacts of the rezoning request on the public health, safety, and welfare.

 

Staff Finding – Approval of the request will result in a compatible residential zoning designation for the large lot low density residential development that is reflective of the subdivision design.

 

Approval of the request would allow for further divisions of property up to a minimum of 40,000 SF lot size. No such plans are proposed at this time. The RS40 district represents the very lowest residential density within the RS districts.

 

9.        Professional staff recommendation

 

Staff Finding - Staff recommends approval of rezoning and forwarding it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval based upon the findings of fact outlined above.