PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT

NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEM

PC Staff Report

05/25/2011

ITEM NO 11: PP-3-2-11: Consider a Preliminary Plat for Kappa Delta Addition, approximately 1.7 acres, located at 1602 High Drive. Submitted by Bartlett & West Engineers for Kappa Delta Sorority, property owner of record.

 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: 

Staff recommends approval of the Preliminary Plat of the Kappa Delta Addition and forwarding it to the City Commission for consideration of dedication of easements and rights-of-way.

 

Attachments:

·            Plat drawing

·            Map of Western Hills Rock Garden

     

Applicant’s Reason for Request:          Preparation for future site improvements

 

KEY POINTS

·         Property is developed with building and parking lot.

·         Property is nearly surrounded on all sides by public right-of-way.

 

SUBDIVISION CITATIONS TO CONSIDER

·         This application is being reviewed under the Subdivision Regulations for Lawrence and Unincorporated Douglas County, effective Jan 1, 2007.

·         Section 20-813 states that building permits will not be issued for unplatted property.

 

ASSOCIATED CASES/OTHER ACTION REQUIRED

·         City Commission acceptance of easements and rights-of-way as shown on the preliminary plat.

·         Submission and approval of a final plat for administrative approval and recordation at the Douglas County Register of Deeds.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT RECEIVED PRIOR TO PRINTING

·         Phone call from neighborhood resident regarding future development of property where “Rock Garden” is located per deed restriction.

 

Site Summary

Gross Area:

Number of Lots:

1.70 acres (74,072 SF)

1

Right-of-way:

.11 acres (4,791.6 SF)

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Current Zoning and Land Use:

RMG (Multi-Dwelling Greek Housing) District; existing building and parking lot.

 

Surrounding Zoning and Land Use:

RMG (Multi-Dwelling Greek Housing) District to the north and west. Existing Greek housing.

RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential) District to the south and east. Existing single family homes. 

 

STAFF REVIEW

Zoning and Land Use

This property is zoned for multi-dwelling Greek housing. No changes in use are proposed by this subdivision consideration. Article 6 of the Development Code provides the Density and Dimensional Standards applicable to lots platted in this district. The property includes irregular lot lines and therefore requires that a building envelope (building setback) be established for the lot.

 

Streets and Access

The plat includes the dedication of additional right-of-way along High Drive. The additional dedication will increase the street right-of-way width to 50 feet consistent with the limited local street design standard set out in section 20-810 (d)(4) of the Subdivision Regulations.

 

Access to this property is provided via a main parking lot access on the north side of the property. A second access is provided on the east side of the property to Emery Road. No changes to access are proposed to be modified with this preliminary plat.

 

Utilities and Infrastructure 

This property is currently served with public and private utilities and infrastructure. No changes in the services are proposed or required with this request.

 

Easements and Rights-of-way

The plat includes a proposed variable-width, utility easement along the southern portion of the lot to cover existing utilities in this area.

 

Conformance

The proposed plat conforms to the minimum design standards of the Subdivision Regulations. The proposed lot exceeds the minimum area requirements for the RMG zoning district.

 

Conclusion

Representatives of the West Hills Neighborhood Association provided staff with a copy of the deed restriction granting land, known as the Rock Garden, from the Neighborhood to the previous property owner. An exhibit of the area is attached to this report. This document does not impact the Planning Commission’s actions on the proposed preliminary plat. Enforcement of any deed restrictions is between private property owners. There is no current development application for this property.

 

This preliminary plat provided the minimum required information for subdivision. There are no conditions associated with this proposed preliminary plat.