City of Lawrence
Douglas County
Planning & Development Services
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager
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FROM: |
Planning Staff
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CC: |
Scott McCullough, Director of Planning and Development Services
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Date: |
For August 2, 2011 City Commission Meeting
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RE: |
Northeast Sector Plan
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The Northeast Sector Plan is a long-range development plan for the Grant Township area north of North Lawrence and the Kansas River to the Douglas County line. If adopted, the plan will act as the official land use policy guide for Lawrence and Douglas County. In short, the County Commission has returned the plan to the Planning Commission to discuss specific concerns/questions. To ensure an efficient process, the plan is being submitted to the City Commission for review and comment prior to being resubmitted to the Planning Commission in case there are City Commission comments in addition to those of the County Commission.
Timeline
Three public meetings were held to gather input on the plan in the fall and winter of 2009. The first draft of the plan was released on March 12, 2010. The first draft was presented in a public meeting on April 7, 2010. The second draft of the plan was released on May 5, 2010.
The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission reviewed the 2nd draft at their mid-month meeting on May 12, 2010. The second draft was also presented to the Planning Commission for review and comment during their regular meeting on May 24, 2010. Staff produced a third draft based on Planning Commission comments and direction.
The Planning Commission considered the third draft of the plan at public meetings held on July 12, 2011 and September 20, 2011 when, by a vote of 5-4, they adopted the 3rd draft of the Northeast Sector Plan with changes to the future land use plan.
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners considered the Planning Commission approved Northeast Sector Plan and took public comments at their meetings on May 11, 2011 and June 1, 2011. The Commission, by a vote of 2-1, voted to return the Northeast Sector Plan to the Planning Commission for further consideration. Subsequently, on July 6, 2011, the County Commission adopted, by a 2-1 vote, Resolution 11-21 which provides direction for the Planning Commission to consider as they reconsider the Northeast Sector Plan.
The plan and the County’s resolution are being provided to the City Commission in order to determine if additional direction should be given to the Planning Commission. If additional comments are made, all comments will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for additional processing of this sector plan.
Action Requested
Review the Northeast Sector Plan and receive public comment. Consider the direction provided by the County Commission to the Planning Commission and provide additional direction if deemed appropriate.