Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services

TO:	Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
FROM:	Sheila M. Stogsdill, Planning Administrator
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Casey Toomay, Scott McCullough
DATE:	June 24, 2016
RE:	Text Amendment to Development Code regarding Public Notice Procedures

Background

At the June 14, 2016 meeting, the City Commission discussed the notice procedures as they related to the submitted site plan for neighborhood commercial development at the southeast corner of W 24^th Terrace and Inverness Drive.  Site plan submittals are typically reviewed administratively and include a requirement for mailed notice to property owners within 200 feet of the proposed project.  Because this proposed development was part of the Inverness Park District Plan, courtesy mailed notice was provided to property owners within 1,000 feet of the site.

The Commission suggested that impacts resulting from proposed development may often reach beyond the typical 200 foot radius.  The discussion indicated a desire to consider implementing a larger notice area on all development projects, but the commission did not specifically initiate a text amendment to the Land Development Code.

Planning Staff recently identified several conflicts and/or errors in Articles 3 and 13 of the Land Development Code related to notice provisions.  At their April 25, 2016 meeting, the Planning Commission initiated a text amendment to Chapter 20 of the City Code to refine the language and clarify the correct public notice procedures.  The proposed amendment will be considered at a future Planning Commission meeting and their recommendation forwarded to the governing body for final action.

Staff Recommendation

Staff suggests that the City Commission formally initiate an amendment to consider increasing the required mailed notice provisions and direct staff to evaluate the impacts of such change.  This amendment could be included in the recently initiated modifications to Chapter 20.

Action

Initiate a text amendment to Chapter 20 of the City Code to review the required notice area for proposed development projects and, if appropriate, draft amendments to the code for future consideration.