Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

TO:	Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
CC:	Scott McCullough, Director of Planning and Development Services Amy Miller, Assistant Planning Director
FROM:	Sandy Day, Planner
DATE:	July 19, 2016
RE:	24 month extension request for Final Development Plan for the Miracon Plaza Planned Commercial Development—Phase 1, located at NE corner of Clinton Parkway and Wakarusa Drive.

Background

The Final Development Plan for Phase 1 of the Miracon Planned Commercial Development proposes the construction of a two-story retail/office/bank building containing approximately 8,000 sq ft and associated site improvements. This Final Development Plan represents the first phase of a multi-lot commercial development originally approved in 2006. The Final Development Plan was originally approved in February 2007 (FDP-01-02-07). Multiple extensions have been requested since the original approval. Staff assigned a project file number in 2014 so that it was entered into the City’s Innoprise System for the convenience of tracking.  A copy of the approved plan is attached.  The following table outlines the approval dates of the Final Development Plan, subsequent extension requests, and the current request.

Request	Decision Making Body	Approval Date and Time Frame
Preliminary Development Plan [PDP-01-03-06]	City Commission	August 15, 2006 24 months to submit a Final Development Plan for all or part of the PCD
Final Development Plan [FDP-01-02-07]	Planning Commission	February 26, 2007 18 months to August 26, 2008
2008 Extension Request	Planning Commission	August 25, 2008 24 months to August 26, 2010
2010 Extension Request	City Commission	September 7, 2010 24 months to August 26, 2012
2012 Extension Request	City commission	August 26, 2012 24 months to August 26, 2014
2014 Extension Request [FDP-14-00397]	City Commission	September 9, 2014 24 months to August 26, 2016
2016 Extension Request [FDP-14-00397]	City Commission	August 2, 2016 24 months to August 26, 2018

The City Commission amended the Land Development Code to standardize approval timeframes and extension processes for development issues. All extensions for site plans and development plans are considered by the City Commission and a 24 month extension time period is permitted for good cause. [Section 20-1304 (e)(vii)].

Since the previous approval no changes to the Development Code have been made that impact this proposed development. Building construction will be subject to the current applicable building construction design standards and codes.

The applicant’s representative submitted the attached letter stating the benefit of having an approved project in negotiating with prospective buyers and tenants. The extension request was received in a timely manner and notice letters have been sent to property owners within 200 feet as required by the Development Code.

This request is similar to several others the Commission has considered in the past few years as development projects have slowed due to the current economic conditions.

Action

Approval of a 24 month extension for FDP-01-02-07/FDP-14-00397; Final Development Plan for Miracon Plaza – Phase 1, effective until August 2, 2018. If a building permit is not issued, or another extension granted, by this date the FDP would be void and a new plan would need to be submitted in accordance with the Land Development Code.