Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Planning & Development Services
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TO: |
Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
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FROM: |
Scott McCullough, Director
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Date: |
November 29, 2016
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RE: |
Monthly PDS Project Report
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The following provides an update on several city of Lawrence projects in process in the Planning and Development Services Department.
Comprehensive Plan Update - On August 31, 2015 the Horizon 2020 Steering Committee approved the Issue Action Report which contains the Steering Committee’s findings regarding how to best strengthen the existing plan and ensure that the document reflects the community’s vision, while also setting a foundation for creating the inclusive and sustainable community we want Lawrence and Douglas County to be in the future. The Issue Action Report presents 19 major issues to address, based on community input and identified needs, and it outlines action steps to help address and resolve these issues.
The Issue Action Report was presented to the Planning Commission on September 21, 2015 and was unanimously approved. It was presented to the City Commission at their November 10, 2015 meeting and to the County Commission at their November 11, 2015 meeting and was unanimously approved by both governing bodies. Work on the plan itself is underway and a release of the draft plan is planned to be submitted to the Steering Committee in late winter/early spring. Information on this effort can be found at http://lawrenceks.org/pds/horizon-2020-update-process. Jeff Crick is the Staff contact.
Airbnb – At their September 20, 2016 meeting, the Commission directed the City Manager to review whether a regulatory framework is needed to address the Airbnb industry in Lawrence (such rentals are currently not permitted in RS districts and the city receives no guest tax for their use). A review of land use, taxes, and other aspects related to this industry is underway and will be presented to the City Commission upon completion.
East Lawrence Neighborhood Rezoning – On August 18, 2015, after considering a Staff memo on the topic, the City Commission directed Staff to further research land use in the area north of 9th Street in the East Lawrence Neighborhood and present the Commission with a follow up memo outlining appropriate zoning district(s) and a timeline of the rezoning process in order to consider rezoning much of the area from RM24 to an RS district. Research and zoning option development is underway on this initiative. Staff met with the neighborhood on March 28, 2016 to review the data in advance of the City Commission reviewing rezoning options for the area. The City Commission reviewed options at their May 24, 2016 meeting and deferred the item so that Staff can revise the boundaries to include rezoning all properties north of 9th Street to their current use. The item will be resubmitted to the City Commission for initiation at their December 6, 2016 meeting. Becky Pepper is the Staff contact.
North Lawrence RS5 Zoning Discussion – On August 18, 2015 and April 19, 2016 the City Commission considered Staff memos addressing a request from the North Lawrence Improvement Association to review RS5 zoning in North Lawrence. At their April 16, 2016 meeting, the Commission initiated an amendment to the code to require that storm water plans be submitted in conjunction with development projects for RS5 zoned properties in North Lawrence in the areas protected by the levee. The code was revised on July 19, 2016 to require a storm water plan for any residential construction project on RS5 and RS3 zoned lots that are protected by the levee. The Commission also directed Staff to continue to study density and dimensional standards citywide for RS5 and RS3 zoned properties and provide a report to the City Commission at a future meeting. The analysis of RS5 zoning density and dimensional standards are underway and will be presented to the Commission upon completion of the study. David Guntert is the Staff contact.
Parking Regulations Text Amendment – Staff has been working with the Planning Commission for some time now on revising Article 9 of the Land Development Code related to parking standards. These revisions will address how parking is calculated, the design and location of parking, and standards related to the parking and storing of RVs, boats and trailers. The Planning Commission received an update on the progress of this item at their November 16, 2015 meeting and discussed alley parking for duplexes at their January mid-month meeting and May 23rd regular meeting. This item will submitted for a final recommendation from the Planning Commission upon completion of the final draft of the code revisions. Sheila Stogsdill is the Staff contact.
Oread Design Guidelines – The Oread Design Guidelines were recommended as one of the initiatives of the Oread Neighborhood Plan, which was adopted in 2010. Planning staff conducted a public meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Lawrence Public Library Auditorium.
The Lawrence – Douglas Co. Planning Commission and the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission had two joint meetings to discuss the Guidelines on Thursday, February 18, 2016 and Monday, March 21, 2016. Both commissions recommended approval of the guidelines and associated rezoning requests to implement them.
After the official hearing of March 21, 2016, Staff discovered that the rezoning effort was not properly noticed and a rehearing must be completed before the PC and HRC. New hearings for the HRC’s and PC’s June and July mtgs have been completed. The item was presented to the City Commission at their October 11th work session and was approved on first reading of the adopting ordinances at the Commission’s November 15, 2016 meeting. The second reading of the adopting ordinances is scheduled for the Commission’s December 6, 2016 consideration. Jeff Crick and Lynne Zollner are the Staff contacts.
Sign Code Amendments – On July 7, 2015 the City Commission, after receiving a Staff memo on the topic, initiated certain amendments to the sign code to address several issues to aid businesses in the use of signs. Staff is proceeding with revisions to the sign code. Kurt Schroeder is the Staff contact.
City Parking Study – On November 15, 2016, the City Commission authorized staff to negotiate a service agreement with Desman Design Management (Desman) for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive study of the parking system serving Downtown, East Lawrence Neighborhood, and neighborhoods surrounding the University of Kansas. The service agreement with Desman has been finalized and will soon be executed. The first step is for the consultants to meet with the staff team work through a number of logistical issues, including scheduling meetings with stakeholder groups. Within the next couple of weeks, City staff will directly contact neighborhood association leaders located within the study focus area in order to schedule a meeting with the consultant team to gain their input on residential parking issues.
Community Development Initiatives
The Community Development Division has submitted the 2016 Action Plan to HUD for the grant year beginning August 1, 2016. The City of Lawrence continues to utilize the “Step Up to Better Housing” strategy as the basis for funding decisions made by the Community Development Advisory Committee. Funding in the 2016 grant year will once again focus on five key areas: Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Permanent/Supportive Housing, Revitalized Neighborhoods and Community Facilities.
Community Development Staff continues to support the staffing efforts of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Information and agendas can be found at http://lawrenceks.org/boards/affordable-housing/.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Studies
Transit Comprehensive Operations Analysis
The project consultant was in Lawrence during the week of October 24 to conduct public meetings regarding two transit route scenarios. A survey about the transit route scenarios was online until November 27. The consultant is reviewing the route feedback and will provide their draft recommendations to the study team for review. The study will identify strengths and weaknesses of the existing system and recommend service improvements to improve productivity and serve new and existing riders better. The final report is expected by December 31st.
Bike Share Feasibility Study
The study team met with KU stakeholders in October as the study continues to explore the feasibility of bike share in Lawrence. The community wide survey showed that 52% of respondents (out of 507) would be interested in using a bike share system in Lawrence. The KU student survey shows that 81% of respondents (out of 693) would be interested in a bike share system. These results paired with the analytical review of the existing conditions in Lawrence indicate that a bike share system would be feasible. The study team is reviewing the draft implementation scenarios provided by the consultants. The study will be completed by December 31st.
Regional Pedestrian Plan
The MPO completed the Regional Pedestrian Plan and the plan was accepted by the MPO and Lawrence City Commission in November. The plan went through a public participation process that included surveys, mobile meetings, and website feedback. The plan envisions a region that encourages people of all ages and abilities to walk for enjoyment, exercise, and daily transportation by providing a safe, convenient, and attractive pedestrian environment. This Plan considers the many benefits of walking and identifies a diverse set of approaches encouraging more pedestrian activity. This Plan presents a toolbox of policy, program, and infrastructure ideas that cities in Douglas County can implement to improve the pedestrian environment. The final plan can be viewed online at: http://lawrenceks.org/mpo/PedPlan
Transportation 2040
The MPO is kicking off the Metropolitan Transportation Plan update in December with the Transportation 2040 Steering Committee. The team will help guide staff on updating the long range transportation plan to meet federal requirements. The plan update process will include opportunities for public engagement through open house and surveys in 2017. An updated plan is expected to be approved by March 2018. The existing plan, Transportation 2040 can be viewed online at: http://lawrenceks.org/mpo/t2040
Jessica Mortinger is the Staff contact.