CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	Planning and Development Services		Commission Meeting Date:  May 7, 2019
Staff Contact:	Becky Pepper, Planner ll
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Approve a request to rezone, Z-19-00036, approximately 21.254 acres from OS (Open Space) District to GPI (General Public and Institutional) District, located at 5100 Overland Drive, and adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 9666, if appropriate.  Submitted by Hoefer Wysocki on behalf of the City of Lawrence, property owner of record.
Executive Summary:		An application was submitted by Hoefer Wysocki on behalf of the City of Lawrence, property owners of record, to rezone approximately 21.254 acres located at 5100 Overland Drive from OS (Open Space) District to GPI (General Public and Institutional) District. The purpose of the rezoning request is to accommodate development of the City of Lawrence police facility headquarters. The proposed use, Public Safety, is not a permitted use in the current OS zoning. The purpose of the OS District is to enhance open space and for the development of park areas. The Land Development Code classifies the GPI District as a “Special Purpose Base District”, which is defined as a district established to accommodate a narrow or special set of uses that go beyond conventional residential, commercial, and industrial districts. Government and public institutional uses are examples provided by the Land Development Code for uses that should be included in a special purpose base district. The GPI District is intended to accommodate institutional uses, such as the City of Lawrence police headquarters facility, that occupy a large land area. The district regulations are designed to ensure that the uses developed within the district are compatible with the adjoining land use. The property is located within the boundaries of the West Lawrence Neighborhood Association. Commercial and community uses are located near the intersection of Wakarusa Drive and Overland Drive; however, the properties to the west and southwest of the subject property are most recognizable as residential with multi-dwelling structures. The proposed City of Lawrence police headquarters facility would be located on the fringe, but not within, a residential neighborhood. Associated applications submitted concurrently with this rezoning request include a preliminary plat application (PP-19-00034) to create 2 lots and 2 tracts, as well as a special use permit application (SUP-19-00071). At their March 27, 2019 meeting, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the preliminary plat and to forward the special use permit request to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval. The Planning Commission also considered this rezoning request at their March 27, 2019 meeting and voted unanimously to forward the rezoning request to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Effective Governance/Professional Administration Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods Core Services Economic Growth and Security
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		n/a
Attachments:		Ordinance No. 9666 Planning Commission Staff Report Planning Commission Minutes Page Map

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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