MASTER PLAN OVERVIEW

West of K-10 Plan

Origin of Plan

The purpose of the plan is to prepare for development and act as the City’s official land use guide for growth in the area west of K-10 Highway and south of US 40 (6^th Street). Portions of the planning area are located east of K-10 and north of US 40. This plan supersedes the West 6^th Street and K-10 Nodal Plan, which was the previous plan for the intersection of K-10 and US 40 Highways.

A draft was produced based on Planning Commission direction and ultimately approved by the Planning Commission and City Commission. The Board of County Commissioners directed staff to make changes to this draft. The final draft was approved by the Planning Commission on 3/25/2009, The Board of County Commissioners on 5/6/2009 and the City Commission on 6/6/2009.

A 2 square mile portion of the planning area west of K-10 Highway was master planned by PlaceMakers in 2007 for a traditionally designed neighborhood (TND) to be developed with the Lawrence SmartCode. All property owners in the identified TND planning area were invited to meetings in order to gain input on future development. Property owners within the planning area may develop properties in accordance with the Lawrence SmartCode or the Land Development Code. The West of K-10 Plan addresses both options and how to ensure compatibility between TND and conventional, low-density residential neighborhoods.

The West of K-10 Plan is an identified land use plan within Horizon 2020. The comprehensive plan was amended in 2009 to include the West of K-10 Plan.

Expected outcomes from the plan

The West of K-10 Plan works alongside other approved plans to provide development guidelines and policies. Those plans include: City of Lawrence, Kansas Wastewater Master Plan, City of Lawrence, Kansas Water Master Plan, Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Plan and the Long Range Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

The plan outlines existing conditions related to land use, zoning patterns, infrastructure, environmental conditions and public services/facilities for the area. The majority of the planning area is currently undeveloped and zoned Douglas County A (Agriculture) District. Specific goals, guiding principles, and recommendations for TND and Conventional development are included as well as a future land use plan map.

Public utility infrastructure within the planning area is limited. The plan details specific roads & thoroughfares, water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer improvements that shall be in place prior to urbanization of the area. The plan notes the importance of co-located facilities and lists existing examples. This may include parks & open space, educational, civic, and fire & medical facilities. The plan emphasizes creating appropriate pedestrian or vehicular access points to natural resource areas like Clinton Lake. Natural resources within and adjacent to the subject planning area shall be protected for their views, environmental significance, open space, and role within stormwater management systems.

Horizon 2020 notes 2019 as the plan’s review date.

Funding

Not applicable.

Status Update

The plan listed an extension of Bob Billings Parkway to K-10 and the addition of a grade separated interchange shall be in place prior to urban development west of K-10. This improvement was constructed in 2015.

The plan calls for the creation and adoption of a stream buffer/setback ordinance. Planning and MSO staff are, at the time of writing, drafting a stream buffer ordinance.

Future

There are no future modifications or current changes to the plan at this time. It remains an amendment to Horizon 2020 and, at this time, is included within Plan 2040.

Urban growth within this planning area, either TND or conventional developments, will be determined by ability to be annexed by the City of Lawrence and infrastructure improvements. The plan requires city standard infrastructure be in place prior to development.