|
MASTER PLAN OVERVIEW |
|
|
An Area Plan for the Intersection Area of West 6th Street & Wakarusa Drive |
|
Origin of Plan An Area Plan for the Intersection Area of West 6th Street & Wakarusa Drive was created to help ensure appropriate and compatible development of the West 6th Street/Wakarusa Drive intersection. By the early 2000s the south side of the intersection had developed into a commercial node and the Lawrence City Commission directed Planning Staff to develop a plan ensuring the north side would not become oversaturated with commercial, primary retail, development. The plan’s boundaries are Congressional Drive to the west, Overland Drive to the north, W. 6th Street to the south, and Folks Road to the east. The subject area is approximately 80 acres.
The plan details the land uses and zoning patterns surrounding the subject area. At the time of the plan’s creation, the areas to the south, east, and north were developed with a variety of uses and zoning districts. At the time of the plan’s creation, the study area had a number of zoning districts. Portions of the study area retained Douglas County A (Agriculture) District classification even after annexation into the City.
The West 6th Street & Wakarusa Drive area plan relies heavily on the future land use maps and plans found in Horizon 2020 and the Northwest Plan. The Northwest Plan, completed and approved in 1997, was an area plan for portions of northwest Lawrence that addressed land use and development. It was never adopted as an approved area plan within Horizon 2020. Portions of the Northwest Plan’s subject area are now included in the K-10 & Farmer’s Turnpike Plan, West of K-10 Plan and the West 6th Street & Wakarusa Drive Area Plan.
The subject plan details existing conditions at the time of creation relating to environmental conditions, existing public services, circulation, and access. The final plan was approved by the City Commission on 12/02/2003.
|
|
Expected outcomes from the plan The plan notes that the City Commission envisioned the intersection of West 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive to become a prominent commercial center within the community. The plan’s recommendations were established so that development within the subject area would be compatible with existing, surrounding neighborhoods and existing commercial development on the south of West 6th Street.
The plan identified the area in the northwest corner of the West 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive intersection as the most appropriate location for commercial development of a retail focus. The plan recommends maintaining the existing PCD-2 zoning and adding restrictions of gross square footage approved for retail. The area east of Wakarusa Drive was recommended for less-intensive commercial uses. PCD-2 zoning with retail square footage restrictions were also suggested. The plan notes this area’s proximity to Free State High School and residential neighborhoods and that the area’s less-intensive commercial uses shall function as a transition zone.
The plan calls for mixed-use medium- to high-density residential, office, or institutional uses. The area around the intersection of West 6th Street and Folks Road is generally residential and commercial uses may disrupt that character. The plan notes extending commercial uses east towards Folks Road would go against the vision of Horizon 2020 and the Northwest Plan.
The plan lists the recommended square footage amounts dedicated to commercial and retail uses for each corner of the West 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive intersection. At the time of this writing, the total allowed retail/commercial square footage for the West 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive node is 500, 750 square feet.
|
|
Funding Not applicable.
|
|
Status Update This plan is currently adopted and in use under Horizon 2020. It was updated in 2012 to mark Congressional Drive the western boundary of the West 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive commercial center. This amendment was approved by the City Commission on 07/10/2003. The allowable retail/commercial space for the northeast quadrant of the intersection was increased to no more than 122,000 gross square feet in 2014. This was approved by the City Commission on 05/13/2014. The northwest quadrants allowable retail/commercial square footage amount was increased in 2015. The City Commission approved the amendment on 02/17/2015.
Portions of the planning area remained undeveloped. These areas are conditionally zoned PCD, POD, and PRD Districts.
|
|
Future There are no future modifications or current changes to this plan in the works. Horizon 2020 lists 2017 as the plan’s proposed review date.
|