Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Scott McCullough, Director
Date:	February 14, 2012
RE:	Aspen Heights Access

A concern related to existing and future cut-through traffic on the Home Depot site related to the Aspen Heights development was raised at the Planning Commission meeting.  Discussion centered on safety concerns as vehicles cut through private parking lots and traffic back up at the intersection of the Iowa Street frontage road and Iowa Street if traffic is permitted to enter Home Depot from Ousdahl Road, which is a public street.  Since the meeting, the applicant presented staff with a plan to modify, at their expense, the curbing at the driveway intersection at Ousdahl and the Home Depot site.

Staff met with Bruce Knight, the Home Depot store manager, and Mr. Knight confirmed that store management is concerned with current cut-through traffic.  Mr, Knight has reviewed the plan and supports its use, as access to the store would generally be maintained and the modifications do not impeded semi-truck movements.  Home Depot is a tenant on the property and staff has not had an opportunity to speak with the ownership group of the Home Depot site to discuss this matter.

Aspen Heights is willing to complete the modifications in the right-of-way as part of their other work in Ousdahl Road related to their project.

It should be noted, that the proposed modifications should discourage southbound right turn movements from Ousdahl Road into the Home Depot site, but will not completely eliminate them.  Only complete closure of the intersection would accomplish no cut-through traffic.

With this discussion in mind, staff proposes the following new condition on the Special Use Permit application for the Commission’s consideration.

“The applicant shall, at its expense and prior to occupancy of any structures, install curbing and signs within city right-of-way at the driveway entrance of the Home Depot site at its intersection with Ousdahl Road, in a manner substantially similar to the example shown on this SUP (site plan shall be modified to show the public improvements).  City shall notify owner of the Home Depot site of the planned right-of-way modifications and owner shall have the right to appeal the design to the City Commission.”