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City of Lawrence

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PC Mid-Month
03/10/10 7:30–9 a.m.

Current Projects

Draft Horizon 2020 Chapter 7: Industrial

CPA-2004-02, is an amendment to Horizon 2020, Chapter 7: Industrial and Employment Related Land use that was previously approved by the Planning Commission at their May 21, 2008 meeting (7-2 vote). Since that time, the City Commission and Board of County Commissioners have held numerous meetings regarding this amendment to Horizon 2020.

This comprehensive plan amendment was discussed at the April 22, 2009 Planning Commission meeting. Packet materials, included a memo and copy of the draft chapter are posted to the web along with the completed April Planning Commission Agenda. The Planning Commission voted 8-0 to forward a recommendation of approval to both the City and County Commissions.

The Lawrence City Commission heard this item as part of their June 2, 2009 agenda. Packet materials are posted to the website as part of the City Commission agenda. The Lawrence City Commission unanimously adopted this amendment on second reading at their June 9, 2009 meeting.

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners will hold a meeting on this item as part of their July 15, 2009 agenda.
View Complete Packet Materials, including Draft Chapter

Comments and questions can be directed to Amy Brown at 785-832-3166 or at amybrown@ci.lawrence.ks.us.

Commercial Design Standards

In December 2003, the Planning Commission created an ad-hoc subcommittee (the Commercial Design Standards Committee, or CDSC) to begin the process of establishing design standards and guidelines for the community’s new and infill (redevelopment) commercial areas. Parallel with the CDSC, the City received recommendations on implementing Smart Growth principles in its commercial infill/redevelopment and fringe/greenfield areas (provided by the Smart Growth Leadership Institute and an EPA grant). On February 11th and 12th, a neighborhood and community design and development workshop is being held for members of city staff, commissions, and boards. This workshop will focus on urban design, walkable communities, New Urbanism, smart growth and Smart Codes, and other topics related to neighborhood and community design.

In anticipation of additional areas warranting further design consideration based on the above mentioned activities, Planning Staff and the CDSC are recommending the creation of a Community Design Manual. The Community Design Manual is envisioned as a supplement to the community’s comprehensive plan and development regulations. The intent of having a design manual is to provide additional guidance and to address aesthetic character, visual quality, and other subjective design issues that cannot otherwise be adequately dealt with in a comprehensive plan or by regulatory means.

Currently, only the sections pertaining to commercial development and design-related terminology have been drafted. Other sections are anticipated to be drafted as a result of the February workshop. The following represents the proposed format for the Community Design Manual.

To view a memo to the Planning Commission highlighting the CDSC process and proposed timeline on how the commercial design standards and guidelines will be implemented, please click HERE. For more information about the design standards and guidelines or the neighborhood and community design and development workshop, please contact the Planning Office.