LAWRENCE DOUGLAS COUNTY METROPOLITAN PLANNING COMISSION

April 2006

Meeting Minutes

 

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­April 17, 2006 – 7:00 p.m.

Commissioners present:  Burress, Eichhorn, Erickson, Ermeling, Haase, Harris, Jennings, Krebs, Lawson and Riordan.

Staff present:  Day, Finger, Stogsdill, Patterson, Pool

 

MINUTES

Consideration of the February 2006 minutes was received and approved.

 

EX PARTE / ABSTENTIONS / DEFERRAL REQUESTS:

 

Motion by Grant Eichhorn, seconded by Marguerite Ermeling

Abstentions:  Lisa Harris, Tom Jennings.

Voted No: David Burress

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Susan Erickson:  Community Design Committee – Met three times on development parallel code

Grant Eichhorn:  Questions on CIP at Item

John Haase:   Transportation 2030 – Minutes in packet

Holly Krebs:  PC mid-month – further discussion……subdivision reg’s – 5/8-5/10 more meetings

Tom Jennings:  CPC – Met twice - working on neighborhood plan

 

COMMUNICATIONS

Ms. Stogsdill outlined the following communications:

 

Received communications regarding:

 

 

ITEM NO. 15 :          ADOPTION OF SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS FOR                                                    LAWRENCE AND THE UNICORPORATED AREA OF                                                     DOUGLAS COUNTY, JANUARY 26, 2006 EDITION.

 

ITEM NO. 18:           AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTERS 4 AND 5 TO THE                                                           COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REGULATIONS FOR THE                                                      UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY            OF DOUGLAS COUNTY,                                         KANSAS

 

Transportation 2030 Minutes

 

Memo from Staff regarding the Smart Code

 

Memo from Staff regarding:

 

ITEM NO. 2:              FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE LEGENDS AT KU,       PHASE 2; SOUTH OF 24TH PLACE BETWEEN CROSSGATE       AND INVERNESS DRIVE (SLD)

 

Letter from League of Women Voters regarding:

 

ITEM NO. 8:              TEXT AMENDMENT REPEALING OR AMENDING 50’ ETBACK ALONG 6TH STREET BETWEEN MONTERY WAY &        WAKARUSA DRIVE (DDW)

 

ITEM NO. 12A:         TO PCD-2; 45.31 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12B:         A TO RO-1A; 31.12 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12C:         A TO RS-2; 25.82 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND     EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12D:        A TO RM-D; 7.63 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND      EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12E:         A TO RM-2; 12.77 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND    EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

Letter from Jane Eldridge representing applicants regarding:

 

ITEM NO. 12A:         A TO PCD-2; 45.31 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12B:         A TO RO-1A; 31.12 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12C:         A TO RS-2; 25.82 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND     EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12D:        A TO RM-D; 7.63 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND      EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12E:         A TO RM-2; 12.77 ACRES; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND    EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

ITEM NO. 12F:                     REVISED PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR MERCATO; NORTH OF HIGHWAY 40 AND EAST OF K-10 HIGHWAY (PGP)

 

Memo from staff regarding ITEM NO. 12.

 

Letter from the League of Women Voters regarding:

 

ITEM NO. 19:           ADOPTION OF REVISIONS TO DEVELOPMENT CODE,NOVEMBER 11, 2005 EDITION

 

Letter from Lavern Squire/Lawrence Chamber of Commerce President regarding:

 

ITEM NO. 19:           ADOPTION OF REVISIONS TO DEVELOPMENT CODE, NOVEMBER 11, 2005 EDITION

 

ITEM NO. 20:           ADOPTION OF STANDARDS FOR RETAIL IMPACT STUDIES (AAM)

 

Letter from Greg Crommer regarding:

 

Memo from Staff regarding:

 

No Ex Parte Communications

No Abstentions

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

 

Item Nos. 1A&B; 2, 3, 5A&B, 6 and 7.

 

No removal of items.

 

Motion to approve Consent Agenda by Grant Eichhorn.

Seconded by Marguerite Ermeling

Vote:  Unanimous

 


PC minutes 04/17/06

 

ITEM NO 1A:                        PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR WAKARUSA OVERLOOK; WEST                                       OF E 1900 ROAD & SOUTH OF K-10 HIGHWAY (MKM)

 

PP-01-03-06:  Preliminary Plat for Wakarusa Overlook.  This proposed one-lot residential subdivision contains approximately three acres.  The property is generally described as being located west of E 1900 Road (1057 Highway) and south of K-10 Highway.  Submitted by Allenbrand-Drews & Associates, Inc., for Rebecca Thomas, property owner of record.

 

ITEM NO 1B:                        FINAL PLAT FOR WAKARUSA OVERLOOK; WEST OF E                                             1900 ROAD & SOUTH OF K-10 HIGHWAY (MKM)

 

PF-01-02-06:  Final Plat for Wakarusa Overlook.  This proposed one-lot residential subdivision contains approximately three acres.  The property is generally described as being located west of E 1900 Road (1057 Highway) and south of K-10 Highway.  Submitted by Allenbrand-Drews & Associates, Inc., for Rebecca Thomas, property owner of record.

 

ACTION TAKEN

Motioned by Eichhorn, seconded by Ermeling, to approve the Preliminary & Final Plats for Wakarusa Overlook and forwardi the Final Plat to the County Commission with a recommendation for acceptance of easements and rights-of-way based on the findings found in the body of the staff report and subject to the following conditions:

 

  1. Submittal of an executed Water Supply Agreement between the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department and the property owner.
  2. Provision of the following fees and recording documentation:
    1. A current copy of a paid property tax receipt.
    2. Recording fees made payable to the Douglas County Register of Deeds.
  3. Revision of the plat to include the following:

a.      The Douglas County Surveyor signature blank must be revised to read: “Reviewed in accordance with K.S.A. 58-2005” with a signature blank for Michael D. Kelly, L.S., County Surveyor; Douglas County, Kansas LS No. 869 

 

Motion carried unanimously, 10-0, as part of the Consent Agenda.

 

 


PC minutes 04/17/06

 

ITEM NO. 2:              FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE LEGENDS AT KU,                                           PHASE 2; SOUTH OF 24TH PLACE BETWEEN CROSSGATE                                        AND INVERNESS DRIVE (SLD)

 

FDP-02-03-06:  Revised Final Development Plan for The Legends at KU, Phase 2.  This proposed multiple-family residential development contains approximately 12.5508 acres and proposes 172 apartments.  The submittal includes revisions to a Final Development Plan approved this property in October 2004.  The property is generally described as being located south of 24th Place between Crossgate Drive & Inverness Drive.  Submitted by Peridian Group, Inc, for RAYCAL KU, LTD, Applicant, and Inverness Park Limited Partnership, property owner of record.

 

ACTION TAKEN

 

Motioned by Eichhorn, seconded by Ermeling, to approve the Final Development Plan for The Legends at KU Phase II, subject to the following conditions:

 

1.      Execution of a site plan performance agreement;

2.      Correction of endorsement blocks for the Planning Chair and Director of Planning;

3.      Submission and approval of public improvement plans; and Provision of a mylar and all required recording fees.

 

Motion carried unanimously, 10-0, as part of the Consent Agenda.

 


PC minutes 04/17/06

 

ITEM NO. 3:              ANNEXATION OF APPROX. 97 ACRES SOUTH OF K-10                                            HIGHWAY AND EAST OF E 900 ROAD ALSO KNOWN AS                                          SESQUICENTENNIAL PARK (DDW)

 

SUMMARY

 

A-02-01-06:  Consider annexation of approximately 97 acres of land south of K-10 Highway and east of E. 900 Road.  The area is known as Sesquicentennial Park.  This action was initiated by the Lawrence City Commission on February 7, 2006.  The City of Lawrence leases the ground from the US Army Corp of Engineers.

 

 

ACTION TAKEN

 

Motioned by Eichhorn, seconded by Ermeling, to approve the annexation of approximately 97 acres of land south of K-10 Highway and east of E. 900 Road and forward a recommendation to the City Commission for approval.

 

Motion carried unanimously, 10-0, as part of the Consent Agenda.

 


PC minutes 04/17/06

 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:

 

PUBLIC HEARING ON VARIANCE REQUEST ONLY:

 

ITEM NO. 4:              PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR STONEWALL FARMS ADDITION;                                                SOUTH OF COUNTY ROUTE 438 & WEST OF E 1000                                                             (QUEENS) ROAD (SLD)

 

PP-02-05-06:  Preliminary Plat for Stonewall Farms Addition.  This proposed eight lot residential subdivision contains approximately 51.13 acres.  The property is generally described as being located south of County Route 438, and west of E 1000 (Queens) Road.  A variance is requested for the intersection of a local street with an arterial.  Submitted by Peridian Group for Venture Properties, Inc. and Stonewall Farms LLC, property owners of record.

 

Presentation by Staff Sandy Day:

 

VARIANCE STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the variance for the intersection of a local street with an arterial street as proposed with this Preliminary Plat for N 1780 Road with N 1800 Road and E 1000 Road.

 

PRELIMINARY PLAT STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Preliminary Plat of Stonewall Farms, subject to the following conditions:

1.      Revision of the preliminary plat to include the following:

a.      Provision of a revised preliminary plat to establish extra ordinary building setbacks to accommodate future right-of-way and lot division;

b.      Provision of 35’ of right-of-way along the west property line a minimum of 475’ in length; and

c.      General note number 7 and 13 are redundant remove note 13.

 



Applicant’s Reason for Request:

Residential development

 

KEY POINTS

·         The property is located outside of the city limits, but is within the

      Lawrence Urban Growth Area (UGA).

·         Oak Ridge Estates, a platted subdivision, is located south of the

     subject parcel on the south side of I-70 and along the west side of

      E 1000 Road.

·         Water meters and hard-surfaced roads are available to serve the

      property.

·         Internal street circulation proposed for individual lot access.

 

SUBDIVSION CITATIONS TO CONSIDER

·         Additional right-of-way was required by KTA along a portion

      of the south side of the property.

·         The application is generally compliant with Subdivision

  Regulations with the following exception: 21-607.1 (e)

  intersection of a local street with an arterial street.

 

ASSOCIATED CASES/OTHER ACTION REQUIRED

·         Z-09-35-00; A to A-1; 50.96 acres – Stonewall Farms Addition at

     SW Corner of County Road 438 and 1000 E [RESOLUTION 01-11]

·         PP-09-34-00; Stonewall Farms unanimously approved by the

     Planning Commission on 10/25/00 and included right-of-way

     variance for E 1000 and intersection of local/arterial street.

PUBLIC COMMENT RECEIVED PRIOR TO PRINTING

·         None received prior to printing the staff report.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Current Zoning and Land Use:

A-1 (Suburban Home Residential)

District; undeveloped.

 

 

Surrounding Zoning and Land Use:

A (Agricultural) District to the north,

 east, and west; large lot single-family residences (developed under the five-acre exemption).

 

A-1 (Suburban Home Residential)

District to the south;

Oak Ridge Estates single-family

 residences.

 

 

Site Summary

Number of Lots Proposed:

8 Lots

Gross Area:

51.13 acres

Right-of-Way Area:

10.32 acres

Net Lot Area:

40.81 acres

Minimum Lot Size:

5.00 acres

Maximum Lot Size:

5.53 acres

Average Lot Size:

5.10 acres

 

STAFF REVIEW

The subject property is located within the Urban Growth Area.  It a 51 acre tract bounded on three sides by public right-of-way and the south side being bounded by KTA right-of-way (I-70 Highway).  The property was rezoned in 2000 from A (Agricultural) District to A-1 (Suburban Home Residential) District.  A preliminary plat was submitted and approved by the Planning Commission at the October 2000 Planning Commission Meeting. The plat included two variances in that previous approval.  These variances addressed the provision of right-of-way width for E 1000 Road and the intersection of a local street with an arterial street.  Both variances were approved.  (See attached PC minutes).  A final plat was not submitted for this property and the previous preliminary plat has since expired.

 

Zoning and Land Use

The property, which is zoned A-1 (Suburban Home Residence) District, is undeveloped.  The surrounding area to the north, east and west includes a mix of both larger rural residential/ agricultural tracts and smaller rural residential home sites.  The area south of the KTA right-of-way is a developing county residential subdivision.

 

The applicant is proposing to create eight lots from one parcel.  With a minimum lot size of 5.00 acres, each lot exceeds the three-acre minimum lot size requirement for lots within the Urban Growth Area that are served by a public water supply.

 

Streets

The proposed lots are served by a proposed interior street system that intersections N 1800 Road/Farmers Turnpike (a minor arterial) and E 1000 Road/Queens Road (a principal arterial).  This design requires a variance based on current language in the Subdivision Regulations.

 

As the minimum right-of-way requirement for primary arterials within the UGA is 120 feet, an additional 20 feet of right-of-way are being dedicated for E 1000 Road.  The plat proposes the dedication of additional right-of-way along the north side for N 1800 and along the south side of the property per review comments from KTA.  The applicant has also agreed to provide the required right-of-way on the east side of the property for E 1000 Road/Queens Road thus eliminating the need for right-of-way dedication.

 

A note has been included on the plat, stating direct access to N 1800 Road is prohibited. Access from lots to E 1000 Road is also prohibited except that access may be allowed for township or other public facility uses.  A similar note was included on the original Preliminary Plat to accommodate a possible future township fire station or other similar public use on Lot 8.  The provision allows the possibility of such access, but does not guarantee such access.  Additional review per a site plan would be required for a public use of the site including, but not limited to a special use permit consideration. Both N 1800 and E 1000 Road are hard-surfaced roads.

 

General roadway/street layout for this property and for the several properties to the west located between N 1800 and I-70 were considered by City and County staff with regard to future divisions for the area. The extension of E 950 and E 900 south of N 1800 Road allows for that area to be accessed without the creation of long single-outlet cul-de-sac streets. This would require the dedication of additional right-of-way along the western boundary of the subject property. Additional right-of-way would be acquired with the redevelopment (annexation or subdivision) of the abutting properties. The requested dedication will reduce the size of Lots 1 and 2 a small degree. Staff recommends the Preliminary Plat be revised to provide an additional 35’ of right-of-way along the west property line. (See additional discussions for variance and concept plan as well.)

 

Stormwater

The proposed Preliminary Plat includes a drainage easement located between Lots 5 and 6 that ties back to an existing drainage course within the KTA right-of-way and continues through the Oak Ridge Estates to the south.

 

The County Engineer has reviewed the proposed subdivision and has not recommended any additional changes to this proposed development.

 

Utility Easements

Several utility easements are being dedicated with this plat.  A 15-foot easement is proposed around the periphery of the development and occurs along the rear property lines of the lots.  Side yard easements are not proposed. Additional comment with the Final Plat may result in the need to provide side yard easements.  At a minimum staff recommends a 10-foot easement between Lots 2 and 3 centered on the common property line per Section 21-609 (a).  The proposed Preliminary Plat shows building envelopes (side yard setback dimensions are not noted).  Side yard utility easements are not included other than the drainage easement between Lots 5 and 6.

 

Site Utilities

Domestic water service will be provided via Rural Water District #6. An existing water line is located within the right-of-way of N 1800 Road.  The applicant will be required to demonstrate available water as part of the Final Plat approval process. Sanitary sewer will be provided by domestic lateral (septic) systems.  Both water and sewer disposal provisions are subject to approval by the County Health Department prior to Final Plat approval as part of the development process.

 

Conformance

Zoning Conformance: The subject parcel is located north of the City of Lawrence, within the Urban Growth Area.  The eight proposed lots meet the minimum lot size (43,560 square feet), width (150 feet), depth (150 feet), and setback requirements for the A-1 (Suburban Home Residential) District.

 

Comprehensive Plan Conformance: The preliminary plat conforms to the following Horizon 2020 goal and policies regarding development within the Urban Growth Area:

 

UNINCORPORATED DOUGLAS COUNTY

GOAL 1:   Criteria for Low-Density Residential Development within the Unincorporated Areas (Page 5-11)

      Policy 1.1: Consider Land Use Relationships within the Urban Growth Area (Page 5-11)

      Policy 1.2: Protect Areas Planned for Low-Density Development (Page 5-11)

 

The plat application specifically conforms with the policies and recommendations of Horizon 2020 in that the subject parcel is located within the UGA and includes lots sizes of three acres or greater.  Additionally the property is zoned for residential development.

 

Subdivision Conformance: The proposed Preliminary Plat is consistent with the design of the previous approval but includes additional right-of-way dedication not included in the previous design.  The number and arrangement of lots is the same as the 2000 version.

 

The subject property is bounded by both primary and minor arterial roads and controlled-access highway right-of-way.  The proposed subdivision provides direct access to lots from an internal local street network.  The local street includes a stub connection to N 1800 Road and to E 1000 Road.  Section 21-607.1 (e) states:  “Local streets shall not intersect arterial streets.”  Therefore, a variance is required to proceed with this design.

 

The variance provision is found in Section 21-802 of the Subdivision Regulations and has been revised since the previous consideration of this property in 2000.  Section 21-802 currently states: “In cases where there is hardship in carrying out the literal provisions of these regulations (such as design criteria pertaining to lot width, lot depth, block depth, etc.), the planning commission may grant a variance from such provisions, except that in cases where there is hardship in carrying out the literal provisions found in section 21-706 (sanitary sewers) the appropriate governing body may grant a variance from such provisions.”  The variance provisions are set out as follows:

 

 (b)   A variance shall not be granted unless all of the following apply:

(1)    Strict application of these regulations will create an unnecessary hardship upon the subdivider;

(2)    The proposed variance is in harmony with the intended purpose of these regulations; and,

        (3)     The public health, safety, and welfare will be protected.

 

Staff Response:        In this case the subject property is adjacent on three sides by only arterial or highway rights-of-way.  The north and east sides are bounded by County arterial roads and the south side of the property is bounded by an interstate highway. No other access to the property is feasible because a similar condition exists on abutting property to the east and would result in the length of right-of-way exceeding the maximum length allowed of 1,320’.  The abutting property is under different ownership and is not part of this consideration.  The proposed 70’ of right-of-way will accommodate a residential collector standard and could accommodate three lanes at the intersection if necessary.  Future division of the property could also assess the need for the provision of an additional 10’ of right-of-way to bring the interior to an urban collector street standard, if necessary in the future.

 

It should be noted that Chapter 8 of Horizon 2020 has been revised, but is not yet fully adopted by both governing bodies, to address this situation at a policy level.  The revised language states; Direct access from a local street, public or private, to an arterial street or principal arterial street within the City of Lawrence shall not be permitted unless applicant provides proof of hardship or burden.  Advanced planning of neighborhood street patterns should be required to avoid local-arterial street connections” per draft Transportation Policy 2.3(b) adopted by the Planning Commission on 1/16/06).  The County Commission specifically added the language, “within the City of Lawrence”, to specify that this policy was not applicable in the unincorporated portions of Douglas County. The County Public Works Director and the Transportation Planner have confirmed this intent. Subdivision Regulations have not yet been revised to distinguish between urban and non-urban developments with regard to the current variance requirements.

 

This variance consideration is applicable to the two intersections proposed in the Preliminary Plat for N 1780 Road with N 1800 Road on the north and E 1000 Road on the east, as well as to an additional intersection recommended for the extension of E 950 Road along the west property line.  The location of N 1780 Road entrance with N 1800 Road and E 1000 is less than the recommended spacing found in Draft County Entrance and Intersection Spacing Standards (1320) because the length and depth of the property are insufficient to meet these standards.  The dedication of right-of-way for E 1000 eliminated the ability to provide separation of 1320’ between E 950 and E 1000 Road. The depth of the property is only 820 feet and thus is not capable of meeting this corner clearance spacing regardless of the associated right-of-way dedication for N 1800 Road.  This situation was reviewed by the City Engineer.  The separation would be adequate for City standards.  However, it was noted that intersection traffic at E 1000 and N 1800 on the northeast corner of the site may be such that left turn movements are prohibitive in the future.

 

The intersection of E 950 Road with N 1800 Road exists on the north side (local with arterial).  The north properties are not platted and therefore there is no associated variance.  This is a condition that has developed over time by establishment of the road classifications in the immediate vicinity.  This intersection is located roughly one-half mile between E 1000 and E 900 Road.  The extension provides access to three abutting properties and accommodates reasonable future access to this area.  The County Public Works Director has reviewed this situation with respect to the Draft County Entrance and Intersection Spacing Standards and concurs with the findings.  The extension of E 950 Road to the south complies with the spacing between the proposed intersection to the east and a future intersection to the west.

 

Staff supports the proposed variance for the intersection of a local street with an arterial street as proposed with this Preliminary Plat.

 

Conceptual Plan

 

Conceptual plans for this area include the future improvement of E 1000 Road/Queens Road as a principal arterial street.  This street would include a four lane profile and median treatment.  It is likely that the intersection improvements at Queens Road and Farmers Turnpike would include left lanes and tapers that would result in the access proposed on the Preliminary Plat as a right-in/right-out only at some future time upon urbanization of the area.

 

The subject property is located within Service Area 4, of the Urban Grow