Inspection concerns prompt tenants hot line

A group challenging the city’s rental licensing ordinance is offering a hot line for tenants concerned about their property privacy rights.

Lawrence landlord Bob Ebey, one of the founders of the Citizens Rights Committee, handed reporters a news release prior to Tuesday’s city commission meeting announcing phone numbers for rental tenants to call with concerns about their property rights.

The release was accompanied by fliers urging tenants to refuse city inspections that accompany the new licensing program. City officials need a warrant to enter, the fliers said.

The committee can be contacted at 842-0452 or 841-6245.

Commission rejects Sixth, Wakarusa plan

Lawrence city commissioners rejected a commercial development for the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.

Commissioners universally praised the plan but accepted the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation for denial. That recommendation was based on the size of the proposed development; the 148,000 square feet of added commercial development at the intersection would have exceeded the restrictions of Horizon 2020, the city-county long-range planning guide.

Commissioners said they would welcome an amendment to Horizon 2020 to allow the development at the corner. Commissioner Mike Rundle was the lone commissioner to vote for approval of the plan.