Bottom line

The Lawrence City Commission will again consider approval of a downtown condominium-office-retail development at Eighth and New Hampshire streets.

Background

This is the third week in a row the item has been on the agenda. Commissioners must decide whether they will override rulings that the project encroaches upon nearby historic buildings and that it does not conform to Downtown Design Guidelines.

Other business

Recognition

• Proclaim the week of Aug. 1 as “Breastfeeding Awareness Week.”

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes of July 8;
• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions: Recycling and Resource Conservation Advisory Board meeting of June 11; Practitioner’s Panel meeting of April 17; Housing Trust Fund Board meeting of June 17; Public Health Board meeting of May 19; Public Library Board meeting of May 19.
• Approve all claims.
• Approve appointments recommended by the mayor.
• Authorize the purchase of fiber optic equipment for Kaw Plant, City Hall and Waste Water Treatment Plant from SBC Data Com for $82,584 and from Accu-Tech Corp. for $7,125.
• Adopt the following resolutions:

A) Resolution No. 6471, establishing the public hearing date of Sept. 23 to consider the proposed annexation of approximately 2.99 acres generally located at 1241 N. 1300 Road. This property abuts 31st Street and is south of 31st Street, east of Lawrence Avenue, and is surrounded by city boundaries.

B) Resolution No. 6478, ordering the improvement and authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds for certain main trafficway improvements within the city of Lawrence.

• Receive letter requesting annexation and rezoning of approximately 7.54 acres located in the northeast and southeast quarters of section 5, township 13 south, range 19; refer to Planning Commission.
• Authorize the mayor to sign a release of mortgage for Richard League, 2810 University Drive.
• City manager’s report.

Regular agenda

• Consider authorizing the publication of the 2004 budget and authorize Aug. 12 as the public hearing date.
• Consider approval of memorandum of understanding between the Lawrence Police Officers Assn. and the city.
• Authorize an ordinance approving the issuance of refund of bonds for Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Declare an emergency and adopt Ordinance No. 7673 on first and second reading.
• Conduct public hearing to consider the vacation of a portion of U.S. Highway 59 right of way in the southwest quadrant of the intersection of Iowa and 31st streets.
• Receive economic development report from director of economic development.
• Hobbs-Taylor Lofts Development Proposal on the northeast corner of Eighth and New Hampshire streets.

A) Determine decision on the appeal from the Historic Resources Commission finding that the development does “encroach upon, damage or destroy” the Eldridge Hotel and old Post Office, based on the Secretary of Interior standards and the guidelines adopted by the Historic Resources Commission.

B) Continue appeal from the Downtown Design Guidelines ad-hoc review committee’s determination that the proposed development is inconsistent with the Downtown Design Guidelines.

C) Approve site plan subject to conditions SP-05-30-03: Hobbs Taylor Lofts; Eighth Street and New Hampshire streets. Submitted by Sabatini Associates for 8th & New Hampshire L.L.C.

D) Consider amendment to parking agreement governing city leased spaces on the eastern side of the 700 block of New Hampshire.

• Consider staff memorandum concerning proposed improvements to Folks Road and establishment of a benefit district and associated policy issues.
• Consider a request to rezone a tract of land approximately 11.0855 acres from agricultural district to prd-2 planned residential development district. The property is generally described as being south of West Sixth Street and west of Folks Road. Submitted by Peridian Group Inc., for First Management Inc., property owners of record.
• Consider approving preliminary development plan for Oakley Court. This residential development contains approximately 10.79 acres. The plan proposes construction of 31 single-family homes and 32 multiple-family units containing a total of 64 dwelling units. The property is generally described as being south of West Sixth Street and west of Folks Road. Submitted by Peridian Group Inc., for First Management Inc., property owners of record.
• Consider approving an amendment to Chapter 6, the Commercial Land Use Chapter of Horizon 2020, updating the review criteria and establishing new standards for commercial land-use development and redevelopment in Lawrence and the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
• Consider request to reconsider the denial of authorization of KDOT requested study of City’s September 2002 Concept Drawing for the proposed Sixth Street and Peoples Bank median cut.