Pine to lead commission

Sue Pine was unanimously selected by her colleagues Wednesday to lead the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission for the next year.

Pine served as vice chairwoman to Commissioner Tom Jennings in the past year. Jennings remains on the commission.

Pine said she would do her best to keep meetings moving quickly.

“I think it is paramount that we are civil and respectful to each other, the staff and the public,” she said. “I will try to keep us focused and moving on.”

Commissioner David Burress was selected as vice chairman for the next year. Two commissioners, Dennis Lawson and Ernie Angino, voted against him. Commissioner Roger Schenewerk was absent.

Approval delayed on Urban Growth Area

The Planning Commission on Wednesday delayed approving a proposed new Urban Growth Area surrounding Lawrence until August.

The proposal would extend the area in which the city is projected to grow by 2020 to a mile south of the Wakarusa River. Commissioners delayed the vote, however, so they could consider expanding the growth area in North Lawrence.

Phil Struble of Landplan Engineering told commissioners the area around Lawrence Municipal Airport should be included in the growth area so that the land could be preserved for possible industrial development.

“There’s a ton of potential up there,” he said.

The commission will consider a revised map in August.

East Heights approved as early childhood center

The conversion of East Heights School to an early childhood center received approval Wednesday from the Planning Commission.

East Heights was closed last month as part of cost-saving measures by the cash-strapped Lawrence school district. The school is being converted as the center of the district’s pre-school programs.

“It will have the same use as it did before,” said Tom Bracciano, the district’s director of facilities. “The population will be a couple of years younger.”