To the editor:

I would like to address a comment in the Saturday Column dated Jan. 31. I attended the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission meeting in which the proposal to develop a 155-acre site near the Kansas Turnpike and the Farmers Turnpike was discussed. The column states that the proposal was defeated because of the “increased traffic the development would create.”

In my opinion, after listening to the commissioners discuss this proposal, an increase in traffic was not the reason for the defeat. The commissioners acknowledged the need for more acreage to be set aside for industrial growth in and around Lawrence. However, they also discussed the need for this to be done in a manner that takes a comprehensive view of our city and its future development. The rezoning of this site would not have been in conformance with Horizon 2020, which guides our current zoning approvals. It was my understanding that the commissioners will soon be developing new proposals which will include setting aside land for industrial use.

After attending this meeting, I personally feel confident in the current Planning Commission and City Commission to make thoughtful decisions about our city’s future.

Carolyn Micek,

Lawrence