Development code sent back for comment

A new set of development rules for the city is headed back to the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission for more debate.

City commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed to send the proposed development code back to the Planning Commission so members of the public would have more opportunity to comment on the document. An exact date for the Planning Commission to hear the item was not set, but it likely will be sometime in March.

The code would replace the city’s current zoning code, which was adopted in 1966 and has been labeled as out-of-date by planners. In recent weeks, the proposed code has created concerns among residents regarding whether their property rights would be affected by the new regulations.

Annexation rejected for Lake Estates area

City commissioners Tuesday evening sided with neighbors who opposed annexation and rezoning requests for a housing development near the western end of Clinton Parkway.

Commissioners on a 3-2 vote rejected an annexation request and two rezoning requests that would have allowed a mix of duplex and single-family homes on about 13 acres between East 920 Road and Lake Alvamar west of Lawrence.

Commissioners said they wanted to create an area plan for the Lake Estates area before new development plans were approved. Several residents of the Lake Estates area had argued for an area plan, saying that the proposed development was premature and would create too much traffic for their largely rural, residential area.

Commissioners David Dunfield and Sue Hack voted against the motion. They argued to allow the development to move forward.

Planning Director Linda Finger said an area plan likely would not be completed until late 2005 or early 2006.

Parking slots OK’d at Water’s Edge

A water garden business in the downtown area will be allowed to add extra parking spaces, despite objections from the city’s Traffic Safety Commission.

The Water’s Edge, 847 Ind., will be allowed to construct parking in the public right-of-way along Indiana Street. The parking would give the business four additional parking spaces, although the spaces would be open for use by the general public.

Commissioners unanimously approved the plan after hearing no objections from the neighborhood. The Traffic Safety Commission recommended denial of the request because there may not be adequate sight distance to allow motorists to safely back out of the spaces.

Commissioners said there was similar parking at the nearby Comfort Keepers office, 900 Ind., and Owens Flower Shop, 846 Ind., that had not created problems.