Bottom line: City commissioners will consider approving the city’s new Development Code, which would replace the 40-year old zoning code that currently regulates where development is allowed and under what conditions.

Background: The new development code would be one of the larger changes ever made by city leaders in regulating how growth occurs in the city. Planners have said the changes are needed because the current zoning code is badly outdated.

The proposed code – which has been in the works for about five years – has provisions to allow smaller lot development in an effort to create more affordable housing.

The proposed code also calls for: more larger setbacks and more landscaping to buffer residential development from nonresidential development; neighborhood associations to be notified by developers when a rezoning is proposed for their area; an increased ability to have home occupations in single-family homes; and the streamlining of the planning process by allowing some items – such as site plans – to be approved administratively rather than going through the City Commission or Planning Commission. But there have also been concerns expressed that the new code may make some properties “nonconforming uses” that would be difficult to rebuild under the new code if they were destroyed by fire or storms. Also, there has been concern about a provision that would direct commissioners to deny new retail developments if an independent study showed the project would push the city’s retail vacancy rate above 8 percent.

Other business:

Executive session

¢ Commissioners will start the meeting at 5:30 p.m. but will immediately go into a closed-door executive session to discuss personnel matters. The regular portion of the meeting will start at its normal time of 6:35 p.m.

Recognition/Proclamation

¢ proclaim the month of March as Mathematics Awareness Month.

¢ recognize the efforts of the Public Advisory Committee.

Consent agenda

¢ approve city commission meeting minutes.

¢ receive minutes from various boards and commissions.

¢ confirm study session summaries from March 9 and March 15.

¢ approve all claims.

¢ approve drinking establishment licenses for: Papa Kenos Pizzeria, 1035 Mass.; Chipotle Mexican Grill, 4000 W. Sixth Street; El Mezcal Restaurant, 804 Iowa; and cereal malt beverage license for Pepperjax Grill, 947 N.H.

¢ approve appointments as recommended by the Mayor.

¢ bid and purchase items:

a) set bid opening of April 11 for phase II of the Downtown Waterline Improvement project.

b) set bid date of April 11 for 2006 Overlay and Curb Repair Program, phase II.

c) award 2006 Overlay Program phase I to LRM Industries in the amount of $947,630.60

d) approve the following mowing bids: 13,180.30 to Harrell Lawn Care for mowing of the sewage treatment plant grounds; $7,420 to Outdoor Art for mowing of lift station properties; and $13,400 to KH Landscaping for mowing of water treatment plant grounds.

e) approve purchase of one backhoe from Murphy Tractor Co. for $28,715.89 for use by Public Works Department.

f) authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with Utility Maintenance Contractors for $459,102 to complete the 2006 Cured-in-Place-Pipe Program.

g) authorize the city manager to negotiate an engineering services agreement with Walter P. Moore Engineers for a buildings assessment at the Kaw Water Treatment Plant.

h) approve the purchase of five busses for the Kansas University Park and Ride Bus System from Optima Bus Co. for a total of $1,348,005. KU will pay 20 percent of the costs and the remaining 80 percent will be paid with Federal Transit Administration funds.

¢ adopt the following of first reading:

a) an ordinance rezoning 2.19 acres of property at 1515 W. Seventh Street from RM-3 Multi-Family to RM-1 Multi-Family.

b) an ordinance rezoning 1.22 acres from RM-1 to RS-2 Single Family. The property is at 446 Fla., 1500 W. Fifth Street and 1508 W. Fifth Street.

¢ adopt a resolution authorizing the condemnation of necessary property interests for the improvement of Kasold Drive from Bob Billings Parkway south to 22nd Street.

¢ approve unanimous recommendations from Traffic Safety Commission for:

a) establish no parking along the south side of Century Drive between Crestline Drive and Madeline Lane.

b) establish no parking along the east side of the 600 block of Connecticut Street.

c) adopt on first reading an ordinance establishing no parking along the south side of Century Drive between Crestline Drive and Madeline Lane and establishing no parking along the east side of the 600 block of Connecticut Street.

¢ receive benefit district requests from Southwind Capital LLC for the following benefit districts: K-10 westbound turn lane; East 23rd Street east-bound deceleration lane, roundabout at O’Connell Road and 25th Street, and improvements for East 25th Street Terrace from O’Connell Road to Franklin Road.

¢ authorize city manager to execute lease extension from Riverfront LLC for the office space at the Riverfront Plaza facility until Dec. 31, 2007 in the amount of $5,650.

¢ approve the addition of six foot sidewalk to the N. Michigan Street bridge over the Kansas Turnpike Authority on the west side, and direct staff to prepare a cooperation agreement with KTA.

¢ authorize execution of contract for the sale of 1.1 acres of city property adjacent to the First Serve Tennis complex, 5200 Clinton Parkway, for $26,000.

¢ authorize distribution of requests for proposals for financial advisory consultant services.

¢ authorize city manager to enter into an encroachment agreement with the Lawrence Community Nursery School, 645 Ala. for use of city street right-of-way.

¢ receive city manager’s report.

Regular agenda

¢ consider adopting on first reading the Development Code and appropriate changes in the zoning map.

¢ consider adopting on first reading the annexation of 119.9 acres of land located south of K-10 Highway between O’Connell Road and Franklin Road.

¢ consider initiation of rezoning for Burroughs Creek Corridor Plan and receive report related to rezoning of properties owned by Independence Inc. and the Salvation Army.

¢ consider approval of final plat for Cypress Park Addition, a five-lot single family development of 2.2 acres at 1801 Learnard Avenue.

¢ consider approval of Revised Preliminary Development Plan for Northgate Commercial, a 31 acre commercial and retail development located at the southeast corner of Sixth Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway.

¢ recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel matters.

Commission items

¢ Commissioner Mike Rundle requests discussion of the Eighth and Pennsylvania streets project.