Commissioners unanimously approved a new version of the Southern Development Plan, which will guide future growth of property generally between 31st Street and the Wakarusa River.

But commissioners did not follow the recommendation of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission. Planning commissioners had recommended that the property on the northwest corner of 31st and Louisiana streets be designated as an area for medium-density residential development in the area. That designation would have allowed property owners to seek zoning for apartments on the site.

City commissioners, though, said because the area had flooding issues that they were more comfortable with designating at least a portion of the area as low-density residential.

They approved the rest of the plan, including the concept of an auto-oriented commercial center south of the intersection of the South Lawrence Trafficway and U.S. Highway 59, without much comment.