Agenda highlights • 6:35 p.m. Tuesday • City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets • Sunflower Broadband Channel 25 • Meeting documents online at lawrenceks.org

Farmers Turnpike plan to be weighed

Bottom line

City commissioners will consider approving a new sector plan that spells out how development should occur in approximately a 3,500-acre area near the Farmers Turnpike northwest of Lawrence.

Background

Neighbors and planners have clashed over what land uses the plan should call for in the area. City commissioners already have agreed to rezone 155 acres north of the Lecompton interchange on the Kansas Turnpike to allow for industrial development. The sector plan approved by planning commissioners also calls for industrial development immediately east of that site as well as medium- and high-density residential development along much of the Farmers Turnpike route.

Neighbors are promoting a plan that would eliminate some industrial development along Interstate 70 and would largely replace the medium- and high-density residential development with large estate-like homes on lots of one acre or more.

Once approved by the City Commission, the plan still must be presented to the Douglas County Commission for approval. The plan also won’t immediately change anything. Any future rezonings in the area would be subject to separate votes.

Other business

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes from Nov. 18 and Nov. 25.

• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions.

• Approve claims.

• Approve licenses as recommended by the Department of Administrative Services.

• Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8324, pertaining to requirements for removal of snow or ice from public sidewalks.

• Adopt these ordinance(s) on second and final reading:

a.) Ordinance No. 8359, rezoning (Z-06-07-07) a tract of land 25.97 acres from PCD-2 (Planned Commercial Development) to PCD- with modifications in the restrictions. The property is at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.

b.) Ordinance No. 8356, authorizing a Special Use Permit for Westside Plaza for the addition of a health care office (oral surgery) at 4811 Bob Billings Parkway.

c.) Joint City Ordinance No. 8357/County Resolution No. ____, amending Chapter 6-Commercial Land Use – Inner-Neighborhood Commercial Centers for Comprehensive Plan, CPA-2008-3.

d.) Ordinance No. 8353, allowing the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the sidewalk dining and hospitality portion of city right-of-way for Teapouro, 712 Mass.

e.) Ordinance No. 8337, enacting eligibility requirements and qualifications for members of the governing body.

f.) Joint City Ordinance No. 8340/County Resolution No. ____, amending Horizon 2020, Chapter 14 Specific Plans, by approving and incorporating by reference, CPA-2008-6, the West of K-10 Plan.

• Adopt Resolution No. 6814, declaring the boundaries of the city of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas. This is an annual requirement under state law.

• Adopt State 2009 Legislative Policy Statement.

• Approve annual increase of $50 in cemetery fees beginning in 2009 and continuing through 2013.

• Authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement with Douglas County for use of Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds Baseball Facilities.

• Authorize payment to the KU Kansas Small Business Development Center for $23,333 from the 2008 Budget.

• Approve reclassification of $70,000 of general fund expenses, including public safety, parks and recreation, and public works salaries in 2008 to the Guest Tax Fund. As documented in the attached memorandum, these expenses are in lieu of tourism support services.

• Authorize the mayor to sign a Subordination Agreement for Irene Armstrong (Nieder), 1017 Home Circle.

• Receive city manager’s report.

Regular agenda

• Consider approval of 31st Street Concept Study.

• Receive staff report regarding panhandling and consider adopting on first reading, Ordinance No. 8362, amending the aggressive panhandling ordinance to prohibit panhandling during nighttime hours and within the confines of downtown Lawrence.

• Consider items related to the Lawrence High School and Centennial/Virtual School SUPs:

a.) Adopt Resolution No. 6816, making written findings for the City Commission on the Lawrence High School (SUP-07-04-08) and the Centennial/Virtual School (SUP-07-06-08) Special Use Permit Applications.

b.) Adopt operating agreements for SUP-07-04-08 (Lawrence High School site) and SUP-07-06-08 (Centennial/Virtual School site).

• Consider approving Comprehensive Plan Amendment, CPA-2008-9, amending Horizon 2020, Chapter 14 Specific Plans, to add a reference to and incorporate the K-10 & Farmers Turnpike Plan and consider adopting on first reading, joint City Ordinance No. 8358/County Resolution No. ____, amending Horizon 2020, Chapter 14 Specific Plans by approving and incorporating by reference, CPA-2008-9. (PC Item 4; approved 7-3 on 11/17/08)

• Receive staff report on economic development issues and policies.