Bottom line

City commissioners will consider relaxing the standards for when developers must submit a retail market analysis for large new commercial projects.

Background

Currently, developers must pay to have an independent retail market analysis done anytime a project is proposed to add at least 50,000 square feet of retail space to the market. The proposal would remove the requirement from the developer to supply the report, and instead would require city planning staff to prepare an analysis for every project that adds at least 100,000 square feet of retail space. The analysis would be prepared using a city-produce retail market report, which is updated every two years. The proposal also would remove code language that recommends retail projects be denied if the report suggests the project would increase the vacancy rate to more than 8 percent citywide. The new code language would give staff members more latitude to make a recommendation based on a variety of factors. The code language also would remove a provision that required planners, for the purpose of computing a vacancy rate, to assume that the new space would be entirely vacant. The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission last month recommended approval of the changes on a 7-0 vote.

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes.

• Approve all claims.   

• Approve licenses as recommended by the City Clerk’s Office.    

• Bid and purchase items:

a.) Award Bid #B1338 for Utilities Department Pump & Motor Rehabilitation to JCI for $116,699; Letts, Van Kirk for $18,539; and Douglass Pump for $31,655. The total for all pumps and motors is $166,893.    

b.) Authorize the sole source purchase of a backup blower and motor assembly from Spencer Turbine Co. in the amount of $93,696 for the Utilities Department.  

c.) Award Bid #B1339, bus stop signs and installation for the Lawrence Public Transit system, to C-Hawkk Construction Inc., for $98,999.  FTA is paying 80 percent and the city is paying 20 percent.  

d.) Approve the purchase of a new CAD/RMS (Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management System) system from Spillman Technologies for $202,422.16 (the city’s share for the joint Lawrence/Eudora/Baldwin/Douglas County project).  

• Adopt the following ordinances on second and final reading:

a.) Ordinance No. 8878, to rezone (Z-13-00145) approximately 46 acres located south of the intersection of East 25th Street & Franklin Park Circle from PID (Planned Industrial Development) District to IG (General Industrial) District. (PC Item 2A; approved 7-0-1 on 6/24/13)

b.) Ordinance No. 8885, allowing the possession and consumption of alcohol on the 100 block of East Eighth Street during Homecoming Pep Rally, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, from 1:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

c.) Ordinance No. 8879, to rezone (Z-13-00149) approximately 21.54 acres from UR (Urban Reserve) District to RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located on the northwest corner of Queens Road & Overland Drive.

d.) Ordinance No. 8880, to rezone (Z-13-00165) approximately 3.34 acres from UR (Urban Reserve) District to RS5 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located on the northwest corner of Queens Road & Overland Drive.

e.) Ordinance No. 8881, to rezone (Z-13-00166) approximately 15.89 acres from UR (Urban Reserve) District to RM12 (Multi-Dwelling Residential), located on the northwest corner of Queens Road & Overland Drive.

• Approve Special Event, SE-13-00267, for a weekend market by Lawrence Flea Market located on Mount Oread Aerie 309 FOE Inc. property at 1803 W. Sixth St. on July 20, 2013.

• Authorize the Mayor to execute the documents regarding the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Bioscience and Technology Business Center’s (BTBC) St. Andrews Drive facility toward the BTBC Phase II expansion project, and authorize a release of the sale restriction declaration.    

• Approve a Temporary Use of Public Right-of-Way Permit allowing the closure of the 100 block of East Eighth Street from 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2013, to 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2013 for the Sandbar Birthday Party, and adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 8884, allowing the possession and consumption of alcohol on the 100 block of East Eighth Street during the event.  

• Authorize the Mayor to sign a Release of Mortgage for Glenda A. Hewlett, 342 Johnson Ave.  

• Receive city manager’s report

Regular agenda

• Conduct note sale authorizing the sale of $36,300,000 in general obligation notes and Resolution No. 7032, (Recreation Center) authorizing the sale of $12,270,000 in general obligation notes, if appropriate.

• Consider authorizing the Mayor to execute the revised Development Agreement for the Rock Chalk Park development and consider authorizing staff to execute all other necessary documents and items related to the document.   The Development Agreement has been revised per City Commission direction concerning City monitoring of shared infrastructure costs and removal of legal, loan interest and loan origination fee from the management fee.  

• Consider authorizing the Mayor to sign the necessary Kansas Department of Transportation forms committing the City of Lawrence’s matching funds for three Transportation Enhancement Grants; the Santa Fe Station preservation project, the Breezedale monuments restoration, and the Burroughs Creek Haskell Rail Trail project.  

• Consider approving a Text Amendment, TA-12-00205, to the City of Lawrence Land Development Code, Chapter 20, Article 11, to modify the requirements for a Retail Market Study.

• Consider adopting Resolution No. 7030, authorizing $275,000 in general obligation bonds for the improvements at Bob Billings Parkway and George Williams Way and consider authorizing the City Manager to approve a purchase order for design services for Bob Billings Parkway and George Williams Way signal plans to BG Consultants in the amount of $29,000.    

• Consider motion to recess into executive session for approximately 30 minutes to discuss possible real estate acquisition.