News and notes from around town:

• Lawrence-Douglas County planners took another step Wednesday to add more industrial property northwest of Lawrence. Planning commissioners, on an 8-0 vote, approved annexation and rezoning of about 51 acres at North 1800 and East 1000 roads. The rezoning is to allow general industrial uses on the property, which is adjacent to Interstate 70.

The project generated significant opposition from neighbors. A neighborhood group — The Scenic Riverway Community Association — officially opposed the plan. The group, which is the same group that is part of a lawsuit contesting the annexation and rezoning of about 155 acres just west of this site — questioned the need for more industrial property in the county and said plans to serve the property with water and sewer service are incomplete.

City officials are conceding that the property will be difficult to serve with standard city water and sewer in the immediate future. Instead, the city is proposing that either Rural Water District Nos. 6 or 1 be allowed to provide water to the site, even though it will be within city limits. Sewage may have to be contained in sewage holding tanks rather than using the city’s standard sewage system. As part of the annexation and rezoning, the city has said it may need to limit what type of uses can locate on the site without traditional city water and sewer service. Previously, though, the city has said some warehousing operations could be appropriate for property that does not have traditional sewer service. The property owners don’t yet have a tenant for the site.

The annexation now must go to both the city and the county commissions for final approval. The rezoning also must be heard by the city commission.

• Plans to add more than 100 new apartments to the area near 24th Place and Clinton Parkway were left in limbo by planning commissioners Wednesday. Planning commissioners agreed to defer a rezoning request for 15 acres at 4000 W. 24th Place until their Nov. 15 meeting.

Remington Square LC is seeking to rezone the property to allow for more apartment units on the site. Currently the property has 224 one-bedroom apartments. The new zoning would allow for an additional 136 units to be constructed.

Planning staff members are recommending approval of the rezoning. The property owners said they’re seeking the addition because all of the current apartments are leased and there is a waiting list for available units.

Neighbors near the site have opposed previous efforts to add more apartments to the area.

• It is beginning to look more likely that a dilapidated home at 1313 Haskell Ave. will be saved from the wrecking ball. The new owners of the property — a group led by Brook Creek Neighborhood residents James Grauerholz and Michael Almon — have told the city that they will make a decision on whether to restore or tear down the home in two weeks.

A rendering showing how the home at 1313 Haskell may appear after renovation.

But a preliminary review found the house to be structurally sound. The group even has had an architect develop a rendering of what the 1900 home could look like if restored.

• Downtown and city leaders will host an event Friday to formally recognize Massachusetts Street as a “Top 10 Great Street” in America for 2010. The American Planning Association designates 10 streets each year as great streets. Leaders will gather for a brief presentation at 6 p.m. at Ninth and Massachusetts in front of the U.S. Bank Tower. The presentation will lead into downtown’s monthly Final Fridays event, which is a showcase of local art.

• Lawrence photographers, here’s a chance for your work to land on the cover of about 65,000 AT&T phone directories. Downtown Lawrence Inc. has reached a deal to have downtown featured on the cover of the 2011 AT&T directory. Downtown Lawrence Inc. is inviting area residents to submit photos for consideration. But the group wants all photos to be taken from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, which coincides with downtown’s Final Fridays event. Images should be horizontal in orientation, and any person appearing in the photo whose face is recognizable must sign a release. A copy of the release form can be found here. Photos — in a JPEG or PDF format with at least 300 dpi resolution — should be e-mailed by Monday to director@downtownlawrence.com.

There is no fee to enter the contest, and the winner will receive a Downtown Lawrence gift certificate.

• Even though Halloween is on a Sunday, most downtown merchants will be open Sunday evening to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, said Jane Pennington, director of Downtown Lawrence Inc. Pennington recommends children and their families visit businesses between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

What town talk are you hearing? Send me a tip at clawhorn@ljworld.com.