photo by: Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission

A map prepared by the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission details the area that is proposed for rezoning to allow for more residential development. The area referred to as "included in development request" was from an application for annexation that has since been withdrawn.

Douglas County leaders are set to consider an amendment to Plan 2040 that could lead to substantial residential development between Kansas Highway 10 and East 902 Road just west of Lawrence.

Plan 2040 is the long-term plan of the county and City of Lawrence that guides growth and land use.

The Douglas County Commission will discuss the proposed amendment to Plan 2040 at its meeting on Wednesday. The amendment would revise the land use map for property located generally around 1715 East 902 Road — just off K-10 west of Rock Chalk Park — and reclassify it from “residential/office” to “medium density residential,” meaning it would allow for more density in housing. According to the city’s zoning regulations, that specific zoning would allow for a density of seven to 15 dwelling units per acre.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission is proposing the amendment because the City of Lawrence has identified a single-family residential lot shortage. The city’s 2021 residential lot inventory report notes that last year saw an overall 32.1% reduction in available lot supply for residential uses.

Along with allowing for the development of additional residential lots, the change would also provide connections to and between the city’s multi-use paths and would connect East 902 Road to North 1750 Road to enhance traffic movement in the area.

The amendment request originally was submitted concurrently with a request for annexation into the City of Lawrence, but that application was later withdrawn.

The agenda item report for Wednesday’s meeting includes 10 responses from residents who live nearby expressing their concerns or outright opposition to rezoning the area.

In other business, the commission will:

• During a work session, hear an update from the Douglas County Sustainability Office about sustainability efforts, including the county’s Open Space Plan, climate planning and progress with grants.

• Hear a presentation about the progress of opening the Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County.

The center’s executive director and medical director, Dr. George Thompson, told the Journal-World last week that the final operational roadblock to opening is getting the facility licensed, which should be taken care of by Nov. 1. However, Douglas County Administrator Sarah Plinsky told the Journal-World an opening date was still not available.

Commissioners will hear a review of the development of the center, current issues with the center, behavioral health supports and enhancements currently operating in the community and next steps for the facility.

• Hear an overview on the Baldwin Rural Housing District from Baldwin City Administrator Glenn Rodden.

• Consider approving a conditional use permit for an indoor sports or recreation facility on approximately 8.23 acres at 960 East 1296 Road.

That property is owned by Veritas Christian School, and the permit would allow the space to be rented for club volleyball and basketball practices at an existing school gymnasium on the property.

The school needs to seek a conditional use permit because in 2018 the gymnasium was developed by itself rather than as part of the complete school, and one condition for that site plan was that it couldn’t be used as a public recreation facility unless a conditional use permit was obtained.

Wednesday’s work session will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the business meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St. The meeting will also be available by Zoom. For meeting information, visit the county’s website: dgcoks.org/commissionmeetings.