photo by: Rochelle Valverde/Journal-World

Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., is pictured on Jan. 31, 2023.

The only item on the agenda for this week’s Lawrence City Commission meeting is a public hearing related to an expansion project for the KU Chabad House.

On Tuesday, the City Commission will conduct a public hearing and consider adopting an ordinance that vacates utility easements located along the north-south property line between 1201 W. 19th St., the house’s address, and 1103 W. 19th St.

As the Journal-World has reported, KU Chabad has filed plans to build a larger house on its current property, replacing the existing duplex with a new 7,200-square-foot building about 60% larger than the existing space. KU Chabad plans to fund the project through a $5 million capital campaign.

Utility easements are designated parcels of land that give utility companies the right to access private property for the good of the community. According to a report from city staff included with Tuesday’s agenda, there are currently sewer lines, electrical service lines and AT&T telecommunications lines installed within the existing easement to serve the two existing homes located on each lot. KU Chabad intends to demolish the structures and combine the lots to build a new single structure, pending approval of a site plan.

According to the staff report, utility providers — the City of Lawrence, Evergy and AT&T — were all notified of the request and were supportive given the pending redevelopment.

The Lawrence City Commission will convene at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.