Eudora has entered into an agreement with Douglas County designed to give the city control over development of unincorporated areas on its fringe.

The Eudora City Commission approved the interlocal agreement on Oct. 26, which establishes an urban growth area in unincorporated areas adjacent to the city. The Douglas County Commission approved the agreement on Oct. 21.

Eudora City Manager Barack Matite said such agreements are common among growing cities, including Lawrence, and counties. The agreement applies to unincorporated land it is agreed will become part of the city. Specifically, the agreement establishes subdivision procedures in areas that the the city’s comprehensive plan shows to be part of Eudora in 20 years. The agreement requires any property owner seeking an application for a subdivision in those defined areas first be annexed into the city. The urban growth area is divided into Tier 1 properties that are currently surrounded by the city, and Tier 2 areas that when annexed would nearly double the physical size of Eudora.The expansion would occur in all directions except along the Wakarusa River floodplain to the northwest of the city.

Matite said the agreement is meant to assure property in the city’s growth area is developed according to the city’s comprehensive plan and to city standards.

In other business, the City Commission also moved to extend its downtown grant program. The program started in 2010 was available to businesses on Main Street from the railroad tracks to 10th Street. The grant program will now be available to businesses on 10th Street from Eudora Elementary School on the east to Cedar Street on the west.

The grant program makes up to $7,500 available to help businesses improve their buildings.

Matite said that in addition to extending the grant program to 10th Street businesses, the City Commission moved to require a 50% match from applicants. It also removed language that prevented businesses from reapplying for the grant for three years after a successful grant application, he said.

The city sets aside $15,000 a year for the program, and its goal is to award that amount annually, Matite said.