Lawrence public meetings in 2021

MPO Bicycle Advisory Committee

The MPO Bicycle Advisory Committee meets Dec. 22, 2021 to appoint a designee and alternate to the Transportation 2050 Steering Committee, which will guide the long-range transportation plan update. The committee will also vote on approving minutes from its July 8, 2021 meeting and receive quick updates on bicycle performance measures and a Bicycle Rideability Map. The July minutes show the committee previously recommended approval of the Countywide Bike Plan and approved Bicycle Rideability routes pending final edits.

• Appoint a designee and alternate to the Transportation 2050 Steering Committee
• Approve minutes from the July 8, 2021 meeting
• Update on Lawrence Bikes Plan performance measures (memo dated Dec. 17, 2021)
• Update on the Bicycle Rideability Map
• July 8, 2021 minutes: Countywide Bike Plan recommended for approval, 5-0

City Commission

The Lawrence City Commission meets Dec. 21, 2021 to decide on a range of items, including adding artificial turf soccer fields to the Capital Improvement Plan and awarding construction contracts. The consent agenda bundles routine approvals like meeting minutes, claims, licenses, and several construction bids. Notable regular agenda items include a $1.5 million Parks and Recreation project, a budget public hearing, and the 2022 Legislative Priority Statement.

• Amend 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan to add artificial turf on two soccer fields at Youth Sports Complex, anticipated cost $1.5 million
• Award Bid No. B2136 for 19th Street Reconstruction - Harper to O'Connell to RD Johnson Excavating Co. for $1,961,760
• Award Bid No. B2139 to MegaKC Corporation for $592,240 for 2021 Safe Routes to School Project
• Award Bid No. B2140 for University Place Water Main Replacement to Westland Construction Inc. for $1,050,999
• Approve $850,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Fund investments as recommended by the Affordable Housing Advisory Board

CANCELED - Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board

The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 3:00 PM was canceled. The agenda contains only a cancellation notice and no items for decision or discussion. No other business was listed.

Planning Commission

The Lawrence Planning Commission meets Dec. 15, 2021 to consider a joint session with the Eudora Planning Commission on a quarry expansion, plus a slate of rezoning, plat, and development requests. Major items include a 100-acre annexation and rezoning near the southeast corner of State K-10 and N. 1750 Road, a 52-unit assisted living facility at 4450 Bauer Farm Drive, and a clean rubble landfill on about 40 acres at 1736 E 1550 Rd. One rezoning request at 1571 and 1573 E 700 Rd has been withdrawn.

• Joint meeting with Eudora Planning Commission on conditional use permit CUP-21-00366 for Eudora Quarry expansion at 1232 E 2300 Rd
• Rezone Z-21-00223: about 3 acres at 1241 North 1300 Road from County AG-2 to RS5
• Preliminary plat PP-21-00224 for Denton Addition, about 3 acres at 1241 N. 1300 Road
• Rezone Z-21-00376: about 0.31 acres at 1500 Research Park Drive from IBP to RS10
• Preliminary development plan PDP-21-00371 for Cedarhurst of Lawrence, a 52-unit assisted living with 22-unit extended care facility on about 6.91 acres at 4450 Bauer Farm Drive

City Commission

The Lawrence City Commission meets Dec. 14, 2021 in a hybrid format to act on a consent agenda and a regular agenda item. Consent items include a $299,995 stormwater construction contract, a $20,580 traffic-program services agreement, an Axon in-car video purchase, a Black Hills Energy gas franchise ordinance, and a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an opioid settlement memorandum of understanding with the Kansas Attorney General. The regular agenda includes receiving a letter from the Community Police Review Board on revising its authorizing ordinance, and a work session on the Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods strategic plan outcome.

• Award Bid No. B2145 to RD Johnson Excavating Company, LLC for $299,995 for 13th & Kentucky Stormwater Improvements
• Authorize $20,580 Supplemental Agreement No. 2 for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program
• Agreement with Axon for purchase and installation of the Fleet 3 In-Car video system
• Ordinance No. 9897 granting Black Hills Energy a non-exclusive gas franchise
• Resolution No. 7402 authorizing an opioid settlement memorandum of understanding with the Kansas Attorney General

Douglas County Food Policy Council

The Douglas County Food Policy Council meets Monday, December 13, 2021, 6:30-8:30pm at 4931 W 6th St., Lawrence. The agenda includes administrative items, 2022 leadership elections with nominees Tyler for Chair and Elizabeth for Vice-Chair, and a budget overview showing a $134.28 balance after 2021 allocations. Members will also hear an update on solar utility regulations and a year-in-review, and acknowledge departing members.

• 2022 leadership elections: Tyler nominated for Chair, Elizabeth for Vice-Chair
• Budget overview: $134.28 balance after 2021 allocations
• Update on Solar Utility Regulations
• Approval of November 15 meeting minutes
• 2022 January retreat scheduling and format

CANCELED - MPO Technical Advisory Committee

The Metropolitan Planning Organization's Technical Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 2:30 PM has been canceled. The agenda contains no items for discussion or decision — only the cancellation notice. No reason for the cancellation is given in the supplied document.

• Meeting canceled; no business conducted
• Was to be hosted virtually from the City Commission Room, City Hall, 6 E 6th St, Lawrence, KS 66044
• No agenda items, contracts, ordinances, or public hearings listed

City Commission

The Lawrence City Commission meets Dec. 7, 2021 to swear in newly elected commissioners, elect a Mayor and Vice Mayor, and act on a large consent agenda. That agenda includes a $46,560,000 revenue bond issuance, a $4,457,000 water treatment plant contract, and second-reading ordinances on rental housing rules, rezoning, and water/sewer and stormwater rates. Most items are grouped for a single vote unless pulled for separate discussion.

• Revenue Bonds, Series 2021: $46,560,000, sale to Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (Ordinance 9896, Resolution 7403)
• Kaw Water Treatment Plant contract: $4,457,000 with Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc., plus $299,566 to Black & Veatch
• Riverfront and New Hampshire parking structures repairs: $580,586 contract with Pullman SST, Inc. (Bid B2143)
• Rezonings at 7200 W. 6th Street: 25.4 acres to RS and 10.4 acres to OS (Ordinances 9883, 9884)
• Ordinances on second reading for water/sewer rates (9891), stormwater ERU rate (9892), and solid waste rules (9893)

CANCELLED - Board of Zoning Appeals/Sign Code Board of Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals/Sign Code Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for December 2, 2021 was cancelled. The sole agenda item, a variance request (SV-21-00403) for a 528-square-foot illuminated wall sign at 2800 VenturePark Drive, was withdrawn before the meeting. Staff had recommended denial, finding the request did not meet the criteria for a variance. No decisions were made.

• Meeting cancelled; no business conducted
• Variance SV-21-00403 withdrawn by applicant Davidson Architecture & Engineering on behalf of USEREH Lawrence, LLC
• Request sought a 528 sq ft illuminated wall sign, about 43% larger than the 225 sq ft maximum allowed in IG zoning
• Staff recommended denial, citing lack of unique conditions and potential detriment to public welfare
• Property is a proposed manufacturing/warehouse facility at 2800 VenturePark Drive

Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board

The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board meets Nov. 18 to vote on its 2022 Unified Planning Work Program, 2022 Safety Targets, and the steering committee for the Transportation 2050 long-range plan. It will also hear a discussion update on transit ridership and vehicle miles traveled performance measures. The 2022 UPWP drew no public comments during its Sept. 28-Oct. 27 comment period, and the safety targets drew one formatting comment from KDOT.

• Approve 2022 Unified Planning Work Program and authorize MPO Secretary Jeff Crick to sign Consolidated Planning Grant agreements
• Approve 2022 Safety Targets, which had a 15-day comment period and one KDOT formatting comment
• Approve Transportation 2050 Steering Committee and Staff Advisors; plan due by March 2023
• Discussion item on Performance Measures 4 (transit ridership) and 23 (vehicle miles traveled per capita)
• Approve Oct. 21, 2021 minutes

Planning Commission

The Lawrence Planning Commission meets Nov. 17, 2021 to consider a preliminary plat creating seven single-family residential lots on about 3 acres between 4600 and 4412 Nicklaus Drive. Staff recommends approval; the land is currently open space on the Alvamar golf course. Three other items — a splash park special use permit, a rezoning, and the Denton Addition plat — are marked deferred. The Commission will also review its 2022 meeting calendar.

• Preliminary plat PP-21-00343 for Heritage No. 4 at Alvamar Addition: 7 lots plus a 25,928 sq ft conservation tract, submitted by Storm Engineering Group for Eagle 1968, LC
• Deferred: special use permit SUP-21-00318 for Burroughs Creek Splash Park at 900 E 15th Street
• Deferred: rezoning Z-21-00223 of about 3 acres from County AG-2 to RS10 at 1241 N 1300 Rd (DCCCA Inc.)
• Deferred: preliminary plat PP-21-00224 for Denton Addition at 1241 N 1300 Rd
• Review and possible adoption of the 2022 Planning Commission meeting and submittal calendar

City Commission

The Lawrence City Commission meets Tuesday, Nov 16, 2021, in a hybrid format to act on a mostly routine consent agenda and several first-reading ordinances. The regular agenda includes revised water and sewage rates (Ordinance No. 9891), a stormwater drainage charge change (Ordinance No. 9892), and solid waste rules (Ordinance No. 9893). The commission will also consider a $250,000 preconstruction agreement with McCarthy Building Companies for Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements and receive a city manager plan on resuming utility late fees and disconnections.

• Ordinance No. 9891: revised water and sewage disposal rates
• Ordinance No. 9892: stormwater drainage charge based on equivalent residential unit (ERU) rate
• Ordinance No. 9893: solid waste collection, removal, transportation, and disposal rules
• McCarthy Building Companies agreement: $250,000 preconstruction plus 5.5% of Guaranteed Maximum Price for Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements
• Aetna stop-loss coverage for 2022 employee healthcare plan: total annual premium $2,232,001

Douglas County Food Policy Council

The Douglas County Food Policy Council meets Monday, November 15, 2021, 6:30-8:30pm at 1006 New Hampshire, Lawrence, with a Zoom option. Members will consider approving up to $1,000 for compilation and design of an Agricultural Economic Development report, and allocating funds to send members to the Community Food Systems Annual Event on February 25, 2022 in Des Moines at $65/person plus mileage, against a stated 2021 balance of $4,734.28. The agenda also includes approval of a prioritized list of state-wide food policy initiatives, 2022 leadership nominations, and a possible change to the December 20 meeting date.

• Consider approving up to $1,000 for compilation and design of the Agricultural Economic Development report
• Consider funding member travel to the Community Food Systems Annual Event, February 25, 2022, Des Moines: $65/person + mileage
• Budget overview: $4,734.28 balance for 2021
• Consider approval of a prioritized list of state-wide food policy initiatives
• FPC work session with the Planning Commission on solar utility regulations, November 18 at 3:30pm, four FPC members

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission meets Nov. 15, 2021, to consider a text amendment, TA-21-00173, adding standards for Commercial/Utility Scale Solar Energy Conversion Systems (CSECS) to the zoning regulations for unincorporated Douglas County. The item was initiated by the County Commission on 5/5/21 and deferred by the Planning Commission on 8/23/21. The rest of the agenda is routine: approving October 27, 2021 minutes, committee reports, communications, and general public comment.

• Text amendment TA-21-00173 would add standards for Commercial/Utility Scale Solar Energy Conversion Systems (CSECS) to unincorporated Douglas County zoning rules
• Item initiated by County Commission on 5/5/21 and deferred by Planning Commission on 8/23/21
• Receive and amend or approve minutes from the Oct. 27, 2021 Planning Commission meeting
• Written public comment due by 10:00 a.m. Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 to [email protected]
• Meeting held virtually via Zoom and in person at City Hall, 6 East 6th Street; masks required inside City buildings

City Commission

The Lawrence City Commission meets Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, in a hybrid format to consider a regular agenda that includes a comprehensive plan amendment and two rezonings at 7200 W. 6th Street, a first-reading ordinance on long-term residential rental property regulation, and a long-term Parklet Program. The consent agenda bundles routine items such as minutes, claims, licenses, appointments, and several purchase authorizations. The meeting also includes public comment, a city manager's report, and a planned executive session on a personnel matter.

• Comprehensive plan amendment CPA-21-00258 to Plan 2040, Chapter 8B West of K-10 Plan, to add residential uses for Gateway Addition, 7200 W 6th St (Ordinance No. 9882)
• Rezone Z-21-00259: about 25.4 acres at 7200 W. 6th Street from CC600 to RS7 single-dwelling residential (Ordinance No. 9883)
• Rezone Z-21-00260: about 10.4 acres at 7200 W. 6th Street from CC600 to OS open space (Ordinance No. 9884)
• First reading of Ordinance No. 9876 repealing and replacing Chapter 6, Article 13 on regulation of Long-term Residential Rental Property
• Consent agenda purchase items: $131,420 Supplemental Agreement No. 2 for a Downtown Site Selection Study (CIP# TR-21-01) and $135,446.67 purchase order with Fluid Equipment

Board of Zoning Appeals/Sign Code Board of Appeals

The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals/Sign Code Board of Appeals meets Nov. 4, 2021 to hold public hearings on two variance requests and to approve its 2022 meeting calendar. One request seeks to reduce the front setback at 1220 Summit Street from 20 feet to 6 feet 4 inches to rebuild a front porch; staff recommends approval. The other seeks to reduce a required industrial setback at 700 Lincoln Street from 50 feet to 23 feet. The board will also hear communications and any deferrals.

• Variance B-21-00350: reduce front setback at 1220 Summit Street from 20 feet to 6 feet 4 inches to rebuild a front porch; staff recommends approval
• Variance B-21-00373: reduce required setback at 700 Lincoln Street from 50 feet to 23 feet for an IG (General Industrial) lot abutting a residential or SmartCode district
• Applicant for 1220 Summit Street: Schneider and Associates Architecture for property owner Guadalupe A. Serna
• Applicant for 700 Lincoln Street: Joy Rhea of Paul Werner Architects for Shamrock Valley Ventures, LLC
• Miscellaneous item: approve 2022 BZA meeting calendar

City Commission

The Lawrence City Commission meets Nov. 2, 2021, in a hybrid format to act on a consent agenda and one regular item. The regular item is Resolution No. 7398, which would temporarily suspend enforcement of certain Land Development Code, International Building Code and International Fire Code provisions from Nov. 3, 2021 to March 31, 2022 to allow overnight winter emergency sheltering at the Community Building and East Lawrence Recreation Center. The consent agenda includes a $115,557 professional services agreement with Woolpert, a $36,475 change order to a sewer rehabilitation contract, and a special use permit for an extended care facility at 1311 Research Park Drive. The agenda also includes reports on snow and ice control, building permits, sales tax, and third-quarter finances.

• Resolution No. 7398: suspend certain code enforcement Nov. 3, 2021–March 31, 2022 for overnight winter emergency sheltering at the Community Building and East Lawrence Recreation Center
• Professional Services Agreement with Woolpert, Inc. for $115,557 for Phase 1 of the Asset Management Program (MS-21-8019)
• Change Order No. 3 with Insituform Technologies, LLC for $36,475.00, raising the 2020 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Rehabilitation CIPP Project contract to $2,012,178.70
• Purchase of seven Durango police interceptors from Landmark Dodge via the MACPP cooperative bid
• Special use permit SUP-21-00262 for Beehive Homes extended care facility at 1311 Research Park Drive; Ordinance No. 9879 on first reading

MPO Technical Advisory Committee

The Lawrence-Douglas County MPO Technical Advisory Committee meets Nov. 2, 2021 to recommend approval of the 2022 Unified Planning Work Program and 2022 Safety Targets, and to discuss the Transportation 2050 steering committee. The UPWP, open for public comment Sept. 28-Oct. 27, describes 2022 MPO work including developing Transportation 2050 to replace Transportation 2040, completing pedestrian plans, and updating Title VI and Limited English Proficiency plans. The safety targets follow a 15-day comment period that drew one formatting comment from KDOT. A discussion item covers performance measures on transit ridership and vehicle miles traveled per capita.

• Recommend approval of the 2022 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), which includes developing Transportation 2050 to replace Transportation 2040
• Recommend approval of 2022 Safety Targets, revised after one KDOT formatting comment
• Recommend approval of the Transportation 2050 Steering Committee and Staff Advisors
• Discussion of Performance Measure 4 (transit ridership) and PM 23 (vehicle miles traveled per capita)
• Pedestrian Plan survey open until Nov. 14; public participation survey open until Nov. 19

Planning Commission

The Lawrence Planning Commission meets Oct. 27, 2021 to consider a rezoning and a preliminary plat for the Going South Addition, a 38-lot residential subdivision at 2726 O'Connell Road. Two other items — a splash park special use permit and a Douglas County land-assessment text amendment — are marked deferred. The meeting is held virtually via Zoom and in person at City Hall, 6 East 6th Street.

• Rezone Z-21-00227: about 5.19 acres at 2726 O'Connell Road (also 1338 E 1600 Rd) from RM15 to RS5, submitted by Grob Engineering Services for Going South, LLC
• Preliminary plat PP-21-00228: Going South Addition, 38 lots for detached, duplex, and multi-dwelling homes, including a cul-de-sac variance under section 20-810(e)
• Variance from Section 20-810(a)(2) for a sub-minimum-width lot in the RS7 district, tied to minor subdivision MS-21-00346, Blue Sage Meadows, 2 lots at 2145 and 2201 Learnard Avenue
• Deferred: SUP-21-00318 for an Active Recreation use (Burroughs Creek Splash Park) in the OS district at 900 E 15th Street
• Deferred: TA-21-00238, a Douglas County text amendment to create a Land Evaluation Site Assessment (LESA) system for AG-1 rezoning reviews