Planning Process
Site Planning in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County, Kansas
The following information is provided to assist individuals who wish to site plan property within the City of Lawrence. This is only a guide. Should you have further questions, please call the Planning Office at (785) 832-3150 to schedule an appointment with the 'Planner of the Day'.
Why is a site plan required?
The purpose of the site plan review process is to encourage the compatible arrangement of buildings, off-street parking, lighting, landscaping, traffic flow and drainage on the site and from the site. The County zoning regulations require review to promote safety and convenience for the public and to preserve values of nearby properties.When is a site plan necessary?
Approval of a site plan is required when any commercial or industrial development or redevelopment is proposed. The zoning regulations do not permit issuance of a building permit or the increase in the intensity of a use on a property until a site plan has been approved.What kind of information is provided on a site plan?
A site plan, prepared by an architect, engineer or other qualified professional, illustrates the proposed improvements on a property. Generally, a site plan indicates the size and location of buildings; number, location and size of parking spaces; type and location of pavement surfaces; topography, utilities and drainage information; and landscaping and lighting proposed in the development of a property. Specific requirements for a complete site plan are listed in Section 19A-4 of the Zoning Regulations.How do you submit a site plan?
Call the Planning Office to schedule a pre-application meeting with one of the planners to discuss the proposed development or redevelopment. At this meeting, you will be provided with specific zoning regulation requirements to be provided on a site plan and an application form. A completed submittal includes 16 copies of the site plan, the application form and a $50 application fee. In addition, an electronic copy of all the submittal materials.The submitted site plans are sent to various county departments and public utility companies for review. The planner assigned to the project will contact the applicant to discuss the review comments and suggest any revisions that may be needed before the site plan is forwarded to the County Commission for consideration. The site plan review period is a minimum of 21 days. The planner assigned to the project will prepare a written report, which will be provided, to the County Commission and the applicant. The applicant will be asked to provide additional copies of the site plan (with any necessary revisions) for the commission packet.
What happens at the County Commission meeting?
You or your representative should plan to attend the meeting to explain your project and answer questions. The County Commission meets on Mondays at 8:30 a.m. and on Wednesdays at 6:35 p.m. in the County Commission Room at the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts Street. Prior to the meeting you will have received a copy of the staff report provided to the commission which describes the project and makes a recommendation. The County Commission may approve the site plan with conditions, deny the site plan or defer the issue for further study.When a site plan is approved and all conditions have been met, three copies of the plan will be signed and stamped by the Planning Director and the plan will be released to the County Zoning Administrator. Building permits for the project will not be issued until that department receives the stamped plan. If a building permit is not issued within two years of the County Commission's approval, the site plan approval expires.
