Final Draft of Mixed Use Zoning District

In April of 2007, the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission initiated amending Horizon 2020 and the Development Code to create a new, mixed use zoning district. The proposed mixed use zoning district will accommodate mixed use development that promotes transit use and pedestrianism by emphasizing form-based development standards. Planning staff prepared two drafts of the proposed mixed use district, the first of which was presented to the Planning Commission on July 25, 2007 and the second of which was presented on November 28, 2007. A third and final draft of the proposed amendments to Horizon 2020 and the Development Code was presented to the Planning Commission for consideration on February 27, 2008.

On February 27, 2008 the Planning Commission voted to defer the Mixed Use District and directed staff to make specific changes to the proposed district. These changes to the final draft were presented to the Planning Commission on April 23, 2008 and are described in this staff report. The Planning Commission voted 6-0 on to recommend approval of amendments to Horizon 2020 and the Development Code to implement the Mixed Use District on April 23, 2008.

The Mixed Use District will be considered by the City Commission soon. Please return to this page for updates.

• Proposed amendments to Horizon 2020
  Horizon 2020, the comprehensive plan for Lawrence and Unincorporated Douglas County is proposed to be amended to address mixed use development. Staff has prepared a staff report with proposed amended language. For more information on this amendment, please contact Dan Warner, Long-Range Planner at dwarner@ci.lawrence.ks.us
  
  
  • Comprehensive Plan Amendment Staff Report
• Proposed amendments to the Development Code
  The Development Code for the City of Lawrence is proposed to be amended to add a mixed use zoning district and standards for development in the new district. For more information on these amendments, please contact Joe Rexwinkle, Current Planner at jrexwinkle@ci.lawrence.ks.us
  
  
  • NEW Staff Report with Revisions April 23, 2008 Planning Commission Staff Report addressing final revisions requested by the Commission at its February 27 meeting.
  
  
  • Staff Report February 27, 2008 Planning Commission Staff Report.
  
  
  • Article 2 Final Draft The purpose and intent of the mixed use district. Includes an explanation of the three Development Zones.
  
  
  • REVISED Article 2 Final Draft Revised per Planning Commission direction on February 27.
  
  
  • Article 4 Final Draft The uses permitted in the mixed use district. The district promotes mixing of residential and nonresidential uses.
  
  
  • REVISED Article 4 Final Draft Revised per Planning Commission direction on February 27.
  
  
  • Article 5 Final Draft Use standards for certain uses permitted in the mixed use district.
  
  
  • Article 6 Final Draft Density and Dimensional Standards (i.e. minimum lot area, maximum densities, etc) for the mixed use district.
  
  
  • Article 9 Final Draft Specification of the appropriate locations for parking lots in the mixed use district.
  
  
  • Article 10 Final Draft Specification of the appropriate bufferyards for development in the mixed use district.
  
  
  • Article 11 Final Draft This section includes development standards pertaining to buildings and public frontages as well as provisions for development bonuses.
  
  
  • Article 17 Final Draft Includes all defined terms related to the mixed use district.