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City of Topeka
Council Action Form
Council Chambers
214 SE 8th Street
Topeka, Kansas 66603
www.topeka.org |
| | | September 15, 2020 |
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| | | | | | | | | DATE: | September 15, 2020 | | | | CONTACT PERSON: | Bill Fiander, Planning and Development Director | DOCUMENT #: | Z20/02 | | SECOND PARTY/SUBJECT: | Flywheel Fairlawn | PROJECT #: | N/A | | CATEGORY/SUBCATEGORY | 014 Ordinances – Non-Codified / 007 Zoning | | CIP PROJECT: | No | | | | ACTION OF COUNCIL: | | JOURNAL #: | | | | PAGE #: | |
| DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: |
ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Brent Trout amending the “District Map” referred to and made a part of the Zoning Ordinances by Section 18.50.050 of the Topeka Municipal Code, by providing for certain changes in zoning on property located at 605 SW Fairlawn from “C-4” Commercial District to “M-3” Multiple Family Dwelling District (Z20/02) (Council District No. 9)
Voting Option Requirements: (1) Approve Planning Commission's recommendation, 6 votes is required of the Governing Body (2) Reject or Amend Planning Commission's recommendation, 7 votes is required of the Governing Body; or (3) Remand back to Planning Commission, 6 votes is required of the Governing Body.
(Approval will allow conversion of the former Ramada hotel into a residential apartment complex for market rate workforce housing.) | | VOTING REQUIREMENTS: | Governing Body Options:
- Approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation. A minimum of 6 votes of the Governing Body is required.
- Amend or Reject the Planning Commission’s recommendation. A minimum of 7 votes of the Governing Body is required.
- Remand to the Planning Commission for further consideration, with a statement specifying the basis for the governing body’s decision to approve or disapprove. A minimum of 6 votes of the Governing Body is required.
| | POLICY ISSUE: | The key issue of the proposed rezoning concerns the owner's plans to convert the hotel rooms to apartments and the effect the conversion will have on the surrounding neighborhood.
Current market conditions do not support use of the property as a hotel. The zoning change will allow the owner to adapt the building and grounds for workforce housing and prevent deterioration of the property. The proposed use will likely generate less traffic than a hotel or other uses allowed under the current zoning. | | STAFF RECOMMENDATION: | Staff recommends the Governing Body move to adopt the ordinance. | | BACKGROUND: | Z20/02 is a request to change the zoning of the property from "C-4" Commercial District to "M-3" Multiple Family Dwelling District to allow the conversion of the hotel and conference center into market rate, workforce housing for approximately 130 - 140 dwelling units of studio, one and two bedroom apartments. The conversion also will provide for specified accessory uses including management office, common areas for co-working spaces, indoor playground and storage units for the apartments.
The applicant and owner conducted a Neighborhood Information Meeting on July 28, 2020. The main concerns expressed at the meeting relate to the type of housing being developed, leasing and income requirements of tenants, and management of the facility. These concerns are answered in the applicant's meeting summary.
The Topeka Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change on August 17, 2020 and the Planning Department recommends approval as indicated in the attached staff report.
| | BUDGETARY IMPACT: | | There is no budgetary impact to the City. | | SOURCE OF FUNDING: | | Not Applicable |
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