Auburn Washburn Unified School District No. 437 has requested annexation of a 93.05-acre tract of land to the northeast of SW 29th Street and SW Auburn Road. The owner will create a new middle school for the Auburn/Washburn 437 School District.
Land Use and Growth Management Plan 2040
The property lies within Tier 3 of the Urban Growth Area. Tier 3 areas make up the bulk of the urban growth area outside of Tier 1. Developing these areas requires graduating services to Tier 2 meaning, it is cost effective for the City to make investments for all of the urban services in the area.
The subject property is contiguous to the City and has existing services available within a reasonable distance. Sanitary sewer service is available off of SW 29th Street, and will be maintained by the Sherwood Improvement District. An existing 8 inch water line abuts the east side of the property from SW 27th Street, and water will be provided by Rural Water District No. 1. There is developed urban single-family housing that is being served by the City directly to the east and southwest of the subject property.
The subject property is designated as Urban Growth Area (residential) by the Topeka Future Land Use Map. Educational uses are consistent with this designation.
Street Network
SW Auburn Road and SW 29th street will remain Shawnee County roads. No new public roads are anticipated with the development of the middle school. New private driveways will serve the middle school with access off of SW Auburn Road and SW 29th Street. A pedestrian path is planned that will connect the campus to SW 27th Terrace.
The Topeka Planning Commission reviewed the annexation proposal at their meeting on December 19, 2022, and found the annexation to be consistent with the City's Land Use and Growth Management Plan.
While state law does not require that annexations be reviewed by the Planning Commission, the City's adopted comprehensive land use and growth management plan requires that the Planning Commission make a determination that annexations of 10 acres or more are consistent with the plan. On December 19, 2022, the Planning Commission determined that graduation to Tier 2 and annexation is consistent with the plan.