Item Coversheet

City of Topeka
Council Action Form
Council Chambers
214 SE 8th Street
Topeka, Kansas 66603
www.topeka.org
February 14, 2023
DATE:February 14, 2023
CONTACT PERSON:Dan Warner, AICP, Planning Division DirectorDOCUMENT #:
SECOND PARTY/SUBJECT:Potwin Lofts IIPROJECT #:
CATEGORY/SUBCATEGORY 014 Ordinances – Non-Codified / 007 Zoning
CIP PROJECT:No
ACTION OF COUNCIL:JOURNAL #:
PAGE #:

DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:

 

ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Stephen Wade 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 properties located at 400 & 500 SW Washburn, from R-2 Single Family Dwelling District and X-1 Mixed Use District to PUD Planning Unit Development with M-2 Multiple-Family Dwelling District and X-1 Mixed Use District uses, respectively.

 

Voting Option Requirements: (1) Approve Planning Commission's recommendation, 6 votes are 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 the property located at 400 SW Washburn Avenue to be partially redeveloped into apartment units and for the property located at 500 SW Washburn Avenue to be used as parking for the new apartment units.) 

 

VOTING REQUIREMENTS:

Governing Body voting options:

  1. Approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation by adopting the ordinance. A minimum of 6 votes is required of the Governing Body.
  2. Amend the Planning Commission’s recommendation by amending the ordinance. A minimum of 7 votes is required is required of the Governing Body.
  3. Refuse to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation by rejecting the ordinance. A minimum of 7 votes is required of the Governing Body.
  4. Remand to the Planning Commission for further consideration, with a statement specifying the basis for the governing body’s failure to approve or disapprove. A minimum of 6 votes is required of the Governing Body.
POLICY ISSUE:

Whether to adopt the Planning Commission's recommendation to rezone the property.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends the Governing Body move to adopt the ordinance. 

BACKGROUND:

PUD23/01 is requesting to change the zoning of the properties from “R-2” Single Family Dwelling District and “X-1” Mixed Use District to “PUD” Planned Unit Development with “M-2” Multiple Family Dwelling District and “X-1” Mixed Use District use groups, respectively. This change will permit the redevelopment of a portion of the church as apartment units, allow for the use of the adjacent property as associated parking, and allow for a variance to the parking requirements to permit one parking space per dwelling unit rather than two.

 

The proposed adaptive reuse of the church complies with the future land use portion of the Ward Meade Neighborhood Plan as it allows for the institutional use to continue. The project also fulfills the neighborhood plan goals of developing market-rate housing that supports the Downtown sub-area workface and establishing multiple-family residential in high-intensity areas.

 

The applicant conducted a neighborhood information meeting in the Fellowship Hall of the Potwin Presbyterian Church located at 400 SW Washburn Avenue on January 4th, 2023. Approximately 15 people attended the meeting including City Planning Division staff, the applicant Mark Burenheide, and the pastor of the Potwin Presbyterian Church - Sue Ann Seele. Discussion was centered around the appearance of the lofts, the targeted market segment for tenants, and parking during and after construction. Attendees appeared generally supportive of the project. 

 

The Planning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 8-0-0 at the close of the January 23, 2023 public hearing. Staff recommends approval with conditions as detailed in the attached staff report.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

None identified. 

SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Ordinance
Staff Report - PUD23/01
Planning Commission Minutes (January 23, 2023)
Aerial Map PUD23/01
Zoning Map PUD23/01
FULU Map PUD23/01
NIM Summary PUD23/01