With the goal of preserving the city’s neighborhoods, city leaders will soon discuss increasing or eliminating the cap on the number of Airbnbs and other short-term rentals allowed in nonresidential areas. The Lawrence City Commission will discuss the possible changes as part of its meeting Tuesday. Currently, the city caps the number of short-term rentals that one person or ownership group can operate at three regardless of the location. The limit applies to all properties that are rented by the night, typically on online platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Mayor Lisa Larsen requested that the city revisit the regulations late last year. Larsen said Friday that she continued to be interested in whether it was possible to increase or eliminate the three-rental cap only for nonresidential zoning districts, such as commercial or industrial areas, to allow such rentals to grow more in those areas.
Source: LJWorld

For new Derby city attorney Jacqueline Kelly, her fascination with the law began at a young age. Kelly admitted watching “The Cosby Show” growing up and seeing Claire Huxtable succeed as an attorney and mom was an inspiration, while her own personal experiences also helped shape her career path. “As a kid, because I was adopted and I went through a legal process, I admired that process,” Kelly said. “I like the structure that law provides to relationships and solving problems. It’s kind of a good north compass.” Beginning March 20, Kelly officially took over the reins in Derby for former city attorney Jacque Butler, maintaining her vested work interests – as Kelly has worked almost exclusively in government since starting to practice law nine years ago.
Source: Derby Informer

How can Lawrence neighborhoods accommodate more homes and businesses and also maintain the characteristics that make people want to live there? That’s the question that those working to update Lawrence’s land development code — which determines where and how the city grows — will soon be asking neighborhood groups and residents. As part of its meeting Thursday, the Land Development Code Update Steering Committee and city-hired consultants with Clarion Associates went over a draft of a survey that aims to get at that and other questions. The draft survey can be filled out by neighborhood associations, other community groups, or individuals and will inform the update of the land development code. Elizabeth Garvin, of Clarion Associates, said the intent of the survey is to find out what characteristics residents prioritize about their neighborhoods, and how the new code can reflect that in a broad sense.
Source: LJWorld

Soon Hutchinson residents might be able to go from owning three chickens to raising eight. However, the amount of roosters allowed in the backyard garden will not change − it will remain at zero. On Wednesday, the Hutchinson Planning Commission approved sending their recommendations on the amount of chickens a household may own to the Hutchinson City Council. The recommendations will go before the council for approval on May 16. “A maximum of eight chickens, as we discussed in our last discussion, may be kept in the side or rear yard,” said David Inskeep, a commission member. When the property is more than 2,000 square feet, one additional chicken may be kept for each additional 250 square feet up to a maximum of 20 chickens.
Source: Hutch News