Overland Park exploring concrete requirement for new paved roads

Overland Park is considering whether to require developers to pave new residential and collector streets with concrete. The proposed change, which was reviewed at the Overland Park Public Work’s meeting Wednesday, would allow the city to gradually reduce its reliance on the controversial road resurfacing method known as chip seal. Concrete street pavement has been used for several years, both on the city’s thoroughfare projects and most recently in the neighborhood street reconstruction project, said Lorraine Basalo, public works interim director. “Our oldest concrete street is Nall about 131st south towards 143rd,” she said. “And to date, we have not had any maintenance that we’ve had to do on that in the last 15 years.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

2023-03-24T11:49:43-05:00March 24, 2023|News|

Leawood wants to make room for more affordable housing

Leawood wants to make way for smaller and more affordable homes. The Leawood City Council on Monday discussed plans to review and alter the city’s code for single-family lot sizes, with the intent that smaller lot sizes would ultimately lower home prices and diversify the city’s housing stock with more townhomes and twin villas. The city’s discussion follows Johnson County’s release of property valuations earlier this year, which showed the average home price in the county crept above half a million dollars.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

2023-03-24T11:49:59-05:00March 24, 2023|News|

First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence vs. City of Lawrence (Interpretation of an Ordinance)

The Church argues that RSO zoning limits Fountain to building only one duplex on the 9.12-acre lot because of the way a duplex is defined in § 20-1734(5). The relevant language from the definition of duplex is as follows: “A single Structure that contains two (2) primary Dwelling Units on one (1) Lot.” City Code § 20-1734(5). Though all parties contend the meaning of § 20-1734(5) is unambiguous, they do not agree on that “unambiguous” meaning. The Church points out that the section defines a duplex as a “single” structure with two primary dwelling units on one lot; it does not state “two” or “multiple” or “57” structures with two primary dwelling units on one lot. City Code § 20-1734(5). … Our discussion of the Church’s proposed interpretation of the City Code is intended to explain why the definition of “duplex” in § 20-1734(5) is ambiguous and the Church’s interpretation is plausible. We do not suggest that the Church’s interpretation is necessarily correct. The district court’s decision and the underlying arguments by the City and Fountain, along with points raised in the dissent, demonstrate that their proposed interpretation is also plausible. … We reverse the dismissal by the district court and remand the case for further proceedings.
Source: Kansas Court of Appeals

2023-03-24T10:02:16-05:00March 24, 2023|News|

Public welcome organized for newly hired Kansas City, Kansas administrator Monday

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas is planning to introduce newly hired County Administrator David Johnston with a public meet-and-greet Monday. The public, government staff and elected officials, including Mayor Tyrone Garner, are expected to be on hand as Johnston takes over the UG’s top hired position. … Johnston will take the helm from Cheryl Harrison-Lee, the interim County Administrator for the past year. Johnston is the long-term hire to replace former County Administrator Doug Bach… Prior to being picked to lead Wyandotte County government, Johnston was the city manager for Covington, Kentucky…
Source: KC Star Local News

2023-03-23T08:10:55-05:00March 23, 2023|News|

Doug Gerber officially takes over as Shawnee City Manager next week

Doug Gerber officially takes over as Shawnee City Manager next week, taking the oath of office during the regularly scheduled Shawnee City Council meeting on Monday. Gerber previously served as a deputy and interim city manager in Topeka. Before that, he also held high-level leadership positions in Goodland and Beloit, Kan., and most recently worked with JEO Consulting Group.
Source: Prairie Village Post

2023-03-23T08:09:38-05:00March 23, 2023|News|

Winfield will help cover sidewalk repairs

Winfield property owners can now be reimbursed by the city for sidewalk repairs after commissioners approved a rebate plan at their Monday meeting in a 3-0 vote. In the past, property owners were responsible for the full cost of repairing sidewalks on their property. According to a questionnaire community members filled out several years ago as part of the city’s comprehensive plan update, 50% of respondents said the city and landowners should split the cost of sidewalk repairs, 47% said the city should pay the full cost, and 3% said the landowners should foot the bill. According to a copy of the plan, owners can be reimbursed at $6 per square foot, or 50% of the estimated costs, for sidewalk removal and replacement on their property.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

2023-03-23T08:08:42-05:00March 23, 2023|News|

Barton County plans to rejuvenate the City of Pawnee Rock

For a small town, Pawnee Rock holds a lot of history. Sadly, the years have taken a toll on the once -thriving community. But, with the help of a $50,000 infusion approved by the Barton County Commission Wednesday morning, the Pawnee Rock Revitalization Committee hopes to change that. There are plans to rejuvenate the city’s park and make it a nicer home for its growing younger population. “If you let a city go and you don’t care about it, you might have what Pawnee Rock kind of looks like today,” said Denise Penn, longtime Pawnee Rock resident and member of the Revitalization Committee.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

2023-03-23T08:07:06-05:00March 23, 2023|News|

What will Andover look like in 10 years? Here’s what city’s draft comprehensive plan says

Andover officials are looking to finish up the city’s new 10-year comprehensive plan soon, and residents and stakeholders have the opportunity to weigh in. The “Activate Andover” plan is set to begin in 2024 and go through 2034. The plan outlines future land uses and desired growth the city wants to accomplish over the span of the next decade. It is “one of the most important guiding documents the City utilizes,” according to a summary of the current comprehensive plan from an October 2021 city council workshop. Andover’s current 10-year comprehensive plan, which began in 2014, expires this year. That document guided the building of a corridor along U.S. 54, used for housing and business and led to the building of Redler Institute of Culinary Arts, which added more local educational opportunities, among other development achievements, according to previous Eagle reporting.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

2023-03-23T01:18:28-05:00March 23, 2023|News|
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