Planning and Zoning
Regular MeetingPaola, KS · April 19, 2022
Minutes
MINUTES OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PLANNING COMMISSION /
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
APRIL 19, 2022
Commissioners Present: Cowman, McLean, Parks, Scott
Commissioners Absent: DeGrande, Nickelson
Others Present: Randi Shannon, Jessica Newton, Confluence Representatives,
Leigh House
Item 1: Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 2: Consideration of minutes from the March 15, 2022 meeting.
Commissioner Cowman called the meeting to order. The first order of business was the
introduction of Andy Parks to the Paola Planning Commission. The Commissioners then moved
into the consideration and approval of the minutes from the March 15, 2022 meeting.
Commissioner McLean made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 15, 2022
meeting, Commissioner Cowman made a second motion. All Commissioners voted in favor.
Commissioner Parks abstained due not being present at the March 15, 2022 meeting.
Item 3: Public Hearing: Consideration and vote to approve a Resolution adopting
the Paola Comprehensive Plan and recommend for final approval by the
City Council.
Commissioners McLean and Scott made a motion to open the public hearing, with all
Commissioners voting in favor.
Planner Newton stated that there were no written comments submitted from the public in
regards to the public hearing.
Commissioners McLean and Cowman made a motion to close the public hearing, with all
Commissioners voting in favor.
Planner Newton introduced Chris Shires, Confluence, to present the March 2022 draft of
the Paola Comprehensive Plan to the Commissioners. Shires stated that if the
Commissioners approved the draft then it would be finalized and presented to the City
Council for approval at their May 10, 2022 meeting.
Commissioner Scott asked how the amount of public input related to other communities
Confluence has worked with. Mr. Shires stated that while Confluence would have liked to
see more community involvement, they are happy with the feedback they received.
Commissioner Scott then asked if the draft is in line with Miami County Comprehensive
Paola Planning Commission Minutes
April 19, 2022
1
Plan and what Confluence feels the dynamic between City and County is. Mr. Shires
stated that Miami County has been a part of the process and adjustments have been
made regarding their feedback. Mr. Shires stated that City and County do not have
mutually exclusive goals and that it is in the best interest for County to support long term
City planning.
Commissioner Parks asked about narrowing of city street widths. Confluence
representative, Jay, stated this would only be on certain streets that are abnormally wide
for no apparent reason. This would also help allow for additional sidewalks or bike lanes.
Commissioners Scott and McLena made a motion to approve the Resolution adopting the Paola
COmprehensive Plan and recommended for final approval by the Paola City Council, with all
Commissioners voting in favor.
Item 4: Community/ Economic Development Director Report
Planner Newton presented the following:
1. Received 9 new permits for single family residential homes
2. Previous City Council meeting
a. Introduction of Mitch Gabbert as the Codes Enforcement Officer
b. Police Department promoted 5 officers
c. Juneteenth will be observed by City staff
3. City Hall office hours will change May 2, 2022 to 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Item 8: Adjournment
Commissioners Cowman and McLean made a motion to adjourn with all Commissioners voting
in favor.
Paola Planning Commission Minutes
April 19, 2022
2
Agenda
AGENDA
Paola Planning Commission/ Board of Zoning Appeals
To be held via YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIgDJjzXV_XvXznUfKQomw/featured?view_as=subscriber
Tuesday, April 19, 2022 - 5:00 PM.
1. Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Introduction of Andy Parks to the Paola Planning Commission.
3. Approval of the minutes from the March 15, 2022 meeting.
4. Public Hearing: Consideration and vote to approve a Resolution adopting the
Paola Comprehensive Plan and recommended for final approval by the City
Council.
5. Community/ Economic Development Director Report.
6. Adjournment.
Note: When addressing the Commission, please step to the podium and state your name
and address so that it can be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. In compliance with
the American with Disabilities Act, Individuals needing assistance or other services or
accommodation for this meeting should contact Jessica Newton at least 24 hours in
advance of this meeting at 259-3600.
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
May 17, 2022
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PLANNING COMMISSION /
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
MARCH 15, 2022
Commissioners Present: Cowman, McLean, Newton, DeGrande, Scott
Commissioners Absent: Pfefferkorn,
Others Present: Nick Ewing with Sullivan Palmer Architects, others
Item 1: Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 2: Consideration of minutes from the January 18, 2022 meeting.
Commissioner Cowman called the meeting to order. The first order of business was the
consideration and approval of the minutes from the January 18, 2022 meeting.
Commissioner McLean made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 18, 2022
meeting, Commissioner Cowman made a second motion. All Commissioners voted in favor.
Commissioners DeGrande and Newton abstained due not being present at the January 18, 2022
meeting.
Item 3: Public Hearing: Consideration and vote to approve a Variance for 602 N
Pearl St, El Potro Mexican Cafe, LLC., Applicant.
Commissioners McLean and DeGrande made a motion to open the public hearing, with all
Commissioners voting in favor.
Manager Shannon stated that there were no written comments submitted from the public in
regards to the public hearing. Mr. Battista, owner of 3 W 4th Street requested to see the
application documents for information purposes and express no opposition to the proposed
project or variance.
Manager Shannon presented El Potro proposes to replace the existing patio deck with a
new 1,236 square foot building addition. The new addition will extend beyond the
existing 25ft building setback requirements by 12’ - 5’’. The addition will allow more
tables for year round service, as well as a carryout window for online and call-in orders.
The window will be located at the back of the building.
One parallel parking space located on the south side of the current paito will be lost but the
parking requirements will still be met. The Land Development Ordinance requires 9 spaces per
1,000 square feet for a restaurant in the TA zoning district. El Potro requires 47 spaces, and will
provide 53.
Paola Planning Commission Minutes
March 15, 2022
1
DRAFT
The Commissioner reviewed SECTION 21.251 STANDARDS FOR VARIANCES To approve a
variance, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall apply the following standards:
A. Under no conditions shall a variance permit a use that is not otherwise permitted in the
district. The applicant shall be instructed to submit a zoning change request (Section
21.210) or a beneficial use appeal (Division 21.400), which are the only ways such a
change of use may occur.
B. Special circumstances or conditions exist peculiar to the land or building for which the
variance is sought that do not apply generally to lots, land, or buildings in the
neighborhood.
C. The special circumstances and conditions have not resulted from any act of the
applicant subsequent to this Ordinance's adoption.
D. The special circumstances and conditions are such that strict application of this
Ordinance's provisions would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of the land or
building.
E. Granting the variance is necessary to relieve the applicant of an unnecessary hardship
imposed by the regulations.
F. The variance granted is the minimum necessary to relieve the unnecessary hardship
and permit a reasonable use of the land.
G. Granting the variance will not be injurious to the neighborhood surrounding the land
where the variance is proposed, and is otherwise not detrimental to the public welfare.
H. Granting the variance is in harmony with this Ordinance's purposes and intent.
I. Granting the variance is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
The Commissioners also reviewed SECTION 21.252 CONDITIONS AND
RESTRICTIONS ON VARIATIONS which states:
In approving the application for any variance, the Board of Zoning Appeals may
impose additional restrictions and conditions on such approval. Restrictions and
conditions may be limits on the use of the property, the standards for locating the use,
standards for mitigating the impact on adjoining property owners who would lose
protection as a result of permitting the variance, or standards to protect the general health,
safety, and welfare.
Commissioner Cowman reiterated that new addition was replacing the existing deck, and
was confirmed by Mrs. Shannon and Mr. Nick Ewing. Commissioner DeGrande asked if
there will be access to drive around the building to access the new pick up window. This
was also confirmed by Mrs. Shannon and Mr. Nick Ewing. Commissioner Newton asked
if there were concerns about the amount of stacking spaces for the window. Mrs. Shannon
stated that due to the fact that the patrons are just picking up and not ordering it should
Paola Planning Commission Minutes
March 15, 2022
2
DRAFT
not be an issue, and that there is enough stacking room for spaces. Commissioner
McLean asked if the owners still had permission from Pearl Street Baptiste Church to
utilize their parking lot for overflow parking. Nick Ewing and the owners present reassured
that it was still a positive and working relationship between the business and the church
for the parking. Mrs. Shannon stated that the staggered hours of operation between the
church and the restaurant help with the agreement.
Commissioners Newton and Cowman made a motion to approve the variance to the minimum
street setback requirements for 602 N Pearl St., with the condition of the final site plan approved
by the Paola City Council, with all Commissioners voting in favor.
Item 4: Consideration and vote on the recommendation of a Final Site Plan
for 602 N Pearl St, El Potro Mexican Cafe, LLC., Applicant.
Mrs. Shannon presented that the parcel is approximately 35,422 square feet. The site plan was
done by Nick Ewing with Sullivan Palmer Architects. The proposed site plan shows the existing
building is 3,945 square feet, with an addition of 1,236 square feet. The max occupancy for this
restaurant is 99, and the new addition would add 70 with a total of 169 max occupancy.
Replacing the existing deck with the addition will allow for the restaurant more tables year
round, and will also accommodate the addition of a pick up window for togo orders.
The provided elevations show that the addition will have new stone wainscot and stucco
finishes to match the existing building. On the south elevation is where you will find the new
window for pick up orders.
There were no onsite drainage calculations provided. Staff would recommend onsite calculation
be provided for staff review.
Commissioner Newton inquired if a lighting plan would be required for the exterior wall
sconce lighting and if both of the new doors will allow for emergency egress. Mrs.
Shannon said that a lighting plan for the sconces would not be required and Mr. Ewing
confirmed that the doors will be used for emergency egress per the occupancy limit.
Commissioner McLean brought up the possible parking issues. Mrs. Shannon stated
that they exceed the parking requirements per the Land Development Ordinance.
Commissioners Cowman and McLean made a motion to recommend approval of the Final Site
Plan for 602 N Pearl St, with the condition that the applicant submits on site drainage
calculations for review and staff approval. All Commissioners voted in favor.
Item 5: Community/ Economic Development Director Report
Item 7: Economic Development Director’s Report
Manager Shannon presented the following:
Paola Planning Commission Minutes
March 15, 2022
3
DRAFT
The next open house for the Paola Comprehensive Plan will be on March 24th, from 4:00PM to
7:00PM at the Paola Fire Station Gym.
On March 29th there will be a joint Planning Commission and City Council meeting at 6:00PM at
the Paola Fire Station Training room to discuss the proposed final draft of the Paola
Comprehensive Plan.
The first Public Hearing for the Comprehensive Plan final draft will take place at the Planning
Commission meeting on April 19th.
Rausch Coleman Homes has purchased 38 lots which will complete both the Indian Hills, and
Hidden Meadows Developments.
Kwikom has partnered with the City of Paola to submit an application for the Broadband
Acceleration Grant 2.0 from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Broadband. Communities
that will be awarded the grant will be notified by middle of May.
Item 8: Adjournment
Commissioners Newton and Scott made a motion to adjourn with all Commissioners voting in
favor.
Paola Planning Commission Minutes
March 15, 2022
4
DRAFT
RESOLUTION NO. __________
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PAOLA, KANSAS, ADOPTING
THE “PLANNING PAOLA 2050” COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAOLA, KANSAS
WHEREAS, the City of Paola, Kansas (the “City”) has a duly constituted Planning Commission
as provided by Kansas Statues, K.S.A. 12-744; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to K.S.A. 12-747(a), the Paola Planning Commission is authorized to make
or cause to be made a Comprehensive Plan for the development of the City and the unincorporated
territory lying outside of the City; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to K.S.A. 12-747(b), after holding a duly noticed public hearing, the Paola
Planning Commission is authorized to adopt and amendment a Comprehensive Plan to then be
forward to the Paola City Council for its review and consideration of approval; and,
WHEREAS, the Paola Planning Commission has determined a need to update the
Comprehensive Plan; and,
WHEREAS, with the assistance of a professional planning consultant, City staff and a
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee conducted various studies, prepared maps, and drafted the
proposed Comprehensive Plan for the Paola Planning Commission’s review and consideration in
accordance with K.S.A. 12-747; and,
WHEREAS, public input for the Comprehensive Plan was obtained through surveys, interviews
with various community stakeholders, booths at special events, and two public meetings; and,
WHEREAS, on April 19, 2022, the Paola Planning Commission held a public hearing regarding
the proposed Comprehensive Plan, for which notice of the hearing was published twenty-days prior
to the public hearing date; and,
WHEREAS, the Paola Planning Commission is recommending to the Paola City Council the
adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan for the City titled, “Planning Paola 2050” in accordance with
K.S.A. 12-747.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
PAOLA, KANSAS:
A Comprehensive Plan for the City titled “Planning Paola 2050” is hereby adopted by the
Planning Commission and recommended for final approval by the City Council.
DRAFT
ADOPTED THIS 19TH DAY OF APRIL 2022.
____________________________________________________
Steve Cowman, Chair of the Planning Commission
Attest:
____________________________________________________
Get email alerts for Paola
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.