Advanced Plans Committee

Advance Plans Committee Summary of Meeting Thursday, August 8, 2019 MAPD Conference Room Attendance AP Committee Members: Chuck Warren (Chair), Cindy Miles, John McKay, and Bob Dool, Joe Johnson, Rob Hartman, and Schane Gross (10:39 am) arrived late. Members Absent: None; MAPD staff: Dale Miller, Scott Knebel, Mary M. Hunt, Matt Williams, Jim Schiffelbein, and Stephen Banks; Other: Kurt Yowell, Robert Parnacott, and Lonnie Wright; Discussion Summary 1. Advance Plans Committee Chair, Chuck Warren called the meeting to order at 10:30 am; 2. The Advance Plans Committee, approved the meeting summary of July 11, 2019 with four votes (Warren, Miles, McKay and Dool); Two Committee members abstained from voting (Johnson and Hartman). One member arrived after the vote was taken (Gross). 3. Stephen Banks, Senior Planner with MAPD presented the Plan Monitoring Metrix Report for 2019. The report is prepared to confirm that the various metrics outlined in the Comprehensive Plan are reviewed each year using development activity, demographic data and other indicators as required by State Statutes. Stephen shared the highlights of the report including population changes, change in housing units, commercial development activity, employment growth changes and consistency of the Capital Improvements Program to the actual spending. The Committee voted 7 to 0 (unanimously) to forward the report to the full Planning Commission meeting of August 22, 2019. 4. Mary Hunt, Principal Planner shared with the Committee that Council District 1 representative inquired about a Comprehensive Plan amendment to control the location and size of Westar utility towers in neighborhoods. A memo from the law department was distributed to the Committee that includes a legal opinion on this request, concluding that the city has no authority to control this issue through the zoning code. Mr. Dale Miller, Planning Director prepared draft language that could be used should the Advance Plans Committee choose to go forward with this request. Chairman Warren preferred that there be information from Westar provided before the Committee makes a decision. Mr. Knebel reminded the Committee that there is a policy direction in place today, that we not include policies we cannot enact as it creates a false expectation in the eyes of the public. The Committee concluded the item should die due to lack of action. No vote took place. 5. Scott Knebel, Planning Manager shared information on the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan. A group called Opportunity Wichita plus the consulting firm Populous are leading the effort. They are reviewing options regarding the Century II building, the library site, Waterwalk and Advanced Plans Committee Meeting Summary – August 8, 2019 1  surrounding area. The study area is called the “East Bank”. The new study will include an economic study (funding strategy), something not included in earlier studies. They will develop three scenarios to share with the public in November and December, 2019 followed by a recommended option in January, 2020. Once this plan is approved, all previous plans will be retired. The first meeting took place on July 31, 2019 to a full house. Site tours will take place next as part of the community engagement series. Eventually the Plan will come to the Advance Plans Committee, followed by the full Planning Commission. More detailed information should be available in September 2019. The Plan should include a funding strategy. Comments from the public and Committee members included a lack of public engagement in the proposed process. This Plan would then become an amendment to the current Downtown Plan. 6. Matt Williams, Associate Planner updated the Committee on the South Central Area Plan. An open house took place on July 20, 2019 during a block party in the neighborhood. Matt shared the draft Plan document with the Committee. The Plan will have a magazine format including lots of graphics. The Plan lays out the Vision, Goals and Strategies for different topics. Staff anticipates the Plan will be presented to the Advance Plans Committee in September, the full Planning Commission in October, the City Council in November and County Commission in December. 7. Mary Hunt, Principal Planner updated the Committee on the Wichita: Places for People plan. An advisory team of department heads was established, that will provide guidance on implementing the Plan. The first meeting of the advisory team will take place on Monday, August 12, 2019. The Plan will be presented to the South Central Neighborhood Association in late August 2019. 8. Other business: None. 9. The next regular meeting of the Advance Plans Committee is Thursday, September 5, 2019 beginning at 10:30 am in the Director’s conference room of MAPD. 10. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:33 am. Advanced Plans Committee Meeting Summary – August 8, 2019 2