Advanced Plans Committee

Advance Plans Committee Summary of Meeting Thursday, September 5, 2019 MAPD Conference Room Attendance AP Committee Members: Chuck Warren (Chair), Cindy Miles, Bob Dool (arrived at 10:34 am), Joe Johnson, and Schane Gross. Members Absent: John McKay and Rob Hartman; MAPD staff: Scott Knebel, Mary M. Hunt, Dave Yearout, Matt Williams, Jim Schiffelbein, and Stephen Banks; Other: Kurt Yowell and Robert Parnacott; 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 August 8, 2019 with four votes (Warren, Miles, Johnson, and Gross); One member arrived after the vote was taken (Dool). 3. Scott Knebel, Planning Manager with MAPD presented information on the Riverfront Legacy Plan. Three future open house events are planned in October, November and January 2020. More public meetings were suggested for the Plan to be effective. Discussion centered on the location and siting of the Convention Center, although one advantage for Wichita is that the site is only ten minutes from Eisenhower Airport. There is more demand for convention activity than we can currently accommodate. Concerns about Century II, as a landmark is very important to citizens. The study indicated that a remodel of Century II would not produce a world class event center as it is not laid out adequately. The reuse of the library site is still part of the discussion. A map of downtown depicting the Urban Explorations guided walking tour scheduled for September 24 and 25, 2019 was distributed. Each of the four tours scheduled are identical in content. Commissioner Johnson reminded the group that transportation issues remain an impediment and should not be forgotten. The organizers are attending District Advisory Committee meetings and other media outlets to communicate to the public about the Plan along with social media and online surveys. Scenarios will be finalized in January, followed by a public hearing before the Planning Commission. Funding is not part of this Plan. The Commissioners discussed the impediment of using Eisenhower Airport being due to the times flights are offered and connection to larger air hubs. 4. Matt Williams, Associate Planner updated the Committee regarding the South Central Plan. Matt presented the calendar of events with the Plan being on the agenda for Advance Plans Committee on October 3, 2019. The Steering Committee will review the final plan next week. The Plan is to complete the process by January 2020. As a separate item, the Delano Plan was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners yesterday. Advanced Plans Committee Meeting Summary – September 5, 2019 1  5. Mary Hunt, Principal Planner updated the Committee about Wichita: Places for People. The City Manager has convened a working group of Department Directors to work on implementing the Plan. The Finance and Law Department have joined together to work on the Land Bank recommendation in the Plan. Mary explained how the Neighborhood Hubs and Community Core areas within the Opportunity areas are being analyzed now to assist the working group in selecting two possible pilot project areas. The criteria necessary to make a decision is still in question. Once the two areas are selected, more detailed neighborhood plans would be developed. Commissioner Miles shared that the Broadway and Harry node would be worthy of consideration. Commissioner Johnson inquired about the Crossgate District project being developed by Jeff Lang could fit into this effort. At this time it is not in the Planning Department work plan. 6. Other business: Mary Hunt updated the Committee that we were able to reach the office of Don Sherman with Evergy (formerly Westar Energy) to schedule a meeting at the November 2019 meeting of the Advance Plans Committee. We are waiting for an answer as this appointment is on the calendar for District 1, Council Person Brandon Johnson. Thanks to the Committee for adjusting their schedule to meet on Thursday, October 3, 2019 due to schedule conflict with staff. Commissioner Joe Johnson indicated he would not be in attendance on October 3, 2019 Advance Plans Committee meeting. Congratulations to Commissioner Joe Johnson and Bob Dool on their reappointments to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Miles stated that there would need to be a shift in the Committee memberships (Advance Plans and Subdivision) due to the change in leadership of the Planning Commission. 7. The next regular meeting of the Advance Plans Committee is Thursday, October 3, 2019 beginning at 10:30 am in the Director’s conference room of MAPD. 8. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:33 am. Advanced Plans Committee Meeting Summary – September 5, 2019 2