Advanced Plans Committee

Advance Plans Committee Summary of Meeting Thursday, November 7, 2019 MAPD Conference Room Attendance AP Committee Members: Mike Greene, (Chair) Chuck Warren, Bob Dool, Schane Gross; Members Absent: John McKay, Rob Hartman, and Joe Johnson; MAPD staff: Dale Miller, Scott Knebel, Mary M. Hunt, Dave Yearout, Matt Williams, Jim Schiffelbein, and Stephen Banks, Jeff VanZandt, Other: Rene Duxler, Andre Calvert, Don Sherman, Gina Penzig, Jeff Beasley; Discussion Summary 1. Advance Plans Committee Chair, Mike Green called the meeting to order at 10:30 am; 2. Due to a lack of a quorum at the October 3, 2019 meeting, The meeting summary was presented to the Committee for information purposes only, 3. The Advance Plans Committee approved (3 to 0) the meeting summaryof September 5, 2019. 4. Mr. Don Sherman of Evergy introduced Jeff Beasley, Vice President of Customer Operations at Evergy (formerly Westar Energy). Mr. Beasley indicated that transmission lines in northeast Wichita were due for replacement due to age and population changes in the area. Evergy’s policy is to conduct public open houses when changes occur and that due to a communication oversight, they did not properly describe to residents what the poles would look like. Another open house is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, where options will be presented. Mr. Beasley said portions of the lines will be redesigned. Property owners have been compensated on two occasions for easements, along with renters being compensated. Mr. Warren inquired about the proper role of the Planning Commission concerning utility pole placement. At this time, there is none. Mr. Dale Miller, Planning Director commented that if the Planning Commission chose to address the power pole placement issue, it would convey that the Commission enjoys some level of authority over this issue, where it does not. The issue should be addressed with the State legislature. Motion was made by Commissioner Dool, and seconded by Commissioner Green that no further action should be taken by the Committee and that this item will not move to the full Planning Commission for consideration. The Committee voted unanimously (4 to 0) to approve the motion. 5. Scott Knebel, Planning Manager updated the Committee on the Douglas Design District Business Improvement District (BID). The Advance Plans Committee is asked to review the Draft Plan and provide comments. The Plan will appear on the November 21, 2019 Planning Commission agenda. The City Council will be asked to vote on the matter in January 2020. Following a 45-day protest period, the Council could then enter into a contract with the Douglas Design District to operate the BID. The BID would have a separate volunteer Advanced Plans Committee Meeting Summary – November 7, 2019 1  oversight Board. Renee Duxler, Executive Director of the Douglas Design District presented information on the history and goals of the Douglas Design District and the attempt to form the BID. There are currently 550 businesses within the District with 183 facing Douglas Avenue. These street-facing businesses will be included in the BID. The purpose of the BID is to provide a stable funding source for the Douglas Design District goals. Businesses along Douglas from Washington to Glendale are included in the BID. A fee schedule is included in the Draft BID Proposal along with a multi-year budget. 6. Scott Knebel, Planning Manager with MAPD provided an update on the recent Riverfront Legacy Plan’s recent public event of October 17, 2019 where the consulting group presented information on the Market Analysis and identified opportunities for ‘non-convention and performing arts’ activities that could occur. The event was opened for comments from attendees with a focus on the redevelopment of Century II, and not the information presented. Providing large open space was the foremost amenity desired by those who contributed opinion during the public engagement process as well as having access to the river. Five scenarios will be presented, for comment, at the November 14, 2019 public event. Consultants will conduct considerable outreach to the public including social media. Retrofitting Century II is a challenge due to the shape and structural integrity of the building. The library is also of interest and has challenges due to the original construction methods and materials. The established guiding principles will be used to judge the five scenarios. It is anticipated that the final plan will be a combination of elements from the five scenarios. The Planning Commission will consider for recommendation to the City Council, the final Plan at their February 20, 2020 meeting. 7. Mary Hunt, Principal Planner provided an update on the Food System Master Plan. The question remains about including the Plan as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan or as a stand-alone Plan. Councilmember Tuttle and Assistant City Manager Martin are scheduled to meet with the City Manager soon to discuss their efforts. 8. Matt Williams, Associate Planner provided an update on the South Central Plan. DAB 6 unanimously recommended the Plan. Next steps include bringing the Plan to the Planning Commission in December 2019, followed by the City Council and Board of County Commissioners. 9. The Advisory Team for Wichita: Places for People participated in a policy charrette in mid- October. The team discussed what department policies needed to change to implement the Plan. Census data has been collected in an effort to identify the optimal location for a pilot study. Additional information is being collected now to finalize the ranking of node locations. The zoning code is being reviewed and the land bank committee is progressing with the drafting of a land bank mission statement. 10. The next regular meeting of the Advance Plans Committee is Thursday, December 5, 2019 beginning at 10:30 am in the Director’s conference room of MAPD. 11. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:02 pm. Advanced Plans Committee Meeting Summary – November 7, 2019 2