Advanced Plans Committee

Advance Plans Committee Meeting Summary Thursday, January 6, 2022 Meeting is conducted virtually via GoTo Meetings and in-person in the MAPC Conference room on the second floor of the Reagan Building Attendance AP Committee Members: Ann Fox (Chair), Chuck Warren, Rob Hartman, Cindy Miles; Members Absent: Joe Johnson, Bob Dool, John McKay; MAPD staff: Scott Wadle, Mary M. Hunt, Stephen Banks, Matt Williams, J.R. Cox, ThaiBinh Ninh; Other: Troy Houtman, Adam Nebenzahl; Discussion Summary 1. The meeting commenced at 10:33 am with Chair Ann Fox welcoming all attendees. 2. The December 2, 2021 meeting summary was approved 4 votes to zero. Commissioner Hartman motioned to approve; Commissioner Warren second the motion to approve. 3. Troy Houtman, Parks Director and Adam Nebenzahl, Management Fellow shared research on local and national tree policies. The research stemmed from concerns expressed by the Park Board, about tree removal within the public right-of-way, and the responsibility of developers in their respective projects. Currently the Public Works Department has no mitigation policy for tree replacement. Reviewing 14 projects over the previous five years showed more than 700 trees planted. When trees are removed from private property, there is no plan for replacing them. Consequently, there is no formal tree survey or tree policy in place at this time. The landscape code encourages retaining indigenous vegetation with development projects and as such, the requirements are fairly limited. Ten cities were examined for their tree policies. Cities like Seattle, Austin, Oklahoma City were more restrictive. Some cities used a point system and cities like Seattle and Austin had heritage tree policies for very large and very old tree protection. The Park Board was interested in what language could be used to update the current policy to make it more protective. Adam Nebenzahl share the results of the research including: tree protection, maintenance, planting, tree removal, notice requirements and penalties. He also explained the Kansas State University Extension program’s recommendations for trees, shrubs and flowers that are appropriate for this area. The research also found that approximately 8,000 trees are removed each year, however only 6,500 are replaced. At this time there are no proposed changes other than to share the research results. There were concerns expressed about trees located in the public right-of-way that block retail businesses. Mr. Houtman responded that these are the issues that need to be explored should there be changes to the tree policy. Advanced Plans Committee Meeting Summary – January 6, 2022 1 4. Mary Hunt, Principal Planner reported the results of requested information on how many “nightclub in the city” requests came before the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. During the previous six years there were 16 cases submitted to the Planning Department, where nine were approved and seven cases were either denied or rendered null and void. A handout was provided to the Committee, as requested that illustrates the difference between “Entertainment Establishments” and “Recreation & Entertainment” The first is a type of activity where the customer is being entertained; the second is where the customer participates in games of skill. The zoning code recommendation is to change the minimum person capacity to 300 persons, rather than 200 person capacity required to be considered a “Nightclub in the City”. Commissioner Hartman expressed that he thought the 300 person minimum was a reasonable change. Commissioner Miles agreed. Director Wadle reminded the Committee that should this change take place it will go to the Planning Commission, City Council and the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Warren motioned to forward this to the full Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. Commissioner Hartman second the motion. The motion was approved 4 votes to 0. 5. Mary Hunt, Principal Planner updated the Committee on Wichita: Places for People. Last month’s meeting of the Land Bank Board of Trustees received a presentation from the consulting firm, Development Strategies regarding the Affordable Housing Fund. With the information presented, the Land Bank has direction on how to proceed with their efforts. The Affordable Housing Fund Committee met the day before the Land Bank Board. The Committee came to a consensus regarding option 2 where they fund renovation and repairs for rental homes and owner-occupied homes. This option would increase the affordability range and would impact approximately 100 homes. The job of the Committee is to provide the City Manager with a recommendation on how to direct the funding. 6. Director Wadle updated the Committee on the status of the Planning Department. Including a chart with the number of cases managed each application cycle throughout 2021. The department is actively recruiting for a Division Manager and Senior Planner. Additionally, three positions were filled in 2021. 7. The next meeting of the Advance Plans Committee will take place on Thursday, February 3, 2022 beginning at 10:30 am. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. Advanced Plans Committee Meeting Summary – January 6, 2022 2