District 3 Advisory Board
Regular MeetingWichita, KS · August 5, 2020
Minutes
District 3 Advisory Board Minutes
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 • 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting • Zoom and Facebook Live
Video of meeting:
https://www.facebook.com/101486909927126/videos/2725973784350534
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Order of Business
The District 3 Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. via the virtual platform Zoom and live-
streamed on the District 3 Facebook page. Council Member James Clendenin and five DAB members
were present (note: there are three vacancies on the board). There were also five City staff and four
members of the public in attendance. The current agenda and minutes from July 1, 2020 were approved.
Members Present Staff Present
Bruce Gass Battalion Chief Kelly Ross, Wichita Fire
Catherine Johnson Department
Cindy Miles Chief Gordon Ramsay, Wichita Police
Michael Loop Department
Ron Tracy Lt. Casey Slaughter, WPD
Council Member James Clendenin Matt Williams, Associate Planner, Metropolitan
Area Planning Department
Members Absent Maddy Campbell, Community Services
Daisy Olivar Representative, City Manager’s Office
Gerald Henry
Jared Cerullo
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Staff Reports
1. Wichita Fire Department
Battalion Chief Kelly Ross presented District 3 updates to the group. He reported there were five fire
incidents during the month of July in District 3. On July 4 a severely vandalized, vacant building located in
the 2200 block of South Oliver had two separate small fires set. They were incendiary in nature and
caused about $1,000 in damage. The next fire occurred on July 5 in the 1500 block of East Berkley. A
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Minutes • Page 1
bedroom in a vacant home owned by the City of Wichita caught fire and resulted in approximately
$30,000 in damage. The cause is undetermined. The third fire occurred on July 6 in the 4700 block of
South Hydraulic. Witnesses saw someone set fire to a vehicles resulting in about $10,000 of damage. A
fourth fire happened on July 14 in the 800 block of South Broadway Avenue. A mattress was set ablaze in
an occupied apartment causing about $12,000 in damages. That fire is still under investigation, though it
is believed to have been started by a cigarette. The last fire in District 3 occurred on July 28 in the 2900
block of South Osage. A juvenile set fire to a trash can next to a vending machine and washing machine
which resulted in $5,500 of damage.
2. Wichita Police Department
Police Chief Gordon Ramsay presented to the group. He addressed south Wichita and city-wide crime
trends, WPD’s response to the community regarding calls for police reform, and current staffing levels
and recruitment efforts. He also took and answered questions from DAB and the public.
DAB and members of the public asked and made the following questions and comments:
Q (DAB): I want to talk about low priority crime. Is there a fine for dumping trash? How can we keep
streets and alleys clean if illegal dumping is not often prosecuted?
A (Ramsay): Unfortunately too many people think it is acceptable to dump trash. If there is an area with
consistent dumping, such as a business or alley, WPD works with property owners to set up cameras to
try to catch people illegally dumping. Our community police officers frequently work with neighborhoods to
address habitual dumping issues. We know this is an important quality of life issue.
Q (public): How does WPD view the recent situation in Aurora? Officers approached what they thought
was a stolen vehicle with guns drawn and ended up handcuffing children from the vehicle. The vehicle
was not stolen as they had misidentified it.
A (Ramsay): I appreciate this question. I was very disturbed by that case. Police officers in that situation
used a license plate reader which identified a stolen tag. They stopped the car and did a felony arrest
putting everyone, including children, in handcuffs. It turns out the tag number matched the stolen vehicle’s
number, but the license was from a different state. I looked into our policy to ensure we are in compliance
with national standards after hearing about this story. We have actually been told we are a model for
proper use of license plate reading technology. Before we are allowed to take any action and pull over a
vehicle, we must verify with dispatch that the state matches the account. We spend a lot of time in
training on this. Officers are not authorized to utilize our plate reading technology without proper training.
C (public): I dislike hearing George Floyd's death being referred to as a murder. Murder implies guilt and
the officers have not been through a trial yet.
A (Ramsay): I love cops. I support cops. I defend cops. But there is also a line, and that case bothers me
deeply. That officer is indignant as he is kneeling on George Floyd. What that officer has done for our
profession has put us back generations. His actions caused George Floyd’s death.
Q (public): The public budget simulator seemed to indicate people want less traffic control, but traffic
issues feel like some of the City’s biggest complaints.
A (Ramsay): The most frequent complaints WPD receives from neighborhoods are traffic related. We
have a high number of unfortunate deaths related to drunk driving. I worry about my kids riding their bikes
or walking on the street because so many people look at their phone while they drive. We need a traffic
unit. That is my opinion based on complaints and data that shows we have the highest traffic issues in the
state.
Q (public): This quarter the Wichita Animal Shelter did not meet national no kill standards. As a member
of the Animal Services Advisory Board, I think WAS is getting an undue amount of criticism because
people who care about having a no kill shelter are in charge of spinning the data. I want to see WAS be
more aggressive with tallying their successes.
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Minutes • Page 2
A (Ramsay): What can we do to help with the numbers?
C (public): I would like a subcommittee to talk about the use of data. The goal would be to give people
what they need to know about the health of animal welfare in Wichita. I do not know what is coming down
the lane with reconfiguration of animal services. Colorado has a good model. They had rescues sign on
and they had to sign a document saying they would not speak orally if they want to be involved in the
animal welfare system.
C (public): I think people need to be clear about what they mean when they say “defund the police.” It is a
polarizing saying, but there are productive conversations to be had.
A (CM Clendenin): I have not been very public about how I feel about this. I have been listening to the
community and am getting the same feedback which is that we do not have enough officers on the street
to handle the priority one calls that currently happen. Taking money away from policing would be a
disservice to tax payers. We do recognize as a council the need for police to stop being the mental health
workers on site the whole time. I think our officers need a basic level of mental health training because
they are the ones who respond the quickest. Our Integrated Care Team (ICT) program is exploring new
ways of securing situations and handing over the situation to mental health professionals once it is
deemed safe.
A (Ramsay): What we need is to have social workers that work hand in hand with us. We are the funnel
for mental health in our community. We can give information to social workers. As long as someone is not
a threat social workers should be able to step in and handle the situation. The evolution will be to have
social workers working directly with us and using our database to help respond.
Q (DAB): What percentage of WPD position are currently filled?
A (Ramsay): We have about 48 vacancies and our next recruit class has 54 people. We will be
overstaffed for a very short time. We have 32-34 brand new recruits in training now. They will be done in
another month, then this new class starts their 26 weeks in the academy. We will have every position
filled. That will be the first time since I have been in Wichita we will have every position filled.
A (James): We have actually increased budgeted positions as well.
Q (DAB): What is your biggest challenge currently?
A (Ramsay): Right now we have had a whole new group of activists coming to the table and demanding a
lot more. They have not been to the table before and do not know what we have been working on. Right
now our biggest challenge is educating. These groups are spreading discourse and unrest with falsities.
We are trying to set the narrative with what we were doing long before George Floyd’s death. You watch
the news and hear bad police story after bad police story. I come in and see our officers do great things
every day and that is being lost. Trying to maintain morale of our officers and work with the public on the
good stuff we are doing is our big challenge today.
Q (public): Did the Liberty ICT Justice group not have a permit to march in the streets this past week?
A (Ramsay): No, they have not had a permit to march in the streets. You have to remember the one thing
that group wants is a confrontation with police. Our stance has been if it remains peaceful, we will let
them do their thing. They want confrontation with us though. It has been a balance. We don’t want to
escalate or get involved as long as things are peaceful.
Q (public): Is marching in the streets illegal then?
A (CM Clendenin): To close off streets and impede traffic requires a permit. They were breaking the law
by marching in the streets. The point of the protest was to be disruptive.
Additionally, Community Policing Officer Dustin Fussell (Beat 23, Patrol South) provided the following
written staff report prior to the meeting to be read into record:
Reported crime and trends this month compared to the prior month are looking great. WPD is
seeing a downward slope in certain crimes that many specialty units have been addressing.
District 3 has seen a decrease in serious crimes such as aggravated assault/battery (23%
decrease), burglary to auto (29% decrease), auto theft (27% decrease), and robbery (41%
decrease). There was a slight increase other burglary categories.
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Minutes • Page 3
WPD offers the following tips to help reduce the chances of burglary to a residence:
Residents should check all exterior door strike plates by unscrewing the screws holding
those plates in. Most strike plates are held in with small three-fourths inch screws and do
not add adequate strength to a door. Replacing these screws with three to four inch
screws, which penetrate wall studs rather than the house trim, greatly improves the
strength of the door.
Residents should get in a habit of shutting garage doors when they are not occupied.
Residents who have recently purchased an expensive product, such as a television,
should break the product box down completely and dispose of it in their trash container.
Leaving a large product box outside next to the trash advertises what is now inside the
house.
Lastly, WPD would like to acknowledge the Broadway Corridor Team’s recent community work.
Aside from addressing crime along the Broadway Corridor, this team also helped raised money
for a program they have a great passion toward. Last month they held their annual golf
tournament that raised $8,500 for the Special Olympics.
Action Taken: Received and filed.
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Public Agenda
3. Scheduled Items
There were no scheduled items this month.
4. Off-Agenda Items
There were no off-agenda items this month.
Action Taken: Received and filed.
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New Business
5. ZON2020-00025
Matt Williams, Associate Planner, Metropolitan Area Planning Department presented an application
on behalf of Nguyen Nuot Van & Ly Ngoc Thi Nguyen (owner) and K.E. Miller Engineering, P.A. (agent)
for a City rezone from SF-5 Single Family Residential to LC Limited Commercial for commercial
development of property generally located south of East Pawnee Avenue and west of South Hillside
Avenue (2438 S. El Rancho Rd.).
The lot has an existing single-family home. The site does not appear to meet the screening standards and
will need to come into compliance if this rezoning is approved. Rezoning the site to LC allows for a
mixture of residential, public/civic, and commercial uses as outlined in the Unified Zoning Code.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission public hearing for this item will be on August 6, 2020.
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Minutes • Page 4
The president, Terri Howard, and vice president, Ron Howard, of the K-15 Neighborhood Association—
neighborhood in which this property is located—were not present during the meeting, but they provided
written comment ahead of the meeting to be read into record. In summary, they shared they would
support the rezoning only if the property and adjoining properties (same owner) are improved and
maintained. They state the adjoining properties are in disrepair and blighted and included pictures and
examples in their letter. They have requested that if the parking lot is going to continue to be fenced, that
it be a privacy fence without scrub trees and have also asked that a new privacy fence be installed along
the south side of the rezoned property to separate it from the residences that face Alpine Street. Lastly,
they requested the City consider making improvements to South El Rancho Road between Pawnee
Avenue and Alpine Street should the intended use of the rezoned property result in increased traffic on
the residential street. Their full letter, “ZON2020-00025 Resident Comment,” is included under the “Action
Taken” section of this agenda item.
CM Clendenin advised the DAB that adjoining properties or other properties owned by the applicant
should not be taken into consideration when voting on a zoning case. DAB should only focus on the
specific property listed in the application.
The applicant/agent was not in attendance.
DAB and members of the public asked and made the following summarized questions and comments:
Q (DAB): What do they want to do with this property?
A: They have told us they want to build a commercial building that ties into the commercial buildings to
the north of the property but did not provide any additional information. The applicant is not required to
provide a site plan or explain what they intend to do in a rezone request.
Q (public): Some commercial development could be disruptive to the quality of life for surrounding
residences. Commercial development encompasses a lot of things, correct?
A: We have both general commercial and limited commercial zoning. Limited commercial zoning does not
allow as many uses as general commercial zoning. Additionally, the recommended protective overlay
further limits possible uses to best prevent potential nuisances to the neighborhood.
Q (DAB): Have you heard from any residents?
A: I have not heard from any residents about this case and only now became aware of the letter provided
by the K-15 president and vice president.
Action Taken: Motion made by Michael Loop and seconded by Bruce Gass to APPROVE the
application subject to the establishment of a Protective Overlay (PO #353) per staff’s recommendation.
Motion to APPROVE PASSED 4-0-1.
Note: The DAB did not have a quorum for this meeting. As the DAB vote is non-binding, an advisory vote
was still called for the record despite not having enough members present to reach a quorum.
ZON2020-00025 Resident Comment: https://www.wichita.gov/Council/DABAgendasMinutes/2020-08-
05%20DAB%203%20ZON2020-00025%20Resident%20Comment.pdf
ZON2020-00025 Staff Report: https://www.wichita.gov/Council/DABAgendasMinutes/2020-08-
05%20DAB%203%20ZON2020-00025%20Staff%20Report.pdf
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DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Minutes • Page 5
Board Agenda
6. Updates, Issues, and Reports
Bruce Gass informed the group that the owners of the former Joyland property are making significant
strides in cleaning up the site. He reported that tall grass and weeds are being maintained and graffiti has
been removed from structures. He shared the owner is currently in the process of putting up an electronic
billboard and stated he was happy to be part of a DAB that voted in support of their rezoning application
last year. CM Clendenin shared that he feels the owners will continue to take good care of the property.
Action Taken: Received and filed.
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Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. The next District 3 Advisory Board meeting will be held at 6:30
p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. It is tentatively scheduled to be held at the WATER Center, 101
E. Pawnee, Wichita, KS 67211; however, the public and DAB members should expect in-person
limitations or a move to a virtual platform. Information for accessing the meeting virtually and options for
submitting comment will be posted to the District 3 web page and included in the next meeting agenda no
later than Friday, August 28, 2020.
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Guests
Chad Roush, District 3
Lonny Wright, District 1
Paul Davis, District 3
Richard Ruth, District 3
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Respectfully submitted,
Maddy Campbell, Community Services Representative, District 3
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Minutes • Page 6
Agenda
District 3 Advisory Board Agenda
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 • 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
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Virtual Meeting Access Information
Due to safety concerns and recent orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the August DAB meeting
will be held virtually. The public can join and participate in the meeting through the Zoom platform or view
the meeting live on the District 3 Facebook page. Residents also have the option to submit comments to
be read into record via email to mcampbell@wichita.gov no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Join Zoom meeting on a computer, tablet, or smartphone:
Click on the link below and enter the meeting ID and passcode.
o https://zoom.us/j/95166055416?pwd=dkUxcU10YlFrUHlIK3lQQW1YNkNxZz09
o Meeting ID: 951 6605 5416
o Passcode: 678973
Zoom may prompt people to download their free app, but the meeting is also accessible through
a web browser.
Join Zoom meeting via telephone (audio only):
Dial +1 312 626 6799 and enter the meeting ID and passcode listed above.
Individuals dialing in by phone should be aware that they may incur charges depending on their
phone plan.
Please note:
Members of the public are asked to keep their device on mute until public comment is called for.
Individuals do not need a Zoom account to join the meeting.
Click here for more detailed instructions on joining a Zoom meeting.
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Order of Business
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Agenda • Page 1
Call to Order
Approval of Agenda for August 5, 2020
Approval of Minutes for July 1, 2020
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Staff Reports
1. Wichita Police Department
Police Chief Gordon Ramsay will present to the group. Chief Ramsay will take and answer questions
and address a wide array of topics that may include:
WPD’s response to the community regarding calls for police reform
WPD’s staffing levels and recruitment efforts
District 3 and city-wide crime trends
Updates on plans for a new Patrol East substation
Efforts to increase community policing throughout Wichita
2. Wichita Fire Department
WFD may provide a written staff report to be read into record.
Recommended Action: Receive and file.
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Public Agenda
3. Scheduled Items
There are no scheduled Public Agenda items this month.
4. Off-Agenda Items
Any individual present that did not request to speak on the Public Agenda prior to the meeting may speak
at this time.
Recommended Action: Receive and file.
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New Business
5. ZON2020-00025
Matt Williams, Associate Planner, Metropolitan Area Planning Department will present an application
on behalf of Nguyen Nuot Van & Ly Ngoc Thi Nguyen (owner) and K.E. Miller Engineering, P.A. (agent)
for a City rezone from SF-5 Single Family Residential to LC Limited Commercial for commercial
development of property generally located south of East Pawnee Avenue and west of South Hillside
Avenue (2438 S. El Rancho Rd.).
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Agenda • Page 2
The lot has an existing single-family home. The site does not appear to meet the screening standards and
will need to come into compliance if this rezoning is approved. Rezoning the site to LC allows for a
mixture of residential, public/civic, and commercial uses as outlined in the Unified Zoning Code.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission public hearing for this item will be on August 6, 2020.
Recommended Action: Based upon the information available at the time the staff report was prepared it
is recommended that the request for LC Limited Commercial zoning be APPROVED, subject to the
establishment of a Protective Overlay (PO #353) to read as follows:
1. Proposed Uses: The subject property shall be limited to the following uses: All uses permitted
within the “LC” Limited Commercial Zoning District with the following exceptions: Manufactured
Home; Cemetery; Correctional Placement Residence, Limited and General; Recycling Collection
Station, Public and Private; Marine Facility, Recreational; Monument Sales; Nightclub in the City;
Pawn Shop; Sexually Oriented Business in the City; Tavern or Drinking Establishment; Teen Club
in the City; Vehicle Repair, Limited; Asphalt or Concrete Plant, Limited and General; Recycling
Collection Station; Reverse Vending Machine; Event Center; and Recreation And Entertainment
(Indoor). Restaurants that serve liquor can be developed and may serve liquor, as long as food is
the primary service of the establishment.
2. Signage shall be per the Wichita City Sign Code, except all signs shall be monument style and
limited to 12 feet in height. Portable signs, off-site signs, banners, string pennants and the like
shall not be permitted, except for a banner sign permitted for 30 days from the opening of
business.
3. All outdoor lighting sources shall employ cut-off luminaries to minimize light trespass and glare.
The site shall share similar or consistent parking lot lighting elements (i.e., fixtures, poles, and
lamps, and etc.), and the height of light poles shall be limited to 15 feet within 200 feet of abutting
residential-zoned property. Extensive use of backlit canopies and neon or fluorescent tube
lighting on buildings is not permitted.
4. Rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened from ground level view per the Unified Zoning
Code.
5. Trash receptacles, loading docks, outdoor storage, and loading areas shall be appropriately
screened, with similar materials to the main building, to reasonably hide them from ground view.
6. A site plan shall be submitted and approved by the Director of Planning prior to the issuance of
building permits.
7. Prior to publishing the ordinance establishing the zone change, the applicants shall record a
document with the Register of Deeds indicating that this tract includes special conditions for
development on this property.
ZON2020-00025 Staff Report: https://www.wichita.gov/Council/DABAgendasMinutes/2020-08-
05%20DAB%203%20ZON2020-00025%20Staff%20Report.pdf
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Board Agenda
6. Updates, Issues, and Reports
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Agenda • Page 3
Reports from Council Member James Clendenin and the DAB on any projects, activities, events,
programming, resources, issues, etc. in the neighborhoods, council district, and/or city.
Recommended Action: Receive and file.
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Adjournment
The next District 3 Advisory Board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.
It is tentatively scheduled to be held at the WATER Center, 101 E. Pawnee, Wichita, KS 67211; however,
DAB members and the public should expect in-person limitations or a move to a virtual platform.
Information for accessing the meeting virtually and options for submitting comment will be posted to the
District 3 web page and included in the next meeting agenda.
DAB 3 • August 5, 2020 • Agenda • Page 4
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5
STAFF REPORT
MAPC – August 6, 2020
DAB III – August 5, 2020
CASE NUMBER: ZON2020-000025
APPLICANT/AGENT Nguyen Nuot Van & Ly Ngoc Thi Nguyen (Owner)
K.E. Miller Engineering, P.A. (Agent)
REQUEST: LC Limited Commercial
CURRENT ZONING: SF-5 Single-family Residential
SITE SIZE: 0.189 acres
LOCATION: Generally located south of East Pawnee Avenue and west of South Hillside Avenue
(2438 South El Rancho Road)
PROPOSED USE: To build a commercial building on the site
ZON2020-00025
Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Page 1
BACKGROUND: This application was filed to rezone the subject property from SF-5 Single Family Residential
(SF-5) to LC Limited Commercial (LC) in order to build a commercial building on the site. The site is generally
located south of East Pawnee Avenue and west of South Hillside Avenue and is addressed 2438 South El Rancho
Road. The lot has an existing single-family home. The site does not appear to meet the screening standards and will
need to come into compliance if this rezoning is approved. Rezoning the site to LC allows for a mixture of residential,
public/civic, and commercial uses as outlines in the Unified Zoning Code (UZC).
The existing building is listed on the Sedgwick County Appraiser’s Office records as being a single-family detached
dwelling. No information was submitted by the applicant or agent of the proposed uses of the property beyond a
desire to build a commercial building on the site.
The neighbor is mixed in uses. The properties to the south and west are zoned SF-5 Single-Family Residential and
developed with single-family residences. Property to the north and east of the site is zoned LC Limited Commercial
and developed with an auto store, a parking lot, and other commercial uses.
CASE HISTORY: The property was platted at Block 1, Pawnee Ranch Addition, Sedgwick County, Kansas, on June
14, 1947. There is no other zoning actions shown for the subject property since 2000. The applicant has submitted a
vacation request for some utility easements on property to the north.
ADJACENT ZONING AND LAND USE:
North: LC Auto Store
South: SF-5 Single-Family Residential
East: LC Strip Commercial
West: SF-5 Single-Family Residential
PUBLIC SERVICES: South El Rancho is a two-lane, local street. All municipal services are available for the
property.
CONFORMANCE TO PLANS/POLICIES: The adopted 2035 Wichita Future Growth Concept Map of the
Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan, the Community Investments Plan identifies the area in which the site
as Residential. This category is described as follows: “Encompasses areas that reflect the full diversity of residential
development intensities and types typically found in large urban municipalities.” The subject property is also located
within the Established Central Area (ECA) of the City of Wichita.
This subject property is adjacent to commercial land owned by the applicant who is desiring to expand the
commercial redevelopment, which is considered appropriate for this area and would support the goals and objectives
of the Comprehensive Plan for the categories applicable to the site. The location does not support new residential use
and, subject to the recommended conditions, this case is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the information available at the time the staff report was prepared it is
recommended that the request for LC Limited Commercial zoning be APPROVED, subject to the establishment of a
Protective Overlay (PO #353) to read as follows:
1. Proposed Uses: The subject property shall be limited to the following uses: All uses permitted within the
“LC” Limited Commercial Zoning District with the following exceptions: Manufactured Home; Cemetery;
Correctional Placement Residence, Limited and General; Recycling Collection Station, Public and Private;
Marine Facility, Recreational; Monument Sales; Nightclub in the City; Pawn Shop; Sexually Oriented
Business in the City; Tavern or Drinking Establishment; Teen Club in the City; Vehicle Repair, Limited;
ZON2020-00025
Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Page 2
Asphalt or Concrete Plant, Limited and General; Recycling Collection Station; Reverse Vending Machine;
Event Center; and Recreation And Entertainment (Indoor). Restaurants that serve liquor can be developed
and may serve liquor, as long as food is the primary service of the establishment.
2. Signage shall be per the Wichita City Sign Code, except all signs shall be monument style and limited to 12
feet in height. Portable signs, off-site signs, banners, string pennants and the like shall not be permitted,
except for a banner sign permitted for 30 days from the opening of business.
3. All outdoor lighting sources shall employ cut-off luminaries to minimize light trespass and glare. The site
shall share similar or consistent parking lot lighting elements (i.e., fixtures, poles, and lamps, and etc.), and
the height of light poles shall be limited to 15 feet within 200 feet of abutting residential-zoned property.
Extensive use of backlit canopies and neon or fluorescent tube lighting on buildings is not permitted.
4. Rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened from ground level view per the Unified Zoning Code.
5. Trash receptacles, loading docks, outdoor storage, and loading areas shall be appropriately screened, with
similar materials to the main building, to reasonably hide them from ground view.
6. A site plan shall be submitted and approved by the Director of Planning prior to the issuance of building
permits.
7. Prior to publishing the ordinance establishing the zone change, the applicants shall record a document with
the Register of Deeds indicating that this tract includes special conditions for development on this property.
This recommendation is based on the following findings:
1. The zoning, uses and character of the neighborhood: The neighbor is mixed in uses. The properties to
the south and west are zoned SF-5 Single-Family Residential and developed with single-family residences.
Property to the north and east of the site is zoned LC Limited Commercial and developed with an auto store,
a parking lot, and other commercial uses.
2. The suitability of the subject property for the uses to which it has been restricted: The lot has an
existing single-family home and is presently classified as a residential use. LC zoning exists to the north and
east and the site could be granted LC zoning without being out of context with the surrounding area.
3. Extent to which removal of the restrictions will detrimentally affect nearby property: Approval of LC
zoning would allow a wider range of uses to be constructed on the property. The proposed Protective
Overlay will mitigate any negative impacts.
4. Length of time the property has been vacant as currently zoned: The subject property has been used and
improved for many years.
5. Relative gain to the public health, safety and welfare as compared to the loss in value or the hardship
imposed upon the applicant: Approval of the request will presumably expand commercial opportunities for
the neighborhood which is generally considered a gain to the public welfare. Denial would presumably
represent a loss of economic opportunity to the applicant and/or land owner.
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6. Conformance of the requested change to the adopted or recognized Comprehensive Plan and policies:
The adopted 2035 Wichita Future Growth Concept Map of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive
Plan, the Community Investments Plan identifies the area in which the site as Residential. This category is
described as follows: “Encompasses areas that reflect the full diversity of residential development intensities
and types typically found in large urban municipalities.” The subject property is also located within the
Established Central Area (ECA) of the City of Wichita.
This subject property is adjacent to commercial land owned by the applicant who is desiring to expand the
commercial redevelopment, which is considered appropriate for this area and would support the goals and
objectives of the Comprehensive Plan for the categories applicable to the site. The location does not support
new residential use and, subject to the recommended conditions, this case is consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan.
7. Impact of the proposed development on community facilities: Existing municipal facilities are already
available to the property.
Attachments:
1. Area Map
2. Zoning Map
3. Land Use Map
4. Site Plan
5. Photos
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July 30, 2020
Attn: District 3 Advisory Board
We are writing this letter as President and Vice President of the K-15 Neighborhood Association
because we cannot attend the Thursday August 6 rezone meeting, reference case zone2020-
00025.
Our concerns:
We have no problem with the rezoning of 2438 S. El Rancho IF the property AND the adjoining
properties that are held by the same owners are actually improved. While the area where the
strip store center is maintained as seen from Hillside, except for the faded sign, the adjoining
properties are in disrepair and are blight:
The lot behind the strip store center (2416 S El Rancho - listed as a parking lot) had been
a car wash, and while the walls and retainment tank have been removed, the drains and
water collection stalls have not been plugged and filled over smooth, resulting in
stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes, grows algae and has an unpleasant odor. The
fence around it is leaning and has scrub trees growing in it. Trash is collecting and
dumping is occurring. Pictures taken July 25, 2020, show the stagnant water, scrub
trees in the leaning fence, dumped mattresses, tires, and other items as well as trash
that has accumulated inside the fence.
The small vacant strip store at 2433 and 2441 S Hillside is in disrepair, has been tagged,
and has trash and unchecked vegetation growing around it. See picture.
If the property rezoning is approved, we as a neighborhood ask that it and the adjoining
properties be brought up to acceptable city community standards and properly maintained,
that if the parking lot is going to continue to be fenced, that it be a privacy fence without scrub
trees, and that a new privacy fence be installed along the South side of the rezoned property to
separate it from the residences that face Alpine St.
Also, if the intended use of the property results in increased traffic on the residential street El
Rancho, we ask the City to upgrade El Rancho between Pawnee and Alpine. It already bears a
lot of commercial traffic from semi-trucks making deliveries to the liquor store and the auto
parts store, and although it was resurfaced within the last few years, we believe the road was
not built to sustain that kind of traffic since it has already deteriorated to the point of needing
multiple patches. See picture.
Terri Howard, President Ron Howard, Vice President
K-15 Neighborhood Association K-15 Neighborhood Association
Precinct 311 Committeewoman Precinct 311 Committeeman
State Representative, District 98
North side of parking lot (2416 S El Rancho) with dumped items, leaning fence, scrub trees
Parking Lot showing a dumped tire, boxes piled by dock, and stagnant water with algae growth,
pavement in disrepair
Parking Lot, South side with accumulated trash under trees and on lot pavement. This is
adjacent to property up for re-zoning.
Vacant strip center on Hillside East of 2438 S El Rancho, showing peeling paint, tagging, trash,
unmanaged vegetation.
El Rancho from Alpine looking North to Pawnee with multiple patches. Cracking and unlevel
surface causes rough driving conditions.