District 4 Advisory Board

District 4 Advisory Board Minutes Monday, January 3, 2022 • 6:30 p.m. In-person and virtual Meeting • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Order of Business The District 4 Advisory Board meeting was held at the Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was also available via Zoom. Councilman Blubaugh, nine (9) DAB members, five (5) City staff, and nine (9) guests were in attendance. DAB Members Present Staff Present Wally Bell Rebecca Fields – Community Rep Dalton Glasscock (via Zoom) Philip Zevenbergen Michael Gomm (via Zoom) Deputy Chief Eck – WFD (via Zoom) June Johnson (via Zoom) CP Officer Tyler Kaus – P/S Alex Martinez (via Zoom) CP Officer Juan Antondo – P/W Jonathan McRoy Laura Rainwater (via Zoom) Guests Present Ngoc Vuong (via Zoom) Chris Stark Grant Delmar (via Zoom) * (left mid-meeting) Christopher Parisho Peter Orsi (via Zoom) DAB Members Absent Joey Deneke - Agent Matt Lashley Mike Ryno - owner Rebecca Robertson Benny Boman Tammy Norman (via Zoom) Council Member Peter Orsi (via Zoom) Jeff Blubaugh Phil Myers - Agent DAB Member Michael Gomm chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Mr. Gomm proceeded with the agenda and asked approval for the January 3, 2022 agenda. DAB Member Jonathan McRoy made a motion to approve and DAB Member Laura Rainwater gave a 2nd. Motion was approved 9/0. The next item was approval for the December 6, 2021 DAB 4 meeting minutes. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock motioned to approve and DAB Member Jonathan McRoy gave a 2nd. Motion was approved 9/0. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Page 1 of 8 Staff Reports Officer Kaus with Patrol South reported that the Auto Theft Recovery team has recovered over $1M of stolen vehicles and the team was given an extension due to their success. School parking has become a concern as it is spilling over from the parking lots and causing traffic and neighborhood concerns. Officer Atondo with Patrol West reminded everyone never to leave a running vehicle unattended due to vehicles being stolen while being warmed up during cold weather. At this time due to technical issues with the out-going audio, Chairman Gomm, who was on Zoom, asked that DAB Member Jonathan McRoy, who was in-person, conduct the meeting. Mr. McRoy was provided with a copy of the Chairman’s agenda and asked for the next item on the agenda. Robyn Belt, Library Manager, was not able to attend the meeting. Therefore, DAB Member June Johnson read the library report as follows: Alford December Circulation Count: 4485 In October 2021, the Library received an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for a project that will collect submissions relating to community members’ lives and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, including written memories, photographs, videos and more. This project is called “Tell Your Covid Story.” An online submission form is available on the Library’s website for residents submit their stories. Once the stories are compiled, staff will upload content to an online platform that residents will be able to access. The new year means a new #ReadICT Reading Challenge. This year, we are once again partnering with Suzanne Perez of KMUW to provide this annual challenge that encourages adult readers to read 12 books from 12 different categories in 12 months. This is the sixth year of the challenge. Participants can read regular books, e-books or listen to audiobooks. Track your monthly progress online at wichitalibrary.org/readict and be eligible to win prizes throughout the year. This year, categories include: a book by a debut author, a book that intimidates you, an immigration story, a genre-blending book, and a book set at sea or on the beach. If you’re interested in learning about past Wichita restaurants, reserve your spot online today for “Denise Neil and Classic Restaurants of Wichita” on Saturday, January 22, 2:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join Denise Neil from The Wichita Eagle as she shares Wichita’s rich history of eateries from her new book. Visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register. This month’s Tuesday Topics program will be held noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, January 25 on Zoom. This month, we will discuss political redistricting. Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, Kansas state legislators draw new political district boundaries that will remain in place for the next decade. How will district lines be drawn to ensure all voters are fairly Page 2 of 8 represented? WSU Professor Brian Amos will present this session. Visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register. This concluded the library report. DAB Member Jonathan McRoy moved on to the Fire report from Battalion Chief Eck. Chief Eck reported that in December there were 34 fire alarms in District 4 as well as 324 medical alarms. Overall there was a total of 523 alarms in District 4. There was a fire on New Year’s Eve due to improper disposal of fireworks. The fire was at 1958 S 119th St W and caused some significant damage to the garage area of the residence. Chief Eck reminded everyone to make sure all fireworks residual are disposed of in a fire proof container or water and not to just throw them in your trash bin. The Fire Department is getting prepared to do a partnership with WSU EMT students so you may see some college students riding along with Fire trucks. Another recruit class is starting this month and there will probably be another one following as the Fire Department is in a hiring phase. This concluded Chief Eck’s report. DAB Member Gomm asked Chief Eck if he could provide more information about the fire at 1958 S 119th St. Chief Eck replied that the investigators are very thorough and it might be a few more days before he receives a completed report. Councilman Blubaugh asked if the County Fire Department responded to this fire. Chief Eck replied that he can find out more specifics, and that a GPS locator sends out the closest available unit whether that would be City or County. There were no further questions for Chief Eck. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Public Agenda Scheduled Items NONE Off-Agenda Items There were no comments from the public. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • New Business Philip Zevenbergen, Associate Planner with the Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) presented the three (3) Planning cases. Page 3 of 8 ZON2021-00053: The applicant is requesting a zone change from LC Limited Commercial and SF-5 Single- Family Residential to GC General Commercial for a parcel generally located on the north side of West Maple Street and one-block east of South West Street. The parcel is made up of three properties addressed as 3804 West Maple Street, 256 South Illinois Street, and 239 South McComas Street. The property at 3804 West Maple is zoned LC. The properties at 256 South Illinois and 239 South McComas are primarily zoned SF-5 with approximately the south 20 feet zoned LC. The applicant is seeking to rezone the entire parcel to permit outdoor vehicle storage associated with the existing vehicle repair shop. The applicant has proposed a Protective Overlay restricting the proposed zoning to mitigate negative impacts and to ensure the compatibility of the proposed use with nearby residential uses. The applicant owns the houses to the north of the businesses and will remove them to make room for secured parking and possibly another business. Mr. Zevenbergen had the audience view the provided aerial photos that showed the current vehicle parking and traffic that traveled to this destination. In addition, the current zoning map for this area was presented to the attendees. Mr. Zevenbergen mentioned that the Planning Commission had denied approval for this application based on the uses and character of the neighborhood and that the Wichita Places for People plan is open to interpretation, and overall, a request to rezone the entire site to General Commercial is not in conformance with the Community Investments Plan. Mr. Zevenbergen asked that the Board consider what type of development will strengthen the context according to the Places for People Plan. He then went on to say if the project was approved, there should be a protective overlay that includes screening (8 ft. fence) and landscaping as well as not being able to use the car repair business as a vehicle storage yard or for vehicle sales. The remaining items of the protective overlay are listed on the provided MAPD staff report. In addition, there are no sidewalks on Illinois and McComas streets so anyone walking will need to walk in the street. Having vehicles parked in a lot will improve walkability, but having an additional commercial driveway and more customers could detract from that walkability. DAB Member McRoy asked if the board had any questions for Mr. Zevenbergen. Michael Gomm asked if anyone in the meeting room was there to object, and no one in the room raised their hand. Mr. Zevenbergen stated that he had one phone call from a resident who asked if there would be a fence between the properties. DAB Member McRoy then invited the applicant’s agent, Joey Deneke, to give his presentation. Mr. Deneke pointed out that the zoning will be limited commercial and that the only reason for the general commercial zoning is for vehicle storage (secure parking for customers’ vehicles that are being repaired at Tracy’s Automotive). There are times when a customer’s vehicle will be at that location for 72 hours. The area to the north of Tracy’s off McComas Street would be fenced and have a secure gate that would be locked after hours. Mr. Deneke stated that the zoning of the area has a mix of both limited commercial, general commercial, and limited industrial properties. Mr. Deneke stated that the applicant Page 4 of 8 is willing to put restrictions on the zoning in order to be good neighbors. Due to the setback and screening/landscape requirements, they are asking that an additional 20 feet of zoning be applied to the north of the property. Mr. Deneke went on to address the “key points” of this application which are: no additional GC uses, outdoor vehicular storage, encouragement of established businesses, safety/security for existing business and adjacent residents, relieve existing vehicular congestion, expansion of business due to increase of vehicle storage, revitalization of property, site compliance, and additional provisions to protect neighborhood. He also pointed out some highlights of the Protective Overlay such as the “vehicle storage yard” does not include “wrecking/salvage yard”, the screening will be an 8-foot fence for the vehicle storage, the minimum setback for the vehicle storage shall be 20 feet, lighting will be shielded to direct light disbursement in a downward direction and directed away from residences, light poles will not exceed 15 feet in height, the landscape buffer for the vehicle storage will be 1.5 times the standard, and access to the vehicle storage will be restricted to the existing drives on the south 150 feet of the site. Mr. Deneke had the audience view photos of the shop during business hours which shows the amount of vehicles that utilize Tracy’s Automotive. DAB Member Jonathan McRoy asked if the board members had any questions for Mr. Deneke. DAB Member Michael Gomm asked, for assurance, that the applicant is asking the board to approve the application with the protective overlay as presented by the applicant’s agent. Mr. Deneke confirmed yes, this is what they are asking. There were no other questions from board members so Mr. McRoy asked if there was anyone present from the public who had questions. Being none, it was asked if there was a motion from a DAB Member. Councilman Blubaugh then spoke up with a quick comment stating that there was a similar case that came before the City Council in November that was in College Hill. The applicant had wanted to tear down two (2) houses in order to accommodate a parking lot for several businesses. It is an “apples to oranges” comparison and College Hill’s issues are not the same as this case. There were quite a few College Hill residents who were adamantly against a parking lot, whereas there are no residents objecting to the application we are hearing tonight. DAB Member Wally Bell made a motion to approve with the applicant’s protective overlay and DAB Member Laura Rainwater gave the 2nd motion. Motion passed 9/0. ZON2021-00054: The applicant/owner is requesting the rezoning of 80 lots (40.13 acres +) in the Blue Lake Addition from Single-Family Residential (SF-5) to TF-3 Two Family Residential (TF-3). The subject property is generally located on the north side of West MacArthur Road and within one- half mile east of South Hoover Road. The property north of the subject site is zoned SF-5 and is a developing single-family residential subdivision. East of the subject property is SF-5 and LI Limited Industrial and is developed residential and farming uses. The Page 5 of 8 residential uses in the LI zoning district are non-conforming. South of the subject site is zoned LI and is developed with storage warehouse facilities and a rock crushing operation. West of the subject site is the right-of-way for the Mitch Mitchell Wichita Valley Center Floodway. Mr. Zevenbergen explained the zoning that surrounded the applicant’s request, and that the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission approved the request at their December 16, 2021 MAPC meeting. There was some opposition at this meeting from the owner of the sandpit that is located to the east of the applicant’s site. The owner is worried about increased liability of nearby residents coming onto his property. DAB Member June Johnson asked if there was anything on the applicant’s property at this time. Mr. Zevenbergen replied that it was vacant land that has been platted for residential. Ms. Johnson then asked if there were any complaints from the residents in the Blue Lake development. Mr. Zevenbergen replied that these residents are working with the developer to have some form of screening whether that be a fence, landscaping, or a berm of some sort. However, the Planning Commission did not require the applicant to have screening. Phil Myer, the agent for the applicant, was on hand to respond to any of these questions. There were no further questions. DAB Member Wally Bell made a motion to approve, and DAB Member Michael Gomm made a 2nd motion. Motion was approved 8/0. ZON2021-00059: The applicant is requesting the rezoning of the south 50 feet and the east 150 feet of Lot 4, Block 5, Lawrence’s Addition to West Wichita from SF-5 Single-Family Residential to MF- 18 Multi-Family Residential zoning district. The site is generally located 950 feet east of South Seneca on the north side of West University at the northwest corner of South Osage and West University (802 W. University).The subject property is currently developed with a single family dwelling and the applicant would like to put three (3) units inside the existing house. Due to the size of the lot, three (3) units is the maximum amount of units allowed. The final parking development will have to be configured once the developer decides on the number of bedrooms per unit. Mr. Zevenbergen had the attendees view the aerial map and zoning maps in order to understand the multiple zoning in this neighborhood. Staff is recommending approval, and the Planning Commission will be hearing this case on Thursday, January 6. This request is in conformance with the City’s Places for People plan. DAB Member Jonathan McRoy asked if there were any questions for Mr. Zevenbergen from the DAB members. There were no questions from the board, so Mr. McRoy asked if there were questions from the guests. Christopher Parisho, President of the Delano Neighborhood Association stood and addressed the DAB. Mr. Parisho stated that the association thought this house was already a multi-family dwelling because they have noticed different people going and coming from this residence. He asked if the applicant would be renovating the house, or is this just simply a zoning matter. Mr. Zevenbergen Page 6 of 8 asked if there was anyone in the audience that could answer this question, and no applicant or agent was on hand to do so. Mr. Zevenbergen further stated that if there were any changes made, that they would have to have permits and inspections in order to stay within code. Ms. Tammy Norman was on Zoom and stated that she was speaking on behalf of her mother, Sally Wilson, who lived to the north of the applicant property (525 S Osage). Ms. Norman stated that her mother, along with some other elderly women in the neighborhood, were going to protest this case due to parking issues and the foot traffic that this residence generated. Her mother and the other elderly women are comparing this to a multi-family unit that was approved to the east on Oak Street and that property is extremely rundown and causing problems for the neighborhood. Further, they are concerned that the property value of the nearby single family homes will decrease. Staff showed photographs of the property and DAB Member June Johnson asked if the house was going to be demolished and replaced with another structure. Mr. Zevenbergen replied no, that the plan was to have 3 separate units inside the existing house. DAB Member Michael Gomm made a motion to approve, and DAB Member Wally Bell gave a 2nd motion. The motion passed 7/1. DAB Member Jonathan McRoy moved on to the next agenda item. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Board Agenda DAB Member Laura Rainwater shared that tomorrow evening the South Central Kansas Legislative Delegation was having their annual public forum at Intrust Arena. The event is from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, and is open to the public. If you would like to address the delegation you can sign up by going to their Facebook page that has a link. Anyone attending should wear a mask due to the rising COVID numbers. Councilman Jeff Blubaugh spoke about the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) dollars that are being allocated to the City of Wichita. There are funds available to minority owned startups, for organizations to address the food desert areas of Wichita, and much more. Any ideas that you might have for the area south of Kellogg should be submitted to Councilman Blubaugh or his staff for assistance. Geographically, District 4 is the largest district in the City and he would like to see funds go to this district. Staff Rebecca Fields said that she would contact Passageways Ltd., and encourage them to apply for ARPA funds. DAB Member June Johnson asked if there was any news about having pickleball courts in west Wichita. Councilman Blubaugh replied that there were new courts and an indoor pickleball facility being planned for South Lakes Park, but this is at 47 th St & S Meridian. He stated that he has spoken with the Parks Director, Troy Houtman, about the possibility of having pickleball courts near the playground at Pawnee Prairie Park. There were no further comments from Councilman Blubaugh or board members. Page 7 of 8 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Adjournment DAB Member McRoy asked for a motion to adjourn. DAB Member Wally Bell made a motion to adjourn and DAB Member Dalton Glasscock gave the 2nd motion. Motion was approved 8/0. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The next DAB 4 meeting will be held in person at the Alford Branch Library as well as via Zoom, February 7, 2022 at 6:30 pm. Page 8 of 8