District 6 Advisory Board

Minutes 1 August 4, 2014 District VI Advisory Board Minutes www.wichita.gov Monday Evergreen Park & Recreation Center August 4, 2014 2700 N Woodland, Wichita, KS 67204 6:30 PM Lounge Clubroom The District VI Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Park & Recreation Center Lounge Clubroom 2700 N. Woodland, Wichita, KS 67204. There were five district advisory board members in attendance, 13 City staff and 24 members of the public who signed in. Members Present Staff Present Scott Dunakey Martha Sanchez, Community Liaison Steve Mason Karen Sublett, City Clerk’s Office Denise O’Leary-Siemer Scott Knebel, Wichita Master Plan Deborah Sanders Bill Longnecker, MAPD Joel Weihe WFD Lanna Allen, Station 7 WFD Aaron Hall, Station 7 Members Absent WFD Darren Mullen, Station 7 Officer Vanessa Rusco, Patrol North Officer Michael Roets, Patrol North Sergeant Bart Brunscheen, Patrol North Officer Darrin Williams Patrol West Officer Lisa Berg, Patrol South Oscar Raymundo, Administrative Aide Guests Listed on last page Council Member Miller called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as submitted. Motion passed (5/0) Approval of Minutes The minutes for July 7, 2014, were approved. Motion passed (5/0) City Clerk’s Office Karen Sublett from City Clerk’s Office swear in District Advisory Board Members Public Agenda 1. Scheduled items: None *****Action: Received and file 2. Off-agenda items: Beverly Danley 1301 N. Waco Ave, spoke to the DAB members in favor of the marijuana petition. Danley pointed out that in the process of obtaining the 6,000 signatures, their grass roots petition drive has pre-registered over 160 persons to vote. Danley feels the petition drive shows a positive interest for the local community to be heard by their local government. Russ Pataky 7814 E. Gilbert spoke to the DAB members in favor of the marijuana petition. Pataky believes that if marijuana was decriminalized, it would reduce arrests, save on the cost of housing inmates  Minutes 2 August 4, 2014 and generate additional revenue for the City. Pataky urged the DAB and City Council to support the petition to allow the citizens of Wichita the right to choose. ***** Action: Received and file Staff Presentations 3. Wichita Fire Department Captain Darren Mullen, Fire Station 7, gave a brief update on the activity at the station. For the month of July, District VI had one residential fire resulting in $23,000 in property damage. The cause of the fire was careless smoking in the bedroom. The Wichita Fire Department (WFD) reminded the public to have caution when extinguishing cigarettes. Many times potted plants are used to extinguish lit cigarettes and in some cases, the potted material is not soil but possibly mulch or other highly combustible material. In the upcoming weeks and months the WFD will be inspecting, flushing out and repairing water hydrants throughout the city. *****Action: Receive and file. 4. Wichita Police Department Officer Vanessa Rusco, 41 Beat, gave a brief update on the activities in Patrol North. In July, numerous reports of break-ins to abandoned homes and non-residential facilities (detached sheds) were made. Thieves are using the abandoned homes and sheds as shelter, and then taking valuables for resale. A hot spot for auto theft is being investigated by the Department. A special report focusing on panhandling in the Central Riverside Park area shows 16 arrests and 23 citations. A sting operation focusing on morals violations in the North and South Broadway corridor resulted in eight females arrested. Office Rusco introduced Sergeant Bart Brunscheen and Community Police Officer Michael Roets newly assigned to the Patrol North Bureau, *****Action: Receive and file. Officer Lisa Berg, Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), gave a brief update on the activities in Old Town. Since the implementation of the Entertainment District of Old Town, HOT and other agencies will be placing educational signs regarding panhandling and vagrancies. HOT has also developed business card like handouts that businesses and citizens can give out instead of money. As of January 1, 2015, the HOT unit will be a permanent unit within the WPD. *****Action: Receive and file. Officer Darrin Williams, 15 Beat, gave a brief update on the activities in Patrol West. For the month of July there were a total of 353 crimes reported, 122 less than the previous month. The reduction in crime is largely due to the effectiveness of the larceny division that follows up on each larceny case. The larceny division works with years of information and flow trends to help police officers capture and or deter criminals. Public: There have been a lot of what appears to be homeless staying all night in the 5000 West Central Ave shopping center? A: Yes, we have been called out to address that situation, and what we concluded is that these individuals are looking for work. A new Labor Ready has opened up in the shopping center. Individuals are spending the night in their cars sometimes in the park to be the first ones in line for that day. *****Action: Receive and file.  Minutes 3 August 4, 2014 New Business 5. Pedestrian Master Plan Scott Knebel, Metropolitan Area Planning Department, presented the draft Wichita Pedestrian Master Plan. The Plan is proposed to be a 10-year guide for how the City of Wichita can improve conditions for walking. Over the 18 past months, more than 50 events have been held with opportunities for individuals to participate in the planning process. The Plan includes a vision, actions, priorities, design guidance, and performance measures. The Plan document and related materials are available online at www.wichita.gov. Public: Suggestions for the plan is to incorporate a red arrow when pedestrians call for a crosswalk. This would prevent vehicles turning into crossing pedestrians. ***** Action: (Dunakey/ Sanders) made a motion to recommend endorsement of the Pedestrian Master Plan by the Wichita City Council. Motion passed (5-0) 6. Market and Topeka Bicycle Lane Scott Knebel, Metropolitan Area Planning Department, presented the Market and Topeka Bicycle Lane project. Within the adopted 2011-2020 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan has proposed a project that will provide on-street bicycle lanes on Market and Topeka from Kellogg to 17th Street. The project will also provide on-street bicycle lanes on 17th Street from Topeka to Market and on Market north to 21st Street. There will be minimal impact to on-street parking. Construction is planned to begin in fall 2014. DAB: Are the matching funds coming from the Capital Improvement Program? A: Yes, the majority of the project cost will be funded by the Federal Transportation Enhancement. Public: Will traffic be reduced to a single one-way lane on Market from Second Street to 21st Street? A: The section on Market form 17th to 21st Street will be reduced to a single one-way lane and a counter-flow bike lane. Public: Traffic and parking along Market is already reduced, adding a bike lane will create traffic problems. Public: As a bicyclist that uses Market Street frequently, I am glad to see a bike lane added to this section. Since Market Street is wide, vehicles tend to drive faster. A bike lane will add order and improve safety. *****Action: (O’Leary-Siemer/ Sanders) made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed bicycle lane project. Motion Passed (5-0) 7. First and Second Street Bicycle Lane Scott Knebel, Metropolitan Area Planning Department, presented the First and Second Street Bicycle Lane project. Within the adopted 2011-2020 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan has proposed a project that will provide on-street bicycle lanes on First and Second Streets from Grove to Wichita Street. The project will continue south on Wichita Street to First Street, then west to Seneca. Construction is planned to begin in fall 2014. DAB: Are there any plans to extend a bike lane from Grove St. to George Washington Blvd? A: There are no immediate plans. DAB: George Washington Blvd would be ideal for a bike lane, it’s not heavily trafficked and there is  Minutes 4 August 4, 2014 plenty of space. DAB: On the section with a 7 ft lane with a 3 ft buffer is that standard for a bike lane? A: It’s not an ideal situation; we are working with existing pavement width. The 10ft allocated bike lane is larger than standard. DAB: My concern is that the semi-truck that travels on Second Street will be crowed in 11 ft of lane. A: In this configuration the presence of a bike and parking lane will make it better for the truck traffic. The challenge for trucks is turning and an 11 ft lane is adequate. A second option can include widening the lane to 12 ft and reducing the bike lane. DAB: I have noticed since the bike lanes have been built in the Mt. Vernon area, revitalization within the neighborhood is taking shape. Public: This is one of the best things for Wichita growth and future. The residential population downtown is growing and having an alternative means of travel is great for Wichita. Public: Representing the owners at 924 W. Second St., the addition of a bike lane will reduce customer parking and prohibit semi-truck to deliver goods. Going east of this location along the river, there are bike lanes that bicyclists can use. DAB: To clarify, the bike paths along the river are meant for recreational use and a bike lane would allow bicyclists to reach their destination quicker and safer. *****Action: (Dunakey/ Sanders) made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed bicycle lane project. Motion Passed (5-0) 8. ZON2014-00015 Bill Longnecker, MAPD, presented a request for zoning change from SF-Single-Family Residential (SF- 5) to Multi-family Residential (MF-18) zoning. The proposed site is located on the west side of North Anna and one lot north of west central. The .46-acre area is located in a neighborhood that is primarily zoned SF-5 and numerous TF-3. If MF-18 development occurred on site the applicant would have to meet conformity of 6-8ft screening from abutting single-family uses and landscape requirements on site. Bill Longnecker pointed out that three out of the four adjacent land use are zoned TF-3(duplexes). The proposed development will not cause any negative visual impact to the neighborhood. The site will accommodate up to two duplexes or eight multi-family dwellings; the applicant has indicated to develop one or two duplex structures. DAB: What is the difference from duplex and multi-family? A: Any dwelling above a duplex is considered multi-family DAB: MF-18 will allow up to eight multi-family dwellings? A: Yes, with 30ft setbacks. DAB: Eight dwellings could create parking, school busing and safety problems. DAB: A request for zone change from SF-5 to TF-3 not MF-18 looks more appropriate for the lot and area. *****Action: (Weihe/ Sanders) made a motion to recommend disapproval to the request city zone change from SF-5 to MF-18 Motion Passed (5-0)  Minutes 5 August 4, 2014 9. ZON2014-00018 Bill Longnecker, MAPD, presented a request for zoning change from SF-Single-Family Residential (SF- 5) to Two-Family Residential (TF-3) zoning. The proposed site is located east of Hoover Road, south of 13th Street North, between Curtis and Doris Street. The 4.7-arce area is unplatted and includes 890 sq ft single-family residence. The site is located in a neighborhood that is mainly zoned SF-5 with TF-3 scattered throughout. The site will accommodate up to 25 duplexes (50 living units) or 30 single-family residences. The applicant has provided two concepts plans with access from Curtis Street only. MAPD staff has received 38 protest petitions against the zone change. Several members of the public spoke in opposition to the zone change. The concerns are: duplex development will have a negative visual impact, lower property values, increase flooding issues, additional school busing is needed and increase traffic. DAB: Will the development not add to the drainage problem? A: City Planning Department requires that we maintain and dispose properly of any additional runoff that has been created. DAB: Is 6-8ft screening required? A: No DAB: The applicant indicated that only 15 duplexes will be built with 20 ft setbacks, can we add to that, a protective overlay (PO)? A: Yes *****Action: (Weihe/ Dunakey) made a motion to recommend approval with the addition of the amended protective overlay (PO). Motion passed (4-1) Board Agenda 10. Problem Properties There were no problem properties submitted. 11. Neighborhood Reports There were no neighborhood reports given Updates from Council Member Announcements The next DAB VI meeting will be held on Monday, September 8, 2014  Minutes 6 August 4, 2014 Guests Phil Meyer Kevin Cragun Candy Cragun Rick Stover Lisette Stover Donna Edwards Don Edwards Jerry Jones Laurel Herren Slade Engston Barry Carroll Bob Wine Janet Wine Jay Allen Patty Steven Jack Brown Bob Blinn Russ Pataky Jay Russell Betsy Taub Sabrns Brunner Mark Turney Misty Adams Greg Boyajian Respectfully Submitted Martha Sanchez, Community Liaison District VI