District 6 Advisory Board

District VI Advisory Board Minutes www.wichita.gov Wednesday Evergreen Resource Center January 17, 2018 2700 N. Woodland, Wichita, KS 67204 6:30 p.m. Conference Room The District VI Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Resource Center conference room, 2700 N. Woodland, Wichita, KS 67204. There were seven District Advisory Board members, the Council Member, 10 staff members and five members of the public in attendance. Members Present Staff Present Gregory Boyajian Dave Yearout, Metropolitan Area Planning Department James Deckard Sgt. Brett Stull, WPD Linda Matney Officer Nate Schwiethale, WPD Denise O’Leary-Siemer Officer Charlie Byers, WPD Shaun Rojas Capt. Carlos Rodriguez, WFD Joel Weihe Four WFD firefighters Lorenza Snyder Janet Johnson, OCS Council Member Cindy Claycomb Members Absent Guests Angela Martinez Listed on last page Gisela Peña Deborah Sanders Call to Order Council Member Cindy Claycomb called the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes The minutes for Nov. 6, 2017, were approved. Motion passed (7-0) (Deckard/Matney) Public Agenda No items Staff Reports Community Police Report: Officer Nate Schwiethale, WPD Patrol South, reported they have seen a decrease in crime in the Old Town area that they are attributing to the use of cameras. He explained that when looking a crime trends in that area, there is an increase in the number of crimes just outside the parameter of the cameras. He also explained the recent City ordinance changes related to pan-handling. He said panhandling used to be illegal in Wichita, but the Supreme Court determined it’s a First Amendment issue and not an arrestable offense. Off. Schwiethale said the changes the City made in the ordinance are to keep people safe by preventing them from approaching vehicles and panhandling in the streets. Aggressive panhandling is also a violation. James Decker asked if the Old Town cameras are truly reducing crime, or are they just pushing it further out; Officer Schwiethale said he wasn’t sure, but he would investigate that and report back. Lorenza Snyder asked if there were homeless in Wichita dying from the cold; Officer Schwiethale said no, there had been a couple of deaths in the past couple of months, but not weather related.  January 17, 2018 Officer Byers, WPD Patrol North, acknowledged the increase in gang activity in the area. He said it appears to primarily be two Hispanic gangs that are responsible for the vandalism. He also reported a reduction in police responses required at the Mark 8 motel. He said the owners have given WPD access to their cameras and calls have decreased from 600 a year to 300. Fire Department Report: Capt. Carlos Rodriguez and crew had to respond to a call, but gave a report later in the meeting. Capt. Rodriguez said Station 3 is seeing quite a few grass fires, and they are going to be issuing citations for unauthorized burns. He explained these unauthorized burns are very dangerous right now due to dry conditions. Action Taken: Receive and file New Business ZON2017-00056 Request for zoning change from SF-5 Single Family Residential to TF-3 Two Family Residential Dave Yearout, Metropolitan Area Planning Department, presented the request for rezoning of the five lots at 756 N. Mt. Carmel Ave. from SF-5 Single Family Residential to TF-3 Two Family Residential in order to construct two duplexes on these lots. Copies of the proposed duplex design, as well as a site plan showing the location of the duplexes on these lots were provided depicting the manner in which the development will occur. Because it is under single ownership and the plan is to redevelop existing platted lots, no further platting action is needed. The reconfiguration of these five lots into two building sites can be processed through a “boundary shift” process permitted by the Subdivision Regulations. The surrounding neighborhood is primarily residential. Everything in the adjacent area is zoned SF-5 and is occupied by single-family homes. There is some property to the north on the east side of Mt. Carmel that has been rezoned TF-3 and is occupied by a couple of duplexes. There are also some duplexes on the south side of Elm Street east of Mount Carmel. Four citizens were present and voiced the following concerns:  A history of crime-related events in the multi-family dwellings located in the area  Increased traffic that will be impeded by more on-street parking  Increased threat to pedestrians and those using electronic wheelchairs for transportation who are forced to use the street  Incorrect address on the notification which caused many residents to disregard the notice  Desire for single family residences as opposed to multi-family  Could have a negative impact on property values One resident asked the police what they could do if the duplexes became problematic. Officer Byers said the new nuisance ordinance would be a good tool if the neighborhood started experiencing problems. DAB members expressed the following concerns:  The design of the duplexes is not consistent with what the Infill Advisory Committee is working toward  The design with the garage on the front presents public safety issues  The existing driveways on this block are offset to make ingress and egress safer and easier; the new proposed duplexes have driveways that aren’t consistent with this  The DAB also expressed concerns with increased on-street parking and the incorrect address on the notices Weihe/Decker made a motion to recommend MAPC approve the request. Denise O’Leary-Siemer said she would like to deny the request based on public safety and the issues presented regarding the notification of area residents. Council Member Claycomb said they would need to vote on the first motion before entertaining a different motion.  January 17, 2018 Action Taken: Motion passed 6-1. Council Member Claycomb thanked the residents for coming to express their concerns and encouraged them to attend the MAPC meeting. The next DAB VI meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on February 5, 2018, at the Evergreen Resource Center, 2700 N. Woodland, Wichita, KS 67203. ADJOURN Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Janet Johnson Division Manager Office of Community Services Guests Vivian Stuhlsatz Don Stuhlsatz Missy McMurtz Mike Bieker Clifton Reed