Planning staff, commission back rezoning for duplex development south of West 50 Fifth Street

Planning staff recommended and the Haysville Planning Commission recommended approval of a zoning change that would allow duplex development on a roughly 55-acre site south of West 50 Fifth Street and east of South Meridian.

Christina Reith, planning staff with the Wichita–Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department, told commissioners the applicant requests a zone change from limited commercial (LC) and Single-Family 20 (SF-20) to TF-3 (two-family residential). Reith said a portion of the site is currently zoned limited commercial and that the applicant intends to use the property for duplex development; the limited commercial portion already allows duplexes and multifamily development up to 75 dwelling units per acre, the staff report says.

Reith said the site is a little over 55 acres and currently in agricultural use. She told commissioners that West 50 Fifth Street and South Meridian are county arterial streets and that the proposal would require 100-foot setbacks from each of those arterial streets; interior lot minimums, maximum heights and setback requirements for TF-3 are listed in a table in the staff report. Reith said municipal services such as water and sewer would be extended from the City of Wichita and that platting will be required before building permits are issued.

Reith told the commission the request conforms with the Wichita–Sedgwick County Community Investments Plan and with the South Wichita–Haysville area plan; she said the City of Haysville’s South Meridian corridor plan also identifies the site as appropriate for low-density residential uses. Reith said the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission had already recommended approval earlier in the day. She reported two emailed public comments and one phone call opposing duplex development, citing traffic and density concerns.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval and another commissioner seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote.

The record includes a statement from the applicant that the single house on the corner is intended to remain the owner’s private residence.

No specific development plan, builder, or timetable for construction was provided at the hearing. Reith said the parcel is not platted and that platting is required prior to building permits.

The public hearing and discussion were limited to staff presentation, a brief confirmation from the applicant about the residence on the corner and public comment submitted by email and phone.