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Council rezones former Kmart for Washburn Tech North Campus, approves university district designation
Summary
The council approved rezoning of the vacant Kmart site at 2240 NW Tyler Street to allow Washburn Tech to open a community north campus and an associated commercial pad site.
The Topeka City Council voted Aug. 19 to rezone the former Kmart site at 2240 Northwest Tyler Street to allow Washburn Tech to develop a business and vocational (Vo-Tech) north campus and a commercial pad site.
Dan Warner, planning division director, told the council the property currently carried C-4 commercial and I-1 light industrial zoning within a planned unit development overlay; the proposal would introduce a U-1 university district and retain C-4 commercial uses in appropriate areas. "The proposed use is a business Vo-Tech campus and also includes a commercial pad site on the north side of the property," Warner said. The property has been vacant for several years, he said.
Warner said the applicant held a neighborhood information meeting and the Planning Commission recommended approval at its July meeting; city staff also recommended approval. Councilmember Valdivia Acala said the project was important to her district and moved to approve the Planning Commission—s recommendation; she disclosed she had received emails and calls but said she could be impartial. The council recorded 10 affirmative votes and the motion carried.
Council members noted the project had support from Washburn University leadership; one member said the Board of Regents was "entirely behind this 100 percent." No amendments were made at the meeting.
The rezoning will enable Washburn Tech to locate courses and services closer to North Topeka neighborhoods, according to staff testimony; any site-build permits and campus plans will follow standard permitting and building-review processes.
