The Spring Hill Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve site plan SP-25-7 for an addition to the Spring Hill Library at 109 South Webster, authorizing variances and conditions tied to a title search and equipment placement. The approved plan adds a 1,387-square-foot building containing a children’s area and an outdoor seating area to the existing approximately 2,400-square-foot library.

The addition was presented by planning staff, who said the project meets zoning standards including the 45-foot height limit in the C-2 district but requests variances for two encroachments. The parking lot encroaches on the 10-foot parking setback on the north side; staff described the encroachment as minimal and existing. The project also proposes moving mechanical equipment currently on the north side to the east (Webster) side; staff asked the applicant to complete a title search to determine whether a utility easement exists before final placement.

Why it matters: the addition expands public services for children and adds outdoor seating while raising technical questions about setbacks, equipment placement and rights-of-way that could affect access for utilities.

Planning staff described required conditions in the staff report: add a public sidewalk on Long Hale Street, provide ADA-compliant ramps, install a six-foot fence around the trash enclosure, and confirm that three residential-size trash bins are acceptable to the waste hauler. Staff also noted all utilities are present and said they would work with the applicant on any encroachment affecting a utility easement.

Kirk Brockleman, the project architect with BC Design Group, described the HVAC units the library will use as smaller “residential style” condensing units and said the team is pursuing options to avoid placing equipment in a utility easement. “These are residential style systems…not big ground mount, 20-foot long industrial, loud aircraft carrier units,” Brockleman said, adding the units will be screened so they “look like we meant to do it.” Planning staff told commissioners the title search is in progress and that staff and the applicant will evaluate wall-mounting or other mounting options if an easement is recorded.

The commission’s approval included the variances and the conditions listed in the staff report. The motion—approved unanimously 6–0—specified approval of SP-25-7 “including any conditions and/or variances as presented in the staff report.” The approval carries the following clear follow-up steps: complete the title search to verify any utility easement; if an easement exists, implement mounting options to avoid impeding utilities; and add the Long Hale Street sidewalk and the screened trash enclosure as shown on the site plan.

The owner is identified in the staff presentation as the Johnson County Library District; BC Design Group submitted the plan on the district’s behalf. Staff said they will return to the applicant with any changes required by the title search and will ensure screening and noise mitigation measures for the HVAC equipment before final permits are issued.