Planning Commission approves PUD amendment for Blackburn Subdivision expansion

The Topeka Planning Commission on July 21 approved a major amendment to the Blackburn Subdivision planned unit development to allow roughly 1.68 acres of expansion for a lawn-and-garden business at 4100 Southwest 40th Street.

City staff told commissioners the amendment, which accompanies a concurrent annexation review, is intended to keep the site under a PUD rather than a straight commercial C-4 zoning because the property lies in the urban growth area intended for future residential neighborhoods. Staff recommended approval subject to traffic conditions: Southwest 4 Year Street (sic) must be extended to service the new parking lot, the public street must terminate with a vehicle turnaround, and a sidewalk must be built on the south side of Southwest 40th Street.

Kevin Holland of Cook, Flatt & Strobel Engineers, representing Schindel Landscape and Green Pest Control, said the business is growing and intends to place a new building on the south side of its existing property. Holland told the commission the applicant had no issues with staff recommendations and was prepared to answer technical questions.

No members of the public spoke on the item. After the staff presentation and applicant remarks, Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the amendment per staff recommendation; the motion passed on a roll call vote with commissioners recorded as voting aye.

The PUD amendment will require the applicant to pay construction costs for the street extension and sidewalk, city staff said. The amendment does not change the PUD’s intent to ultimately accommodate residential development in the broader area of the urban growth boundary.

Commissioners closed the item and moved on to the next agenda matter.