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Lawrence BZA approves 37‑unit senior housing at Harrison Park Drive, 3‑1 vote
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance to allow Pivotal Housing Partners to develop a 37‑unit, age‑restricted (55+) apartment building behind the Harrison Center, changing a parcel previously designated for light industrial use to residential under D‑9 zoning; board vote was 3‑1 and the project will pursue funding and plan review.
The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3‑1 July 15 to grant a variance allowing Pivotal Housing Partners to develop a 37‑unit, age‑restricted senior housing building on a lot at Harrison Park Drive (case 25 LUSV 119140 / 915550 Sixth Street) that is currently designated for light industrial use under the Fort Harrison Planned Unit Development (PUD).
The petitioner told the board the development would provide affordable, independent living targeted to residents aged 55 and older, and that the project would be limited to households at or below 80% of the area median income and would pursue low‑income housing tax credits under Internal Revenue Code Section 42. The petitioner said projected rents would be about $900 for one‑bedroom units and about $1,100 for two‑bedroom units, and that the project would provide one parking space per unit, meeting the code requirement.
A petitioner representative described the site as a small parcel originally intended for light industrial use when the Fort redevelopment plan was written and said surrounding development (banks, dialysis center, restaurants) makes residential use a reasonable alternative. The petitioner said the development is not intended as assisted living and that on‑site amenities would include a community kitchen, activity room and fitness space. The petitioner also described a timeline that anticipates applying for funding, seeking a Q4 2025 closing if funding is secured, and beginning construction in spring 2026.
Several board members and public commenters raised pedestrian‑safety concerns because the lot lacks sidewalks and would rely on a marked walkway across the adjacent Harrison Center parking lot to reach retail and transit. Board members asked about lighting, signage, the condition of a shared driveway and whether residents would have access to transportation; the petitioner said LED lighting would be used and that the developer and shopping‑center owner have an agreement to bring the shared driveway up to standard and to share costs for that work.
City staff endorsed the petition. Renee Rafla, interim director of public works, told the board the city and the reuse authority support the request and underscored that the project must still meet plan‑review requirements and PUD standards for materials, lighting and signage.
Betty Robinson, a member of the Lawrence City Council who spoke during public comment, questioned whether many proposed residents would actually use Fort Harrison retail and raised concerns about affordability under Section 42 rules, saying those credits set different rent structures than project‑based vouchers. Robinson urged the developer to ensure transportation and long‑term affordability for residents.
The board granted the variance 3‑1. The petitioner must secure funding and complete plan review and reuse‑authority approval before construction can proceed.
