The Salina Planning Commission on Tuesday, July 1, approved a rezoning and a final plat that will divide a 1.1-acre property at 1003 North Twelfth Street into two residential lots, allowing a second single-family home to be built, commissioners said.

Staff told the commission the property, currently zoned RS (residential suburban) with a 1-acre minimum lot size, is designated in the comprehensive plan as urban residential and is served by existing public utilities; staff recommended approval of the rezoning to R-1 and the final plat, saying the change would support infill development compatible with surrounding parcels.

Gage, a city planner, told commissioners the subject parcel measures 47,916 square feet (about 1.1 acres) and contains an existing single-family home addressed 1003 North Twelfth Street. Under R-1 zoning, minimum lot size would drop to 6,000 square feet, minimum lot width to 60 feet, front setback to 25 feet (the existing house has a preexisting nonconforming 16-foot front setback), side setback to 7.5 feet and a 35-foot height limit. The proposed final plat, Logan Reserve Addition, would create Lot 1 (the existing house) at about 26,208 square feet and Lot 2 to the south at about 14,228 square feet; both lots would access North Twelfth Street.

Staff noted the parcel abuts Dry Creek and that the far-west portions of the lot lie within the 100-year floodplain, while the majority of the property is outside the floodplain. Water, sanitary sewer and storm infrastructure were described as already in place adjacent to the property: a 6-inch water main, an 8-inch sanitary sewer and a 12-inch storm sewer in Harsh Avenue. Evergy provides electricity; emergency services are from Station 1 on Elm Street; public schools serving the address are Oakdale, Lakewood and Salina Central.

Applicant Gary Norris, a realtor with Millwood Realty who identified himself in the meeting, said he purchased the parcel and has a prospective buyer for the southern portion. "Gage covered everything thoroughly," Norris told the commission, adding that his intent is partly infill and partly to create housing options for younger families.

The final plat would dedicate the west half of existing North Twelfth Street right of way to the city and establish a 10-foot utility easement on Lot 2 for existing overhead lines. Staff said the two proposed lots meet the dimensional requirements of the R-1 district and that any new house built on Lot 2 would have to meet current R-1 setbacks; the existing dwelling would remain a lawful nonconforming structure with its 16-foot front setback.

An emailed comment from resident Barb Young, received before the meeting and read into the record, stated she owns property within 1,000 feet of the site and is "in favor of the applications filed by Gary Norris" and described the proposal as a good opportunity for infill development in North Salina.

Commissioners voted to approve both the rezoning (Z-25-5) and the final plat (P25-3/3A, Logan Reserve Addition). The commission also voted to postpone a separate application (P25-2) to the July 15 meeting subject to applicant availability. Discussion during the public comment period included one speaker, Richard Albert Humphrey of 315 South Ohio, who suggested considering neighborhood gardens for vacant lots in future discussions; the suggestion drew no formal action at this meeting.

Votes at a glance:
Z-25-5 (rezoning 1003 North Twelfth Street from RS to R-1): Motion approved; tally recorded as unanimous by the chair (8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). Motion text: "Approve application Z-25-5 filed by Gary Norris to change the classification from RS to R-1 on the property outlined." Mover/second: not specified in the record.
P25-3/3A (Final Plat — Logan Reserve Addition, creating Lots 1 and 2): Motion approved; tally recorded as unanimous by the chair (8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). Motion text: "Approve application P25-3/3A filed by Gary Norris for the final plat of the Logan Reserve Addition." Mover/second: not specified in the record.
P25-2 (separate application): Postponed to July 15, subject to applicant availability; motion approved unanimously (8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). Motion text: "Postpone application P25-2 to the July 15 Planning Commission meeting, subject to applicant availability." Mover/second: not specified in the record.

The commission’s actions allow property owner Gary Norris to proceed with recording the final plat and with marketing the southern lot; any new construction on Lot 2 will be required to meet R-1 bulk and setback standards when permits are sought. The commission did not attach additional conditions to the approvals at the time of the vote.