Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Government Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Topeka governing body approves multiple actions; public hearings set for two RHID proposals
Summary
The Topeka governing body on Jan. 21 took six formal actions, including two developer-funded studies of proposed housing incentive districts and a zoning change to allow a crisis center-type use at 2401 Southeast 11th Street.
The Topeka governing body on Jan. 21 voted on six action items, electing two council representatives to the Joint Economic Development Organization board, approving a right-of-way vacation, adopting a zoning amendment to allow a crisis center at Paradise Providence Place, approving two funding agreements to study proposed reinvestment housing incentive districts (RHIDs), and referring a contract-signing ordinance to the Policy & Finance Committee for further review.
Why this matters: The votes create a clear short-term work plan: two RHID studies now have city-funded analyses and public hearings scheduled, a zoning change clears the way for a crisis center-type facility with a limited seasonal shelter component, and the city formalized its local representation and process changes for contract approvals.
Key outcomes (motions, tallies and next steps) - Election to JEDO (Item A): Council members Banks and Duncan were selected as the two council voting representatives to the Joint Economic Development Organization board; final tallies reported were Banks 10 votes, Duncan 6 votes, Miller 3, Hiller 1. Outcome: Banks and Duncan elected as council voting members. (No further city action recorded in the meeting text.)
- Vacation of public right-of-way (Item B): The governing body approved the applicant Adam Mosier’s petition to vacate an unconstructed alley, 30 feet of Broad Street, 60 feet of Bowery Street, and an 8-foot alley adjacent to Central Avenue in Topeka. Motion carried 10–0. Staff recommended approval after a neighborhood information meeting that produced no opposition; a public utility easement will remain for a sewer main.
- Major amendment to Planned Unit Development at Paradise Providence Place (Item C): The governing body approved an ordinance to amend the zoning map (Topeka Municipal Code §185050) to allow a crisis center (type 2) and accessory uses at 2401 Southeast 11th Street. The approved proposal, as described in the staff presentation, includes space for up to six residents, two caretaker staff, a clothing and food pantry, and an emergency seasonal homeless shelter for up to 20 residents limited to Oct. 16–April 15 and to dates when the city requests warming-shelter assistance. Planning Commission recommended approval and staff recommended approval; the motion carried 10–0.
- Sherwood Village Park RHID study funding agreement (Item D): The governing body approved a funding agreement with Gen 3 Construction and Development LLC for the developer to pay the city’s cost of the RHID analysis and financial-impact study and set a public hearing for Feb. 11. Motion carried 10–0.
- Union at Tower District RHID study funding agreement (Item E): The governing body approved a funding agreement with Union Development Holdings LLC to pay the city’s cost for analysis of a proposed RHID for the Union at Tower District and set a public hearing for Feb. 18. Motion carried 10–0.
- Contract-signature ordinance (Item F): A proposed ordinance authorizing the deputy city manager, assistant city manager and director of administrative and financial services to sign specific contracts (Charter Ordinance No. 94, codified at section A255 of the City code) was referred to the Policy & Finance Committee for review. Motion to send to committee carried 9–1 (Council Member Valdivia Acala recorded as voting no).
What the votes do not show: Several of the items (the RHID funding agreements) authorize the city to accept developer-paid analyses and set public hearing dates; they do not by themselves approve RHIDs or related tax or financing plans. The zoning ordinance in Item C was approved by the governing body following staff and Planning Commission recommendations; the approved provision includes use limits and a seasonal-shelter time window as described above.
Votes at a glance (summary) - Item A — Election of two council JEDO representatives: Banks and Duncan elected; tally Banks 10 / Duncan 6 / Miller 3 / Hiller 1. Outcome: elected. - Item B — Vacation of right-of-way (Adam Mosier): Motion to approve carried 10–0. Outcome: approved. - Item C — Major PUD amendment, Paradise Providence Place (2401 SE 11th St.): Motion to approve carried 10–0. Outcome: ordinance approved. - Item D — Funding agreement for Sherwood Village Park RHID (Gen 3 Construction LLC): Motion to approve carried 10–0; public hearing set for Feb. 11. Outcome: approved; study funded by developer. - Item E — Funding agreement for Union at Tower District RHID (Union Development Holdings LLC): Motion to approve carried 10–0; public hearing set for Feb. 18. Outcome: approved; study funded by developer. - Item F — Ordinance authorizing delegated contract signatures (Charter Ord. 94 / §A255): Motion to refer to Policy & Finance Committee carried 9–1. Outcome: referral.
Next steps and public participation: Public hearings were scheduled for the two RHID proposals in February (Feb. 11 and Feb. 18). The approvals that authorize study or map amendments do not finalize development incentives or RHID formation; those actions would require later hearings and additional council votes.
Sources: Governing body presentation of agenda items and roll-call votes as recorded in the Jan. 21 meeting transcript.
