Planning commission approves one-step plat for Kirkland Addition, two lots in county subdivision jurisdiction

The Derby Planning Commission voted 7-0 Thursday to approve a one-step plat for the Kirkland Addition, a division of a larger parcel that will create two single-family lots within Sedgwick County but subject to Derby’s subdivision review procedures.

Why it matters: the plat will allow two separate home sites to be developed on a parcel that has been partly encumbered by historic pipeline and utility easements and significant mapped 1% flood hazard zones; the action clears the way for final plat recording once required easements and covenants are provided.

Assistant City Planner Everett Haynes summarized the plat and said the subject property is part of a larger government lot along the Arkansas River; the parcel was about 44 acres in total and the applicant proposes two residential lots served from Vassar Avenue through an access reserve and easement. Haynes said much of the property is in the 1% flood hazard area and that some building pads can be placed outside the floodplain but that building within the flood area would require separate FEMA and state flood‑plain permitting and possibly a letter of map amendment or revision if fill were used to raise a pad.

Thomas Joyce of Boffin Company, the applicant’s engineer, told the commission the plat has been the result of a multi-year process and that title work revealed multiple historic pipeline and utility easements that the utility companies currently characterize as abandoned, but for which formal releases are not always available. Joyce said the plat notes those easements for the record and the applicant is working with Kansas Gas Service and other utilities on releases.

Haynes said additional easements requested by the local water provider will be dedicated by the applicant and that both lots will be served by on-site alternate sanitary sewer systems, a typical arrangement for county plats.

Commissioner Voth moved to approve the one-step plat of the Kirkland Addition subject to staff comments and authorization to proceed to final plat tracing; Commissioner Heflin seconded. The commission voted 7-0 (Adams, Ehman, Heflin, Hessletime, Quigley, Renberger, Voth) to forward the recommendation for final recording and allowed the applicant to complete the required access easement and restricted covenants for the reserve that provides access from Vassar Avenue.

The staff report identifies required follow-up items including finalized access easement language, recording of restricted covenants that set ownership and maintenance for the access reserve, dedication of requested utility easements and confirmation or release documentation for legacy pipeline easements.