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County commissioners approve comprehensive plan amendment to advance affordable housing west of K‑10
Summary
The Douglas County Commission on April 9 adopted a joint ordinance and county resolution revising the West of K‑10 future land use map to allow medium‑density residential and neighborhood‑scale commercial uses on a parcel in the Flora Hill development; city commission previously approved.
The Douglas County Commission voted 5-0 April 9 to approve a comprehensive plan amendment (AMD T24‑10004) to the Plan 2040 West of K‑10 chapter. The change revises a future land‑use designation from public and institutional uses to medium‑density residential and neighborhood‑scale commercial for a parcel that is part of the Flora Hill development on the far west side of Lawrence.
Mary Miller, city–county planner, said the smaller yellow parcel in the proposal had been purchased by the City of Lawrence in the 1990s for potential public facilities but later was transferred to Tenants to Homeowners in 2022 under an agreement that anticipated affordable housing and small neighborhood commercial uses. “The proposal is to build kind of mixed housing types with apartments and row houses here and some duplexes,” Miller said. The staff report recommended approval, citing a change of conditions and the proposal’s potential to facilitate affordable housing.
Miller told commissioners the amendment requires approvals by the planning commission, the city commission and the county commission; she said the City of Lawrence has already approved the amendment. The rezoning application is separate and not contingent on the comprehensive plan amendment, Miller said.
Aaron Jasper with CFS Engineers attended as the applicant’s representative and offered to answer questions. No members of the public spoke on the item at the county meeting. After closing public comment the commission adopted joint ordinance number 10124 and county resolution 25‑17 by voice vote, 5-0.
