Planning commission approves preliminary and final plat for Rawlings Addition in Augusta

The Augusta Planning Commission voted to approve a one-step preliminary and final plat for the Rawlings Addition (FP2025-08), a subdivision that will create new residential lots and set the stage for annexation of portions of the property into the city.

Tammy, a city planning staff member, told the commission, "Before you is a 1 step preliminary and final plat for Rawlings edition." She described the site as currently vacant except for an existing residence already inside the city limits and said the proposed use for the platted parcels is residential.

The approval matters because annexation is required before the city can extend utilities. Tammy said some outbuildings on the property already receive electric service from the City of Augusta and that platting will allow the city to "capture those existing buildings" under city jurisdiction. The commission also heard that Butler County recommended approval of the plat at its meeting the previous day.

According to the staff presentation, the plat divides the land into several lots: Lot 4, Block D contains the existing residence within the city; Lot 1, Block A is proposed for a future residential unit and is slated for annexation; an addition to Lot 2, Block A likewise is proposed for annexation. Tammy said, "Lot 3 Block A is really a FEMA kind of drainage pond. So we're not recommending annexation for that, and it has to do with flood insurance purposes. We didn't wanna attach that portion of the floodway onto a residential property." That pond portion will remain in county jurisdiction to avoid triggering additional flood-insurance requirements for the house.

Property owner Mike Rawlings, who identified himself to the commission as "Mike Rawlings, 1707 Sunset Drive," confirmed the existing buildings on Lot 1, Block A "currently, yes" will remain while a new house is planned "just to the north of those." Rawlings and staff said the applicant and city had coordinated site-plan details with the applicant's engineer and with water and wastewater staff to ensure utilities can be provided if annexation and zoning proceed.

Commissioners asked about timing and the annexation process. Tammy explained that annexation and zoning are separate steps: the planning commission will recommend a zoning designation (in this case, residential) and the city council will act on annexation and zoning. She said the annexation carries a statutory protest period of about 14 days and that the schedule anticipates returning with final zoning in June, after the protest period has expired.

A motion to approve "the 1-step preliminary and final plat for Rawlings Addition (FP2025-08)" was made and seconded during the meeting; the chair called for the vote and the motion carried. Tammy advised the applicant to coordinate with city staff to appear before the city council as the next step for annexation and zoning action.

Commission discussion also noted practical matters such as the location of access easements shown on the plat, the proximity of the site to a nearby park, and the presence of a ridge forming a berm around the drainage pond. Staff and the applicant said none of the proposed building pads are inside the floodplain; only the pond area is within the floodway.

Brief additional business at the meeting included staff comments that proposed tax amendment revisions for commercial self-storage and car lots will go to city council on the 21st and a separate property (Hoffman's on Custer Lane) is currently stalled and slated for code-enforcement monitoring. The commission adjourned after approving the plat.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved FP2025-08, the one-step preliminary and final plat for Rawlings Addition; the motion carried on a voice vote with "Aye" called by the presiding officer (individual vote tallies were not specified in the transcript).