Planning Commission forwards contentious New Boston Crossing plan amendment after hours of testimony; critics warn of wetlands, floodplain and cultural impacts

The Lawrence Planning Commission on Oct. 22 voted to forward Comprehensive Plan amendment AMDT‑25‑00006 — a request to change land‑use categories in the Revised Southern Development Plan for the New Boston Crossing area (corner of K‑10 and US‑59) — to the City Commission and the Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation for approval. The decision followed more than two hours of public comment and sustained opposition from residents, conservation groups, Haskell and Baker affiliates, and other stakeholders.

Staff summary: Planner Sandy Day told commissioners the sector plan for the southern development area has not had a comprehensive update since roughly 2007 and that the applicant’s request would change the plan’s future land‑use map to increase the amount of commercial land and introduce an explicit high‑density residential designation in the plan area. Day said the applicant’s property is annexed and currently zoned; staff concluded the policy review questions in the comprehensive plan amendment process were met and recommended forwarding with approval. She…