Planning Commission deadlocks on boat and RV storage CUP after hours of public opposition over soils and drainage

A motion to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit UP‑2052 — to allow boat and RV storage at 1822 and 1828 E. 1450 Road — failed on a 4‑4 tie at the Oct. 22 Lawrence Planning Commission meeting after more than an hour of technical staff presentation, applicant response and sustained public comment.

Planner Catherine Week reviewed the application and staff’s recommendation, telling the commission the property is zoned AG2 and the proposed boat/RV storage use is permitted in AG2 only via a CUP. Week described the site plan as encompassing two parcels, noted existing residential uses on the lots (one of which the applicant proposes to remove), and highlighted that the applicant provided a drainage study reviewed and approved by both county and city stormwater engineers. Week also reported that because the site contains designated sensitive agricultural soils, the zoning code required up to 40% set‑aside for those soils and that the applicant indicated the site plan accommodates the requirement. She said staff recommended forwarding a recommendation of approval…