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Council amends rezoning at 625 Southwest Polk; approves M-2 after debate over density
Summary
Council considered an application to rezone 0.52 acres at 625 SW Polk from O&I 2 (office/institutional) to M-3 (multifamily). After discussion about scale, parking and neighborhood compatibility, the council amended the Planning Commission recommendation and approved M-2 zoning by roll-call vote.
An ordinance to amend the zoning district for a 0.52-acre property at 625 Southwest Polk was before the Topeka City Council on Oct. 7. The applicant originally requested M-3 (multifamily) zoning; the Planning Commission had recommended approval of M-3 after public hearings in June and August.
Planning Division Director Dan Warner and the city manager summarized the site history: the property previously housed a church and has been vacant since about 2003. The Old Town neighborhood plan designates the area for medium-density residential, and staff told the council that M-2 zoning would also be consistent with the neighborhood plan and the city’s zoning criteria.
Councilmembers questioned the practical capacity of the site for large multifamily structures given parking and setbacks. Councilwoman Miller stated she could not support M-3 because the parcel’s size made 40 units unrealistic and “out of whack for that neighborhood,” and staff estimated a realistic unit count closer to a dozen. The council discussed alternate zoning classifications (M-1A, triplex/quadplex options) and the site’s dimensional constraints.
After ex parte disclosures, the council held two procedural votes. A motion to amend the Planning Commission recommendation to M-2 carried on the amendment vote. The council then voted to approve the ordinance as amended to M-2. The final recorded vote on approval was 7 yes, 1 no (Councilman Duncan), and 1 abstention (Councilman Banks). No development plan was approved at the meeting; if the project advances the developer must return with site plans and the council will consider parking, height and other standards under the chosen zoning.
