Developers and city staff presented a master-plan proposal for the Orchard Crossing PUD at Orchard Road and Sullivan Drive that would rezone roughly 22 acres for about 60–70 townhomes and 12 acres of commercial space, including a proposed Kwik Trip convenience store and fuel center. QuikTrip and GTZ Properties said the company would fund required road improvements and infrastructure, and counsel estimated the project could generate about $750,000 per year in retail and fuel tax revenue for the city.

The council and staff outlined competing views. Planning staff recommended allowing the concept plan but asked that a fuel center be prohibited at this stage, citing a desire to secure a higher-end commercial corridor and to avoid precluding other uses. Staff also noted constraints tied to KDOT’s approved three-quarter access and recorded cross-access easements that affect visibility and circulation for adjacent tenants. QuikTrip’s project manager stressed safety upgrades and modern containment technology, saying, “We are not a mega gas station,” and describing double-walled tanks, monitoring systems and site security cameras.

Several residents and community advocates urged delay or rejection. Mavis Bates, who identified herself as an elected district board member, said a large gas station would harm groundwater and public health and urged the council not to accept a $3,000,000 infrastructure payment in exchange for the site. Marissa Martinez asked the council to postpone action and establish a community benefits fund to mitigate neighborhood impacts; she told the council she was “begging you to slow down and critically think about this.”

Council members were split. Alderman Franco called the proposal a catalyst for long-sought commercial development on Orchard Road and said allowing the project may prevent warehouses or data centers on the site. Others pressed to visit existing tenants and verify they had been notified and consulted. Staff and the petitioner agreed to follow up; the mayor’s office and the council placed the Orchard Crossing related docket items on unfinished business for additional outreach and further review before a future vote.

The committee did not adopt any final zoning or ordinance changes at the meeting; follow-up work was requested on tenant notice, traffic stacking, and the planned number of EV chargers. The matter will return to the council after staff and members complete the requested outreach and provide additional traffic, tenant-notice and design details.