Shawnee County planning panel forwards two subdivision plats to County Commissioners

The Shawnee County Planning Commission on Monday, December 9 (year not specified in the transcript) unanimously approved and forwarded two subdivision plats — Montgomery Subdivision (case P2401) and LRK 08 Subdivision (case P2402) — to the Board of County Commissioners, subject to required right-of-way dedications and Class A drainage reports.

Planning staff presented both cases and recommended approval with conditions. For P2401 (4941 NW 70th Street, applicants Ron and Jackie Hutchinson), staff described a proposal to subdivide a 4.78-acre parcel into two lots — Lot 1 of 1.5 acres and Lot 2 of 2.89 acres — and to dedicate 0.39 acres to the county for Northwest 70th Street right-of-way. Staff told the commission that no building permit may be issued until the additional right-of-way dedication is executed and the required drainage report is approved. Planning staff also said underground telephone cables (AT&T) must be located within the right-of-way before work begins.

“I’m Jesse Noll with Land Plan Engineering out of Lawrence,” the applicant’s representative said when invited to the podium, confirming that the applicant had submitted materials and a drainage letter and asking whether a full drainage report would be required; staff said a full Class A drainage report is required.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the difference between preliminary and final plats and then moved and seconded approval of the Montgomery Subdivision, which passed unanimously. Planning staff said the commission’s recommendation will go to the Board of County Commissioners and that the item is tentatively set for the Jan. 13 meeting but could be heard earlier if the required materials are provided.

For P2402 (LRK 08 Subdivision, owner listed as Press Construction and Land Work LLC at 1701 NE 70th Street), staff said the request seeks a single buildable lot (Lot 1 = 43.01 acres). The existing parcel has 50 feet of frontage, short of the 200-foot frontage required for a plat exemption, which necessitated the subdivision filing. Staff recommended approval of the preliminary and final plat subject to the same set of conditions: additional right-of-way dedication, submission and approval of a Class A drainage report, and withholding of building permits until those conditions are met.

During discussion, commissioners asked whether a proposed driveway would require an engineered culvert because part of the driveway crosses a drainage easement or floodplain. The applicant and planning staff said an existing culvert/passage was already in place and that staff had not identified a need for an engineered culvert; one commissioner noted similar driveway conditions at other addresses and expressed concern about setting precedent for narrow driveways.

A motion to approve the LRK 08 Subdivision, subject to the planning staff conditions, was made, seconded and passed unanimously; staff again noted the item will be scheduled before the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 13 unless it can be prepared earlier.

Votes at a glance P2401 — Montgomery Subdivision (Ron and Jackie Hutchinson) Motion: Approve preliminary and final plat subject to staff conditions (right-of-way dedication; Class A drainage report; no building permit until conditions met; locate underground telephone facilities). Vote: Unanimous approval by present commissioners. Next step: Recommendation to Board of County Commissioners; tentatively scheduled Jan. 13 (may be earlier if materials received).

P2402 — LRK 08 Subdivision (Press Construction and Land Work LLC) Motion: Approve preliminary and final plat subject to staff conditions (right-of-way dedication; Class A drainage report; no building permit until conditions met). Vote: Unanimous approval by present commissioners. Next step: Recommendation to Board of County Commissioners; tentatively scheduled Jan. 13 (may be earlier if materials received).

The commission adjourned after the two items were approved. The Board of County Commissioners will consider both plats at its next available meeting; staff and applicants must complete the required right-of-way dedications and drainage approvals before building permits can be issued.