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Douglas County Commission unanimously approves site plan for North 1800 Road landscaping business
Summary
The Douglas County Commission approved site plan SP-26-0058 for an 18.5-acre landscape and lawn-care facility south of North 1800 Road, requiring a minimum 4,000-gallon cistern and a 6-inch dry hydrant connection to satisfy fire-protection rules when rural water cannot supply suppression.
The Douglas County Commission voted unanimously June 17 to approve site plan SP-26-0058 for a landscape and lawn-care business on about 18.5 acres south of North 1800 Road.
Planning staff recommended approval after reviewing site-plan criteria and safety requirements. Ellie Mullins of Lawrence–Douglas County Planning told the commission that the proposal shows a new building, employee parking and rear exterior storage; the storage area must be screened from the right-of-way and nearby residences, and staff noted existing mature trees would be used for screening where possible.
Mullins said the county flagged an additional fire-protection need because the rural water district cannot provide suppression for this development. "Staff found that the project meets the approval criteria for a site plan in the county and we recommend approval of the site plan," Mullins said, adding that plans show a 4,000-gallon cistern and a 6-inch dry hydrant connection to satisfy fire-protection requirements.
David Hammy, representing the applicant with BG Consultants, said the cistern will be filled through the project meter and maintained in a buried installation so it remains available as supplemental fire protection. "This is a use by right in this zoning district and so we're looking forward to approval on it," Hammy said, describing coordination with Evergy, the rural water district and the consolidated fire district.
Commissioners asked staff to explain the code basis for the cistern. Staff said the county zoning code provides an alternative when a utility cannot supply fire suppression and that the county also reviews relevant sections of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidance and the adopted International Building Code for water-suppression requirements in rural or suburban areas. Staff noted Chief Matthysse and the chief building officer reviewed the approach and that 4,000 gallons is a minimum tied to expected building size.
During public comment on the item a commissioner requested the owner include pollinator plants and milkweed; the owner agreed to incorporate pollinator plantings and additional screening into the landscape design.
Commissioner Millie moved to approve the site plan; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor. The commission approved SP-26-0058 and the project will proceed to permitting and any building-level review required to finalize cistern design and fire connections.
