Planning commission approves Topeka Bible Church clinic PUD, duplex rezoning and setback amendment

The Topeka Planning Commission on the evening’s agenda approved three zoning actions: a planned unit development for Topeka Bible Church to allow a prenatal/postnatal clinic; a rezoning to permit a duplex conversion at 1035 NE Monroe; and a minor PUD amendment reducing an east side setback to enable redevelopment of a former Denny’s site.

Anne Marie Driver, the planning staff author on several cases, summarized PUD2605 for the commission as a request to rezone 1135 Southwest College Avenue from R‑2 to a PUD to allow continued church use and a proposed medical clinic occupying roughly 35,532 square feet of an existing 131,000‑square‑foot building. “Staff is supportive of the proposal, recommends approval,” Driver said. Applicant representative Kevin Holland told the commission the clinic would provide pre‑ and postnatal care and said the project currently lacks a signed medical provider; he described an intended Monday‑through‑Friday clinic with on‑site staffing hours that could yield roughly 30 patients per day and parking for about 50 vehicles. With no public opposition recorded at the hearing, the commission moved to approve PUD2605; the motion passed (recorded in the minutes as 7–1–0).

On Z2607, Driver said the application by Alicia Greco Carrasco proposes rezoning a 0.2‑acre property at 1035 NE Monroe from R‑2 to M‑1 so the existing single‑family house can operate as an upstairs/downstairs duplex. Staff noted the property sits in the North Topeka East historic neighborhood planning area and described neighborhood outreach showing support. Joe Rivera, representing the applicant, said neighbors had generally been supportive. The commission voted unanimously to approve the rezoning (8–0–0).

PUD2606 asked the commission to amend an older PUD to reduce the east side setback from 10 feet to 8 feet so the site can be redeveloped as a tire shop. Staff explained that much of the parcel lies within the 100‑year floodplain and that the small setback reduction would avoid more burdensome floodplain construction requirements; Brandon Haverty, the developer, said FEMA floodplain delineation and a miscentered stormwater easement drove the design adjustments and estimated approximate fill costs. After discussion and questions about easement adjustments and floodplain permitting, the commission approved the PUD amendment (vote recorded 8–0–0).

What happens next: Approved rezonings and PUD amendments move to the governing body as scheduled; staff noted some items are tentatively scheduled for city council consideration next month. The commission recorded standard conditions of approval where noted in staff reports and directed applicants to coordinate required permits (floodplain development, easement edits) with city departments.