Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff backs Lineage rezoning for automated cold-storage site with stipulations
Summary
Olathe planning staff recommended rezoning about 145 acres to allow an automated Lineage Logistics cold-storage campus — including a 440,000 sq ft, 140-foot building on Lot 1 — subject to stipulations on height, setbacks, landscaping and revised site plans; commissioners raised safety and traffic concerns and the motion to approve later failed.
The Olathe Planning Commission heard staff recommend approval of a rezoning and preliminary site development plan that would allow Lineage Logistics to build a 440,000-square-foot automated cold storage facility and surrounding industrial/commercial lots near Lone Elm Road and 175th Street. Jessica Schuler, senior planner, said staff supports rezoning seven acres to C2 and 138 acres to M2 and urged approval with stipulations limiting heights on Lots 2–5 to 55 feet and the commercial corner to 35 feet while allowing Lot 1 to reach 140 feet.
Schuler said the proposal aligns with the city’s future land-use map, described enhanced site-design measures — including front- and side-yard setbacks well beyond district minima, a 7–9 foot berm, a double row of evergreen screening adjacent to Lone Elm Road, and a decorative 6-foot picket fence — and noted that a revised preliminary site development plan will return for further review. “Staff is recommending approval of the rezoning to the M2 and the C2 Districts as stipulated and of the preliminary site development plan as stipulated,” Schuler said.
The staff presentation identified required public improvements and standard Title 17 stormwater and detention requirements; staff noted that phase‑2 development would require an updated traffic study. Charlie Love, the city’s chief development engineer, said the submitted traffic study found existing signals at Lone Elm and 175th would operate at acceptable levels for the phase being considered, but he warned the KDOT US‑169 corridor study is just beginning and has no schedule yet.
Commissioners pressed staff on emergency‑response capabilities, regulatory oversight of anhydrous ammonia and the long-term roadway funding and timing for improvements. Schuler said the proposal preserves an existing tree line adjacent to Lone Elm Park and that final site-plan review would refine landscaping and screening. After public comment and deliberation, the commission did not approve the rezoning on a roll-call vote, sending the record on to City Council.
The item will be heard next by the Olathe City Council, which is the final approval body for rezoning decisions.
