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Commissioners return rezoning request for 3416 W. 53rd St. N. to planning commission for aesthetic review
Summary
After hours of questioning about consistency with the county comprehensive plan and a close prior MAPC vote, the Sedgwick County Commission unanimously voted to send a request to rezone 3416 W. 53rd Street North from single-family to general commercial back to the planning commission with instructions to pursue improved aesthetics and architectural designs.
The Sedgwick County Commission voted unanimously Feb. 19 to return a contested rezoning application for 3416 West 53rd Street North to the county planning commission for further consideration of aesthetic and architectural protections.
Scott Whittle of the Planning Department told commissioners staff had found the requested change from SF-20 (single-family) to GC (general commercial) with Protective Overlay No. 446 “not in conformance” with the county27s Community Investments Plan and the plan27s land-use compatibility guidelines. Whittle said the Planning Commission recommended denial on Jan. 9, with a close 7-5 vote and a prior 6-6 tie on a motion to approve with the applicant27s protective overlay.
Applicant representative Jay Cook urged the board to override MAPC or return the case for more review. Cook said the site — under an acre at 3416 West 53rd Street North — had been cleared of a dilapidated motel and that a similar use exists 90 feet to the south, arguing a carefully drafted protective overlay and enhanced landscaping would address neighborhood impacts: “In this protective overlay…we27ve stated not only that there will be screening on the west, north, and east side, but there will also be a landscape buffer that requires shade trees, evergreen trees,” he said.
Several commissioners said they were troubled by patchwork zoning and the prospect of GC in the center of an area planned for residential uses. Chairman Beatty said he would not support approval “when we27re throwing GC in the middle of residential,” and Commissioner Howell and others raised concerns about MAPC vote counts, local precedent on storage uses, and the need for consistent decision-making.
After extended discussion about buffers, traffic and precedent, Commissioner Meitzner moved to return the case to the planning commission with direction to consider improved aesthetics and architectural designs; the motion carried on a unanimous roll call. The board did not approve the rezoning today; the planning commission will rehear the case with the direction provided by the commission.
