Planning Commission Meeting - June 13, 2024

The Olathe Planning Commission held a regular meeting with 8 of 9 commissioners present (Commissioner Breen absent). The agenda listed a consent agenda and five public hearings. All motions passed unanimously (8-0). Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on June 10, 2024, but the provided timestamp specifies June 13, 2024; this summary uses the provided date as instructed.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Consent Agenda (except item B): Motion passed 8-0, subject to staff stipulations.
• Item B (MP24-0011): Minor plat for Silvercreek Landing, Second Plat, containing 4 lots on 0.30 acres, northwest of S. Sunnybrook Blvd and W. 116th Terrace. Lauren Young (Planning Intern) presented. Discussion included a homeowners association that had not yet been created but would be recorded with the plat; a previous similar plat (MP24-0008) had the same condition. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Fear (resident at 18805 W. 175th St) spoke during the Living Hope Church public hearing. He expressed support for the church as neighbors but raised concerns about:
  • Park hours of operation: fearing pickleball courts could attract late-night activity; he suggested a time limit.
  • Traffic: requested a traffic study given increased cars (estimated a couple of hundred per day), and specifically asked for right-turn-in/right-turn-out restrictions at access points for safety.

Public Hearing: Sunnybrook 119, 1st Plat (FP24-0007)

• Presented by Taylor Vandevelde (Planner II). Request for final plat with vacation of a utility easement on 15.22 acres, northwest of W. 119th St and Lone Elm Rd. The plat includes two lots and one tract; the easement vacation enables commercial development at the corner. No public correspondence or speakers. Staff recommended approval. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Hearing: Olathe Industrial Tracts, Third Plat (FP24-0016)

• Presented by Emily Crillo (Senior Planner). Request for final plat with vacation of a water utility easement on 7.73 acres at 1225 W. Pittman St. The plat includes two lots and one tract, intended for two 33,000 sq ft industrial buildings for Collis Craneworks expansion. A portion of the water line was previously vacated in 2022. No public correspondence or speakers. Staff recommended approval. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Hearing: Special Use Permit for Telecommunications Compound Expansion (SU23-0007)

• Presented by Andrea Fair (Planner II). Request to expand a Verizon Wireless compound at 15201 S. Mur Len Rd. The expansion adds 348 sq ft to accommodate a 264 sq ft equipment shelter and ground equipment on a 7.43-acre site. New antenna on existing 100-ft tower. Staff stipulated removal of barbed wire from plans (not permitted in commercial districts). One correspondence from an individual was received; no public speakers. Approval period of 10 years recommended. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Hearing: Carson Street Storage Rezoning and Preliminary Plan (RZ24-0010)

• Presented by Andrea Fair. Request to rezone from R1 and M2 districts to M2, with a preliminary site plan for a truck maintenance and storage facility on 9.37 acres (two lots). Includes a 16,400 sq ft industrial building; phases for lots 1 and 2. Applicant agreed to restrict certain uses (e.g., automobile storage/towing) due to visibility from W. 159th St. Proposed preserving 43% of existing tree canopy (exceeding UDO requirements). Requested waiver from 200-ft setback to 60-ft (staff supportive given adjacent industrial future land use). No public speakers. Questions clarified restrictions on automobile towing vs truck repair. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Hearing: Living Hope Church Rezoning and Preliminary Plan (RZ24-0008)

• Presented by Taylor Vandevelde. Request to rezone 24 acres from CP2 and County Rural to C2, with a preliminary plan for a church park. The park includes playground, splash pad, fire pit, four pickleball courts, trails, and parking expansion (82 additional spots). The site includes 8 conceptual commercial lots at the corner. Access points (1, 2, 3) were stipulated in coordination with future road improvements. Public speaker Mike Fear raised concerns (see Public Comments). Commissioner questions addressed: park hours and lighting (staff will coordinate with applicant before City Council), noise ordinance enforcement (deputy city attorney advised ordinance applies to private property), traffic study not required (Chief Development Engineer Charlie Love explained no study warranted; access changes will be reviewed with future development). Staff recommended approval. Motion passed 8-0.

Key Outcomes

• All motions passed unanimously (8-0).
• Recommendations for all items will be forwarded to the Olathe City Council for consideration at the July 2, 2024 meeting.
• Staff will continue discussions with the Living Hope Church applicant regarding park hours of operation, lighting, and the potential to allow an accessory thrift store (which is currently restricted as a distance-restricted business).
• For Living Hope Church, staff will evaluate right-turn-in/right-turn-out restrictions at access points as future road improvements occur.
• Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as June 10, 2024, while the provided metadata indicates June 13, 2024. No action was taken to reconcile this discrepancy.