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Record of Proceedings

Olathe Planning Commission Meeting 2024-10-14: Approves Gateway and Indian Creek Projects

City Council — Monday, October 14, 2024
BodyOlathe, Kansas
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, October 14, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Like to call tonight's meeting to order.

0:06

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:09

Hi, Pledge.

0:19

Individual Liberty and Justice for all.

0:34

Everybody's here tonight.

0:36

So I want to thank everyone in the chamber for attending this evening's meeting, as well as those watching online.

0:43

Planning commission meetings are an important part of the process for interpreting and applying the city's comprehensive plan and the unified development ordinance.

0:51

It is important that our meetings are conducted with dignity and respect.

0:55

That applies to every person in attendance.

0:57

We as strive to provide an atmosphere where the ideas and opinions of all participants are held in the highest regard.

1:04

Finally, the actions and the issues we discuss are ultimately under the responsible responsibility of the City Council.

1:10

As a planning commission, we're here to help the council as our elected representatives to be fully informed to make the best choices for our city.

1:18

By statute, the planning commission strives not to engage with any party on the issues that are on our agenda prior to the meeting.

1:24

Should that interaction take place as a result of a business relationship or any other interaction referred to as ex parte communication?

1:34

Commissioners will report that interaction when we reach that item in the agenda.

1:39

We'll now move on to the consent agenda.

1:41

This evening we have six items on our consent agenda.

1:44

Commissioners, do you need to have any items pulled for additional information or questions from staff?

1:53

Well, seeing none, I'll uh call for a motion on the item.

1:56

On the commit consent agenda, please.

1:58

Mr.

1:59

Chair, I'll move to approve the consent agenda.

2:01

Thank you.

2:01

Commissioner Breen, do I have a second?

2:03

Second.

2:04

Thank you, Commissioner Cochrane.

2:05

All those in favor say aye.

2:07

Aye.

2:07

Aye.

2:08

Opposed nay.

2:09

That motion passes nine to zero.

2:13

We'll move on to the regular agenda.

2:16

This evening we have two scheduled public hearings.

2:19

However, for the per first public hearing, a continuance has been requested.

2:24

When a case is scheduled for a continuance, the public hearing will not be opened.

2:28

Therefore, comments, recommendations, or analysis are not provided or discussed until the public hearing is open.

2:35

This process ensures that anyone interested in the case has full opportunity to participate.

2:41

So a continuance is requested to a future planning commission for FP 24-0025.

2:49

May I have a motion regarding the request for a continuance.

3:02

Second.

3:04

Thank you, Commissioner Chapman.

3:07

All those in favor say aye.

3:09

Aye.

3:09

Opposed, nay.

3:11

That motion passes nine to zero.

3:14

Moving on to our second public hearing, a continuance has also been requested for a future planning commission for FP 24-0026.

3:24

I would like to call for a motion on this item, please.

3:29

Mr.

3:30

Chair, I'll motion uh to approve the continuance request for FP 24-0026.

3:37

Thank you, Commissioner Breen.

3:39

Do you have a second?

3:40

Second.

3:41

Thank you, Commissioner Cochrane.

3:43

All those in favor say aye.

3:45

Aye.

3:45

Aye.

3:46

Opposed, nay.

3:48

And that also passes nine to zero.

3:50

So we'll move on to our new business.

3:51

And this evening we have three items of new business.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Land Use Planning██████████████████████████████30%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Public Safety█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Olathe Planning Commission Meeting Summary - 2024-10-14

The Olathe Planning Commission met on October 14, 2024, to consider consent agenda items, public hearing continuances, and approval of comprehensive plan conformance resolutions for the Olathe Gateway STAR Bond and TIF projects and the Indian Creek Crossing TIF project. All votes were recorded, with the commission approving the consent agenda, continuances, and conformance findings.

Consent Calendar

  • The commission unanimously approved the consent agenda (6 items) with a 9-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Continuances for Public Hearings:

    • FP24-0025 (Heather Ridge South, 6th Plat): Continuance requested and approved 9-0.
    • FP24-0026 (Creme De La Crème Daycare): Continuance requested and approved 9-0.

  • PLN24-0002 (Olathe Gateway STAR Bond Project Plan):

    • City Attorney Ron Shaver presented the proposed development at 119th Street and Renner Boulevard, including a multi-sport arena, an ultra-accessible amusement park, ~120,000 square feet of retail, and a hotel on ~63 acres.
    • He explained the STAR Bond Act requires a Planning Commission finding of conformance with the Comprehensive Plan, and that the next step would be City Council public hearings scheduled for November 19, 2024.
    • Commissioner Bergida questioned the TIF/STAR Bond duration (20 years by statute) and how the project addresses crime and cost of living concerns. Staff stated the theme park targets families with disabilities, aiming for a low-crime environment, and that the facility would be free for people with disabilities. No multifamily housing is planned in the current phase, but future phases may include it.
    • Commissioner Creighton asked about statutory timelines; staff said the goal is to complete statutory steps by year-end to facilitate financing.

  • PLN24-0003 (Olathe Gateway TIF Project Plan):

    • The same project area was considered under the TIF Act, with a slightly different boundary. The commission voted 8-1 to approve the conformance finding, with Commissioner Bergida voting nay.

  • PLN24-0004 (Indian Creek Crossing TIF Project Plan):

    • The project involves ~13.78 acres along East Santa Fe, with ~115,000 square feet of retail/commercial space, including a new-to-market sports/entertainment facility, a national fitness center, a regional hardware store, and a regional convenience store.
    • Staff stated the area was deemed a conservation area due to building age (>35 years) and deterioration, justifying TIF approval. Commissioner Bergida asked about land acquisition policies; staff noted that approximately 27.5% of total project costs would be reimbursed from TIF incremental property tax revenues, with no city sales taxes captured.
    • Commissioner Brown expressed support for the project as a good use of TIF for redevelopment.
    • A commissioner raised concerns about a likely QuikTrip relocation; staff confirmed the move would generate new sales tax revenue (not captured by TIF) and increase property tax base, while existing base taxes remain with the city.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent agenda: 9-0.
  • Approved continuance for FP24-0025: 9-0.
  • Approved continuance for FP24-0026: 9-0.
  • Approved PLN24-0002 (STAR Bond conformance): 9-0.
  • Approved PLN24-0003 (TIF conformance): 8-1 (Commissioner Bergida voting against).
  • Approved PLN24-0004 (Indian Creek Crossing TIF conformance): 9-0.
  • All items will advance to the City Council for consideration at its next meeting on October 15, 2024.

Announcements

  • October is National Community Planning Month; the commission was thanked for their service.
  • Public feedback is being accepted for the “Elevate Olathe” Comprehensive Plan update via an online survey at OlatheKS.gov/elevateolathe.
  • Commissioner Graden reported on attending the Quad State Planning Conference in Arkansas, noting sessions on affordable housing and comprehensive plan updates from nearby cities.

Meeting Transcript

Like to call tonight's meeting to order. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Hi, Pledge. Individual Liberty and Justice for all. Everybody's here tonight. So I want to thank everyone in the chamber for attending this evening's meeting, as well as those watching online. Planning commission meetings are an important part of the process for interpreting and applying the city's comprehensive plan and the unified development ordinance. It is important that our meetings are conducted with dignity and respect. That applies to every person in attendance. We as strive to provide an atmosphere where the ideas and opinions of all participants are held in the highest regard. Finally, the actions and the issues we discuss are ultimately under the responsible responsibility of the City Council. As a planning commission, we're here to help the council as our elected representatives to be fully informed to make the best choices for our city. By statute, the planning commission strives not to engage with any party on the issues that are on our agenda prior to the meeting. Should that interaction take place as a result of a business relationship or any other interaction referred to as ex parte communication? Commissioners will report that interaction when we reach that item in the agenda. We'll now move on to the consent agenda. This evening we have six items on our consent agenda. Commissioners, do you need to have any items pulled for additional information or questions from staff? Well, seeing none, I'll uh call for a motion on the item. On the commit consent agenda, please. Mr. Chair, I'll move to approve the consent agenda. Thank you. Commissioner Breen, do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Cochrane. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed nay. That motion passes nine to zero. We'll move on to the regular agenda. This evening we have two scheduled public hearings. However, for the per first public hearing, a continuance has been requested. When a case is scheduled for a continuance, the public hearing will not be opened. Therefore, comments, recommendations, or analysis are not provided or discussed until the public hearing is open. This process ensures that anyone interested in the case has full opportunity to participate. So a continuance is requested to a future planning commission for FP 24-0025. May I have a motion regarding the request for a continuance. Second. Thank you, Commissioner Chapman. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. That motion passes nine to zero. Moving on to our second public hearing, a continuance has also been requested for a future planning commission for FP 24-0026. I would like to call for a motion on this item, please. Mr. Chair, I'll motion uh to approve the continuance request for FP 24-0026. Thank you, Commissioner Breen.

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