Planning Commission Meeting on 2024-12-09: Special Use Permit for Icon Midwest and Zoning Amendment for The District
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Planning Commission Meeting – December 9, 2024
The Olathe Planning Commission met on December 9, 2024, at 1:00 PM (evening session) with eight of nine commissioners present. The meeting included two public hearings: a special use permit for golf and utility cart sales at 1301 E. Santa Fe Street (Icon Midwest) and a zoning amendment and preliminary site development plan for "The District," a mixed-use entertainment and hospitality development at the southwest corner of W. 119th Street and Renner Boulevard. The consent agenda was also addressed, with two items pulled for discussion before being approved.
Consent Calendar
- The commission approved eight consent agenda items (items A through H) with a motion to approve by voice vote, except items D and E were pulled by Commissioner Creighton. After discussion, items D and E (PR24-0019 and FP240030, related to the Dennis and South Pine trans system project) were approved unanimously with a separate motion, subject to staff comments and stipulations.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up to speak during either public hearing. The commission noted that the applicant for Icon Midwest received one phone call with general inquiries but no formal opposition or support from the public.
Discussion Items
- SU24-0003 – Special Use Permit for Icon Midwest (Golf and Utility Carts): The applicant requested a two-year special use permit to sell golf and utility carts at 1301 E. Santa Fe Street, a former Tint World site. Staff recommended approval with a limit of five carts displayed adjacent to the building, to be moved indoors after hours. The applicant requested 15 carts along Santa Fe Street for visibility. After discussion, the commission modified the staff recommendation to allow up to 10 carts along Santa Fe Street, with the carts brought inside after business hours. The permit is for two years, after which the entire use will be reevaluated. The commission emphasized the importance of the Santa Fe corridor's evolving character and the comprehensive plan update.
- RZ24-0016 – Zoning Amendment for The District: The applicant, Van Trust and Loreto, presented a plan for a 50.48-acre development featuring a 5,500-seat arena, an 11-acre ultra-accessible theme park (based on Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio), a 160-room hotel, a destination entertainment user, and 10 commercial pad sites, with a central pedestrian path, lake, and commons area. Staff recommended approval with five stipulations, including a prohibition on convenience stores with gas sales. The applicant requested that convenience stores be allowed, arguing they are necessary for visitor convenience and project revenue. The commission voted to approve the zoning amendment as recommended by staff, meaning convenience stores remain prohibited unless the applicant returns for a zoning amendment (a four-month process). The project is expected to begin site work in spring 2025.
Key Outcomes
- SU24-0003 (Icon Midwest): Approved 8-0 with a motion to allow up to 10 golf/utility carts displayed along Santa Fe Street (replacing staff's stipulation of five adjacent to the building). All other staff stipulations apply, including a two-year permit term, indoor storage after hours, landscaping compliance, and signage restrictions.
- RZ24-0016 (The District): Approved 8-0 as stipulated by staff, including the prohibition on convenience stores with gas sales, a requirement to update the traffic study and traffic management plan as each lot develops, and a requirement for a comprehensive sign standard plan. The applicant may seek a future zoning amendment to allow convenience stores.
- Consent Agenda: All items approved, with items D and E approved separately after discussion. Commissioner Creighton commended neighbors and the development team for their collaboration on the Dennis and South Pine project.
- Announcements: The Elevate Olathe Dream Big Visioning Open House was announced for December 10, 2024, from 5-8 PM at the Olathe Embassy Suites, inviting public feedback on the comprehensive plan update.
Meeting Transcript
Like call tonight's meeting to order. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Undervisible Liberty and Justice. Well, as we begin our meeting this evening, I'll acknowledge that we have a quorum of planning commissioners present with eight of nine in attendance. Commissioner Bergita is unable to attend this evening. I want to thank everyone in the chamber for attending this evening's meeting and online. Planning commission meetings are an important part of the process for interpreting and applying the city's comprehensive plan and unified development ordinance. It's important that our meetings are conducted with dignity and respect that applies to every person in attendance. And we strive to provide an atmosphere where the ideas and opinions of all participants are held in the highest regard. Finally, the actions of the issues we discuss are ultimately under the responsibility of the City Council. As a planning commission, we're here to help the councils, 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 on the agenda prior to our this evening meeting. Should that interaction take place as a result of a business relationship or any other interaction, which was referred to as expartable 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 eight items on our consent agenda. Commissioners, would you like to pull any items for additional information or comments for staff? Commissioner Creighton. Mr. Chairman, I would like to pull items D and E. Okay. Please note for the record that items D and E are pulled for the consent agenda. Anyone else? Well, if not, I'll entertain a motion for pass of the consent agenda less those two items. Mr. Chair, I'll motion to approve the consent agenda item. All right, thank you. Commissioner Breen, do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Chapman. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. And that motion passes a to zero. Commissioner Crayton, I'll give you the floor if you'd like to address your questions on this issue. Yes, thank you. Um this is not a public hearing, but I did want to uh pull these two items. They are related to the trans system uh project uh Dennis and South Pine. And the reason being is that um we get a lot of things that are on consent agenda and we just think about how routine they are. But I just wanted to acknowledge that uh we do read them, we look at the comments that uh the neighbors have when there are neighborhood meetings, and I just wanted to commend the neighbors for getting involved, uh attending the neighborhood meeting, their follow-up uh information. And that that is what's so important about this process that people are actually getting involved, and that's important. And want to especially then also thank the development team for taking to heart the things that the uh uh residents of the area said. Um you made significant changes to that project from the number from the setback to rearranging detention. Uh multiple things in order to be a good neighbor. And when I think back 40 years to what that property was 40 years ago, I've just uh it it looks so much better, and uh just thanking the development team as well as the citizens for their involvement and um nothing more beyond that and uh definitely supportive of it. All right, thank you, Commissioner Craight. Are there any other comments? Well, Commissioner Craight, I'll go ahead and entertain a motion for the remaining two items then. Okay, I would move for the approval of items D and E, which are PR 24-0019 and FP 240030, subject to all staff comments and stipulations. Thank you.
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