Planning Commission Meeting on 2025-07-14

The Olathe Planning Commission convened on July 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM UTC. All nine commissioners were present. The meeting included approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing on a zoning amendment for monument signage at Sunnybrook development, and a discussion on the Elevate Olathe comprehensive plan update. Both agenda items received unanimous support.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, consisting of routine approvals, was approved unanimously (9-0) without discussion.

Public Hearing: RZ25-0004 – Monument Signage Amendment at Sunnybrook Development

• Staff (Senior Planner Nathan Jerry) presented a request to amend Ordinance 05-25 to allow individual monument signs for businesses on approximately 74.3 acres (16 properties) southwest of College Boulevard and S. Lone Elm Road. The amendment would remove a restriction that previously prohibited such signs, which originated in 1998 and was carried forward in 2005.
• The applicant, Mark McKenzie (Sunnybrook Management LLC), coordinated 12 property owners to join the request. Two property owners did not participate.
• The catalyst for the request was the recently approved Ckeep-alive la Krem School at the site; if approved, a sign permit would be submitted for staff review.
• Staff recommended approval, noting the development has grown larger than originally anticipated and the request aligns with the Plan Olathe future land use map and policy ES 1.4 (support local businesses).
• Public notice requirements were met; a neighborhood meeting in June attracted 10 residents, all in favor. Staff fielded inquiries from five residents, with no opposition.
• During commission discussion, questions were answered about sign design consistency, existing covenants, and the ability for the shopping center to place a major complex sign. No concerns were raised.
• No members of the public signed up to speak. The public hearing was closed, and the commission voted to approve the zoning amendment (9-0). The item will go to the City Council on August 15, 2025.

Discussion Item: Elevate Olathe Comprehensive Plan Update

• Kim Hollingsworth (Community Development) provided an update on the comprehensive plan refresh, now about one year into the process. The plan, named Elevate Olathe, will set a vision for the next 15 years.
• Key components presented:
  • Engagement: Over 3,000 participants to date, including online surveys (850 responses), stakeholder meetings, open houses, and events like the visioning open house (180 attendees). Staff won the 2040 Future Ready Award for volunteer engagement.
  • Key Takeaways from Initial Engagement: Housing was the top priority (affordability, diversity, missing middle). Other themes included redevelopment of vacant spaces (e.g., Great Mall, Santa Fe corridor), commercial/retail enhancement, transportation improvements (K-7, I-35, railroad crossings), bicycle/pedestrian connectivity, preserving parks, and community identity/beautification.
  • Existing Conditions: Population is aging; 75% of Olathe residents commute out of the city for work, while 74% of workers commute into Olathe; high public school enrollment.
  • Plan Structure: Will include chapters on land use, housing, transportation, etc., with vision statements, goals, strategies, and an action matrix.
  • Sub-Area Plans: Seven areas (e.g., 175th Street, Ridgeview/K-10, Santa Fe/Parker) were studied with specific land use and infrastructure recommendations. A steering committee (including Commissioners Berridge and Breen) is guiding then - Future Land Use: A draft future land use map is being developed, expected to be more specific than the current Plan Olatha map. The planning area extends beyond current city limits to the west and south.
  • Timeline: Draft plan document is being written; public open houses are anticipated in early 2026, with a Planning Commission public hearing around March 2026 and City Council adoption around April 2026. A comprehensive UDO update is expected to follow.
• Commissioners commended staff for extensive outreach and the quality of planning. No formal action was taken; the discussion was informational.

Key Outcomes

• RZ25-0004: Approved 9-0. The zoning amendment removes the prohibition on individual monument signs for businesses on the participating properties in the Sunnybrook development. The item advances to the City Council.
• Comprehensive Plan Update: No vote. The commission will receive further updates as the draft plan is developed. A workshop on downtown signage UDO updates is scheduled for July 28, 2025.