OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Planning Commission Meeting - August 25, 2025: Sign Code Amendments and CIP Approval

City Council — Monday, August 25, 2025
BodyOlathe, Kansas
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, August 25, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 21:06

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Like to call tonight's meeting an order, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:18

Under God is liberty and scroll.

0:28

Should we get our meeting tonight?

0:29

I'll take a moment to acknowledge that we have a quorum of planning commissioners present.

0:35

With six of us, although we have two that will probably be here in the next few minutes.

0:39

So we're good.

0:40

Either way.

0:45

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

0:52

It's important that our meetings are conducted with dignity and respect, and that applies to every person in attendance.

0:58

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

1:03

And finally, the actions on the issues we discuss are ultimately under the responsibility of the city council.

1:09

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.

1:17

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

1:23

Should that interaction take place as a result of a business relationship or any other type transaction, which we refer to as ex parte communication.

1:31

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

1:36

We'll now move to the consent agenda.

1:38

And this evening we have four items on our consent agenda.

1:42

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

1:49

Mr.

1:49

Chairman, I had one question on item B, if we could remove that one, please.

1:54

Okay.

1:54

Um please note that uh we'll be pull item B from the consent agenda, PLN 2500.

2:03

Are there any others?

2:09

All right.

2:10

Um I will uh call for a voice vote voice vote on the remaining three items on the consent agenda.

2:17

The motion, please.

2:19

Mr.

2:19

Chairman, I would move for the approval of the consent agenda minus item B as in Bravo for approval, subject to all staff comments and stipulations.

2:30

Thank you, Commissioner Crane.

2:34

Thank you.

2:34

Commissioner Somewhere down there.

2:38

All those in favor say aye.

2:40

Aye.

2:41

Opposed, nay.

2:42

And that does pass 7 to 0.

2:46

Commissioner Brigida.

2:50

Thank you, Mr.

2:51

Chairman.

2:51

Um, I was wondering if for the record the staff could provide a little bit more information.

2:57

I'm pulling up the exact number here, but of the more background information on the 18.69 million dollar uh animal shelter that we have in the CIP.

3:09

Uh this evening, I've heard some information that's a little bit of a downgrade of a project, but that might not exactly be the case.

3:15

And I believe we have 6.3 or something million like that that's already encumbered on the project.

3:21

So if staff could just provide a little bit more background on that.

3:31

I don't think your mic's on.

3:34

Should be automatic.

3:34

Can you hear me now?

3:36

Okay, yep.

3:36

Jamie Roboshot Economy Director.

3:39

Um yes, this project was previously in the 2025 to 2029 CIP at 15 million dollars.

3:46

Um over that five-year period into the 2026 to 2030, the total project cost is now 25 million.

3:54

And so what you're seeing in that five-year span from 2026 to 2029 is what's allocated during that period.

4:01

So previous dollars in the previous CIP are shown on that individual.

4:06

If you go to the animal shelter um sheet specifically, it's gonna show you prior funds that were allocated in a previous CIP.

4:15

So for example, this project's been under design and um we've had architects and contracts in place on this for a few years now, and some expenses have been spent.

4:26

We've also purchased land um that the site will go on, and so all those previous expenses aren't going to show in that sheet that you have in your packet of the 26 to 2030 period, but the total project budget asset in the 26th to 2030 CIP is what we would refer to as 25 million, even though you're seeing that 18.7 there.

4:49

Now that is still subject to City Council approval to date.

4:52

I don't have the exact number off my off the top of my head.

5:00

The project was authorized at 15 million, and then the council earlier this year authorized it to go up to, I believe, um around 19 million.

5:07

Um the 26 to 2030 is going to put that at 25, just because as we've gotten further down on the design of it.

5:13

So it hasn't been downgraded, but the project is still being designed.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Procedural████████████████████████████████████████40%
Historic Preservation██████████10%
Animal Welfare████████8%
Summary of Proceedings

Planning Commission Meeting - August 25, 2025

The Olathe Planning Commission met on August 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM UTC to consider three main items: the consent agenda (including the 2026-2030 Capital Improvements Plan), a continuance for a rezoning case, and proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) sign code. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

Consent Calendar

  • The commission approved three routine consent agenda items (items A, C, and D) in a single voice vote (7-0).
  • Item B (PLN25-0004): The 2026-2030 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) was pulled for discussion. Commissioner Brigida questioned the $18.69 million allocation for the animal shelter, noting prior authorizations. Staff clarified the total project cost is now $25 million (up from $15 million in the previous CIP, then to $19 million, and now $25 million as design progresses). The $18.69 million reflects only the 2026-2029 period. The commission approved Item B in a roll call vote (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public signed up to speak. The public hearing for the sign code amendments was opened and closed without testimony.

Discussion Items

  • Continuance of RZ25-0008: A continuance to a future planning commission meeting was requested. The commission approved the continuance (7-0).
  • UDO Sign Code Amendments (Section 18.50.190): Senior Planner Jessica Schuler presented amendments to support a diversity of signage in downtown Olathe and broader citywide updates. Key changes include: new definitions (indirect/internally illuminated, window area, backer panels, building identification), allowance for incandescent bulbs and LED tube lighting (with dimming), revised review process from Board of Zoning Appeals to Planning Commission for non-conforming signs, downtown-specific changes (greater scrutiny on historic buildings, cumulative sign area calculation up to 15% of tenant facade, rooftop signs allowed in downtown core with one mid-block roof sign per square block, painted wall signs up to 10% of wall area). The amendments followed a June 28 planning commission workshop and surveys of downtown businesses and sign companies. Commissioner Brigida expressed support but encouraged more flexibility for downtown businesses. The commission voted unanimously (7-0) to approve UDO25-001 as submitted.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda (minus Item B): Approved 7-0.
  • Item B (CIP): Approved 7-0 after discussion of animal shelter cost escalation.
  • Continuance of RZ25-0008: Approved 7-0.
  • UDO Sign Code Amendments: Approved 7-0. Will go to City Council for final adoption.

Meeting Transcript

Like to call tonight's meeting an order, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Under God is liberty and scroll. Should we get our meeting tonight? I'll take a moment to acknowledge that we have a quorum of planning commissioners present. With six of us, although we have two that will probably be here in the next few minutes. So we're good. Either way. Planning commission meetings are an important part of the process for interpreting and implying the city's comprehensive plan and unified development ordinance. It's important that our meetings are conducted with dignity and respect, and that applies to every person in attendance. We strive to provide an atmosphere where the ideas and opinions of all participants are held in the highest regard. And finally, the actions on 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, planning commission strives not to engage with any party on the issues on the agenda prior to our meeting. Should that interaction take place as a result of a business relationship or any other type transaction, which we refer to as ex parte communication. Commissioners will report that interaction when we reach that item on the agenda. We'll now move to the consent agenda. And this evening we have four items on our consent agenda. Commissioners, do you have any items that need to be pulled for additional information or questions from staff? Mr. Chairman, I had one question on item B, if we could remove that one, please. Okay. Um please note that uh we'll be pull item B from the consent agenda, PLN 2500. Are there any others? All right. Um I will uh call for a voice vote voice vote on the remaining three items on the consent agenda. The motion, please. Mr. Chairman, I would move for the approval of the consent agenda minus item B as in Bravo for approval, subject to all staff comments and stipulations. Thank you, Commissioner Crane. Thank you. Commissioner Somewhere down there. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. And that does pass 7 to 0. Commissioner Brigida. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I was wondering if for the record the staff could provide a little bit more information. I'm pulling up the exact number here, but of the more background information on the 18.69 million dollar uh animal shelter that we have in the CIP. Uh this evening, I've heard some information that's a little bit of a downgrade of a project, but that might not exactly be the case. And I believe we have 6.3 or something million like that that's already encumbered on the project. So if staff could just provide a little bit more background on that. I don't think your mic's on. Should be automatic. Can you hear me now? Okay, yep. Jamie Roboshot Economy Director. Um yes, this project was previously in the 2025 to 2029 CIP at 15 million dollars. Um over that five-year period into the 2026 to 2030, the total project cost is now 25 million.

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