0:03Like to call tonight's meeting to order.
0:05Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
0:09My Pledge of Allegiance to the United States.
0:17Under individual liberty and justice law.
0:26As we begin our meeting this evening, I'll take a moment to acknowledge that we do have a quorum of planning commissioners present with six out of nine in attendance.
0:37I want to thank everyone in the chamber for attending tonight.
0:40Planning commission meetings are an important part of the process for interpreting and applying the city's comprehensive plan and the unified development ordinance.
0:50It's important that our meetings are conducted with dignity and respect.
0:53That applies to every person in attendance.
0:56We strive to provide an atmosphere where the ideas and opinions of all participants are held in the highest regard.
1:02Finally, the actions on the issues we discuss are ultimately under the responsibility of the City Council.
1:07As 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.
1:16By statute, the planning commission strives not to engage with any party on the issues on our agenda prior to this meeting.
1:22Should that interaction take place as a result of a business relationship or other interaction, which we refer to as ex parte communication, commissioners will report that interaction interaction when we reach that item on the agenda.
1:38The construction project that's going to be underway soon to replace the parking lot north of the city hall can does kick off this month and is anticipated to conclude in late summer 2027.
1:52So parking will be a problem.
1:54But parking information and project updates will be found on Aletha KS.gov/slash parking to accommodate those that would like to attend either our meetings, city council meetings, or other city business.
2:07We'll now move on to the consent agenda.
2:10This evening we have three items on our consent agenda.
2:12The consent items that are listed are considered routine by the planning commission and may be approved in one motion.
2:19There is no public hearing that will be held for consent to items.
2:23There will be no discussion unless a commissioner requests that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.
2:30Commissioners, do you need to pull any items for additional information or questions from staff on anything on tonight's agenda?
2:42Seeing none, uh, do I have a motion for the consent agenda?
2:47Chair, I'll move to approve the consent agenda.
2:49Thank you, Commissioner Breen.
2:54Commissioner Bergida.
2:55All those in favor say aye.
2:58And that is passes unanimously.
3:02Moving on now to our regular business.
3:04This evening we have three scheduled public hearings.
3:07The first public hearing is a final plat with a vacation of an easement and right-of-way for the Lone Elm Commerce Center sixth plat.
3:15The associated rezoning and preliminary site development plan was already approved by the City Council in the May of 2026.
3:23Therefore, we will not do a presentation, uh detailed presentation on this item this evening.
3:28But are there any questions for staff before we proceed to the public hearing for the vacation request?
3:40Well now open the public hearing.
3:42However, we have no one that has signed up for this particular public hearing.
3:47Do I have a motion to close the public hearing?
3:52Thank you, Commissioner Bergida.
3:55Thank you, Commissioner Breen.
3:57All those in favor say aye.
4:01May I have a uh motion for the item uh FP 26-0002.
4:09Chair, I'll move to approve FP 26-3002 as stipulated by staff.
4:15Thank you, Commissioner Breen.
4:19Thank you, Commissioner Chapman.
4:20Uh we'll do a roll call vote on this.
4:24Commissioner Chapman.
4:25Commissioner Sealing?
4:29Commissioner Brickita?
4:32That motion passes six to zero.
4:36We'll move on now to the second public hearing, which is a request for approval of a special use permit for Carr City at 1501 East Santa Fe and 142 North Bird Street.
4:48Vandevelde is here tonight to present the case.
4:52Taylor, the floor is yours.
4:57Good evening, Commissioners.
4:58Taylor Vandevelde, Planner 2.
5:01As introduced, the following application is a request for a special use permit renewal for motor vehicle sales at 1501 East Santa Fe Street.
5:14The site is located just west of I-35 at the intersection of Birch Street and Santa Fe Street in an existing building along Santa Fe.
5:25In 2021, the existing tenant Carr City received approval for a special use permit for motor vehicle sales on the property.
5:36The site is zone C3, which allows for motor vehicle sales with the approval of a special use permit.
5:45The future land use map of the comprehensive plan also designates this site along with the general area as regional commercial, which allows for commercial businesses of similar uses to the proposed this evening.
6:04No changes to the use or existing structure are proposed with this application.
6:09There's also existing landscaping around the site, including parking lot screening, foundational landscaping, and street trees.
6:17The applicant is adding two street trees along Birch Street, which will be more compatible with the limited space as well as the overhead power lines above it.
6:29Parking and vehicle display areas identified on the image to your left matches the previously approved site plan, and no additional changes are proposed at this time.
6:43All public notice requirements were met, and a neighborhood meeting was held with no one in attendance.
6:49Staff did not receive any public correspondence related to this case.
6:54Staff does recommend approval of SU 26-0002, with the following stipulations, including approval period of the standard five years for a special use permit for motor vehicle sales, as well as prohibiting certain temporary signs on the property, which is consistent with the original approval of the special use permit in 2021.
7:17This application will be considered at the July 21st City Council meeting.
7:21And I this concludes my presentation.
7:31Do Commissioners, do you have any questions for staff on this issue?
7:39Well, seeing now, I will open the public hearing.
7:41However, once again, we have no one signed up for this particular public hearing.
7:46Um so I will entertain a motion to close the public hearing.
7:51Thank you, Commissioner Brigitte.
7:54Thank you, Commissioner Sealing.
7:55All those in favor say aye.
8:00And that does pass unanimously.
8:02So I will now move forward and entertain a motion for SU 26-0002.
8:10Chair, I move that we approve SU 26-3002 as stipulated by staff.
8:16Thank you, Commissioner Chapman.
8:20Thank you, Commissioner Sealing.
8:22Will, a roll call vote, please.
8:24Commissioner Brigida.
8:26Commissioner Chapman.
8:28Commissioner Sealing.
8:34That motion passes six to zero.
8:38All right, moving right along.
8:40We're on our third and final public hearing tonight, which is a request for approval of a special use permit for Rivian.
8:47Winter is with us tonight to present the case.
8:52Good evening, Commissioners.
8:54Lauren Winter, planner two, as introduced the application before you tonight is a first-time special use permit of motor vehicle sales for Rivian.
9:04The subject site is located at 601 North Lindenwood Drive, just north of East Spruce Street and east of I-35, as seen here.
9:14Rivian has occupied this existing building for the last three years as a vehicle service center.
9:21The site is zoned M2 General Industrial, which allows for motor vehicle sales with approval of a special use permit.
9:29The site is surrounded by a mix of other industrially zoned properties and uses include indoor athletic facilities, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution.
9:41The future land use map of the comprehensive plan identifies the site and surrounding properties as business park, which allows complementary light industrial uses, which is compatible with the proposed use.
9:55The existing building serves several functions, including vehicle service and office areas for Rivian.
10:02Parking areas identified on the plan match the previously approved site plan with a total of 78 parking spaces along the front and rear.
10:13Rivian is proposing two designated stalls along Lyndon Wood Drive, shown here in red for vehicle display and sales.
10:23The existing 18,750 square foot building was constructed in 2019 as part of the builder's stone development.
10:31No changes to the building or site are necessary or being proposed with this application.
10:39The site has existing landscaping, including parking lot screening, foundational landscaping, and street trees.
10:45And it is currently in compliance with the 2017 approved landscape plan.
10:50No additional landscaping is required or proposed with this project.
10:56The applicant met all public notice requirements in a neighborhood meeting was held on June 1st with no neighbors in attendance.
11:03Staff nor the applicant has received any public correspondence regarding this case.
11:10Staff is recommending approval of special use permit SU 26-0003 with an initial review or renewal period of five years, which is consistent with other first-time special use permits for similar uses in OETA.
11:27The applicant is agreeable to all these stipulations listed here.
11:32And this case will be considered on the July 21st, 2026 City Council meeting.
11:39This concludes my presentation.
11:47Uh Commissioners, do you have any questions for staff?
11:55Seeing then do you have any questions for the applicant?
12:00Well, now open the public hearing.
12:02Uh we had one person signed up for the public hearing who has withdrawn their request.
12:06So we have no one else signed up.
12:07So I will entertain a motion to close the public hearing.
12:13Thank you, Commissioner Brigitte.
12:16Thank you, Commissioner Breen.
12:17All those in favor say aye.
12:21I will call for a motion on the item.
12:28Chair, I would move for the approval of SU 26-003 with all stipulations as recommended by staff.
12:34Thank you, Commissioner Brigitte.
12:40Thank you, Commissioner Sealy.
12:42Well, roll call vote, please.
12:44Commissioner Sealing.
12:49Commissioner Brigida?
12:51Commissioner Chapman?
12:54That motion passes six to zero.
12:59We've completed our public hearings.
13:01The final item of regular business is election of officers.
13:05So I will hand over lead of the meeting to Chet Belcher.
13:13Thank you, Chair Chet Belcher, Chief Community Development Officer.
13:16So as we do this annually, we elect the chair and vice chair.
13:20So tonight we'll start with the chair.
13:22And if there's anyone that's interested in being the chair, please state your name and feel free to make a statement if you so choose.
13:34Anyone want to elect someone or nominate someone?
13:38So don't everybody join.
13:40Point of inquiry, Mr.
13:42Chairman, are you intending to run again?
13:48Since nobody has stepped up chat, I like to nominate Wayne Janert to continue his fine job.
13:54He's done since I've sat in the seat for the last several years.
13:59So could consider that a motion.
14:05All in favor say aye.
14:07All opposed, same sign.
14:13So vice chair would be the same situation.
14:16So we'll take nominations or if you want to self-nominate, make a statement.
14:20Feel free to do so at this time.
14:22Chairman, I would like to nominate uh Taylor Breen to be our vice chair.
14:28All in favor say aye.
14:31All opposed, same sign.
14:35Like we didn't give you an opportunity to say no.
14:40Appreciate the continued support.
14:48Do we have any other announcements this evening?
14:50Yeah, I had uh just the budget.
14:53Upcoming uh more quickly than we had expected, uh, as it always does.
15:00So I wanted to let uh everybody in the commission know that there we have three workshops that are available up there.
15:03July 14th is kind of the biggest heavy lift, it's the general fund and the uh general fund CIP projects.
15:11Talk about the mill levy supported funds, and then the August 4th will be utility funds, and then finally the last workshop will be the recreation and fee workshop on August 18th.
15:22So the 14th is a special call meeting, the fourth and the eighteenth are both regular city council meetings.
15:29So uh everyone's invited to attend those if you're interested.
15:33Um as it relates to the planning commission.
15:36I need to confirm these dates for sure.
15:38But right now we're looking at August 10th would be the workshop that we do with the planning commission.
15:43We've started doing that a few years ago where we actually have a workshop in advance of um making a recommend a formal recommendation by the commission.
15:51So uh it looks like the two dates in August, though, will be the workshop, and then the second would be the recommendation to City Council for approval.
16:01That recommendation would be part of uh what's considered the public hearing on September 8th, and then final adoption by September 15th.
16:09So that's the budget calendar for the 2027 budget.
16:12So uh Chad, in relation to this, are these um open for the public to attend and observe the so information on the exact time, day, where can that be found?
16:23Uh we will have it's on our budget uh web.
16:31Has all that information.
16:32So we'll have all that.
16:34And then uh if you guys are interested, reach out and I can send you calendar invites to any of these that you want.
16:39So that's all I have tonight.
16:46Anything else from the dais?
16:50In that case, thank you for being here this evening.
16:52This meeting is adjourned.