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Record of Proceedings

Save Topeka Planning Commission Meeting - October 21, 2025

Planning Commission — Tuesday, October 21, 2025
BodyTopeka, Kansas
SessionPlanning Commission
DateTuesday, October 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:47:55

Original source
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0:14

Good evening and welcome to the Save Topeka Planning Commission meeting.

0:18

We are a commission that is appointed by the mayor and city council to plan for the orderly growth and development of the community to hold public hearings and to make recommendations to the governing body on planning items.

0:31

Please note that the governing body rules state that the public hearings for planning cases shall be conducted solely by the planning commission.

0:39

No additional public hearings will be conducted by the governing body.

0:43

Tonight's cases are tentatively scheduled to be heard by the governing body next month.

0:47

Agendas can be found on Topeka.org.

0:51

Some of tonight's cases involve public hearings.

0:54

For those cases, the procedure will be as follows.

0:58

First, the planning staff will summarize the case.

1:01

Next, we will hear from the applicant or their representative.

1:05

Then we will receive public testimony.

1:08

Comments are limited to four minutes.

1:11

For agenda items that do not involve public hearings, public comment is allowed provided that the person signed up on Topeka speaks or has notified staff prior to 5 p.m.

1:20

today.

1:21

Comments are limited to four minutes.

1:24

Finally, at the end of regular business, the commission will entertain general comment regarding matters relating to the commission business, provided that the person has signed up on Topeka Speaks or has notified staff prior to 5 p.m.

1:39

today.

1:40

Comments are again limited to four minutes.

1:43

Amanda, please take the roll.

1:48

Mr.

1:49

Lally.

1:50

Here Miss Nelson.

1:52

Here.

1:53

Miss Heron.

1:55

Here.

1:56

Mr.

1:57

Brooks.

1:58

Here.

1:58

Mr.

1:59

Nager.

2:00

Here.

2:00

Ms.

2:01

Pearson?

2:02

Here.

2:03

Mr.

2:04

Mock?

2:04

Here.

2:05

Miss Hannon.

2:06

Here.

2:06

We have enough for a quorum.

2:08

Okay.

2:10

Next is uh the approval of the minutes from the September meeting.

2:17

I'll make a motion to approve the minutes.

2:19

All right.

2:20

Motion to approve.

2:21

I'll second.

2:22

Seconded.

2:23

Any discussion on the motion.

2:29

Seeing none.

2:29

Amanda.

2:33

Ms.

2:33

Hannan.

2:34

Aye.

2:35

Mr.

2:35

Mock?

2:36

Aye.

2:37

Ms.

2:37

Pearson?

2:38

Aye.

2:39

Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Housing And Development██████████████████████████26%
Zoning Regulations█████████████████████████25%
Procedural████████████12%
Affordable Housing███████████11%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Community Engagement████4%
Landlord Tenant Relations██2%
Engineering And Infrastructure█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Save Topeka Planning Commission Meeting - October 21, 2025

The Save Topeka Planning Commission held a regular meeting on October 21, 2025, to review several zoning and development items, including subdivisions, a convenience store PUD, a Habitat for Humanity residential project, a TIF district, and a proposed zoning amendment for duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes. The meeting included public hearings and testimony on several items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the September 2025 meeting were approved unanimously (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Misty Harbor Estates Subdivision: Larry Russell (resident on Misty Harbor Ave) opposed the project due to concerns over property tax increases from higher-value homes, loss of view, and unfulfilled promises of a park and walking trail.
  • Quick Trip #282 PUD: Multiple residents spoke in opposition. Alan Henderson (Atwood Ave) questioned traffic study accuracy, citing potential shortcut traffic. Tom Bauman (Atwood duplex owner) worried about headlights and noise from 24/7 operation on the driveway near his units. Julie O'Dell (Lydia Ave) and Fred Cooper (Huntington Condominium) cited traffic congestion, light, noise, and property value concerns. Jeanette Wilson and another speaker highlighted 24-hour lighting affecting sleep, pedestrian safety, and existing congestion. Most speakers urged denial or further study.
  • North Topeka Townhomes PUD Amendment: Daniel Smith (Eugene St) opposed, mentioning past failed townhome development, drain water issues, and concerns about lot size and future decline. John Cabus (Shorey Ct) supported Habitat for Humanity but asked for deed restrictions and larger lots. Lance T. (Eugene St) expressed support for Habitat's mission but opposed the density and lot sizes, fearing property tax increases and traffic; recommended reducing the number of homes.

Discussion Items

  • Misty Harbor Estates Subdivision (Preliminary & Final Plat): A 30.5-acre project creating 72 residential lots in three phases. Staff recommended approval. The applicant's consultant had no additional remarks. The commission approved with one abstention (Mr. Mock) after public testimony.
  • Annexation for Misty Harbor (A2506): Contiguous annexation of the same property. Staff noted consistency with comprehensive plan. Approved unanimously after no public testimony.
  • Quick Trip #282 PUD (PUD 2512): Proposed rezoning of an 11,000 sq ft M1-zoned portion to PUD C2 to allow a convenience store with fuel pumps. Staff supported, noting the driveway existed since 1974. Traffic study was discussed; staff clarified the rezoning decision does not require a finalized traffic study. Applicant (Terry Limbach) and traffic consultant noted relocated entrance and captured trips. Commission approved 7-2 (Mr. Nager and Ms. Nelson dissenting), with a condition discussion but no changes.
  • North Topeka Townhomes PUD Amendment #4: Habitat for Humanity proposed 23 single-family lots on vacant land. Staff recommended approval with conditions including a landscape buffer. Applicant (Lance Onstop, Janice Watkins) emphasized affordable housing and lot sizes above R2 minimums. Commission discussed lot size, deed restrictions, and feasibility. Approved unanimously (8-0) with revised conditions per staff memo.
  • Sunflower Crossing TIF District: BHI Development proposed a TIF district on Topeka Blvd. Staff found consistency with comprehensive plan. Commission approved unanimously (8-0), noting their role is only consistency review.
  • Proposed Zoning Amendments for Duplexes, Triplexes, and Quadplexes: The Housing Committee presented a recommendation to allow duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes by conditional use permit in R1 and R2 districts. Staff recommended allowing only duplexes and triplexes by CUP with guidelines for concentration, design, and parking. Commissioner Mock proposed a hybrid model with targeted revitalization zones and citywide ADU reforms. After debate, the motion to table the item to the next meeting passed unanimously (8-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Misty Harbor Subdivision: Approved (7-0-1, Mr. Mock abstaining).
  • Misty Harbor Annexation: Approved (8-0).
  • Quick Trip PUD: Approved (7-2, Mr. Nager and Ms. Nelson dissenting).
  • North Topeka Townhomes PUD: Approved (8-0) with revised conditions.
  • Sunflower Crossing TIF: Approved (8-0), finding consistency with comprehensive plan.
  • Zoning Amendment (Duplex/Triplex/Quad): Tabled to the November 2025 meeting for further discussion (8-0).
  • Next Meeting: The chair noted a lighter agenda for November 2025, with the duplex item to be brought back for action or discussion.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the Save Topeka Planning Commission meeting. We are a commission that is appointed by the mayor and city council to plan for the orderly growth and development of the community to hold public hearings and to make recommendations to the governing body on planning items. Please note that the governing body rules state that the public hearings for planning cases shall be conducted solely by the planning commission. No additional public hearings will be conducted by the governing body. Tonight's cases are tentatively scheduled to be heard by the governing body next month. Agendas can be found on Topeka.org. Some of tonight's cases involve public hearings. For those cases, the procedure will be as follows. First, the planning staff will summarize the case. Next, we will hear from the applicant or their representative. Then we will receive public testimony. Comments are limited to four minutes. For agenda items that do not involve public hearings, public comment is allowed provided that the person signed up on Topeka speaks or has notified staff prior to 5 p.m. today. Comments are limited to four minutes. Finally, at the end of regular business, the commission will entertain general comment regarding matters relating to the commission business, provided that the person has signed up on Topeka Speaks or has notified staff prior to 5 p.m. today. Comments are again limited to four minutes. Amanda, please take the roll. Mr. Lally. Here Miss Nelson. Here. Miss Heron. Here. Mr. Brooks. Here. Mr. Nager. Here. Ms. Pearson? Here. Mr. Mock? Here. Miss Hannon. Here. We have enough for a quorum. Okay. Next is uh the approval of the minutes from the September meeting. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. All right. Motion to approve. I'll second. Seconded. Any discussion on the motion. Seeing none. Amanda.

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