[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6080803,"mediaKeyId","2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab","parentId",2945588,"title","Tenant experiences report finds widespread housing instability in Douglas County; groups urge tenant protections and legal help","audioSeconds",1012,"startMs",16268000,"endMs",17280000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab&start=16268&end=17280","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab/thumbnail_16268000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080803/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Tenant-experiences-report-finds-widespread-housing-instability-in-Douglas-County-groups-urge-tenant-protections-and-legal-help","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080803-c12cab7c266cf9f271316083837ccd08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196552&Signature=WCf0ImCfPhlCWJQs2LRXETBciIBhureUS5Rp1jAHevu594gIYy71pFUNNkMrWpn7f-hnfo-PJtKtHuT-6ADkc~adjde3sJFFo4R8g9FP3ci-YSBtP5QPNW2U7e6jeHbirDpTz9kpmYSHq-uBElTDkddd4NHl3-5HNkdWHm2DNbz-y7lcYJDX0lf2G4-FUDWLnXbBzxUxSQ7krXNcFqPFmmCwjG~fvPEukaNH~PlJkbZ35bZ1APoKKqas4w12yI70Ghmi5rKGjh6IdEJIp47D0dC50AKIqjAzj-CU7BUEQ0n0DmJRBiwa7rjlidExfzs6TpnjgAAqSV3X2ZlbrrrnyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lawrence , KS","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Lawrence City Commission received a presentation of the Douglas County Tenant Experiences report during a work session Tuesday. The report — produced by the KU Center for Community Health and Development with local partners and funded in part by public‑health grants — summarizes responses from more than 1,000 residents about rental search experiences, housing quality, maintenance, harassment and eviction.

The survey found that many renters face high housing costs, repeated rent increases, withheld deposits, housing quality problems and barriers to seeking repairs for fear of retaliation. Respondents reported that securing a rental commonly required multiple applications and months of searching; 67% said they had experienced rent increases and 22% of those reported increases of $200 or more per month. Of respondents who had received eviction notices, 94% reported they had no legal representation; 62% of those evicted lost housing and 20 respondents reported becoming homeless.

Why it matters: The report ties housing instability to other public‑health and safety concerns. Presenters told commissioners that eviction and landlord retaliation are associated in research with higher risks of violence, worsened physical and mental health and increased homelessness. The report offers a menu of policy options for local leaders.

Findings and policy options

• Conditions and maintenance: Nearly two-thirds of respondents who submitted maintenance requests said problems were not resolved; 37% reported they avoided making requests for fear of landlord retaliation. Reported issues included mold, plumbing and foundation problems, nonworking appliances and pest infestations.

• Harassment and safety: Ninety respondents said landlords had verbally harassed or threatened them; twelve reported physical harassment or assault by a landlord or landlord representative. One respondent said they \"almost wanted to get a restraining order but I'm thinking how do you get a restraining order from your landlord?\" (public comment quoted in presentation).

• Eviction impacts: Many tenants facing eviction lacked legal counsel and experienced housing loss. The presenters noted evidence from other jurisdictions that legal representation in eviction proceedings greatly increases the likelihood a tenant can remain housed.

• Recommended policy actions: Presenters recommended a tenant bill of rights that outlines minimum standards and protections; prohibition or limits on excessive \"junk fees\"; eviction-record sealing or expungement; local programs to provide tenant right to counsel in eviction cases; and just‑cause eviction ordinances that restrict nonrenewal or eviction without a listed, verifiable reason.

Presenters and response

Leah Roseland, the city’s Affordable Housing Administrator, introduced the session. Christina Poole of the KU Center for Community Health and Development summarized national research linking housing instability to health and safety harms and relayed the survey’s local results. Vince Munoz of Lawrence Tenants described the community-led outreach and distribution that produced the responses.

Commissioners asked whether the city could implement the recommended changes alone or would need county or state action. Staff and presenters said some items (for example, tenant right to counsel) are often organized at the county or larger-jurisdiction level because of court structure, while a tenant bill of rights or local limits on fees are actions municipal governments have used elsewhere. Presenters recommended a phased approach and closer exploration of implementation logistics.

Next steps and possible actions

Commissioners asked staff to return with more detail where the city has authority to act, and with a suggested short‑/mid‑/long‑term roadmap tying particular policy options to implementation steps and likely funding channels. Several commissioners said a tenant bill of rights could be a near‑term priority to clarify expectations and rights for landlords and tenants.

— Ending note: The report frames tenant protections as an upstream strategy to reduce homelessness and improve public health; staff and advocates urged the commission to consider targeted legal, administrative and regulatory options and to coordinate with Douglas County on court‑level responses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Commission Meeting 03/18/2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","A countywide tenant experiences survey released to the Lawrence City Commission documented rent increases, maintenance failures, withheld deposits, eviction impacts and discrimination; authors recommended a tenant bill of rights, limits on junk fees, eviction record sealing, right to counsel and just-cause eviction protections.","taxTitle","Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas","taxId",3971,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080808,"Commission approves additional Verizon antennas at Oread Hotel with concealment conditions",569,15557000,16126000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab&start=15557&end=16126","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab/thumbnail_15557000.jpg","/articles/6080808/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Commission-approves-additional-Verizon-antennas-at-Oread-Hotel-with-concealment-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080808-8ea33170a6614253b61d3ec8974ba300/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196552&Signature=EZqdIMxk2pwb-Nhj5tHePfEzMysvUPK-MfPC7JTguub3dj15mBdNV3MV12ntXxIi8p6CGJxC7bD5rtA7fLyCGuvF94ewDmg2DfGFJeSfaI3gbWYRhJiLOaRBo1ZqkfJNxe7HxAgH3ouwE10aOZeD-C8cJW6e8VUmypq47SBoG79WDQEqaWHNHfOG5poFqoLJ2JaNQZcBiAVhKdYisGY70jZg5-Bnyhk547jP-0Y8Ot-d4m7Fo5HT-jOkGW1YjLoewoG0-QaBoR5ogbuj4vytfWJWbkvGm0y9fk1zwknrj0UcSShryzxvispAlg0ljo~c9-6yQFtLEHusAC69mnnlew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission on Tuesday approved a revised final development plan to permit additional cellular antennas on the west side of the Oread Hotel penthouse at 1200 Oread Avenue. The revised plan, submitted by Verizon Wireless, updates an earlier 2009 development plan that had specified different concealment locations for communications equipment.

Planning staff recommended approval with conditions requiring paint or material matching of visible cables and use of concealment film where antennas are mounted outside existing encasements. The commission approved the modification and required the project to comply with the city’s adopted building and demolition codes.

Why it matters: City staff also cited public-safety benefits. The Police Department’s information‑services manager said improved coverage and throughput in the Oread area would help officers communicate during large events such as football games, parades and other high‑attendance gatherings.

Key details

• Proposal: Verizon requested installation of additional building‑mounted antennas on the penthouse; some antenna elements will be wrapped to match the building stone or to mimic the sky for the small portion extending above the roofline. One of the development plan’s flagpole concealments will be repaired or replaced.

• Staff review: Planning staff found the proposal meets the city’s wireless facility standards and the criteria for a modified final development plan. Staff recommended approval with concealment and construction conditions listed in the staff report.

• Public safety comment: Jason Hodge, manager in the Lawrence Police Department’s information‑services division, spoke in support, saying the upgrade would \"significantly enhance coverage and throughput in a key area of the community, particularly during high traffic events.\" (public comment)

Vote and motion

• Motion: Approve the revised final development plan (DB24‑1004) for the Oread Hotel with conditions including concealment material matching and adherence to the International Fire Code during construction. Mover: Commissioner Finkelstein; Second: Commissioner Larson. Vote: 5–0 (motion passed).

Next steps

Verizon will complete concealment work and minor repairs to the approved flagpole encasement; the project must comply with building-permit requirements and related construction codes. Planning staff will continue to review and inspect the work per permit conditions.

— Ending note: The commission framed the action as a routine, conditioned modification to allow upgraded wireless capacity in a key downtown location.","The commission approved modifications to the Oread Hotel final development plan allowing Verizon to install additional cellular antennas on the penthouse, subject to concealment materials and construction compliance; the Police Department indicated the upgrade would improve coverage during large events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080811,"Commission accepts Parks, Recreation and Culture master plan; staff urged to pursue sustainable funding",2515,13172000,15687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab&start=13172&end=15687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab/thumbnail_13172000.jpg","/articles/6080811/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Commission-accepts-Parks-Recreation-and-Culture-master-plan-staff-urged-to-pursue-sustainable-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080811-8d9ef1d41484fec787eaf8d0b8cc3c91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196553&Signature=j5RbuY0bfCCmOxgKwrDHC5XBV3LssQu3LnUtLroc32tMfr9btgs-YGzNZh16cCXBhYeLM3FaObWEYKSU1kxZwZJOy1JAfXmJ-9sL82C1aoo8zGr4wNLNHXbtRSKt5jOfUmqehUdYIFeXeTo~t0ovlIZVjotqNMQI0TUdJwWmFV5USfDeJbIRGdizfUvOcwF0jCbv0CGavuKyqH~YfIZ04dJYbf3YhqmnhdO-anLCbK0p9p4OZ2rzMEelh6R3J2Bj9-i7CnRfCvqRKDIfUGhNrhf8sXFbwS6JmKhfimW5pJW-CON0VHTc-Ec2~O6wxG5CwZG7lHK5lOCeJD0y0vAHWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission unanimously accepted the Parks, Recreation and Culture 2025 comprehensive master plan Tuesday, a strategic roadmap staff and consultants say should guide park and facility investments, program priorities and revenue strategies for the next five to ten years.

The plan, developed with community input since 2023, inventories city park assets and recommends investments to maintain and expand trails and parks, modernize indoor recreation and aquatic facilities, improve playground safety and accessibility, and integrate arts and cultural programming into parks operations. Commissioners voted 5–0 to accept the plan, which staff said does not create immediate financial obligations but will inform future budget requests and capital priorities.

Why it matters: The master plan provides a prioritized list of maintenance and capital projects, proposed program and pricing approaches, and marketing and partnership strategies. The plan includes guidance on possible new revenue mechanisms—sponsorships, a parks foundation, business-development staffing, and targeted use of transient guest tax revenue—to make the department more financially sustainable without eliminating access for lower-income residents.

Highlights from the plan

• Inventory and levels of service: Consultants reported Lawrence has strong park and trail metrics compared with peer cities — 8.6 miles of paved trails per 1,000 residents and more than 30 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents — but many facilities need targeted maintenance and accessibility improvements.

• Facilities and programs: Recommendations prioritize completing the city’s loop trail, upgrading playgrounds to increase accessibility (aiming for at least 50% accessible play areas over time), modernizing indoor recreation and aquatic centers, and expanding passive natural areas.

• Arts and culture: The plan recommends formalizing a public-art program, strengthening partnerships with local cultural organizations and evaluating a market study for an outdoor amphitheater or event space that could host regional programming.

• Finance and governance: Suggested strategies include establishing a park foundation or partnering with Douglas County Community Foundation to accept gifts, seeking corporate sponsorships, creating business-development capacity within the department, developing approved business plans for revenue-generating facilities and exploring impact fees to help fund park capital as the city grows.

What staff said and next steps

Luis (Parks staff member) told the commission that accepting the plan will not obligate the city financially but will give the department a framework for prioritizing capital projects and program changes. Consultants Confluence and staff will work with advisory boards on an implementation matrix and a recommended sequence for projects. Staff noted the department will bring specific fee or funding proposals back to the commission before they are implemented.

Public comment and reaction

Speakers at the meeting emphasized both the need to maintain existing parks and to expand cultural and recreational programming. Some residents urged caution about expanding user fees and recommended pursuing partnerships with KU and other regional institutions for funding and operational support.

Vote

• Motion: Accept the Parks, Recreation and Culture 2025 Comprehensive Master Plan. Mover: Vice Mayor Finkelstein; Second: Commissioner Sellers. Vote: 5–0 (motion passed).

— Ending note: The plan gives the city a multi-year list of capital and program priorities. Staff will return with specific implementation steps, funding proposals and budget impacts for commission review.","The commission voted 5–0 to accept the Parks, Recreation and Culture 2025 master plan, which recommends prioritized facility investments, trail completion, increased accessibility, arts integration and new revenue strategies including sponsorships, a park foundation and review of user fees.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080816,"Lawrence commission narrows post‑adoption change to occupancy limits after hours of testimony; amendment passes 4–1",8991,4186000,13177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab&start=4186&end=13177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945588-c9e827ec021aa236265fd71cea7bacab/thumbnail_4186000.jpg","/articles/6080816/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Lawrence-commission-narrows-postadoption-change-to-occupancy-limits-after-hours-of-testimony-amendment-passes-41","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080816-92850de0956b49a05693e26e81d7cb95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196553&Signature=jmPi0dmNqTO73xKtf3ESbCOMzuoDVHyNHr3SXHk0Zp~gs~SBOUT~U6SLJ-HVgVUKn7zk-e6la7gixPfkXCkwSHlwlOLpN3i9MzEbTl6vjm9nK47kl1SnrYoBYTG7-mZX8hAnvHV75gXFSfKXcAalHbkfHgFW18ZK9xl0lgZZLIo2h4~wimjf9nAcw6ULQT7a5js0sBTTUHVzmOm3pvkKNam4l9UcPKO6tdRjab5qLAkgl9kEcJdoLmgqMQOwX9tVqbK3xg6dol1gc~DjlntN2OtLoripwwWsMg18XUbWdm8ANOHknQhaJarUi9Fg5aPrG5N2DHd8qyxmvxQNWAWraw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday voted to modify occupancy limits in the city’s newly adopted land development code, reducing the maximum number of unrelated adults allowed in lower‑density residential zones. The commission approved ordinance-level code cleanup on first reading and a separate amendment narrowing occupancy increases after an extensive public-comment period.

The change was part of a broader package of post-adoption corrections and clarifications to Chapter 20 (the Land Development Code) that staff brought back for the commission’s consideration. The commission voted 5–0 to adopt the main text-amendment ordinance on first reading, then reconsidered occupancy language and voted 4–1 to approve a targeted amendment to Section 20‑204 limiting unrelated adults in R1 and R2 districts to four and keeping other districts at higher limits.

Why it matters: The land development code rewrite had initially increased the allowable number of unrelated adults in many residential zoning districts to address housing affordability and shared-living arrangements. Opponents worried a blanket increase would accelerate conversions of single‑family homes into student or investor-owned rentals and strain neighborhood services; supporters said higher limits would expand affordable options for low‑ and moderate‑income residents, cooperatives and multigenerational households. The commission’s modification is intended as a compromise while staff and the community monitor early impacts.

What the commission approved

• First-reading adoption of AMDT-25-001, a set of post-adoption edits and clarifications to Chapter 20 of the Land Development Code (ordinance No. 10120). Staff described these as primarily editorial fixes, clarified density calculations, added user-friendly tables, restored missing stormwater definitions and added a definition for permanently affordable housing. Planning staff presented the packet and track‑change draft to the commission ahead of the vote.

• A separate motion amending Section 20‑204 (occupancy standards). The commission moved to set a maximum of four unrelated adults in R1 and R2 districts while maintaining higher limits in other residential districts; that motion carried 4–1. The motion was recorded on the floor as a change to the occupancy standard and adopted on first reading as an ordinance (referenced in the minutes as ordinance No. 10121).

Public testimony and key concerns

The meeting drew lengthy public comment. Supporters of the higher occupancy limits — including tenants, housing advocates, cooperative housing organizers and members of the Lawrence music and arts community — said expanding occupancy helps preserve and create affordable housing without new construction.

Joy Foster, a homeowner and landlord, told commissioners she purchased an old church to rehabilitate as shared, affordable housing and said reversing occupancy increases would make the project financially infeasible: \"By repealing the approved increase in occupancy, we are only protecting couples and families that can afford 3,000, 4,000 square foot homes ... We would be protecting the elite and privileged at the expense of individuals and families that can't afford a high mortgage or rent payments.\" (public comment)

Other speakers described discrimination and practical barriers caused by stricter occupancy rules. Taylor Hall said earlier limits had been used to restrict housing for unmarried families, and said the policy had violated state and federal fair-housing protections in prior cases.

Opponents of the change, including neighborhood association leaders and long‑time residents, raised concerns about conversions of single‑family homes into investor‑owned rentals, increased parking demand, nuisance parties and loss of owner‑occupied housing. Maren Bradley, president of the Old West Lawrence Association, asked the commission to accept the planning commission’s recommendation (which had favored retaining lower limits) to slow what neighborhood groups call the \"studentification\" of historic neighborhoods.

Commission deliberations

Commissioners described a range of views in deliberations. Several members said they supported the overall code cleanup but wanted to respond to neighborhood concerns about sudden shifts in occupancy patterns; others stressed the city’s affordability challenges and the need for flexible household options.

Amendment sponsors framed the 4‑person cap in R1/R2 as a compromise between the previously adopted citywide increase and the planning commission’s motion to retain stricter limits. One commissioner noted staff planned ongoing monitoring: applications and development patterns will be tracked through October, with the possibility of further ordinance refinements after the city has seen how the code works in practice.

Formal actions

• Motion: Approve the text amendment AMDT-25-001 (Chapter 20 cleanup) and adopt ordinance No. 10120 on first reading. Mover: Commissioner Sellers; Second: Vice Mayor Finkelstein. Vote: 5–0 (motion passed).

• Motion: Amend Section 20‑204 occupancy standards to set a maximum of four unrelated adults in R1 and R2 districts and a maximum of five adults of any relationship in residential districts that permit residential uses; adopt on first reading as ordinance No. 10121. Mover: Commissioner Dickle Dye; Second: Commissioner Littlejohn. Vote: 4–1 (motion passed).

Next steps and monitoring

Staff told the commission they will track permit applications and development activity from April through October and return with an update and suggested follow-up amendments as needed. The commission also discussed the timing of any effective date for changes to avoid disrupting signed leases.

— Ending note: The commission’s action modifies the land development code’s implementation of household definitions and occupancy standards while leaving in place the broader code rewrite’s other clarifications and editorial changes adopted on first reading.","After more than two hours of public comment, the City Commission voted 4–1 to modify recently adopted land development code changes by limiting unrelated adults in R1/R2 districts to four (rather than five). Commissioners also approved broader code cleanup edits on first reading.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tenant experiences report finds widespread housing instability in Douglas County; groups urge tenant protections and legal help

Commission approves additional Verizon antennas at Oread Hotel with concealment conditions

Commission accepts Parks, Recreation and Culture master plan; staff urged to pursue sustainable funding

Lawrence commission narrows post‑adoption change to occupancy limits after hours of testimony; amendment passes 4–1