Douglas County and Lawrence Discuss Joint Planning and New Code Implementation

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners held a work session on April 23, 2025, focusing on the collaboration between the Douglas County Planning Office and the City of Lawrence's Planning Department. Zoning and Codes Director, along with Planning Director Jeff Crick, provided an overview of their departments' functions and the processes they manage.

The meeting highlighted the joint efforts of the planning teams, which handle between 200 to 400 applications annually, including both city and county requests. The directors emphasized the complexity of their work, noting that staff must familiarize themselves with nearly 2,000 pages of zoning regulations before they can assist the public effectively. This includes understanding county and city zoning codes as well as joint subdivision regulations.

A significant point of discussion was the structure of the planning commission, which consists of equal representation from both the county and city. This ensures that all members, regardless of their appointment, participate in reviewing cases from both jurisdictions. The directors clarified that both county and city appointees are involved in all planning cases, countering common misconceptions about the process.

The meeting also addressed the implementation of the "Plan 2040," a comprehensive land use plan that guides development in the area. This plan incorporates various specific land use plans and aims to shape the future growth of Douglas County and Lawrence. The directors explained that amendments to these plans require approval from multiple governing bodies, ensuring a collaborative approach to land use decisions.

In addition to planning applications, the departments are responsible for text amendments to zoning codes and the new land development code for the city. The directors noted that while text amendments may seem infrequent, they often require extensive research to maintain consistency and avoid unintended consequences.

Overall, the work session underscored the importance of collaboration between the city and county planning offices, as well as the ongoing efforts to engage the community in the planning process. The directors expressed their commitment to transparency and accessibility, encouraging residents to utilize online resources for submitting applications and seeking guidance on zoning matters.