[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6217209,"mediaKeyId","3648176-c33241330acca6a6fcec67564ee69e77","parentId",3648176,"title","Lawrence proclaims May as Affordable Housing Month; community groups urge action beyond proclamation","audioSeconds",859,"startMs",4467000,"endMs",5326000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3648176-c33241330acca6a6fcec67564ee69e77&start=4467&end=5326","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3648176-c33241330acca6a6fcec67564ee69e77/thumbnail_4467000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6217209/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Lawrence-proclaims-May-as-Affordable-Housing-Month-community-groups-urge-action-beyond-proclamation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217209-e8814bbffd1a9506f49a06cf4e0c273d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170322&Signature=Xx5bLMQwSHwRBnBNaJhExOGlOzju860aDSijKFW-i0BpEqmfAoX9eT94tzJoMiS02N4VU4KBzjSU22USwtTXqcWIekVx75LJr4UIq0dS0ZcNOZwxXt9A3gQ3-I7OxSQ4Q52ufuoYOCuZUI-TJbRX7VLNH7YSgVVn4o6dd7pB5KtJUXFq2VWHBiWZxVS77cUl6-Ks526S6NJyLr8pwGqAcSpaKpsoKqk-19Xbo8GEW95GQelM9jGpf8bQamsK6EVhwHVQrUUwYenDIzT7z3jXD3sPF~OuH6a0lV3HQ-Ln~C5pdwFaZ3jVKxY89n6w~VuQHAxGKqRSFbgHZAoq2zUsQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lenexa , KS","date","2025-05-21T13:50:10Z","article","The Lawrence City Commission proclaimed May 2025 as Affordable Housing Month on May 20, a ceremonial recognition accompanied by extended presentations from city staff and local housing organizations and broad public comment urging concrete action.

Leah Roseland, the city’s affordable housing administrator, introduced a group of community partners and asked the commission to use the proclamation as a prompt for renewed collaboration. She invited Affordable Housing Advisory Board members and representatives from the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, Tenants to Homeowners, the Douglas County Housing Stabilization Collaborative, Family Promise, and Habitat for Humanity to speak.

Marielle (first name used in the record), representing the Affordable Housing Advisory Board, framed housing as a human-rights and equity issue, emphasizing that \"to be a right, we have to have strong practices, policy, funding, and collaboration that go beyond proclaiming.\" She told the commission that sustained, coordinated actions — not just proclamations — are necessary to maintain and expand affordable housing options. Leah Roseland and other panelists highlighted local tools including a community land trust and a range of public–private projects in development.

Speakers from local service providers and advocacy groups outlined demand and service needs. Brenda Wall of Family Promise told commissioners: \"Affordable housing is the solution to homelessness and housing instability,\" and described recent requests for rent, utility or shelter assistance from households across Douglas County. Rebecca Buford of Tenants to Homeowners urged the commission to help complete an affordable housing project on the West Side, describing an anticipated development of 22 rental units and 12 homeownership units called Florett Hill.

The city’s proclamation text cited local housing statistics and disparities: it notes that more than 50% of Lawrence renters and 17% of homeowners are housing cost-burdened, and that roughly 5,200 renters are cost-burdened in the city. Speakers used federal and state policy examples in their remarks. One speaker summarized changes in federal Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing guidance and urged state and local actions to ensure fair allocation of affordable housing and protections such as tenant screening reforms.

The proclamation and accompanying remarks connected a range of programs, from senior housing investments and community land trust paths to homeownership, to ongoing advocacy around tenant protections and housing mobility. The commission adopted the proclamation and encouraged continued partnership with local housing stakeholders; no formal policy action or funding commitment was made at the meeting.

Distinguishing remarks vs. action: the proclamation is symbolic; presenters and advocates urged the commission to pursue specific policy actions and funding strategies, but the meeting record contains no new ordinance, budget appropriation, or binding directive tied directly to the proclamation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lenexa City Commission Meeting- 05/20/2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","The City Commission proclaimed May 2025 as Affordable Housing Month. City staff and community organizations used the proclamation to outline ongoing programs and policy priorities; local advocates urged sustained funding, anti-displacement measures and implementation of fair housing practices.","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},6217213,"City finds no feasible alternatives; approves demolition of structurally failing house at 1007 Rhode Island Street",1395,6001000,7396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3648176-c33241330acca6a6fcec67564ee69e77&start=6001&end=7396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3648176-c33241330acca6a6fcec67564ee69e77/thumbnail_6001000.jpg","/articles/6217213/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/City-finds-no-feasible-alternatives-approves-demolition-of-structurally-failing-house-at-1007-Rhode-Island-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217213-db0e7b82dc8e323b44af56d78aa82ba1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170322&Signature=JGsHoe7nNdNjzN23aOVaJ-bi552-JKNEkPFbEnuG4ET489uaqmywOgSXmAcvMmX6YCPtHwwCmEmsoX958x0-8d89w3YixS76-dgTPX2OSoaU2zyWTYtk9GSpie2zM47hwDyuqYgTcCe0Pmf6bGJblZUlbCsTWzdzJDjy0jiIcaOHhyLs82BQuIPlKPjj-sdIWJWMNoomQghUnop~tU8qxh8BKl44QDz3BgZF~Wn0ellEY5Uh47QUwhPlFI8EHncVUgLXXGQOw0Cwnq1wgSnAZ1WCZGyue3qR-zcs4Lhf049YHrKQacIhBfdV7vgManGbwkh8wz0qdjSpv0dIFUgBnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Commission on May 20 found no feasible and prudent alternative to the proposed demolition of a structurally failing house at 1007 Rhode Island Street and authorized the property’s removal after staff and state review.

Lynn Braddock Zollner, historic resources administrator, told the commission the roughly 1900-era house in East Lawrence has significant architectural value but is in a condition that staff and the city’s code official deemed unsafe. \"There really is no way, to effectively save this structure,\" Zollner said, summarizing the structural report included in the staff packet.

Because the property sits in a historic district context, state preservation law review was required before issuing a demolition permit. The State Historic Preservation Office conducted the required review and concluded that demolition would ‘‘damage the historic resource’’ but that state law allows demolition if the governing body finds there are no feasible and prudent alternatives and that all planning to minimize harm has been performed. Zollner said staff had engaged preservation professionals and reviewed potential options but concluded that any realistic “save” would effectively amount to constructing a new building rather than preserving historic fabric.

Patrick Watkins, representing property owners Troy and Marcy Wallen, said the owners contracted preservation specialists and architects and had explored rehabilitation. \"If there was a chance to save this 1, it would have been done,\" Watkins said. \"It's unfortunately, needs to be demoed. It's not safe at this point.\" The applicant also noted plans to replace the house with a single-family home consistent with the streetscape; the proposed replacement would undergo Historic Resources Commission review.

After the quasi-judicial hearing and a motion to find no feasible and prudent alternatives, the commission voted unanimously 5-0 to accept staff’s recommendation and adopt the finding needed to allow the demolition under state preservation law. Vice Mayor Finkeldei moved the finding; Commissioner Littlejohn seconded.

Distinguishing discussion from decision: staff’s presentation and the applicant’s statements were part of the public hearing record for the state preservation review. The commission’s formal, recorded action was the finding that there were no feasible and prudent alternatives and that \"all possible planning has been done to reduce the overall harm to the historic property.\" That finding, as required by state law, permits the permit and demolition to proceed.

Timing and next steps: staff said the property owners anticipate building a single-family house on the lot and will submit design and a Certificate of Approval to the Historic Resources Commission for review of the replacement structure. The demolition decision does not automatically approve a specific new design — replacement review and required permits remain.

The commission and staff emphasized the decision was narrowly drawn to address immediate safety concerns and the applicable requirements of state preservation law.","After inspection and a state preservation-law review, the Lawrence City Commission determined there were no feasible and prudent alternatives to demolishing a structurally failing house at 1007 Rhode Island Street and approved demolition to reduce public-safety risk.",{"_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},6217218,"Lawrence commission approves rezoning at Third and Michigan over neighborhood objections",5319,6424000,11743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3648176-c33241330acca6a6fcec67564ee69e77&start=6424&end=11743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3648176-c33241330acca6a6fcec67564ee69e77/thumbnail_6424000.jpg","/articles/6217218/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Lawrence-commission-approves-rezoning-at-Third-and-Michigan-over-neighborhood-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217218-0640a2fe88e5627858d4f4d8e42a5f51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170322&Signature=lp5pOKqxVzJnT6QOWoWzgcPhLPmHv0JrMWFz~h7TlErw5W9MpdQXri7oxx5N-ef25l8APwxAGGvBwQ9KOR-8LaP1u3T0msd7q235DWybFLmj3WZ6EihlnNxlluU6FJUAR7Ep8ug20DaEPqpN5yt8pXJr38XsHYnKHFJ13KaGiZfGt-7JeRyFsc6Gk54hgprV28eYYzqaNxJCKZBCHydUN5a-YgcxtU1z9jEojsUBWTDMnzyj1iB0REpeAJ~D-a2f5VLPao5KiuxVsaQa7XrTBuTlUKRknUA4ugO~pXSNjA2ulfpsjkCBHrPZvJtQ64QntWiKBvK2QpKXlNlOfQzFmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Commission voted 3-2 on May 20 to rezone about 0.69 acres at the southwest corner of West Third Street and Michigan Street from R-2 (low-density residential) to R-4 (high-density residential), approving on first reading Ordinance No. 10132.

The rezoning matters because the applicant, represented by Land Plan Engineering, said the change would unify split zoning on the parcel and allow a single, two-story, 24-unit apartment building designed for the site. Opponents said the proposal would change the character and traffic patterns of an established neighborhood.

Planner Catherine Week presented staff analysis and told commissioners the parcel is a split-zoned lot in the Pinkney neighborhood, previously reviewed under the old code as RS-7 and RM-24 and now mapped as R-2 and R-4 under the city’s April 2025 land development code. Week summarized the rezoning review criteria — conformance with the comprehensive plan, neighborhood character, suitability of the property for existing restrictions, nearby uses and zoning, and public welfare. She said staff concluded the request met the criteria and recommended approval to the commission. \"Staff feels that it can meet the criteria points for rezoning,\" Week said.

Corby Rust of Land Plan Engineering, the applicant's representative, described a site plan concept and calculations supporting the application's scale. \"We're asking for 24 units. It is 1 building, 2 stories, 24 units. That's 12 single bed and 12 2 bedroom apartments,\" Rust said, and added the design locates parking internal to the lot and proposes nearly 40% landscaped open area and new sidewalks on Third and Flora streets.

Public comment was substantial and sharply divided. Supporters urged new housing supply and proximity to jobs and services. David Baston said the project would add needed housing. Several neighbors urged denial, arguing the project’s density, traffic and scale are incompatible with existing single-family and duplex fabric. John Turner, who said he lives two blocks away, asked the commission to deny the rezoning, saying: \"Granting this request means trading the opportunity for additional modest, attainable, affordable, single, or double family type housing in an area that already exists as such for multifamily 24 unit housing that will forever change the nature of this neighborhood.\" Several speakers also raised concerns about vehicular access, stormwater and sidewalk availability.

Commission debate reflected those divisions. Vice Mayor Finkeldei moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Sellers seconded. The motion passed 3-2, with Commissioners Littlejohn and Larson voting no. Mayor Mike Deaver announced the result: \"Okay. Motion passes 3 2 with, Littlejohn and, Larson with a nay.\" The ordinance was adopted on first reading.

The commission record and staff reminded the public that site plan review and engineering studies remain to be completed. Catherine Week noted that traffic, drainage and other technical studies are required at the site plan stage and will be reviewed by Municipal Services & Operations and other city divisions before building permits are issued. She also explained that alternative approaches — for example, subdividing the lot or building taller structures within existing R-4 acreage — are possible under current code but would trigger additional public processes such as plats or variance hearings.

Decision vs. next steps: the rezoning vote is a legislative zoning decision (first reading of an ordinance). It permits the applicant to proceed to the next steps of site plan review, which will require submission of engineering studies, a traffic analysis, stormwater controls (including proposed bioretention), and final design review. Any subsequent variances or special uses would generate additional public hearings.

Commissioners who voted for the rezoning emphasized the need for infill housing near major employers and walked through tradeoffs between maximizing density vertically under current split zoning versus approving a lower-rise, site-specific development. Commissioners who opposed the rezoning said the parcel’s current mix of detached and duplex housing makes a 24-unit apartment out of scale for that block.

The commission record shows the planning commission had been split on the application (a tie vote), so no formal recommendation accompanied the item to the city commission. As the city clerk noted, a simple majority of three votes was sufficient to approve the rezoning.

The applicant and neighbors will continue through site plan review and any required plat or variance processes; staff emphasized required technical reviews and access/stormwater mitigations that will be evaluated before any permits are issued.","The City Commission voted 3-2 to rezone roughly 0.69 acres at West Third Street and Michigan Street from R-2 (low-density residential) to R-4 (high-density residential), clearing the way for a proposed two-story, 24-unit apartment building after extensive public comment and a split planning commission recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawrence proclaims May as Affordable Housing Month; community groups urge action beyond proclamation

City finds no feasible alternatives; approves demolition of structurally failing house at 1007 Rhode Island Street

Lawrence commission approves rezoning at Third and Michigan over neighborhood objections