The Olathe Planning Commission elected Commissioner Creighton as a temporary chair for the evening, approved a minor plat for Merlin Commercial Park Sixth plat to reestablish lot lines that will enable the sale of a parcel to Kwik Trip, and voted to continue a rezoning request for the Lone Elm townhomes to a future Planning Commission meeting.

The actions took place during a regular Planning Commission meeting at which the commission recorded a quorum of six of nine members. Chairperson Janner, Vice Chairperson Breen and Commissioner Taronis were absent, prompting the temporary-chair election.

The temporary-chair motion was moved by Commissioner Altensworth; the motion passed 6-0. The election allowed the commission to proceed with its agenda despite the absences.

On the consent agenda, commissioners moved to approve all items except item B (as pulled for discussion). That motion, moved by Commissioner Chapman and seconded by Commissioner Brigitte, passed 6-0.

Item B (MP25-6) was discussed as a minor plat application titled Merlin Commercial Park, Sixth plat. Nathan Jury, senior planner, described the proposal: "This item is for a minor plat that's located at the Northeast Corner Of Merlin And 130 Fifth or Santa Fe. The proposed plat is taking Lot 1 of Merlin Commercial Park Fifth plat, as well as the bank spot, Lot 1, and taking just those 2 lots to reestablish lot lines, for the sale of Lot 3 to Kwik Trip, and the Merlin shopping center will retain Lot 1 for the shopping center development." Jury said staff found no right-of-way dedications or new easements were required and that the plat is in compliance with the preliminary site development plan approved last summer.

Commissioner Berguito moved to approve MP25-6; Commissioner Corcoran seconded. The voice vote passed 6-0. Staff recommended approval with no stipulations.

Later in the meeting, a rezoning request (RZ250009) for the Lone Elm townhomes was the subject of a continuance request. Because the item was scheduled for public hearing, the commission did not open the public hearing before voting to continue. Commissioner Chapman moved to continue RZ250009 and Commissioner Brigitte seconded; the motion passed 6-0. Staff said the city will keep affected neighborhood contacts informed and will send an additional mailing ahead of the future hearing.

The meeting closed after staff announcements and a reminder about an upcoming workshop on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Lone Elm Conference Room.

Votes at a glance:
- Election of temporary chair (to preside in absences of chair and vice chair): Motion to elect Commissioner Creighton as temporary chair; mover: Commissioner Altensworth; second: not specified in the record; tally: 6 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda (all items except item B): Motion to approve remainder of consent agenda; mover: Commissioner Chapman; second: Commissioner Brigitte; tally: 6 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved.
- MP25-6, Merlin Commercial Park Sixth plat (minor plat to reestablish lot lines to enable sale of Lot 3 to Kwik Trip): Motion to approve MP25-6; mover: Commissioner Berguito; second: Commissioner Corcoran; tally: 6 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. Staff recommended approval; no right-of-way dedication or new easements required; compliance with prior preliminary site development plan noted.
- RZ250009, Lone Elm townhomes rezoning: Motion to continue to a future Planning Commission meeting; mover: Commissioner Chapman; second: Commissioner Brigitte; tally: 6 yes, 0 no; outcome: continued. Staff will notify neighborhood contacts and issue an additional mailing.

Why this matters: The plat approval clears a property reconfiguration that staff says enables a parcel sale to Kwik Trip and preserves the shopping-center parcel; the Lone Elm rezoning will return later with public notice so neighbors can comment; temporary leadership allowed the commission to proceed with scheduled business despite three absences.