333-UNIT APARTMENT AND TOWNHOME PROJECT ADVANCES NEAR FUTURE DILLONS

A proposal for 333 new residential units near the future Dillons development in northwest Olathe is moving forward after the Olathe Planning Commission voted 6-1 Monday night to recommend approval of the rezoning.

The roughly 20-acre project, known as RZ26-0006, is planned south of College Boulevard and west of Lone Elm Road along the future extension of Sunnybrook Boulevard. The proposal would rezone the property from Business Park to R-3 low-density multifamily and allow nine apartment buildings and six townhome buildings at a density of 16.65 units per acre. Plans also show a clubhouse, dog park, open space and a direct connection to the Meadow Lane Trail.

The project drew significant neighborhood concern. About 50 people attended a neighborhood meeting, and city staff said it received a petition with approximately 37 signatures. Residents raised concerns about traffic congestion, safety, noise, lighting, building heights and the effect of higher-density housing next to established single-family and duplex neighborhoods. Several residents spoke against the proposal during Monday night’s public hearing.

Traffic became one of the main topics of discussion. City engineering staff said the traffic analysis considered the new Dillons, the proposed commercial development north of the apartments, the multifamily project and other recently approved developments in the area. Staff said College Boulevard currently carries roughly one-third of the traffic capacity seen on comparable corridors and concluded the planned road system should operate satisfactorily. Sunnybrook Boulevard is expected to be extended north to College Boulevard, with additional turn lanes planned as development occurs.

Buffers between the project and nearby homes were also discussed. The developer estimated that about three-quarters of the existing trees could be preserved, although the final percentage will not be known until later design work. Buildings along the western edge are currently shown about 80 to 190 feet from the property line, and city staff estimated some of the proposed buildings could be approximately 200 feet or more from existing homes west of the Meadow Lane Trail.

The Planning Commission’s vote is not final approval. The project will next go to the Olathe City Council, and a revised preliminary development plan will still be required before construction details such as architecture, landscaping, lighting and final site design are approved. The commission voted 6-1 to recommend the rezoning.333-UNIT APARTMENT AND TOWNHOME PROJECT ADVANCES NEAR FUTURE DILLONS

A proposal for 333 new residential units near the future Dillons development in northwest Olathe is moving forward after the Olathe Planning Commission voted 6-1 Monday night to recommend approval of the rezoning.

The roughly 20-acre project, known as RZ26-0006, is planned south of College Boulevard and west of Lone Elm Road along the future extension of Sunnybrook Boulevard. The proposal would rezone the property from Business Park to R-3 low-density multifamily and allow nine apartment buildings and six townhome buildings at a density of 16.65 units per acre. Plans also show a clubhouse, dog park, open space and a direct connection to the Meadow Lane Trail.

The project drew significant neighborhood concern. About 50 people attended a neighborhood meeting, and city staff said it received a petition with approximately 37 signatures. Residents raised concerns about traffic congestion, safety, noise, lighting, building heights and the effect of higher-density housing next to established single-family and duplex neighborhoods. Several residents spoke against the proposal during Monday night’s public hearing.

Traffic became one of the main topics of discussion. City engineering staff said the traffic analysis considered the new Dillons, the proposed commercial development north of the apartments, the multifamily project and other recently approved developments in the area. Staff said College Boulevard currently carries roughly one-third of the traffic capacity seen on comparable corridors and concluded the planned road system should operate satisfactorily. Sunnybrook Boulevard is expected to be extended north to College Boulevard, with additional turn lanes planned as development occurs.

Buffers between the project and nearby homes were also discussed. The developer estimated that about three-quarters of the existing trees could be preserved, although the final percentage will not be known until later design work. Buildings along the western edge are currently shown about 80 to 190 feet from the property line, and city staff estimated some of the proposed buildings could be approximately 200 feet or more from existing homes west of the Meadow Lane Trail.

The Planning Commission’s vote is not final approval. The project will next go to the Olathe City Council, and a revised preliminary development plan will still be required before construction details such as architecture, landscaping, lighting and final site design are approved. The commission voted 6-1 to recommend the rezoning.333-UNIT APARTMENT AND TOWNHOME PROJECT ADVANCES NEAR FUTURE DILLONS

A proposal for 333 new residential units near the future Dillons development in northwest Olathe is moving forward after the Olathe Planning Commission voted 6-1 Monday night to recommend approval of the rezoning.

The roughly 20-acre project, known as RZ26-0006, is planned south of College Boulevard and west of Lone Elm Road along the future extension of Sunnybrook Boulevard. The proposal would rezone the property from Business Park to R-3 low-density multifamily and allow nine apartment buildings and six townhome buildings at a density of 16.65 units per acre. Plans also show a clubhouse, dog park, open space and a direct connection to the Meadow Lane Trail.

The project drew significant neighborhood concern. About 50 people attended a neighborhood meeting, and city staff said it received a petition with approximately 37 signatures. Residents raised concerns about traffic congestion, safety, noise, lighting, building heights and the effect of higher-density housing next to established single-family and duplex neighborhoods. Several residents spoke against the proposal during Monday night’s public hearing.

Traffic became one of the main topics of discussion. City engineering staff said the traffic analysis considered the new Dillons, the proposed commercial development north of the apartments, the multifamily project and other recently approved developments in the area. Staff said College Boulevard currently carries roughly one-third of the traffic capacity seen on comparable corridors and concluded the planned road system should operate satisfactorily. Sunnybrook Boulevard is expected to be extended north to College Boulevard, with additional turn lanes planned as development occurs.

Buffers between the project and nearby homes were also discussed. The developer estimated that about three-quarters of the existing trees could be preserved, although the final percentage will not be known until later design work. Buildings along the western edge are currently shown about 80 to 190 feet from the property line, and city staff estimated some of the proposed buildings could be approximately 200 feet or more from existing homes west of the Meadow Lane Trail.

The Planning Commission’s vote is not final approval. The project will next go to the Olathe City Council, and a revised preliminary development plan will still be required before construction details such as architecture, landscaping, lighting and final site design are approved. The commission voted 6-1 to recommend the rezoning.