Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

like to call tonight's meeting to order, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States.

To begin our meeting this evening, I'll take a moment to acknowledge that we do have a quorum of planning commissioners present with six out of nine in attendance. I want to thank everyone in the chamber for attending tonight. Planning commission meetings are an important part of the process for interpreting and applying the city's comprehensive plan and the unified development ordinance. Excuse me. It's important that our meetings are conducted with dignity and respect. That applies to every person in attendance. We strive to provide an atmosphere where the ideas and opinions of all participants are held in the highest regard. Finally, the actions on the issues we discuss are ultimately under the responsibility of the city council. As a planning commission, we're here to help the council as our elected representatives to be fully informed to make the best choices for our city. By statute, the Planning Commission strives not to engage with any party on the issues on our agenda prior to this meeting. Should that interaction take place as a result of a business relationship or other interaction, which we refer to as ex parte communication, commissioners will report that interaction when we reach that item on the agenda. The construction project that's going to be underway soon to replace the parking lot north of the City Hall does kick off this month and is anticipated to conclude in late summer 2027. So parking will be a problem. But parking information and project updates will be found on alethaks.gov slash parking to accommodate those who would like to attend either our meetings, city council meetings, or other city business. We'll now move on to the consent agenda. This evening we have three items on our consent agenda. The consent items that are listed are considered routine by the Planning Commission and may be approved in one motion. There is no public hearing that will be held for consent items. There will be no discussion unless a commissioner requests that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. Commissioners, do you need to pull any items for additional information or questions from staff on anything on tonight's agenda? Seeing none, do I have a motion for the consent agenda?

Mr. Chair, I'll move to approve the consent agenda.

Thank you. Commissioner Breen, do I have a second?

Second.

Thanks. Commissioner Brigida, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. And that passes unanimously. Moving on now to our regular business, this evening we have three scheduled public hearings. The first public hearing is a final plat with a vacation of an easement and right-of-way for the Lone Elm Commerce Center sixth plat. The associated rezoning and preliminary site development plan was already approved by the City Council in the May of 2026. Therefore, we will not do a detailed presentation on this item this evening. But are there any questions for staff before we proceed to the public hearing for the vacation request? Well, now open the public hearing. However, we have no one that has signed up for this particular public hearing. Do I have a motion to close the public hearing?

So moved.

Thank you, Commissioner Brigitte. I have a second. Second. Thank you, Commissioner Breen. All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, nay. All right. May I have a motion for the item FP26-0002?

Mr. Chair, I'll move to approve FP26-0002 as stipulated by staff.

Thank you, Commissioner Breen. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Chapman. We'll do a roll call vote on this. Ms. Will, please.

Commissioner Chapman?

Yes.

Commissioner Seelig?

Yes.

Commissioner Breen?

Yes.

Commissioner Brown? Yes. Commissioner Brigitte?

Yes.

Chair Janner?

Yes.

That motion passes 6-0.

Thank you. We'll move on now to the second public hearing, which is a request for approval of a special use permit for Carr City at 1501 East Santa Fe and 142 North Bird Street. Ms. Vandevelde is here tonight to present the case. Taylor, the floor is yours.

All right. Good evening, Commissioners. Taylor Vandevelde, Planner 2. As introduced, the following application is a request for a special use permit renewal for motor vehicle sales at 1501 East Santa Fe Street. The site is located just west of I-35 at the intersection of Birch Street and Santa Fe Street in an existing building along Santa Fe. In 2021, the existing tenant, Carr City, received approval for a special use permit for motor vehicle sales on the property. The site is zone C3, which allows for motor vehicle sales with the approval of a special use permit. The future land use map of the comprehensive plan also designates this site along with the general area as regional commercial, which allows for commercial businesses of similar uses to the proposed this evening. No changes to the use or existing structure are proposed with this application. There is also existing landscaping around the site, including parking lot screening, foundational landscaping, and street trees. The applicant is adding two street trees along Birch Street, which will be more compatible with the limited space as well as the overhead power lines above it. Parking and vehicle display areas identified on the image to your left matches the previously approved site plan, and no additional changes are proposed at this time. All public notice requirements were met, and a neighborhood meeting was held with no one in attendance. Staff did not receive any public correspondence related to this case. SAP does recommend approval of SU 26-0002 with the following stipulations, including approval period of the standard five years for a special use permit for motor vehicle sales, as well as prohibiting certain temporary signs on the property, which is consistent with the original approval of the special use permit in 2021. This application will be considered at the July 21st City Council meeting. And this concludes my presentation. And I am available for questions as well as the applicant. Thank you.

Excellent. Thank you, Ms. Vandevelde. Commissioners, do you have any questions for staff on this issue? Well, seeing now, I will open the public hearing. However, once again, we have no one signed up for this particular public hearing. So I will entertain a motion to close the public hearing.

So moved.

Thank you, Commissioner Brigitte. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Seelig. All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, nay. And that does pass unanimously. So I will now move forward and entertain a motion for SU26-0002.

Chair, I move that we approve SU 26-0002 as stipulated by staff.

Thank you, Commissioner Chapman. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Seelig. Ms. Will, a roll call vote, please.

Commissioner Brigitte.

Yes.

Commissioner Chapman.

Yes.

Commissioner Seelig.

Yes.

Commissioner Breen.

Yes.

Commissioner Brown.

Yes.

Chair Janner. Yes. That motion passes 6-0.

All right, moving right along. We're on our third and final public hearing tonight, which is a request for approval of a special use permit for Rivian. Ms. Winter is with us tonight to present the case.

Yes. Good evening, Commissioners. Lauren Winter, Planner 2, has introduced the application before you tonight is a first-time special use permit of motor vehicle sales for Rivian. The subject site is located at 601 North Lindenwood Drive, just north of East Spruce Street and east of I-35, as seen here. Rivian has occupied this existing building for the last three years as a vehicle service center. The site is zoned M2 General Industrial, which allows for motor vehicle sales with approval of a special use permit. The site is surrounded by a mix of other industrially zoned properties and uses include indoor athletic facilities, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. The future land use map of the comprehensive plan identifies the site and surrounding properties as business park, which allows complimentary light industrial uses, which is compatible with the proposed use. The existing building serves several functions, including vehicle service and office areas for Rivian. Parking areas identified on the plan match the previously approved site plan with a total of 78 parking spaces along the front and rear. Rivian is proposing two designated stalls along Lindenwood Drive, shown here in red, for vehicle display and sales. The existing 18,750-square-foot building was constructed in 2019 as part of the builder's stone development. No changes to the building or site are necessary or being proposed with this application. The site has existing landscaping, including parking lot screening, foundational landscaping, and street trees, and it is currently in compliance with the 2017 approved landscape plan. No additional landscaping is required or proposed with this project. The applicant met all public notice requirements and a neighborhood meeting was held on June 1st with no neighbors in attendance. Staff nor the applicant has received any public correspondence regarding this case. Staff is recommending approval of special use permit SU 26-0003 with an initial review or renewal period of five years, which is consistent with other first time special use permits for similar uses in Olathe. The applicant is agreeable to all these stipulations listed here. And this case will be considered on the July 21st, 2026 city council meeting. This concludes my presentation. I am available for questions as well as the applicant.

Excellent. Thank you, Ms. Winter. Commissioners, do you have any questions for staff? Seeing none, do you have any questions for the applicant? Well, now open the public hearing. We had one person signed up for the public hearing who has withdrawn their request, so we have no one else signed up. So I will entertain a motion to close the public hearing.

So moved.

Thank you, Commissioner Brigitte. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Breen. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. I will call for a motion on the item SU26-0003.

Mr. Chair, I would move for the approval of SU 26-003 with all stipulations as recommended by staff.

Thank you, Commissioner Brigitte.

Do I have a second?

Second. Thank you, Commissioner Seelig. Ms. Welton, roll call vote, please.

Commissioner Seelig?

Yes.

Commissioner Breen? Yes. Commissioner Brown? Yes. Commissioner Brigitte?

Yes.

Commissioner Chapman?

Yes.

Chair Janner?

Yes.

That motion passes 6-0.

Thank you. We'll move on now. We've completed our public hearings. The final item of regular business is the election of officers. So I will hand over the lead of the meeting to Chet Belcher, who will be leading our conversation this evening.

Thank you, Chair. Chet Belcher, Chief Community Development Officer. So as we do this annually, we elect the chair and vice chair. So tonight we'll start with the chair. And if there's anyone that's interested in being the chair, please state your name and feel free to make a statement if you so choose. Anyone want to elect someone or nominate someone?

I said don't everybody. Point of inquiry, Mr. Chairman, are you intending to run again?

Yes, I will. Since nobody has stepped up, Chet, I'd like to nominate Wayne Janher to continue his fine job that he's done since I've sat in this seat for the last several years.

So consider that a motion?

That is a motion.

We have a second. Seconded. All in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, same sign. That passes. All right. Congratulations. So, Vice Chair, it would be the same situation. So, we'll take nominations, or if you want to self-nominate and make a statement, feel free to do so at this time.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to nominate Taylor Breen to be our Vice Chair.

Second. All right. All in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, same sign. Congratulations. Thank you.

like that we didn't give you an opportunity to say no. I appreciate the continued support. All right. Do we have any other announcements this evening?

Yeah, I had just the budget is upcoming more quickly than we had expected, as it always does. So everybody in the Commission know that we have three workshops that are available up there. July 14th is kind of the biggest heavy lift. It's the general fund and the general fund CIP projects. talk about the mill levy supported funds and then the august 4th will be utility funds and then finally the last workshop will be the recreation and fee workshop on august 18th so the 14th is a special call meeting the 4th and the 18th are both regular city council meetings so EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND THOSE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED. AS IT RELATES TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, I NEED TO CONFIRM THESE DATES FOR SURE. BUT RIGHT NOW AUGUST 10TH WOULD BE THE WORKSHOP THAT WE DO WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION. WE'VE STARTED DOING THAT A FEW YEARS AGO WHERE WE ACTUALLY HAVE A WORKSHOP IN ADVANCE OF MAKING A FORMAL RECOMMENDATION BY THE COMMISSION. it looks like the two dates in august though will be the workshop and then the second would be the recommendation to city council for approval that recommendation would be part of what's considered the public hearing on september 8th and then final adoption by september 15th so that's the budget calendar for the 2027 budget

So in relation to this, are these open for the public to attend and observe? So information on the exact time, day, where can that be found?

It's on our budget web, so olatheks.gov.

Olatheks.gov?

Yep. Excellent. It has all that information. So we'll have all that. And then if you guys are interested, reach out, and I can send you calendar invites to any of these that you want.

Okay. All right. Anything else?

That's all I have tonight. Thank you.

All right. Anything else? In that case, thank you for being here this evening. This meeting is adjourned.