District 6 Advisory Board Meeting

Documenter name: Susan Miner

Agency: Wichita City - District Advisory Board 6

Date: July 8, 2024

See more about this meeting at Documenters.org

7-8-2024 District 6 Advisory Board (DAB 6) Meeting, 6:30 pm, Evergreen Community Center and Library, 2601 N Arkansas

[The primary purpose of District Advisory Boards is to provide the City Council, City Staff and the District Council member advice and recommendations on matters of public policy, citizen involvement, and problems or issues specific to the district served. District Advisory Board members are volunteers appointed by the district’s City Council member and are charged with hearing and commenting on reports by City departments, public comments by residents, zoning cases, and other matters related to the district.

Information about DAB 6 members is available on the DAB 6 website. 

Virtual Meeting Access Information

The public has the option to participate in DAB meetings virtually via the Zoom platform or to watch the meetings live on the District 6 Facebook page.

Zoom options are provided in the meeting agenda available on the wichita.gov agenda center by the Wednesday before the meeting on the second Monday of the month, except for holidays.

Order of Business

1. Call to Order

The meeting began at 6:30 pm with Vice Mayor Maggie Ballard presiding and four DAB 6 members present. Awaiting a quorum, Vice Mayor Ballard postponed voting to approve the meeting’s agenda and Minutes from the previous meeting and called for reports from the Wichita Fire Department and Wichita Police Department. Following these reports, with a quorum present, a motion to approve the meeting agenda was made, seconded, and unanimously approved, and a motion to approve the Minutes of the June 10, 2024, meeting was made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

Present: Angela Martinez, Mark Baker, Tom Jones, Bill Washburn, Joshua Siebenaler, Sergio Devora-Najera, Scott Lucas, and Emy Rogers.

Absent: Lisa Tatum, Brian Irwin, and Zachary Gingrich-Gaylord.

Also present, 13 presenters and citizens, along with 2 documenters.

2. Wichita Fire Department

Lieutenant Gonsalves of the Wichita Fire Department (WFD) reported recent District 6 fire statistics and investigations. Over the July 4th holiday, 34 citations were issued locally for violation of state and local ordinances, illegal or outside of allowed hours use of fireworks. This is compared to approximately 24 last year. Between May 20 and June 20, there were 30 fire investigations, including seven in vacant structures, usually due to squatters, three in dumpsters in one day and one suicide attempt.

The Wichita Fire Department assisted the Sedgwick County Fire Department on the Evergreen Recycle fire at 302 N 53rd Street in Park City on June 23, 2024.

The June 20 and 21 WFDs kids summer camp, a free camp for kids ages 8 to 13, was a success; registration filled right away and kids had a great time learning about fire safety. It was sponsored by the Wichita Sports Forum and there are plans to expand it next year.

He urged residents to close bedroom doors at night to reduce the spread of a house fire. He provided a Close Before You Doze Fact Sheet listing the risk factors that are reduced when inner doors are closed.

In response to a question from Washburn about the recent fire at Wendy’s at 21st and Coolidge, Lt. Gonsalves reported that the stop light was not automatically activated when fire department vehicles were en route. Vice Mayor Ballard agreed to follow up on how incoming traffic can automatically be stopped in such a case to prevent traffic congestion at a fire scene.

The Wichita Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Division (316-268-4441) provides these safety recommendations:

Schools are out for summer! With more students being home, make sure they are equipped with the right information to be fire safe.

Students

• If you hear a type of chirping sound, it could be your smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarm. Alert an adult immediately.
• If you see or smell smoke or fire, get outside and call 911.
• If you must evacuate your home, get to a meeting spot designated by your family. This location should be a safe distance from your home, but close enough they can locate you easily.
• Do not go back inside for toys, pets, clothes, or even people. Leave the rescue work to the firefighters.
• Leave matches and lighters alone. There is a risk of getting burned or setting something on fire.

Parents

• Post an emergency phone list where a child can easily see it. Talk to them about when they should call 911 and what information they should know to give dispatchers.
• Practice an emergency escape plan in case of a fire. Make sure they know two ways out of every room and have a meeting place to go to until an adult or emergency crews arrive.
• Have snacks and meals prepared and accessible to remove/reduce kitchen safety risks such as using a stove top or oven, boiling water, or the wrong type of materials being used in the microwave.
• Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly. Replace the batteries every 6 months. Replace the alarms every 10 years or per manufacturer’s directions.

If you have questions, call the WFD Community Risk Reduction Division: 316.268.4441. REMINDER! Sign up for Public Alerts.

3. Wichita Police Department

Officer Phommachanh from Patrol West presented District 6 statistics and crime trends, noting that in the past month violent crime was down 22% but property crime was up 40%, compared to violent crime down 2% and property crime down 9% in the same period last year. He stated that theft often occurs when garage doors are left open and urged keeping the garage door opener out of sight when it is in the car.

He reminded those present of Second Chance Thursday, July 11, 9 am to 4 pm at Colvin Elementary School, 2820 S Roosevelt, when citizens can get help from the Department of Motor Vehicles with suspended driver’s licenses, from the Municipal Court with payment plans and future court dates, from the Wichita Police Department with traffic citation orders and new court dates, as well as from Nexstep for parolee assistance with education and job opportunities.For more information, email  jtondo@wichita.gov.

Thefts at the River Trail Village development north of Sims Park are under investigation.

Officer Soto from North Riverside reported that between May 21 and June 22 there have been 2 burglaries in the area and 2 others attempted in the area of the 1400 block of north Salina. A traffic study on 53rd Street North between May 29 and June 4 counted 64,000 vehicles, many traveling over the 40 mile per hour speed limit, one in particular was clocked at 115 miles per hour. Vice Mayor Ballard explained that the study was conducted at her request due to residents’ complaints about speeding on 53rd.

4. Wichita Public Library Report

Library Staff reported on the Symphony at the Library programs, a series of story times and small concerts. Following along with the book Welcome to the Symphony, five Wichita Symphony musicians will discuss and demonstrate their instruments. Attendees will enjoy a group performance and be able to ask the musicians questions about the symphony. This program is recommended for kids ages 4-8 and takes place on July 15, 6 p.m., at the Advanced Learning Library; on July 16, 2:30 p.m., at Alford Branch; and July 26, 2:30 p.m., at Maya Angelou Branch.

The Library has a ‘Become an Informed Voter’ page on their website.  The Informed Voter page provides candidate and voting information for this year’s local, state, and national elections.

The Summer Reading Program continues until August 1 with a great schedule of programs, family concerts, and more.

Local Author Day is back on Saturday, August 10. Beginning Monday, July 8, local authors can register to participate in the author expo. This unique event brings together hundreds of local authors who showcase their work, visit with readers, and sell their books.

Public Agenda

(This portion of the agenda provides an opportunity for citizens to present issues that are not part of the regular agenda for the meeting. There is a five-minute time limit for each speaker.)

William Glander, a Delano resident, spoke about a nearby vacant duplex at 247 N Elizabeth in poor condition, used by squatters, which was recently purchased for $280,300 by out-of-state owners Jason and Susan Winslow. He objected to what he characterized as an overpriced sale increasing his tax burden.

Terry McMillan spoke about difficulty experienced by people using the new parking system in the Century II lot. A friend who is adept at using QR codes could not get the system to work, and it is even more difficult for those not familiar with the technology. Vice Mayor Ballard agreed that it is a learning curve and offered to carry forward the suggestion that a hybrid system should be considered. The plan is to expand this technology to other City lots downtown.

5. Scheduled Items

There were no scheduled Public Agenda items this month.

6. Off-Agenda Items

(Any individual present who did not request to speak on the Public Agenda prior to the meeting may speak at this time.)

There were no other speakers.

New Business

7. ZON2024-00028

Brad Eatherly, senior planner with the Metropolitan Area Planning Department, presented this case for consideration by the District 6 Advisory Board. The applicant requests a zone change from SF-5 Single-Family Residential District (SF-5) to TF-3 Two-Family Residential District (TF-3). The 0.29-acre property is located within two-blocks south of West Central Avenue and within two-block west of North West Street. Concurrently a lot split is being reviewed to create the subject site as Parcel B of Lot 8, Block 7, Parkwilde Addition. Parcel A of Lot 7 is 516 N Tracy Street, is zoned SF-5, and is developed with a single-family dwelling. The applicant requests the zone change only for Parcel B to allow construction of a duplex.

The lot split includes land that fronts North Tracy Street to provide access to Parcel B. The lot split also requires necessary easements to ensure access to utilities.

The requested zone change is in conformance with the Community Investments Plan (the Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan), the 2035 Future Growth Concept Map both of which recommends the subject site as appropriate for “Residential” uses. The requested zone change is also in conformance with the goals of the Wichita: Places for

People Plan, which provides recommendations for urban infill development in the Established Central Area (ECA), within which the subject site is located.

RECOMMENDATION: Based upon information available prior to the public hearings, planning staff recommends that the request be approved.

Washburn described the lot as a shotgun lot, long and narrow, and asked if it provides adequate space for the drive to the second unit where the duplex is planned. Eatherly explained that the applicant will need to meet setback requirements in the plan they submit. A motion was made by Scott to approve. Jones seconded, adding the condition that an overlay require a gable or hip roof on the duplex. Eatherly noted that requirement is in the staff recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

8. PUD2024-00011

T Brad Eatherly, senior planner with the Metropolitan Area Planning Department, presented this case for consideration by the District 6 Advisory Board. The applicant is requesting a zone change from SF-5 Single-Family Residential District (SF-5) to PUD Planned Unit Development (PUD) to create the Esparza Addition Planned Unit Development (PUD #130). The 3.35 acres acre site is located between North Charles Avenue and North Amidon Avenue and within 320 feet north of West 31st Street North (3258 North Charles). The site is currently developed as a single-family dwelling on North Charles Avenue and undeveloped land along North Amidon Avenue.

The applicant requests the zone change in order to permit single-family residential on PUD Parcel 3, an office warehouse on PUD Parcel 1, and duplexes on PUD Parcel 2. Parcel 3 is currently developed with a single-family dwelling. The duplexes within Parcel 2 will be residential in character, with a hipped or gabled roof and residential siding materials.

Commercial vehicle access to Parcel 1 will be limited to North Amidon Avenue. Development standards for the OW (office warehouse) district would be applied to Parcel 1. Development standards for the TF-3 (two family) district would be applied to Parcel 2. Development standards for the SF-5 (single family) district would be applied to Parcel 3.

The proposed PUD language does not indicate any required screening for Parcel 1. Because the uses on Parcel 1 are proposed to be commercial abutting and adjacent to residential uses and zoning districts, staff recommends that the PUD text be modified to require a minimum of a six-foot screening fence along the south, west, and north boundary lines of Parcel 1.

RECOMMENDATION: Based on the information available at the time of the public hearing, staff recommends approval of the application subject to provisions of the Esparza Addition Planned Unit Development PUD #130 as indicated, and subject to the following conditions:

1. The PUD will be developed in accordance with the approved PUD language.

2. The applicant will record a PUD certificate with the Register of Deeds indicating that this tract (referenced as PUD #130 Esparza Addition Planned Unit Development) has special conditions for development on the property.

3. A copy of the recorded certificate along with four copies of the approved PUD shall be submitted to the Metropolitan Area Planning Department within 60 days of governing body approval, or the request shall be considered denied and closed.

Eatherly noted that when the MAPC approved this application at its recent meeting, they recommended the height allowed for the planned office warehouse be reduced from 45 feet to 35 feet to correspond to the height restrictions in the SF-5 single family zone, and the applicants agreed to this. He also called attention to the staff recommendation of landscape screening on the north, west, and south boundaries of Parcel 1 where the office warehouse is planned. The staff recommendation for proper screening and buffering is intended to ensure land use compatibility.

Siebenaler asked about the impact on public facilities by increased traffic to the planned office warehouse. Eric Glover, the agent for the applicants, came to the podium to address questions. He stated that since access to the office warehouse would be on Amidon, an arterial street, it would not have a negative impact. He explained that the applicants own a drywall business and plan to locate their office warehouse on open land adjacent to their home at 3258 N Charles. The Planned Unit Development divides the property into 3 parcels. Parcel 3 is where their current home is located. Parcel 1 is where they plan to build an office warehouse for their drywall business. Parcel 2 is where they may build a duplex in the future, though they do not have immediate plans for that parcel.

DAB members asked about how often during the day employees would be coming and going to the office warehouse and at what hours, if there would be delivery trucks unloading drywall, how the shared driveway to Parcels 1 and 2 would adequately accommodate those uses, and what would happen if the parcels are sold separately in the future. Glover responded that the area to the north is designated for commercial growth, that Amidon being an arterial street allows for commercial traffic, that he does not think the owners plan to store drywall in the office warehouse so there would not be large delivery trucks accessing it, and that there would only be their service vans used by their employees going out to the job sites carrying tools and supplies but not large panels of drywall, as the drywall would generally be delivered directly to the job sites.

To the question of neighborhood opposition, Eatherly cited numerous concerns received about traffic and negative impact on nearby single-family property values. One neighbor wrote that since the owners’ home was so attractive, he felt that their planned building would be as well.

A motion was made and seconded to approve, with the requirement that the roofline of the planned office warehouse be a gable or hip roof. The motion passed on a vote of 5 yes; 3 no.

Board Agenda

8. Updates, Issues, and Reports

DAB members announced kayak rentals available in Central Riverside Park and a Unity in the Community event planned for September, originating at Colvin Elementary.

Vice Mayor Ballard reported the following upcoming events:

-7/10 Millwood Park Ribbon Cutting 8:45am

-7/12 Rent. FunLawn Ribbon Cutting 1:00 Central Riverside Park

-7/13 Unity in the Community 6pm Colvin Resource Center

-7/26 National Baseball Congress Tournament Starts

-7/27 District 6 Coffee 9-10am at Botanica with New Botanica Executive Director and School board member Hazel Stabler.

-7/28 Baseball Around the Clock

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.

The next District 6 Advisory Board meeting is scheduled to be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the Evergreen Community Center & Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, and Wichita, KS 67204. Residents also have the option to participate in DAB meetings virtually via Zoom or to watch them live on the District 6 Facebook page. Visit the District 6 website for the most up-to date meeting information. The meeting agenda and supplemental documents are posted to the webpage the Wednesday prior to the upcoming meeting.

Follow-up items:

Vice Mayor Ballard will follow up with the Wichita Fire Department on automatically activating stop lights at fire locations when fire department vehicles are en route.

Vice Mayor Ballard will convey citizen concerns about the difficulty in using the new parking meter system in the Century II lot.

The Wichita Fire Department continues to investigate thefts at River Trail Village, where new homes are being built.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@citybureau.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.