Planning commissioners on Monday signed off on a rezoning request to ultimately build housing next to the former call center building near Sixth and Iowa streets.
Lawrence city commissioners in the fall had considered the location, 2000 Bluffs Drive, as a possible new site of City Hall, but they voted that down.
The 6.8-acre property includes the large office building and a large parking lot. Developers want to construct medium-density housing on a 2.7-acre portion of the parking lot on the eastern side of the property.
It’s not clear yet exactly how many homes would be built or what type they’ll be. The rezoning request was to allow for R-3 development, which allows for seven to 15 dwelling units per acre. To the north and east of the property are single-family and multifamily homes.
Dean Grob, of Grob Engineering, told the planning commissioners that the site had excessive parking. He said plans could include some small houses and potentially condos, but the property owners are still looking at options.
Richard King, who is part of the Bluffs 2000 LLC ownership group that purchased the property in December, said there had been people living on the property.
“After a couple of months of asking the homeless people to move out, we finally were able to bring in one of the largest dumpsters that Lawrence, the city, has. We brought in a loader. We brought in people to clear that area out,” he said.
King said the area has been “in despair,” and the company is looking to bring some energy to it.
Planning Commissioner Jane Eldredge asked whether the housing that’s constructed will be affordable.
“In terms of what we’re going to put there, we’re really looking at what’s going to be the best options, what’s going to make the most impact from a financial standpoint,” King said.
He said they’ve been trying to figure out a way to make housing that meets the criteria to be affordable there, and “we’re looking at all types of alternative construction and options that we think will bring a lot of value, that will be very creative, and that will be very affordable.”
The project will still undergo a site planning process and final approvals, so neighbors will have additional opportunities to voice their opinions on the project, and one neighbor shared a few questions and concerns during Monday’s meeting. However, the developers are not required to meet directly with neighbors as part of that process.
“I’m super interested in seeing this years-old, vacant parking lot be finally used for living space,” Planning Commissioner Gary Rexroad said, and several others agreed.
Planning Commissioner Pedro Borroto said he thought the applicant was trying to revive or give purpose to an area that is not currently in use, and “I believe that’s something that we need.”
The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning request. The request will go on to the Lawrence City Commission for consideration next.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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