The Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission tabled a pair of potential zoning changes at Plumb Place as part of its business Tuesday.
Eli Fowler wants to have as many as six apartments and temperature-controlled indoor storage inside the building, and he has asked for rezoning from R-3 High-Density Residential to C-3 General Commercial and a Conditional Use Permit for indoor storage. However, his request hasn’t officially been approved by Lyon County District Court — and another local family, Jarrod and Clarine Hibler — has submitted a bid so they could live in the historic house at 224 East Sixth, a move that would not require a zoning change. On top of that situation, concerns from the public included whether the property was actively marketed, while Planning Commission members mentioned concerns about whether the City Commission could overturn some of the protections with the house being on the National Historic Register.
The Plumb Place Steering Committee, led by the United Way of the Flint Hills, started the process to restart the Plumb Place agency after it closed due to financial issues at the end of 2020. Part of that work was a recommendation to sell the property, which was approved. United Way Chief Executive Officer Mickey Edwards:
The Planning Commission will look at the topic again next month with the hopes of having City Attorney Christina Montgomery and Receiver Kevin Flott in attendance.
Separately, the Planning Commission:
*Recommended a rezoning request involving Michelle Street from R-1 Low-Density Residential and C-3 General Commercial, but to R-2 Residential instead of R-3 as requested. Developers Lucas Moody and David Faulkner are looking to build 15-20 duplexes.
*Adopted a resolution finding the Red Brick travel plaza near the roundabout connecting Highway 50 to the Kansas Turnpike and Interstate 35 is in accordance with the city’s comprehensive plan. This is a needed step with the development still seeking tax increment financing approval from both the city and the state, according to Planning and Zoning Administrator Justin Givens.
*Recommended approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a light maintenance truck facility at 4215 West Highway 50.
