Plans for a major housing development in south Emporia took a big step forward Wednesday.
Emporia city commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the final plat for the nearly 17-acre Kretsinger subdivision tract near South Exchange and Soden’s Road. The plat, recommended by the Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission late last month, is an important step in the process because it shows property lines, utility placement, easement locations and other aspects of the finished project.
The final step is for city commissioners to approve the utility plan. That step may take place later this month.
The Kretsinger development is set to bring over 50 homes to the area near the David Traylor Zoo. The approval stage comes at a time when utility work is in the early phases for another significant housing development, the nearly 30-home Mahtropolis project near the Trusler Sports Complex.
City commissioners attended to other infrastructure matters Wednesday, approving a $2.4 million bid from Carlson Utility to handle the Peyton Street waterline improvement project. This is the latest phase in the city’s project to improve the water system’s main line between the Water Treatment Plant at 24th and Industrial Road and southeast Emporia.
Commissioners also approved a $54,000 bid from Coffman Construction to handle a waterline extension for Soden’s Road.
The commission’s study meeting had several focal points, including the final report from the city’s Homeless Taskforce. Member and spokesperson Mickey Edwards says the city needs a homeless shelter, as well as a board of advisors dedicated to expanding services for the unhoused.
Edwards also suggested use of the “Show the Way” app connecting homeless residents to various services.
Commissioners also tentatively set the 2024 levy at 43.5 mils for publication and discussion purposes with the intent of lowering it before next year’s budget is set. Last year, commissioners started with a 45-mil levy before reducing the levy to 43.8 mils. Despite the lower rate, the levy will gather more tax revenue because of an increase in valuations as handled by Lyon County.
Separately, commissioners discussed whether to combine the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas and Emporia Enterprises. They also discussed whether to trade out a potential dog park for a soccer field as part of a massive reconfiguration of Whittier Park. No action was taken with either item.
