The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission is set to begin reviewing a familiar topic following direction from the Emporia City Commission given Wednesday morning.
As part of their regular action meeting agenda, commissioners directed the planning commission to begin reviewing the city’s zoning regulations governing medical facilities. This topic is a familiar one, as mentioned, as it garnered a great deal of attention and debate three years ago when Stormont Vail Health announced its plans to construct a new medical clinic in Emporia, the groundbreaking for which was held this past Friday.
Following the announcement of those intentions, Newman Regional Health proposed a series of zoning text amendments that would have required all outside medical providers to explicitly state their plans and, essentially, justify their need to city officials. Ultimately, though, Emporia city commissioners approved the zoning with no text changes. During the most recent installment of KVOE’s Q&A With Trey, Tuesday morning, City Manager Trey Cocking stated the reason for the revisiting of the topic is that there have been recent concerns expressed that the city’s regulations on this matter are not as “robust” as those of other communities.
Plans are for planning commissioners to begin the dive immediately, with Cocking saying the discussions will not be kept internal, noting they want as much community involvement and input as possible. As previously mentioned, the commission’s direction comes less than a week after Stormont Vail broke ground on its new medical facility at the intersection of West 18th and Road G.
KVOE News asked Cocking Tuesday if that was purely a coincidence or if the two matters are related. He says they are not.
The current timeline has the planning commission holding a public hearing and making recommendations to the city by the end of the year.
In other action business Wednesday, commissioners approved the following annexation items:
*Annexation of property at 1771 Road G and 600 Road 175
*Voluntary annexation and limited property tax rebate agreement 1771 Road G and Road 175
*Annexation of land at 4502 West 18th Avenue
*Voluntary Annexation and Limited Property Tax Rebate Agreement 4502 West 18th Avenue
Commissioners also approved a Health in All Policies grant application presented by incoming Deputy City Manager Tayler Wash.
During their regular study meeting, commissioners discussed “Budget 101” matters as phrased by Cocking, with the budget planning cycle set to begin next month. During his presentation, Cocking noted, again, that the city’s mill levy rate is currently the ninth highest out of 36 comparable communities at 46.007 mills.
Cocking called the higher mill levy rate a “trade off” for the various services Emporia provides that many other similar-sized communities do not.
During an interview with Cocking following Wednesday’s meeting, KVOE News asked Cocking if there is a possibility the mill levy could come down over the course of the coming budget planning process. He says it is something the city always aims for, but it is too soon to say for sure.
The first notable discussion on the budget will come during the commission’s next study session on June 3rd, when it will review the annual slate of outside entity appropriation requests.
In separate study matters, commissioners discussed service numbers for the city’s Public Works Department and a potential master plan for the city’s Solid Waste Department.
Emporia City Commissioners will reconvene for their next regular meeting on Wednesday June 3, at 11 am inside White Auditorium.
