The Emporia Planning Commission is recommending approval of a change in zoning for the former Abundant Harvest property.
During their monthly meeting, planning commissioners voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of changing the zoning designation for the property at 1028 Whittier from commercial to flex-use low. According to City Zoning Administrator Justin Givens, the reason for the change to flex-use is to allow for the construction of 48 new residential units in the space as well as a food pantry.
The applicant, and owner of the property according to Givens, Merak Development LLC, is planning to construct a new combination apartment complex, comprised of 48 units, and a food pantry, which will be an expansion of Whittier Place Apartments’ footprint in the area. This will be the fourth phase of development for the apartment complex and is a natural fit for the area, according to comments from Givens to commissioners and KVOE Tuesday evening.
Commissioners passed the measure Tuesday with very little discussion, with one commissioner saying it appears to be a very “cut and dry” matter. That said, city staff did have one concern that stemmed from previous phases of expansion by Whittier: stormwater drainage.
According to Givens, drainage had been an issue with previous development on the complex and he says plans for this latest addition have been moving forward with that matter at the forefront of developers’ minds.
As for the food pantry, Givens says it is his understanding that it will be open to the public; however, he could not say for certain. Representatives from Merak were not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.
KVOE News will be reaching out to Merak for comment on plans for the development, including a potential timetable for construction and plans for the food pantry’s operations.
To close out their meeting Tuesday, planning commissioners voted to appoint Kenton Thomas as commission chair for the coming year, Stan Fowler as vice-chair and Givens as secretary. The Emporia Planning Commission will next convene on Tuesday, March 10th, at 6 pm inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
