ShawneeDispatch.com

Shawnee Planning Commissioners approved new designations for property and streets Monday, including paving the way for a possible Monticello branch of the Johnson County Library.

At their meeting, commissioners reviewed proposed amendments to Chapter 5, Land Use Guide and Chapter 8, Street Standards and Circulation Plan, in the city's comprehensive plan. Updating the designations for property and street uses was part of the Planning Commission's requirement to review the comprehensive plan annually.

While the changes to the Land Use Guide weren't significant, one change was made with a western library location, much-discussed by the Johnson County Library, in mind.

City staff suggested amending the Land Use Guide for property west of Woodsonia Drive and north of Clear Creek Parkway from high density residential to office and mixed office and public/quasi-public. The change was made noting that the Johnson County Library system has had preliminary discussions with the owner of the property to potentially locate a branch library at the site.

Even if the library does not select the site, city staff noted that plans to make Kansas Highway 7, immediately west of the property, into a six-lane highway in the future did not work well with the property owner's original plans to create a high-density residential development.

The Commission also amended the Land Use Guide on the east side of Monticello Road in the 8000 block from medium density residential to commercial use, noting that Lenexa had rezoned property to the south for commercial use.

Bigger changes for the Street Standards and Circulation Plan included identifying the future extensions of Silverheel from Clear Creek Parkway to 66th Street, and Clear Creek Parkway from Monticello to Clare Road, as major collector streets, with two lanes and a central turn lane.

In other business, the commission approved the following consent agenda items:

• A special-use permit previously issued to Shawnee Day Care for a childcare facility for up to 45 children at 65th and Nieman.
• A final plat for 24 units on one lot for Town and Country Villas in the 7100 block of Meadowsweet Lane.
• A final plat for Reghan Place 6 units on one lot in the 15000 block of W. 64th St. and 6 units on one lot in the 6300 block of Darnell.
• A final plat for Eagleview of Grey Oaks for 44 lots at Clear Creek Parkway and 60th Street.
• A final plat for Woodland Ridge for 35 lots in the 4700 block of Lakecrest.
• A final plat for Hills of Forest Creek for 45 lots in the 6100 block of Woodland.
• A final plat for Granite Falls for 73 lots in the 14900 block of Johnson Drive.
• A site plan for Nieghbors Construction, 8130 Monticello Terr., for a corporate office exterior remodel.
• A site plan for a car wash in Attic Business Park in the 6400 block of Vista Drive.