HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After close to an hour and a half of discussion, the Hutchinson City Council Tuesday night tabled to May 20 action on a proposed zoning change at 36th and Monroe. The change from R3 to R5 zoning recommended by the Planning Commission, would allow construction of single-family homes of a smaller lot size than now allowed.
Residents in the surrounding area, including the Kisiwa developments, are generally opposed to the change, and adjoining property owners filed a sufficient protest petition that required four votes in favor of the change, their opposition based largely citing the character of the neighborhood based on the smaller lot size. One speaker went as far as to suggest this development would be better sited in the Medora area. One theme that came up frequently was a lack of clear information on what is being proposed.
Related to this, the Council approved another Planning Commission recommendation to add provisions for a protective overlay district to zoning regulations, which would allow modification and restriction of property development standards beyond that which would normally be permitted.
The Council did approve a change in zoning for the property at the southeast corner of 10th and Adams from residential neighborhood conservation to infill residential, which would bring two homes into compliance with current lot size requirements The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of this change.
Resolutions of intent were adopted for industrial revenue bond issuance on two proposed apartment developments.
One project, proposed by Hutchinson Park LLC of Springfield, Missouri, would involve a 48-unit project at 11th and Lorraine, on the property south of the former Atrium Hotel. Just under $7.6 million in IRB’s are being sought for this project. Plaza Trails LLC of Columbia, Missouri, is proposing a 36-unit project on Plaza Drive west of Dillons Marketplace.
$10.9 million of IRB’s are being sought. Both developers are asking for $40,000 reductions in building fees and service tap charges, which would support a number of city housing documents, and are willing to make payments in lieu of taxes. Both are also applying for housing tax credits for their projects. The size of the two projects is such that they would be considered commercial and be eligible for IRB issuance, which in other Kansas communities is not uncommon.
The Council adopted resolutions setting Show Cause Hearings June 17 for repair or removal of ten dilapidated commercial properties. Among the properties on the resolution is 2100 North Jackson, which most recently was a drug treatment facility. Also on the list is a one time grocery store at 806 North Plum, three structures at 22 West 5th, a former church at 211 East 4th, a one-time motel and restaurant at 3001 East 4th, two former bar buildings on East 4th west of Lorraine, and three adjoining properties in the 400 block of South Main. Two of the properties are eligible for Reno County’s 2025 delinquent tax sale, and two could be in 2026.
The Council approved what amounts to a change to the Community Improvement District for Uptown Hutch. Rockstep Hutchinson LLC, which owns the one time Hutchinson Mall, is proposing to replace the existing district with a new one that would have a two percent sales tax in lieu of the one percent now in place if as provided for in a revised development agreement, a number of milestones are met by the end of 2027.
A part of the project would involve resurfacing of the outer roads of the property. It would change more retail space to facing outside, a move that will require existing athletic related businesses to relocate which Mayor Stacy Goss said have no place to go. This CID would not include the property housing Bomgaars and Hobby Lobby which are under separate ownership.
An ordinance was approved changing the dates during which fireworks can be sold. This would permit an extension of the time frame during which fireworks can be sold to between June 20 and July 7 as authorized by the Kansas Legislature during the 2025 session. As proposed, the discharge dates would remain limited to between June 30 and July 4.
The Council approved three appointments and presented four proclamations during Tuesday’s meeting Nan Hawver was appointed to her second term on the Library Board and Carter Tobish ad Blaine Barnes were appointed to fill unexpired terms on the Building Trades Board that run through the end of the year.
Proclamations were presented for Building Safety Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Motorcycle Awareness Month and Child Care Provider Appreciation Day which is today. Approval was also given for a special entertainment district for a Salty City Cycles event.
