Wichita Documenters

Other topics include crime statistics, Bleckley drainage, the 17th Street redesign, and his support of the Justice Together sales tax plan.

Read notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XjEcbUCdeCI-E8jwaFRcU_11SG0Xg7W8ZVH0YGxQuzg/edit?tab=t.0

Residents who live across the street from a Dairy Queen drive-thru and west of the Outback Steakhouse argued that a duplex development would undermine the character of their neighborhood. Traffic concerns on Maple Street made the most appearances in their oral and written statements, however.

Read notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vPhouOYIBYt_mjv_9DcoknZ7gHSKnVtpRIG6rDkYuGE/preview?tab=t.0

The rest of the meeting was less than 30 minutes. The county is still in need of 50 to 100 election workers for the upcoming primary election.

Read notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gJCXaNsjQtZGTvY5Y1uybLYIlo4EISoSqc5Bp5icFXc/preview?tab=t.0

Johnston was the sole dissenter in a 6-1 vote to approve a CID at a property on Douglas and Hillside.

He has a couple of lone wolf votes so far this year, including being the sole dissenter on March 10. Then, he voted against a plan to convert the current main water treatment plant in Riverside to one for emergency use upon completion of the new Wichita Water Works facility.

Read notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NXdj0pI3f6mgUPb0p2sFbG9JZjQpGttzuiRdNPnAx4g/preview?tab=t.0

In every instance, the planning department recommended denial, citing visual incompatibility with the surrounding area. The District I Advisory Board and Metropolitan Area Planning Commission disagreed and have recommended approval.

Liv Apartments most recently received unanimous approval from MAPC.

Read notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NXdj0pI3f6mgUPb0p2sFbG9JZjQpGttzuiRdNPnAx4g/preview?tab=t.0

The Cadillac Lake development is proposed to be walkable, with front doors opening to 29th Street, reduced lot sizes, and close proximity to the Pracht Wetlands Park.

Read notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13TDR62CKatd7s0KKM6LN7tDKORP2AAAxx3rtfYNUBxs/preview?tab=t.0

When this item was first heard on June 9, council member Joseph Shepard inquired whether the CID agreement could prohibit redevelopment of the property into a drive-thru, thus ensuring compatibility with the recently-passed College Hill Neighborhood Plan.

City manager Dennis Marstall confirmed that such stipulations will be in place in the contract when council votes on whether to grant the CID on July 7.

Read notes here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/10Ng3pAAp5rnLLauxrNZxZUu7Aei5sGy76vYiclAivXQ/preview?tab=t.0

Broadway was a particularly contentious topic, with commissioners Jim Howell and Jeff Blubaugh suggesting that the city has not done enough to prevent homelessness along the corridor and reporting that businesses have gotten in touch with them to complain about conditions there.

Wichita Chief of Police Joe Sullivan responded that he hadn’t received any emails from business owners regarding Broadway and that the WPD's holistic approach has made the area safer.

Read notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gjExbnH57jgOlXy-nsT48c7qYKG9d3XTbwlQLIR8biU/preview?tab=t.0

"If the prohibition on backing in parking is rescinded, the Parking Fund will be financially impacted by reading of fewer license plates. This loss of efficiency with automated plate readers would result in a reduction in compliance monitoring," the Department of Public Works staff report argued.

Commissioner Bryan Frye was one of the nay votes, insisting that the hours of operation be limited to 8:00 p.m. on school nights and 10:00 p.m. on weekends. A majority of the commissioners disagreed, extending weekend closing until midnight.

Read notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yf43Tkw_khqTJpvfBvewsJbCoCwQafDwVSbFngCksNY/preview?tab=t.0