Focus Area: Economy, Community Development
Staff Contact: Nathan Jurey, Senior Planner
Subject: SU25-0002: Special use permit for the Salvation Army Family Lodge Expansion; Owner: Lt. Nate Woodard, Salvation Army; Applicant: Matt Schlicht, Engineering Solutions
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Consideration of Resolution No. 25-1074 (SU25-0002), requesting approval of a special use permit for a Homeless Shelter with a preliminary site development plan for the Salvation Army Family Lodge Expansion on approximately 1.01 acres, located northeast of E. Santa Fe Street and N. Woodland Road. Planning Commission recommends approval 8 to 0.
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Summary:
This is a request for approval of a special use permit (SUP) with a preliminary site development plan for the Salvation Army Family Lodge Expansion on approximately 1.01 acres, located northeast of Santa Fe Street and Woodland Road. The Salvation Army Family Lodge is classified as a homeless shelter, which requires special use approval in the R-4 District. The northern portion of this site is in the RP-4 District and a request to rezone the southern portion to the R-4 District is included in this agenda packet (RZ25-0006).
The Salvation Army Family Lodge provides both emergency and transitional housing to families in need and the Salvation Army provides critical wrap-around services out of their main building east of the site. A special use permit was approved in 2012 for the existing 14-unit shelter on 0.80 acres and the proposal is to construct four (4) additional units for a total of 18 units on 1.01 acres.
The site is designated as City Center District and Urban Center / Downtown by the Future Land Use Map of PlanOlathe, which envisions this area as a mixed-use urban area with civic, commercial and residential uses. The proposed expansion of the existing use aligns with this vision as it will allow this residential use to continue serving the community. The proposed expansion will blend with the surrounding residential and commercial areas and meets the Golden Criteria as outlined in the staff report . Staff supports a fifteen (15) year time period for this special use as requested by the applicant, as the Family Lodge has been open since 2012 and no adverse impacts were found by staff or concerns raised by the neighborhood.
Three (3) residents attended the neighborhood meeting held on July 7 and all questions about the general operations of the Salvation Army Family Lodge were answered. On July 28, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing for the proposed request with no individuals appearing to speak or provide comment. The Planning Commission voted 8 to 0 to recommend approval of SU25-0002 with two (2) stipulations as recommended by staff.
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Financial Impact:
None
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Action Needed:
1. Approve Resolution No. 25-1074 for a special use permit for the homeless shelter (majority vote of the Councilmembers present required).
2. Deny Resolution No. 25-1074 for a special use permit for the homeless shelter (five positive votes required).
3. Return the application to the Planning Commission for further consideration with a statement specifying the basis for the Governing Body’s failure to approve or disapprove (majority vote of the Councilmembers present required).
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Attachment(s):
A. Planning Commission Packet
B. Planning Commission Minutes
C. Resolution No. 25-1074