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Title:
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Consideration of Ordinance No. 25-32 (RZ25-0007), requesting approval of a rezoning from the RUR (County Rural) District to the C-2 (Community Center) and M-2 (General Industrial) Districts for 175th Lone Elm Center on approximately 145.78 acres, located northeast of W. 175th Street and Lone Elm Road. Planning Commission's motion to approve the rezoning failed 2 to 5.
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FOCUS AREA: Economy, Community Development
STAFF CONTACT: Jessica Schuller, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: RZ25-0007: Rezoning and Preliminary Site Development Plan for 175th Lone Elm Center; Owner/Applicant: Mark Connor, Commercial Reposition Partners 17, LLC
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TITLE:
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Consideration of Ordinance No. 25-32 (RZ25-0007), requesting approval of a rezoning from the RUR (County Rural) District to the C-2 (Community Center) and M-2 (General Industrial) Districts for 175th Lone Elm Center on approximately 145.78 acres, located northeast of W. 175th Street and Lone Elm Road. Planning Commission's motion to approve the rezoning failed 2 to 5.
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SUMMARY:
The applicant is requesting a rezoning from the CTY RUR (County Rural) District to the M-2 (General Industrial) and C-2 (Community Center) Districts and a preliminary site development plan for the 175th Lone Elm Center. The development consists of six (6) lots within two zoning districts, with the M-2 (General Industrial) District proposed on the majority of the site (136.8 acres), and the C-2 (Community Center) District located at the corner of 175th Street and Lone Elm Road (8.99 acres). Lineage Logistics proposes to occupy the northern half of the property (Lot 1, 63.6 acres), and future industrial and commercial development will be located to the south. Due to the conceptual nature of the southern portions of the site, approval of a revised preliminary site development plan is required for Lots 2-6 prior to development.
The proposed Lineage Logistics building is an automated freezer facility for the storage and distribution of cold food products. The proposed building consists of 35,002 square feet of cooler space and 184,927 square feet of freezer space primarily storing ready-to-eat foods. The proposed plans also include a 10,067 square-foot office area on the east side of the building. Loading docks are located on the south-facing fa?ade. The cold storage facility is operational 24-hours a day and seven days a week with construction anticipated to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027.
The Future Land Use Map of the PlanOlathe Comprehensive Plan designates the entire property as an Employment Area and the requested C-2 and M-2 Districts align with this land use designation. This request meets the rezoning criteria identified in UDO 18.40.090 as detailed in the attached Planning Commission Packet (Attachment A).
Stipulations are included for two requested waivers to architectural requirements, which staff is supportive of. Stipulations are also included to limit the maximum height of buildings within the conceptual commercial area to 35 feet and industrial area to a maximum of 55 feet. A revision to stipulation B.3 was made following the Planning Commission meeting to provide clarity that height restrictions remain if lot numbers are changed in the future.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 11, 2025 and 32 individuals spoke, largely in opposition to the development. Stated reasons for opposition from speakers included the building height, impacts from increased truck traffic, safety of the roadway network, and safety/operations of the cold storage facility. Additional public comments received after publication of the August 11th Planning Commission meeting and before the publication date of this report are included as Attachment B.
Staff recommends approval of the application. The Planning Commission discussed general questions regarding the operations of the facility and roadway infrastructure. After discussion, the Planning Commission's motion to approve the application failed by a vote of 2-5 as presented in the meeting minutes (Attachment C), thereby requiring a 2/3 vote of the governing body (5 votes) to approve the rezoning ordinance.
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FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
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ACTION NEEDED:
1. Approve Ordinance No. 25-32 for a rezoning to the C-2 (Community Center) and M-2 (General Industrial) Districts, overriding the recommendation of the Planning Commission (5 positive votes required).
2. Deny Ordinance No. 25-32 for a rezoning to the C-2 (Community Center) and M-2 (General Industrial) Districts as recommended by the Planning Commission (4 positive votes required).
3. Return the rezoning application to the Planning Commission for further consideration with a statement specifying the basis for the Governing Body's failure to approve or disapprove (4 positive votes required).
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ATTACHMENT(S):
A. Planning Commission Packet
B. Additional Public Comments
C. Planning Commission Minutes
D. Ordinance No. 25-32