Focus Area: Economy, Community Development
Staff Contact: Kim Hollingsworth, Planning and Development Manager
Subject: CPA24-0001: Elevate Olathe Comprehensive Plan
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Consideration of Ordinance No. 26-14 adopting the revised City of Olathe Comprehensive Plan, Elevate Olathe (CPA24-0001). Planning Commission recommends approval 9 to 0.
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Summary:
The Comprehensive Plan, Elevate Olathe, reflects the needs and vision of the community, which was gathered through extensive stakeholder engagement throughout the update process that began in June 2024. Upon adoption, Elevate Olathe will replace the current Comprehensive Plan, PlanOlathe, which was adopted by the City Council on October 5, 2010 (Ordinance No.10-60). PlanOlathe guided the City to many successes, including: major infrastructure improvements, development of community facilities, and the creation of numerous land use plans and corridor studies. Consideration of the Ordinance to adopt the plan represents the final step in the Comprehensive Plan update process.
The Comprehensive Plan update spanned seven phases: 1. Data Collection; 2. Public Engagement; 3. Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment; 4. Community Visioning; 5. Subarea Framework Plans; 6. Drafting the Plan; and 7. Adoption. Over the course of the project, the 14-member Elevate Olathe Steering Committee provided critical guidance and feedback in developing the plan framework and draft documents.
Elevate Olathe was shaped by extensive community input with more than 4,000 participants contributing feedback throughout the update process during public events, workshops, open houses, stakeholder meetings, interviews, and other engagement opportunities. Elevate Olathe transforms this feedback into goals, strategies, and actionable tasks for the City and organizational partners to bring this plan to fruition over the next 15 years. The four key themes of Livability, Mobility, Resiliency, and Identity, are woven throughout the plan, reflecting community values that guide efforts to achieve the plan.
Central to the Elevate Olathe Comprehensive Plan are themed chapters focusing on Land Use and Development, Housing and Neighborhoods, Economic Development, Transportation and Mobility, Community Facilities, Parks and Infrastructure, and Natural Environment. Within Land Use and Development, the Future Land Use Map sets forth the desired development pattern for the City. The land-use categories work cohesively to provide the framework for the Future Land Use Map, along with a new Development Matrix that delineates preferred and complementary uses. A minor adjustment was made to the Development Matrix (Page 37 of the Comprehensive Plan) since the Planning Commission meeting to clarify land use descriptions, which are reflected in the attached draft plan.
The Implementation Matrix is the final element of the Comprehensive Plan and establishes the “next steps” to be taken after the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan. It includes recommendations and tangible actions to move the plan forward, ongoing community planning and investment opportunities, and strategies to ensure the Plan remains responsive to community needs and aspirations.
On March 23, 2026, the Planning Commission held a public hearing for the Comprehensive Plan update. The Planning Commissioners offered statements of support and appreciation for community feedback and involvement, and no individuals spoke during the hearing. The Planning Commission voted 9 to 0 to recommend approval of CPA24-0001 to adopt the Elevate Olathe Comprehensive Plan.
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Financial Impact:
None
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Action Needed:
1. Approve Ordinance No. 26-14 adopting the revised City of Olathe Comprehensive Plan, as recommended by the Planning Commission (4 positive votes required).
2. Return this item to the Planning Commission for further consideration with a statement specifying the basis for the Governing Body’s failure to approve the adoption of the revised City of Olathe Comprehensive Plan (majority vote of the Councilmembers present required).
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Attachment(s):
A. Ordinance No. 26-14
B. Planning Commission Staff Report
C. Planning Commission Minutes
D. Planning Commission Resolution
E. Draft Elevate Olathe Comprehensive Plan