Planning group out of compliance

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jul 11, 2008 by Tim Hrenchir

By Tim Hrenchir

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The Topeka Planning Commission is out of compliance with a state law that requires at least two of its members to live in the three- mile area just outside the city limits, says city planning director David Thurbon.

Thurbon said Thursday that until the commission is back in compliance, interim city attorney Braxton Copley has asked it not to take up any zoning matters regarding the three-mile area.

Planning commissioners consequently will consider only matters involving property within city limits when they meet July 21, Thurbon said.

Members serve without pay on the nine-person planning commission, which examines zoning matters in the city and the three-mile radius outside its limits and makes recommendations to the city council.

Candidates for the commission are nominated by individual council members and appointed by the mayor, with the appointments then being approved by the council.

City records show the terms of planning commissioners Kimberly Scott and Fred Sanders expired June 30.

Scott lives in Topeka, while Sanders was one of two commissioners living in the three-mile area outside city limits. The other is Mark Boyd, Thurbon said.

Mayor Bill Bunten said he reappointed Scott on Thursday. The council has to approve reappointments.

Councilmen Brett Blackburn and Jack Woelfel have nominated Sanders for reappointment, but Bunten said he had asked the council to give him other options.

Sanders is the only person to have been nominated for the position he formerly held.

Thurbon said Copley indicated that while the planning commission includes only one resident of the three-mile radius outside the city limits, it is legally entitled to consider matters involving property within the city limits but shouldn't take up any matters regarding property in the three-mile radius.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached

at (785) 295-1184

or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com.