Commissioners OK changes for housing

3/1/2013

By DAWNE LEIKER

dleiker@dailynews.net

A new 30-lot housing development was given the green light by Hays city commissioners when they approved a request for rezoning, final plat and annexation of DK Ranch at Thursday's commission meeting.

The proposed development, located near the intersection of West 27th Street and U.S. Highway 183 Alternate, is owned by David Krien, trustee of the Lester and Gladys Confer Trust. Commissioners approved its rezoning from agricultural to single-family residential.

Adjacent properties to the east and north of the development are zoned residential. A small area to the west of the development will remain agricultural.

City of Hays Planning, Inspection and Enforcement Superintendent Jesse Rohr said city staff has reviewed the development "intensely" during the last seven to eight months.

"(We've) looked at everything, not only the utilities on this particular development, but the impact on adjacent developments or adjacent future developments to the north and to the east," he said. "Especially in regard to water and sanitary sewer, utilities, storm water management, traffic flow, and overall, the future of the surrounding areas."

Although the new development lies outside the 100-year flood plain, the area west of the development, which will remain agricultural, is in the 100-year flood plain.

Commissioner Kent Steward questioned Rohr and Public Works Director I.D. Creech regarding background material on the development.

"I know some of the neighbors had some concerns, and one of the things that was mentioned was that when it rains, there are some problems with run-off," Steward said. "We'll be putting in a storm sewer system, isn't that correct?

"I was just thinking that would probably be better, not worse, as a result of this development."

City staff, Creech answered Steward, has worked to address the issue of run-off, and required the developer to come up with a zero-run-off situation.

"The idea is to make sure that we don't cause further harm to anyone with this development," Creech said.

In other business, commissioners:

* Viewed a presentation of the redeveloped Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

* Awarded bids for the painting of two water and one wastewater clarifier basins in the amount of $121,740.

* Approved resolutions abating vehicles at 3406 Summer Lane and 1102 E. 17th.

* Accepted a bid of $20,250 from America-Kart for the purchase of 350 additional polycarts for the solid waste division. Current polycarts have been in use since 2008. Due to damage, some need to be replaced.