City commissioners look into developing land in south Lawrence
Lawrence - Back in 1999, the land near Inverness and Crossgate in south Lawrence began to develop. Since then there have been multiple discussions on what to do with the land that has remained vacant over the years. In July 2011, the city approved the Inverness District Plan; its purpose was to act as the city’s official land use guide for future development. In December, the Remington Square Apartment Complex that sits nearby asked permission to add over 130 apartments to the vacant land. The city denied its request.
“The proposal that city commissioners will look into designate it for nonresidential uses,” says Scott McCullough with Planning and Development Services. “Commercial office is the designation it would receive, and that would open the door to medical offices, religious institutions commercial service type uses but not residential type uses.”
City officials say residents that live in the area don’t want to see anymore apartments go up around that part of town. They also tell us that the plan all along has been for the land to be zoned as a mixed use piece of property, meaning it will open up different opportunities for future businesses.
The owner of the property tells the city he wants the land to be used for developments that will be compatible with the area.