2010 Conference Sessions

Downtown Planning In Topeka

Presenters:
Thomas Dow, AICP, State Transportation Planner, KDOT
David Thurbon, AICP, Planning Director, City of Topeka, Kansas
Jim Tobaben, Assistant Vice President, Parsons Brinckerhoff

This session will focus on at least three plans to help revitalize downtown Topeka: the Kansas Riverfront Master Plan, Kansas Avenue Initiative, and the Polk-Quincy Viaduct Study. These plans have been initiated by the City of Topeka or by other agencies/firms.

Neighborhood Preservation through Zoning Overlays- Tools and Techniques

Presenters:
Eric Cattell, AICP, Assistant Director for Planning, City of Manhattan, Kansas
Cam Moeller, AICP, Planner II– Long Range, City of Manhattan, Kansas

The City of Manhattan will report on the process it undertook to a comprehensive study of traditional neighborhoods close to Kansas State University to address issues involving student housing and preservation of older neighborhoods. The outcome was the creation of a zoning strategy including development of overlay districts with design guidelines.

U.S. 56 Corridor Management Plan and I-435/Village West Area Study

Presenters:
Jamie Gilbert, George Butler Associates
David Gurss, Transportation and Land Use Coordinator, KDOT
Jeff McKerrow, Senior Associate, TranSystems

KDOT and their project consultants will discuss the purpose, process, content and implementation of the US-56 Corridor Management Plan and the I-435/Village West Area regional traffic study. KDOT, three cities, two counties and two MPO's partnered to develop the US-56 Corridor Management Plan for a 22-mile stretch of US-56. KDOT and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County partnered to develop the I-435/Village West Area study.

School and Communities: School Facilities and Housing Choice

Presenters:
Huston John Gibson, Asst. Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning Kansas State University
Chris Gralapp, Manager of Planning, Olathe Unified School District #233

The purpose of this session is to discuss the relationship between school facility age and housing choice. The talk will provide evidence that housing prices are associated with built and effective school facility age. The implications are geared towards the value of school facility construction and renovation investment as part of community development and smart growth initiatives.

What Your Planning Professor Didn't Teach You: Refreshing Essential Skills

Presenters:
Jason Beske, AICP, Senior Planner, City of Overland Park, Kansas
Sara Copeland, AICP, City Planner, City of Grandview, Missouri
Dennis Enslinger, AICP, Assistant City Administrator, City of Prairie Village, Kansas
Doug Johnson, Manager of GIS and Support Services, City of Overland Park, Kansas

The planning profession continues to evolve-has your skill set evolved, too? This session will address skill sets for planners in the 21st century – urban design, planning and public participation, management, GIS, and related technology. Refresh your skills and learn where the profession is headed next.

Embracing Sustainability in Community Plans

Presenter:
Ben Herman, FAICP, Vice President/Principal, Clarion Associates

While much deserved attention has been placed on sustainable community plans in large cities across the country, there has been less emphasis on what smaller communities are doing to incorporate sustainability principles in their plans. This session will focus on efforts to integrate sustainable principles into community plans, and outline concrete actions you can take to give your plans a greater focus on sustainability.

Composite Zoning Approach to Better Design and Land Use Decisions

Presenters:
Mark White, AICP, White and Smith, LLC

Composite zoning allows the application of a variety of building design, site design, and other standards to development proposals. It is a flexible tool that applies innovative form-based, community-design, and impact standards to development proposals through zoning regulations. Learn how Topeka, Prince George's County (Maryland) and Leander (Texas) have developed composite zoning regulations, and how they are working.

Making Transit Happen in Manhattan

Presenters:
Ted Rieck, AICP, Senior Transit Planner, HDR Engineering
Anne Smith, Director, Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency

This session will provide an overview of the planning and implementation steps being pursued in Manhattan to start a new transit service. Recent efforts by the City of Manhattan, Kansas State University, KDOT, and the Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency to plan and implement a new transit system will be presented. Community stakeholders are exploring ways to put together a
new city-wide system using existing funding sources while not seeking new taxes or fees.

How Does the Zoning Wind Blow in Kansas, as it Pertains to Wind Farms?

Presenter:
William Frost, City of Manhattan City Attorney, Morrison, Frost, Olsen, Irvine, Jackson, & Schartz

"How does the zoning wind blow in Kansas, as it pertains to wind farms?": a discussion of Zimmerman, et.al. v. Board of Wabaunsee County Commissioners. William L. Frost represented Wabaunsee County in this case, both in the District Court and in the Supreme Court. He will discuss the Supreme Court's ruling in Zimmerman and how it affects local zoning bodies.