Commission approves Moonlight Market alcohol permit, takes first steps on code edits and duplex special-use permits

The Leavenworth City Commission voted June 23 to approve a resolution permitting the possession and consumption of alcohol within a designated street-closure area for the Lev***enworth Main Street Moonlight Market on July 25, as allowed under Kansas law. The motion to adopt Resolution B2424 was moved and seconded and carried on the commission vote after the chief of police reviewed and approved the required street closure.

On land-use matters, city staff presented first consideration of text amendments to the development regulations. The amendments are a mix of housekeeping corrections and substantive changes: clarifying code cross-references, permitting shipping containers as accessory storage in industrial districts, defining planting requirements for a 20-foot buffer, changing sign rules to allow duplicate business identification on windows and walls (and to exclude awning signs from the per-facade sign count), revising electronic-message-center proximity rules when an intervening building exists, and adding a definition for "heavy vehicle equipment sales, rental and service." Staff said the Planning Commission reviewed the draft twice (May 4 and June 1) and recommended approval; the ordinance returns for second consideration July 14.

Finally, staff presented two first-consideration special-use permits for duplex conversions at properties on Sherman Avenue (1119/1121 and 1125/1127). Staff said the properties were originally built as duplexes, the Planning Commission recommended approval, and commissioners indicated consensus to approve the requests; the commission discussed the possibility of adjusting zoning in the future to allow similar duplex uses by right.

What’s next: Resolution B2424 was adopted and the special-event permit will proceed to the state as required. The ordinance amendments will return July 14 for second consideration; the Sherman Avenue SUPs will be finalized according to the city's ordinance schedule.