HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council will take action on a request from Interfaith Housing to rezone a parcel of land located near the Dillons Marketplace along East 34th Avenue and Jewell Street. The plan is to build 12 duplexes in the area.
The plan to build housing for the elderly and disabled is being met with opposition from some in the area. Many feel that the new high-density housing will add to the traffic problems already seen in the area. Most of the streets in the area are underdeveloped without curb and gutter, according to residents.
Others in the neighborhood feel that their access to and from the area is already too limited and any type of emergency, such as a wildfire, would be further hampered if the addition was put in.
Planning Director Amy Allison reported to the planning commission that, with the homes being designated for the elderly and disabled, the amount of traffic in the area would not increase, noting that studies show that such development produces little, if any, extra traffic.
She also noted that the fire department reviewed the concerns about access to the neighborhood in emergency instances and found that the street system would still support access and would not significantly increase congestion in the case of evacuation.
The matter will go before the City Council during Tuesday's meeting starting at 9 a.m. at the City Council chambers.