Disagreement divides developers and residents
10:47 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2007
To build, not to build...or just what to build.
That's the question surrounding the land where the Hillside community church used to stand, near 34th and Fairlawn. The church burned down more than a year ago, and now the land is getting some serious attention from developers and residents. After several developers bid for the land, it was the Brainstorm Development group that won out. The company has plans to build a gated senior living community along with some retail stores on the land. But a misunderstanding of just what type of retail stores are going into the area is causing some heat between residents and the developer.
"We were one of five developers in town that put a bid to the church and ours was accepted," said Brainstorm Development president Gene Jani.
It used to be the home of the Hillside Community Church, but since the church burned down, the land has been prime real estate for Topeka developers.
But the winner of that land says getting those plans underway has been anything but easy.
"We have already made major concessions," said Jani.
Plans for a senior living community and retail shop,s including a barber shop and deli, have been approved by the Planning Commission.
"C-1 is the commercial. It is the lightest commercial retail space you can put out there," said Jani.
But resistance from residents and the school district could mean trouble.
"We'd love some office buildings like that down here. It flows around the corner to Summerfield and Clarion," said resident John Ulmer.
Neighbors and school officials say they're concerned that establishments like bars or liquor stores would be let into the retail space, which sits across the street from French Middle School.
"It can be a distraction to students," said 501 District Attorney Joseph Zima.
"It's not going to be something we can have in our neighborhood," said Ulmer.
But the developer, Gene Jani, says the plans clearly state those stores will not be allowed.
"No convenience stores, no tobacco, no liquor stores, it states it on the plat and it was there a month ago," said Jani.
But as neighbors lobby to change the plans, and the development company works to accommodate the requests, it going to be up to the City Council to decide just what the future holds for 34th and Fairlawn.
"They have to have seven of nine votes to approve this plan," said Ulmer.
Neighbors were handing a flyer out to parents at French Middle School Wednesday, protesting the development plans.
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