Urban Planning Board
Week of April 10, 2026
Board advances east-area growth vision land use amendment in split vote
Board member blasts east-area vision as "codifying urban sprawl"
City highlights fiscal realities of future annexation
Planners seek to resolve "incompatible land uses" in unincorporated east area
U.S. Route 24 expansion central to eastward growth plan
City targets 700 acres south of U.S. Route 24 to address industrial land shortage
Regional retention pond and park proposed for flood-prone highway corridor
Planners propose transforming commercial triangle into downtown-style extension
Planning board pushes city commission to explore accessory dwelling units
Board advances east-area growth vision land use amendment in split vote
MANHATTAN, Kan. — In a 5-1 vote, the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board initiated a comprehensive plan amendment Monday to update the future land use map for an unincorporated area east of the city, aligning it with the East Manhattan Gateway Plan. The multi-generational framework designates future residential, commercial and industrial zones for vast tracts of land east of Manhattan. Proponents argued the framework is necessary to systematically guide the city's inevitable eastward growth, but the proposal faced pushback for lacking mixed-use integration and relying too heavily on vehicular infrastructure.
Board member blasts east-area vision as "codifying urban sprawl"
MANHATTAN, Kan. — A board member delivered a sharp critique of the East Manhattan Gateway Plan on Monday, casting the sole dissenting vote against its initiation. The board member argued the plan promotes low-density sprawl, segregates land uses and threatens to further degrade the city's tax base by requiring extensive infrastructure investments with low financial returns. The board member urged the city to incorporate more centralized, walkable nodes rather than defaulting to traditional strip centers and a six-lane highway expansion.
City highlights fiscal realities of future annexation
MANHATTAN, Kan. — While city officials stressed Monday that the East Manhattan Gateway Plan is not an annexation plan, they acknowledged the looming financial implications of eventually absorbing the unincorporated area east of the city. A recent fiscal impact study found that annexing existing residential developments alone would operate at a loss for the city. Consequently, any future annexation would require absorbing the corridor's lucrative commercial and industrial lands simultaneously to offset the heavy municipal costs of providing fire, police and utility services.
Planners seek to resolve "incompatible land uses" in unincorporated east area
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Decades of uncoordinated growth in an unincorporated area east of the city have resulted in residential subdivisions abutting intensive agricultural and industrial operations, an issue the city aims to address with its updated future land use map. Planning director Stephanie Peterson noted that out-of-state consultants were stunned by the volume of local complaints regarding flies — allegedly a byproduct of nearby agricultural operations near homes and retail. The new mapping attempts to clearly delineate residential, commercial and industrial boundaries to prevent future land-use conflicts.
U.S. Route 24 expansion central to eastward growth plan
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Transportation upgrades form the backbone of the newly advanced East Manhattan Gateway Plan, with conceptual plans showing a widened, six-lane U.S. Route 24 to handle future commuter and freight traffic. The vision also introduces grade-separated interchanges over the highway and nearby rail lines to safely route heavy trucks into the proposed southern industrial park. The Kansas Department of Transportation is conducting a parallel corridor study to determine the engineering feasibility of the proposals by the end of the year.
City targets 700 acres south of U.S. Route 24 to address industrial land shortage
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Driven by a depleted supply of industrial land within city limits, planners highlighted a proposed 700-acre industrial park south of U.S. Route 24 as a cornerstone of the East Manhattan Gateway Plan. Planning director Stephanie Peterson noted that Manhattan's existing business parks have only a few lots left, stunting job growth and economic diversification. Conceptual renderings for the new park include freight-friendly street networks and a potential rail spur to attract manufacturing and warehousing operations.
Regional retention pond and park proposed for flood-prone highway corridor
MANHATTAN, Kan. — To mitigate persistent drainage issues and expedite future commercial development, the East Manhattan Gateway Plan outlines a massive regional stormwater retention facility south of U.S. Route 24. Planners designated areas requiring more than six feet of dirt fill to overcome floodplain restrictions as permanent open space, transforming them into a regional borrow pit for stormwater overflow. An adjacent regional sports park, similar in scale to a large regional park, was also conceptualized to meet service demands from residents in the unincorporated east area.
Planners propose transforming commercial triangle into downtown-style extension
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Planners presented conceptual designs Monday to redevelop the McCall Triangle into a walkable, mixed-use district over the next several decades. The vision calls for eliminating frontage roads along Tuttle Creek Boulevard, turning buildings inward and transforming the southern tip near McCall Road into a "core commercial" zone featuring ground-floor retail and upper-level housing. The redesign aims to reduce traffic conflicts and create an environment reminiscent of downtown Manhattan.
Planning board pushes city commission to explore accessory dwelling units
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The board voted unanimously to send a letter urging the Manhattan City Commission to develop regulations for accessory dwelling units. A board member, who drafted the letter, argued that permitting ADUs would provide diverse housing options and efficient land use without disrupting existing neighborhood character. Board members expressed frustration with stalled progress on housing density, with one member noting a pending state bill could potentially mandate ADU allowances by right.
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
