SHAWNEE, Kan. — The city of Shawnee may soon create a new land use category to allow more handmade products to be sold downtown.
On Monday night, the planning commission unanimously approved a proposal to add craft manufacturing to the city’s Townsquare and Commercial Highway Overlay districts.
The Townsquare district includes mostly commercial and mixed-use areas. The district covers most of downtown Shawnee between Bluejacket Street and King Avenue, from Shawnee Mission Parkway to around 57th Street.
City staff refer to the Commercial Highway Overlay District as the eastern gateway to Shawnee. The district lies along Shawnee Mission Parkway between Flint Street and the eastern city limit.
The proposed craft production land use would allow for the on-site production of handmade products, including food, alcohol and art. Typical uses may include businesses such as breweries, cabinet shops, pottery or jewelry studios.
For a company to qualify in the new category, products must be made on-site and sold in a storefront in the same location. The storefront must have an area of at least 150 square meters and be located on the ground floor of the building. Up to 2,500 square meters of business property can be dedicated to product manufacturing.
Downtown Shawnee is home to several established breweries and other craft breweries. According to city documents, none of the businesses have a manufacturing space larger than the proposed 2,500-square-foot limit.
Assistant Director of Community Development Lauren Grashoff said the proposed change would also limit car-centric businesses downtown.
Under the proposed amendment, auto parts stores and gas stations would not be allowed in the Townsquare district. Also, convenience stores will not be allowed in the district if the business includes gas pumps.
Auto parts stores, gas stations and convenience stores would still be allowed in the Commercial Highway Overlay District. Grashoff said neither district currently has an existing business that would be prohibited under the proposed amendments.
If the changes are approved for the two neighborhoods, any existing restaurants or new businesses that would like to offer a drive-thru option would need to obtain a special use permit (SUP) from the city.
The City Council is scheduled to review the proposed change for the new land use category on Monday, September 12. If approved by the city council, the change would take effect on September 20.