Carrie Rengers

Have You Heard

Planning commission votes on parking lot following impassioned debate from residents

This is an aerial view, including a walking path and circular bench, of the parking lot the Happiness Plaza owners want to build after demolishing houses near the development.
This is an aerial view, including a walking path and circular bench, of the parking lot the Happiness Plaza owners want to build after demolishing houses near the development. Courtesy illustration

The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission on Thursday voted 8-2 in favor of a motion to allow a new parking lot at Happiness Plaza.

That followed hours of passionate testimony from College Hill and other Wichita residents who invoked the Bible, Joni Mitchell and a nosy camel among other things to make their cases in support and opposition of the lot.

Chairman Bill Johnson called the parking lot issue “one of the toughest cases” he’s seen in more than two decades.

Even a number of people opposing the parking lot were complimentary of the developers and their Belmont restaurant and Frost bakery — particularly for its cookies.

The motion stipulated the lot would not be used for a farmers market as the developers had once planned.

The issue next goes to the Wichita City Council for a vote, most likely on Nov. 9.

This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 5:01 PM.

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Carrie Rengers
The Wichita Eagle
316-268-6340
Carrie Rengers has been a reporter for more than three decades, including more than 20 years at The Wichita Eagle. If you have a tip, please e-mail or tweet her or call 316-268-6340.
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