On the corner of K-10 and highway 59, a project called New Boston Crossing has been proposed. Originally, a proposed mixed use project, it has now evolved into an exclusively commercial project. The developers have also changed the name, renaming the project "Ten59". This project is directly west from the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center and will irrevocably destroy over 70 acres of Wakarusa River floodplain and 3 acres of Wakarusa wetlands. The developers, Jeff Lange and Phil Bundy from Wichita, have attempted to put commercial on this land for over 10 years, with each proposal encroaching and destroying more floodplain for pure profit. The location is directly west of the Baker Discovery Center in the Haskell-Baker wetlands, creating concerns about the environmental impact of the development and the proximity to the historical Haskell Farm where it is known that children fled the residential boarding school. Their remains could be within the floodplains in the historic Wakarusa Wetland complex.
The developer plans to do this by "fill and build", a tactic that is concerning due to it's ability to shift the burden of a floodplain onto other locations. The developer cannot provide us key ecological information regarding remediation, long term stewardship plans of the site, or any information regarding plans. Unfortunately federal and state regulations are lax and our local City has failed to stop this project despite massive public outcry.
This project is a very complex project and requires numerous steps before the developer can actually move any dirt. We are currently waiting for the City of Lawrence to review a floodplain development permit (submitted 02/10/26), waiting for the Planning Commission to review a preliminary plat and rezoning request (submitted 11/24/25), and waiting for a FEMA CLOMR (more info). There are public comment opportunities on the preliminary plat and rezoning. As soon as this date is released we will post it.
Annexation ✔
Preliminary Plat [SUBMITTED]
Permits
Local floodplain permit [PENDING]
FEMA permit to fill floodplain [PENDING]
Ground disturbance permit
Comprehensive Plan Amendment [1/3 VOTES]
Rezoning
Initial zoning effective 03/04/2024 ✔
Rezoning request for new plat [SUBMITTED]
Breaking Ground
While the table above is a general idea, there is a lot more nuance to the many steps. While this information isn't necessary to understand the project, it might be interesting.
Almost all of the steps are independent yet can be factors into another step. For example, while a Comprehensive Plan denial from any Commission cannot stop the project, approval of a comprehensive plan amendment is a component of the rezoning process.
Rezoning: Arguably the most important part of this process. Securing zoning gives the developer certain land right entitlements. These entitlements mean that the developer can generally use the property to his or her best interest granted they get all permits required approved by the municipality. Securing the right type of land zoning allows the developer to alter their preliminary plat within reason, as zoning dictates the plat. A plat cannot dictate the zoning. Zoning does not expire. Zoning hearings require a review of conformance with the Golden Factors below, but Kansas law doesn't not require the Golden Factors to be the exclusive reason a commission may approve or disapprove a rezoning request.
Golden Factors (and developer answers in crimson)
Character of neighborhood
Zoning and nearby uses land use
Suitability of property for restricted use
Detriment to nearby property
Length of time vacant
Public gain vs hardship
Recommendation by professional staff
Conformance with Comprehensive Plan
If the Planning Commission recommends the rezoning, the City Commission can approve it by simple majority (3-2) or deny it by super-majority (4-1). If the Planning Commission recommends no action or a denial of the rezoning, the City can approve the rezoning by a super-majority or can deny the rezoning by a simple majority.
Preliminary Plat: Must conform with zoning, as this is a legal agreement between the City and the developer for what the site will look like with minor alternations. If the developer fails to get the rezoning required, the current plat submitted will be useless until they get the rezoning approved. This does not stop the developer from submitted another plat or re-submitting another rezoning request. This kills this specific project but not a project overall. The Planning Commission can put reasonable restrictions on the plat. Once the preliminary plat is approved it goes to the City Commission as a final plat. The City Commission is responsible for dedicating right of ways, so once the preliminary plat gets approved by the Planning Commission, it cannot be drastically altered by the City Commission. Preliminary Plats expire after 2 years.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment: A Comprehensive Plan is arguably not a binding legal action and is more a philosophical understanding of how and where the City wants to grow. It's not a question of "can we" but a question of "should we". The developer's past and current projects are not in conformance with the current Comprehensive Plan, Plan 2040, because they are building significantly into the floodplain. While an approval or denial of this Comprehensive Plan amendment does not have a direct kill switch effect on the project, a project's conformance with the Comprehensive Plan is one of the Golden Factors considered for rezoning. This is also the only item that will come up before the Planning, City, and County Commission. The amendment requires unanimous voting amongst all Commissions, one Commission can kill the amendment. This happened in 2024 when the County Commission voted against the Comprehensive Plan put forth by the developer of New Boston Crossing. Unfortunately, this did not stop the City Commission from rezoning the property a day later.