The Wichita City Council voted Tuesday to deny a rezoning for a proposed medical facility in east Wichita. The project would have required the removal of more than a dozen homes from a one block area.
The project was proposed for a one block area just south of Elm, between Chautauqua and Lorraine. The project would have involved the demolition of 15 homes for the construction of a new 22,680 square-foot building with parking. The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission had recommended approval with steps to reduce negative impacts to residential properties to the north and west.
The District One Advisory Board recommended denial of the rezoning, and Council member Brandon Johnson said while it was felt that there was a need for a specialized medical facility, it should not be at the cost of 15 homes, especially when the city is facing a shortage of housing. He moved to deny the rezoning and the motion was approved unanimously.
