ORDINANCE NUMBER 26-11284
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 8526, CODIFIED AS CHAPTER 42 OF THE SALINA CODE, AND THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF SALINA, KANSAS BY REZONING AND PRESCRIBING THE PROPER USES OF CERTAIN PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Governing Body of the City of Salina, Kansas:
Section 1. Application. Matthew Murphy with Treanor Design, on behalf of Salina Regional Health Center Inc., has filed Application #ZMA26-003 requesting a Zoning Map Amendment from C-3 (Shopping Center) and R-3 (Multiple-Family Residential) zoning districts to the C-4 (Central Business) zoning district in relation to the following described tract of real estate:
Lot 174, Lot 176, Lot 178, Lot 186, and Lot 188 all on Fourth Street in the Original Town (now City) of Salina, Saline County, Kansas. (the “Property”)
Section 2. Findings. In relation to the Property, the Governing Body makes the following findings:
- The 30,000 sq. ft. request area is not suitable for unified development under its existing split R-3 and C-3 zoning. Multiple existing zoning districts across the 2.38-acre overall zoning lot create regulatory barriers that inhibit the construction of a modern, 32,856 sq. ft. medical clinic. Rezoning the parcels to C-4 resolves this split-zoning constraint and does not create an isolated district, as the adjacent properties are already zoned C-4.
- The proposed rezoning to C-4 (Central Business) is compatible with the commercial and institutional character of the surrounding area. The historical residential dwellings on these lots have been demolished, and the block has transitioned to a uniformly commercial and institutional character, bordered by a hotel parking lot, a bank, a water treatment plant, and the Salina Regional Health Center administration building.
- The proposed rezoning will not adversely affect the neighborhood or harm the living conditions of adjacent properties. Developing the vacant lots into a professional medical clinic will transition the property from a vacant state and reinforce the commercial and institutional character of the adjacent properties.
- Adequate public facilities and services are in place to support the C-4 zoning. The site is currently served by a 12-inch water line in 4th Street, a 16-inch water line in 5th Street, a 15-inch sanitary sewer in the alley, and a 66-inch storm sewer pipe in South Street. The applicant will relocate existing overhead electric utilities and upgrade the sanitary sewer to support the new development without overtaxing public utilities.
- The proposed rezoning will not create traffic congestion or safety hazards. The overall zoning lot possesses significant street frontage (425 ft. on 5th Street, 400 ft. on 4th Street, and 250 ft. on South Street), and the applicant is voluntarily providing 114 off-street parking spaces to limit the demand placed on adjacent on-street parking resources and public lots.
- The requested C-4 zoning is in conformance with the Salina Comprehensive Plan, which designates this site as "Downtown" on the Future Land Use Map. The C-4 district serves as an implementation tool for this category, and the proposed project meets the plan's development criteria by introducing a larger institutional/office facility in a multi-story building that maintains downtown density.
- Approving the requested C-4 zoning will not harm the public welfare. The relative gain to the public in approving the map amendment is the resolution of an obsolete split-zoning constraint, the prevention of vacant lots in the downtown area, and the provision of upgraded utility infrastructure to support the community's healthcare needs.
- The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the application for rezoning the Property on May 5, 2026, after which the Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that the Zoning Map of the City of Salina be amended to change the zoning classification of Lot 174, Lot 176, Lot 178, on Fourth Street in the Original Town (now City) of Salina from R-3 (Multiple-Family Residential) to the C-4 (Central Business) district and Lot 186, and Lot 188 on Fourth Street in the Original Town (now City) of Salina from C-3 (Shopping Center) to the C-4 (Central Business) district.
Section 3. Amendment. DISTRICT “C-4” CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. The Zoning District Map of the City of Salina, Kansas shall be amended to rezone the Property as part of DISTRICT “C-4” Central Business District.
Section 4. Repealer. All prior ordinances relating to the Property are repealed to the extent they are in conflict with this ordinance.
Section 5. Publication. The City Clerk shall cause this ordinance, as soon as practicable after it has been passed and signed, to be published on the City’s website as the designated official city newspaper.
Section 6. Effective date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and publication once by summary in the official city newspaper.
Passed: June 1, 2026
Signed: June 1, 2026
Michael L. Hoppock, Mayor
ATTEST:
Nikki Goding, City Clerk