ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez annexing land to the City of Topeka, Kansas, in accordance with K.S.A 12-520, located at SW 37th Street and Gage Boulevard. (A26/02) (Council District No. 7)

Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body.

(Approval will annex 19.35 acres of land to the City of Topeka for a church and land intended for speculative development.)

Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body.

Whether to approve the annexation of a 19.35 acre tract of land located at SW 37th and Gage Boulevard.

Staff recommends the Governing Body move the adopt the ordinance approving annexation. 

Saint Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church have submitted a subdivision plat and site plan to the City for construction of a church and related uses to occupy the south third of the subject property.  The church needs to connect to the City's water system and sanitary sewer, and City of Topeka utility regulations require annexation for that connection. 

Part of the church site extends to the west to include property already in the city limits.  The northern two thirds of the property is owned by 37th and Gage LLC and the owner is considering future development options, but is interested in making it ready for development when the opportunity arises.  The owners have consented to annexation.  Unilateral annexations of this type, one in which the property owner has consented to the annexation and the property is contiguous to the City, requires City of Topeka Governing Body approval.

Land Use and Growth Management Plan 2040

The property lies within Tier 2 of the Urban Growth Area (see Map 1) and is surrounded by the city limits on three or more sides. Annexation will allow for construction of the church and facilitate future development.  Although there is no development imminent for the north two thirds of the property, annexation is necessary for connection to City utilities and annexation will provide for more efficient service delivery since the property already abuts the city limits on three sides. The LUGMP establishes policies for development in Tier 2 and states developing within Tier 2 will make the City more compact.

The subject property is designated as Residential and Mixed-Use Node by the Topeka Future Land Use Map (see Map 3). The proposed uses align with the Future Land Use Map identified in the Land Use and Growth Management Plan 2040.  At their August 17, 2026 meeting the Planning Commission found annexation to be consistent with the Land Use and Growth Management Plan.  

Street Network

Access to the site is currently available from SW Gage Blvd. There are not any new streets added to the existing street network.  As the property owned by 37th and Gage LLC is developed, staff anticipates the need for a public street to extend from Gage to the west.  

Services: There are no additional costs to serve the proposed annexation for Fire, Police, and Forestry. The following information is based on that part of the property to be occupied by the church, since there are no immediate plans for the balance of the property. 

Streets: Estimated annualized cost is $1,674.

Water: Estimated annualized cost is $0. The project is expected to generate an annualized revenue of $1,560 over the life cycle of the asset.

Stormwater: Estimated annualized cost is $153. The project is expected to generate an annualized revenue of $4,756 over the life cycle of the asset.

Sewer: Estimated annualized cost is $65. The project is expected to generate an annualized revenue of $1,616 over the life cycle of the asset.  

Not Applicable