Development next to the Baker Wetlands in the Baker Wetlands in Lawrence Kansas
Issue – A tract of 177 acres of farmland along the Wakarusa River and bordering the west side of the Baker Wetlands was annexed into the city and sold to development company 3500 Iowa Development LLC, of Wichita who is asking the City of Lawrence and Douglas County to amend Plan 2040 to rezone the area from open space to allow residential and business properties along with entertainment and sports complexes (previously called the New Boston Crossing, see map). The land contains 54 acres of floodplain and 2 acres of wetlands. Three entities need to approve the amendment for it to pass: the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, the Lawrence City Commission, and the Douglas County Commission.
The Lawrence Bird Alliance (LBA), the Baker Wetlands, and several other conservation and community groups oppose development on this property because of its proximity to the Baker Wetlands and location in a floodplain. Lights and noise pollution will disrupt the wildlife that inhabit the wetlands. Building on and paving the floodplain and surrounding land will create runoff that will affect hydrology of the Wakarusa River. There are other non-floodplain areas in and around Lawrence that could support the sort of development proposed. We are concerned about the domino effect. If rezoning is allowed for one developer, what will stop rezoning as farmers sell their land? Will the entire floodplain become developed with houses and businesses?
On Oct. 22 2025 the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission voted to approve the amendment. Over 40 people showed up to the meeting to oppose this amendment, including a representative from LBA who spoke. Along with the Burroughs and Topeka Audubon Society chapters, LBA also submitted a letter opposing the amendment and development.
Now both the city and county commissions must approve the amendment at meetings most likely in Feb. 2026. This gives us time to organize opposition to the amendment and subsequent development. LBA will submit an opposition letter to both meetings, bundled with letters received from Audubon chapter leaders and members. If the city approves the rezoning, then the amendment moves to the county commission for approval. If the city denies, then the area remains as open space.
Call to action – If other organizations visit the Baker Wetlands, please write letters to let the city and county commissioners know that you come to Lawrence for the wetlands. Express why it is important to you and your members that a buffer of open space (non-developed land) remains around the wetlands. Watch for the amendment to be included in meeting agendas on the city and county websites and submit letters directly to the meetings. It will be called “Consider a comprehensive plan amendment, AMDT-25-0006, to Plan 2040, Chapter 8B; Specific Land Use Plans: Revised Southern Development Plan.”
City of Lawrence - Meeting Information - bit.ly/40sIIQK
Douglas County, KS - Meeting Information - bit.ly/4rNIEaj
Or send letters to Debbie Baker naturesphoto@hotmail.com
These will be submitted with the LBA letters. Salutation can be “Dear Commissioners” or something similar.
And come to the meetings and speak!
More information
• Save the Wakarusa River Valley is leading opposition to development with meetings and regular updates on their facebook page - facebook.com/savethewakarusarivervalley
• Visit the website - bit.ly/krc-wakarusa
• The request for amendment to Plan 2024: Agenda Item Report 25-593 - Pdf
• Letters responding to this request start on page 219 of the Oct. 22 2025 agenda packet. - bit.ly/3MKBg0e
The history of the Haskell Boarding school is an additional concern. Native children forcibly removed from their families were made to work farmland that had been converted from wetlands along the Wakarusa River. Many tried to escape back to their families through the wetlands/farmland and over the Wakarusa River, and many are believed to have died along the way. No indigenous tribes or people were consulted during the developer’s archeological assessment of the land.
Written by Debbie Baker - President, Lawrence Bird Alliance. This was originally published in the Audubon of Kansas Newsletter.