A contentious Westside development, expanded schools, and upcoming budget meetings.
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TWO REMAINING PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS. Make your voice heard! The city will host three meetings open to public questions, comments, and opinions. This is one of the most valuable ways residents can affect city policy and spend. Come prepared to engage with your councilmembers. Below are the times and locations for these meeting:
- Meeting two: Monday, February 24th | 6:00 – 8:30 pm
- Auditorium at Woodneath Library Center – 8900 NE Flintlock Rd
- Meeting three: Saturday, March 1st | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm
- Goppert Performing Arts Center at Avila University – 11901 Wornall Rd
- Language Access Available
Neighborhoods in this week’s coverage:
- Town Fork Creek
- Broadway Gillham
- Marlborough East
- Westside
- Little Blue
City Planning Commission
Wednesday, December 4th at 9am
The City Planning Commission (CPC) was attended this week by Chairperson Coby Crowl, Commissioner Tyler Enders, Commissioner Matt Hasek, Commissioner Betsy Lynch, Commissioner Luis Padilla , and Commissioner Forestine Beasley.
CD-CPC-2024-00183 approved a plan for phase one of the Swope Health Village Campus project, located at 5908 Swope Pkwy, within the South Town Fork Creek. The entirety of the Swope Health Village Campus plan was approved by the CPC in August of 2024, and covered in a previous edition of This Week at City Hall. This case allows for construction of phase one, which includes two group living facilities.
CD-CPC-2025-00002 approved the project plan for Citizens of the World Charter School, located at 3435 Broadway Blvd, within the Broadway Gillham neighborhood. This plan is for the expansion of an already existing school, adding classrooms in a style complimentary to the school original design.
Both of the previous cases were placed on the CPC’s consent agenda, and were therefore recommended for approval with little discussion.
CD-CPC-2024-00041 rezoned 3808 E 78th St, within the Marlborough East neighborhood, from Residential and Manufacturing to Master Plan Development (MPD), which would allow the landowner to avoid the zoning violations the site recently incurred. The plan would give the owner the ability to continue operating the landfill under the proper zoning designation (Master Plan Development).
City staff planner Ahnna Nanoski presented this case with the applicant’s attorney Phil Klawuhn and David Hoelzel. Nanoski outlined the extended history associated with this site, which has attempted several methods to avoid their zoning violations. Given that the property owner didn’t meet the criteria city staff gave them at their last meeting (December 18th, 2024), the staff recommended denial of the case.
Klawuhn believed that the use of this property fell under the definition of “limited recycling center” rather than “demolition debris landfill”, which would relieve some of the limitations put on Klawuhn and the applicant. This site crushes rock and debris and prepares it to be used for future construction projects.
During public testimony, Diane Hershberger, executive director of the Marlborough Community Coalition testified, stating her concerns with enforcement after the site was approved. Hershberger worried that the city would not have the capacity to monitor this site.
Because the applicant’s had failed to submit a revised plan in enough time for city staff to review it, the commission continued the case to April 2nd, 2025.
CD-SUP-2024-00054 approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a sixplex to be located at 1639 Summit St, within the Westside neighborhood. City staff planner Ahnna Nonoski presented this case with the architect/applicant Grace Broeder and developer Graham Zusi.
Nanoski presented the specifics of this case, including how the proposed site fits into the context of the Westside neighborhood, using metrics such as roof slope, building material, and architectural style. Additionally, this building was reviewed as a “multi-unit home” rather than an apartment building due to the singular entrance. Having only one front entrance means the building more closely resembles an attached home than a full apartment building. This difference was especially important during public testimony. According to Broeder’s presentation, the applicant’s held a public meeting on February 2nd, 2025.
During public testimony, many neighbors spoke for and against the proposed development. The neighbors who supported the project stated how Graham (project developer) was a passionate member of the Westside community, not “an outsider coming in”. Those supporting the building also demonstrated how this building type fit into the neighborhood, and stated the necessity of denser housing. Eleven residents testified in support of the project, many of whom submitted letters of support available on CompassKC.
Sixteen people also testified against the project, including a representative from the KC Neighborhood Advisory Council, an attorney representing a nearby home, and other neighbors. One neighbor claimed that adding this building would “accelerate gentrification” despite the increased density it would bring to the neighborhood. Residents also claimed that city staff were ignoring the infill development standards, claiming the building should be considered an apartment rather than a “multi-unit home”.
After public testimony, Chair Crowl gave the architect an opportunity to address the neighbors’ concerns. According to Broeder, the team has spoken with their council people from the fourth district about repairing the alleyway that the building will use to access parking. Broeder also detailed the improved sewer system, which would actually improve drainage when compared to the existing vacant lot.
Commissioner Enders made a statement, saying “I’m disappointed to hear that amount of opposition to this project. Everyone absolutely has the right to say ‘I want my neighborhood to look one way’, but we heard way too many people saying that this wasn’t allowed by code. Respectfully, most of those opinions were coming from laypeople, which tells me it was informed by groups that have a higher responsibility with the words they use”. He went on to say, “I’m disappointed to hear what KC NAC (Neighborhood Advisory Council) said, and the way they’ve equipped people with misinformation”.
Commissioner Hasek echoed Enders’ statement, saying “With a lot of the opposition’s comments, I can’t help but think of my building. I live in a building that is not much different from this one, except that mine has been here for 100 years. Almost every argument I heard could be applied to my building, yet we exist, and we are welcomed in the neighborhood”.
Commissioner Arkin agreed with his fellow commissioner, saying “While I still see some minor kinks, I’m in support of the project. Some residents said that this wouldn’t be affordable, but the mortgages in this area would easily double the rent. For someone my age or younger that wants to be in a neighborhood like this, they have no opportunity to be there. When I looked at buying a house four years ago, I looked in westside, I couldn’t afford it. Having the ability to rent there and be a part of that culture would’ve been an amazing opportunity”.
Commissioner Beasley and Crowl also stated their support for the project, and reminded the public how hard city staff work to prepare and study every case that comes before them. The commissioner unanimously recommended approval of the case.
CD-CPC-2024-00163 approved a preliminary subdivision at 16001 Ess Rd, within the Little Blue neighborhood. City planner Larisi Chambi presented this case with applicant Phil LeVota. This site was previously an orchard, but will now be subdivided into 4 separate lots. The commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of this case.
Grayson Johnston is the author of This Week at City Hall, and an Urban Planning and Design Student at UMKC. He moved to Kansas City two years ago and has loved it ever since. Grayson became interested in community and neighborhoods while still in high school, when he discovered the field of Urban Planning. As he learned about the theory of walkability, transit, and strong communities, Grayson became committed to going to planning school and starting a career growing his community.
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