Preparation for the superbowl, amendments to the master plan, and new northland subdivisions.
- Union Hill
- Lykins
- Swope Park
- Foxtown East
- Harlem
- Crossroads
- Northland
- Brown Estates
- Columbus Park
- Tiffany Lakes
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Operations Committee
Tuesday, February 4th at 9am
The Transportation, Infrastructure, and Operations Committee (TIO) includes Vice Chair Melissa Robinson, Councilman Eric Bunch, and Councilmember Lindsay French. Chairperson Kevin O’Neill and Councilmember Johnathan Duncan attended this meeting via Zoom.
Ordinance 250047 approved a 25 year agreement with the City of Mosby, Missouri for water purchase. Jeff Martin, Deputy Director of KC Water, presented this ordinance to the committee. Kansas City owns a water transition main facility along Highway 61, and this agreement allows the small municipality of Mosby to provide adequate water services without having to own and operate their own facility. The city of Mosby currently draws water from the city of Excelsior Springs, but has opted to partner with KC in favor of a more stable connection. The committee unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance, and the City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on Thursday.
Ordinance 250087 authorized a $1 million renewal of an agreement with Black and Veatch for repair and maintenance of Water and Wastewater treatment facilities over the next four years. Jeff Martin again presented this ordinance with Blake Anderson, Public Works facilities division manager. This contract will mainly be for standardization of KC Water’s data and data collection systems. The committee recommended approval of this ordinance, and the City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on Thursday.
Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee
Tuesday, February 4th at 10:30am
The Fiance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee (FGPS) includes Chairperson Andrea Bough, Mayor Quinton Lucas, Councilmember Crispin Rea, Councilmember Darrell Curls, and Councilmember Wes Rodgers.
Ordinance 250048 adopted an updated and revised Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP), which is the city’s emergency and disaster response plan. The updated plan was presented by Jim Calley and Chris Carroll, from the Emergency Operations Department. According to Calley, this plan is updated every two years, and has already been reviewed and approved by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). This year includes several updates, including the creation of a virtual emergency management center, to be used in the event of a smaller disaster. The committee unanimously recommended approval of this ordinance.
Ordinance 250091 grants the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission almost $1 million in the event that the Kansas City Chiefs win the Superbowl. This contract will support the organization of post-game celebrations throughout the city, but especially the parade. After this ordinance was introduced to the committee, they quickly moved into closed session to review.
After the closed session, Lucas presented this ordinance to the public, giving few details. Lucas reminded those watching that details about a parade will be presented immediately following the Superbowl. The committee unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance.
Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee
Tuesday, February 4th at 1:30pm
The Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee was attended this week by Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, Vice Chair Eric Bunch, Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley, and Councilman Nathan Willet.
Ordinance 250083 approved a $400,000 contract with McKinsey and Company for advanced mapping software. According to Keely Golden, manager of procurement services, this service was originally requested by the City Manager’s office, and is being funded by the planning department. Director of City Planning Mario Vasquez also presented this ordinance, explaining how this contract will invite a third party to map out the “way we do business” and provide recommendations on how to improve public services. Basically, this contract will provide the city with recommendations on how to streamline service and make it easier to do business with the city. The committee unanimously recommended approval of this ordinance, and the City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on Thursday.
Ordinance 250085 approved an amendment to an existing urban redevelopment plan to facilitate the construction of 234 residential units along 31st Street from Walnut to McGee, near the streetcar extension, in the Union Hill neighborhood. This project is subject to the more intense design standards of the Main Street Overlay district. The buildings will also include commercial space on the first floors of the buildings. Councilman Bunch and Willett advocated for more first level commercial development, but admitted they would support the project regardless. The committee unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance, and the City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on Thursday.
Ordinance 250089 approved a plan for six cottage system units located just off of East 10th Street, within the Lykins neighborhood. This case was recommended for approval by the City Planning Commission, and recommended for approval by the committee. The City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on Thursday.
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 Luis Padilla, and Commissioner Sean Arkin. Commissioner Betsy Lynch and Forestine Beasley attended this meeting via Zoom.
CD-FnPlat-2024-00037 approved the creation of a new single family subdivision located at the corner of Northeast 76th Street and North Donnelly Avenue. This case will extend the Davidson Farm subdivision, which also received expansions in August of 2022, July of 2021, May of 2019, and originally created in February of 2016. City planner Mattew Barnes prepared this case, which was unanimously recommended for approval by the commission.
Proposed amendment to the KC Spirit Playbook (Master Plan). This amendment will identify potential updates to the zoning and development code which could be made in order to better implement the goals of the Playbook. Making changes to the city’s code, zoning and otherwise, ensures the goals of the Playbook are achievable by the city, at least according to Ashley Winchell, a former Kansas City employee now working for Wilson & Company. Along with identifying these changes, Wilson & Company will also talk with developers and other stakeholders to get their input on the changes, as well as write the actual amendments in proper legal jargon.
Specific areas that are subject to updates include large format uses (e.x. data-centers, warehouses, distribution centers), parking regulations, overlay districts, and general housing policy. According to Winchell, these updates will be officially proposed in April of this year. After a question from Commissioner Padilla, city staff confirmed that translation services and written material in other languages would be offered as a part of this project’s public engagement process. The commission thanked the group for their work on the project.
CD-CPC-2024-00177 approved an amendment to the Columbus Park Urban Redevelopment (UR) plan, which involves three separate properties: 880 E 4th St, 401 Cherry St, and 808 E 5th St. City planner Larisa Chambi presented this case to the commission.
The applicant, Adam DeGonia with McClure, plans to build a variety of housing types across the three sites, for a total of 78 units. This amendment would decrease the total number to 64 units and transition them to townhomes, as opposed to the various types of units originally stated in the approved UR plan.
According to the applicants, this project represented “missing middle” housing that the Columbus Park neighborhood has been advocating for. The starting prices for these homes will sit between $500,000-$600,000 for homes ranging between 1,300 and 1,800 square feet. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of this case.
CD-CPC-2024-00198 approved an amendment to the Tiffany Meadow development plan, allowing for the construction of 251 units to the North of North 108th Street, located in the Tiffany Lakes neighborhood. City Planner Matthew Barnes presented this case to the commission with project engineer Steve Warger, from Warger Associates.
The current site remains completely undeveloped, surrounded on three sides by rural acreage. This plan previously received approval from City Council, including its deviations from zoning code to shorten setbacks and shrink required lot sizes. This amendment proposes to further shrink the front and rear setback requirements.
The Tiffany Lakes neighborhood association submitted written concerns to city planner Matthew Barnes, including objections to the smaller setbacks, concerns about drainage, traffic, and the limits of roads in the area. In response to these concerns, the project developers agreed to a condition requiring them to construct stormwater infrastructure on site, improving drainage. During public testimony, Jim Jones, speaking on behalf of the Tiffany Lakes homes association, reiterated concerns about stormwater detention and the proposed setbacks. The commission recommended approval of this development.
CD-CPC-2024-00194 and CD-CPC-2024-00195 approved a rezoning and development plan for a single-family residential subdivision at the southwest corner of Northwest 108th Street and North Platte Purchase Drive. City planner Justin Smith presented this case with applicants Lindsay Vogt, project engineer, and Sarah Cunningham.
This plan will include 295 detached homes across 77 acres, and will also include the construction of several public streets through the site. The homes will range between 1,500 to 1,800 square feet and start at $450,000. The commission recommended approval of this development.
CD-SUP-2024-00053 approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a cemetery located at 6200 East 58th Street, within the Brown Estates neighborhood. City planner Genevieve Kohn presented this case with applicant Christine Drechsier from St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church.
This site plan includes minimal development, containing a small drive for vehicle circulation and a pedestrian path to access the site’s 400 burial plots across 42,000 square feet.
During public testimony, Amie Tompkins stated that her home association hadn’t gotten any information about this project, and requested more time to meet with the applicant. Ian Flowers, another neighbor of the site, expressed his support of the project. The commission recommended approval of this project.
CD-CPC-2024-00192 approved a commercial development plan at 8601 N Madison Avenue, within the Northland. The plan contains 7 separated commercial buildings, including their associated parking, next to the existing Target, Kohl’s, and Costco. City planner Larisa Chambi presented this case with applicant Patrica Jensen. The commission recommended approval of this project.
CD-CPC-2024-00191 approved a major amendment to the Kansas City Star building, located at 1601 McGee Street, within the Crossroads. City planner Larisa Chambi presented this case also.
This amendment changes the use of the building from industrial and office to entertainment venue, small scale manufacturing, communication services, and storage. After expressing concern about the variety of available uses, especially considering the sheer size of the building, Commissioner Enders added a condition requiring city staff to put limits on the square footage allowed to be used for each use within the building. Subject to that condition, the commission recommended approval of that case.
CD-SUP-2024-00049 approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a Bed and Breakfast located at 6700 Elmwood Ave, within the Foxtown East neighborhood. According to city planner Alec Gustafson, this site was previously approved for a Bed and Breakfast in 2020, but that SUP expired in 2023. Applicant Micheal Blackleage, from Piper-Wind Architects and owner Laura Wesche gave a summary of the site operations. The commission unanimously recommended approval of this case.
CD-SUP-2024-00046 approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow a landfill at 421 N Atlantic St, within the Harlem neighborhood, just north of the Missouri River. City planner Ahnna Nanoski presented this case to the commission with applicant Patrica Jensen and operator Kevin Ash.
According to Nanoski, this site was previously approved for an SUP, but regrettably failed to renew it in time. Additionally, Code Enforcement officials found numerous violations on site when inspecting it following the SUP’s expiration. While those violations occurred under a previous operator, city staff added several new conditions to the SUP to ensure no more violations would occur.
Jensen had issue with the staff’s requirement that the applicant be required to apply for an SUP renewal on a yearly basis, and requested that it be extended to five years instead. The commission revised the condition to requiring renewal every three years, then unanimously recommended approval of the case.
CD-CPC-2024-00050 approved a Special Use Permit to expand the Kansas City Zoo, located at 6800 Lakeside Dr, within Swope Park. Specifically, this SUP approves a giraffe exhibit. City planner Ahnna Nanoski presented this case with applicants Linda Falk, Chief Operating Officer for the zoo, and Cooper Dahms. The commission unanimously recommended approval of this case.
CD-SUP-2024-00033 approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a drive through located at 543 Van Brunt Blvd, within the Indian Mound neighborhood. City planner Ahnna Nanoski also presented this case, including its status as a vacant self-service car wash. According to applicant Dana Blay, this restaurant will serve tacos and Mexican food.
Commissioner Hasek stated his hesitancy to support the project, as this section of Independence Avenue historically had pedestrian centered businesses and buildings that went right up to the street. Hasek didn’t approve the proposed drive-through use at such an important interaction, saying “there’s been a concerted effort to reassert this corridor as an auto-centric corridor and I don’t think that’s the right direction to go”. Despite Hasek’s opinion, the commission ruled in favor recommending approval of the case.
CD-MISC-2024-00003 approved a moratorium (hault) to the rezoning of any site to the “M” or Manufacturing designation within the KCI area plan until July 16th, 2025, to allow city staff to complete updating the KCI Area Plan. This case was presented at the CPC last meeting on January 15th, 2025, which can be found here. The commission previously continued the case to hear testimony from Councilman Willett, who was present at this meeting. Councilman Willett explained the necessity of this moratorium, mainly due to the lack of an update since 2009. The commission unanimously approved the moratorium.
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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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