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A mechanic shop cleans up, gravel lawn gets repaired, and a homes association opposes renovations.
- Blue Valley
- Westside
- Wornall Homestead
- Morningside
- Hyde Park
- Ivanhoe
- Washington Wheatley
Board of Zoning Adjustments
Wednesday, November 13th at 9am
The Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) was attended this week by Chairperson Mark Ebbitts, Maggie Moran, Emerson “Jaz” Hays, Myeisha Wright, Randi Mixdorf, and Tom Gorenc.
CD-SUP-2024-00037 and CD-SUP-2024-00038 approved a Special Use Permit, which allows for the continued use of 6228 E Truman Rd as a mechanic’s shop. This site exists within the Blue Valley neighborhood. This case was presented by City staff planner Alec Gustafson and the project architect, Bryan Ruoff. As a condition of this SUP, city staff required the property owner to remove vehicles parked on the sidewalk, enclose their dumpster, and generally clean-up the site. Along with this permit, the property owner plans to expand operations and construct a new building for car detailing. Full plans are included on CompassKC. The board unanimously recommended approval of the permits.
CD-BZA-2024-00192 approved a variance allowing for increased density at 1700 Jefferson Street, within the Westside neighborhood. City planner Stephanie Saldari and applicants Janet and Ryan Breitenbach presented this case to the board. This variance would allow the Brietenbaches to move forward with their plan to construct a mixed-use home with an art studio. The board unanimously recommended approval of the project.
CD-BZA-2024-00202 approved a variance to allow a parking pad in the front lawn, and a garage to the rear of 4132 Harrison Street, within the Hyde Park neighborhood. City staff planner Stephanie Saldari also presented this case with property owner Deanna Basllovac and Jim Sullivan, the project architect. In addition to approval from the BZA, Basllovac will also need approval from the Historic Preservation Commission before beginning construction.
The BZA questioned the need to add further paving to the front lawn of the home when Basllovac was already creating two additional spots with the rear garage. After removing the conditions which allowed additional paving in the front yard, the board unanimously approved the case.
CD-BZA-2024-00198 approved a variance to allow gravel on a residential lot, located at 2315 College Avenue, within the Washington Wheatley neighborhood. City planner Connor Tomlin presented this case with applicants James and Debra Smith. According to the Smiths, they requested gravel to increase traction on their driveway, which has a steep incline.
Board member Randi Mixdorf was concerned with the sheer amount of gravel on site, and suggested the Smiths should remove gravel, where possible, before the BZA approved their variance. James Smith debated how much gravel should be removed, eventually agreeing to approximately 500 square feet of gravel removal. Subject to that revision, the board approved the case.
CD-BZA-2024-00201 approved a variance which allows for the reduction of side setbacks at 3401 Paseo, within the Ivanhoe neighborhood. City planner Stephanie Saldari presented this case with applicant Ava Amri Mati, Autumn Olson, and Ingrid Bunn. This case would allow for the expansion of Fire Station 17, creating additional bunks and bathrooms at the station. The board unanimously recommended approval of the case.
CD-BZA-2024-00189 approved a variance to shrink the required setback between primary and accessory structures at 121 W 61st Terrace, within the Wornall Homestead Homes Association. City planner Connor Tomlin presented this case with applicants Alyssa Hagen and Bre Conn. According to Hagen, this variance is necessary for the Conn’s planned addition to their home. The board recommended approval of this case.
CD-BZA-2024-00200 requested multiple variances to allow additions at a home at 5900 Brookside Boulevard, within the Wornall Homestead Homes Association. City planner Connor Tomlin and property owners Jason Cantrell and Tiffannie Kennedy presented this case with architect Jon Schaffhausen. This variance would allow the home owners to construct a garage attached to their house, enclose their existing porch, and create a second story addition.
According to Cantrell, these variances are necessary updates to a home that was constructed in 1922, without many modern conveniences. Cantrell also showed how the current configuration of new amenities was the only possible solution due to the immense setbacks the site is subject to.
During public testimony, Catherine Snow, representative of the Wornall Homestead Homes Association, gave a letter showing the association’s opposition to the variances, due to the garage’s proximity to 59th street. The board continued this case to February 12th, to allow the homeowners to meet and negotiate with the Wornall Homestead Homes association.
CD-BZA-2024-00203 approved a variance to side setback standards on an infill lot, located at 6311 Main Street, within the Morningside neighborhood. Staff planner Stephanie Saldari and home owner Grant Christensen presented this case to the board. This variance would allow Christensen to enclose the rear stairwell leading to his cellar. The board unanimously recommended approval of the variance.
From the Center for Neighborhoods
Applications for Cohort 16 of our Neighborhood Leadership Training are open now through the end of the month! Find out more and apply today at https://cfn.umkc.edu/cohort
“This Week at City Hall”: Author’s BioGrayson 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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