Welcome back to “This Week at City Hall”, a blog committed to bringing you important updates on the decision being made at City Hall. Each week, the various boards, commissions, and committees of City Hall make decisions that affect the many communities of Kansas City. If you have a tip about an upcoming agenda item – please email gojgbt@umsystem.edu with “This Week at City Hall” in the subject.
This edition covers updates on a city official’s resignation, increased funding for traffic calming infrastructure, and establishment of the West Bottoms CID.
The following neighborhoods will be directly affected items covered in this edition:
- Marlborough
- West Bottoms
- Blue Vue Hills
- Oak Park
- Mission Lake
- KCI & Second Creek
- Columbus Park
- Old Hyde Park
Director of Planning and Development announces resignation. Planning Director Jeffery Willams announced his resignation on Monday, July 25. Williams has served as director since 2015, working directly with over 100 planning professionals as they steward the city. During his time as Director, the planning department created the KC Spirit Playbook, the city’s first comprehensive plan update in over twenty years, opened KCI, the City’s international Airport, and started the expansion of KC’s first modern streetcar line. Williams’ resignation is effective Thursday, August 1st. The city of Kansas City will begin it’s search for a new planning director immediately.
During Thursday night’s City Council meeting, the Council introduced Special Action 240623 to recognize Williams publicly for his service. During its presentation, Mayor Lucas stated, “During much of my time here at City Hall, Jeffery has been a central character in everything”. Councilmember Bunch also made a comment, saying “It’s been great to get to know you, and your presence will be missed”. Mayor Pro Tem Parks-Shaw made the Council’s closing statement, saying “Your presence will be felt in KC for at least the next twenty years”.
Director Williams then took the stand, first saying “The words that come to mind when thinking about my service are honor, and blessing. It’s been an honor and a blessing to serve the city… This city originated from a plan made in the late 19th century about how people could live better… This city has become an example not only for this country, but for cities around the world”. Williams’ final words were met with applause from a packed audience, which included the entirety of the City’s Planning Department. Many former employees and colleagues also attended to support their director.
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Operations Committee
Tuesday, July 23th at 9am
The Transportation, Infrastructure, and Operations Committee (TIO) Chairperson Kevin O’Neill, includes Vice Chair Melissa Robinson, Councilmember Lindsay French, Councilmember Eric Bunch, and Councilmember Johnathan Duncan.
Ordinance 240591 approved the installation of 100 additional speed humps with various neighborhoods in Kansas City. Jason Waldron and Bailey Waters, from the KC Public Works Department, presented the committee with their strategy for implementing the speed humps. Waters outlined their implementation plan, which included the consideration of 311 reports, PIAC requests, emails, and specific councilperson requests. From that long list, the Public Works department narrowed down the locations by scoring each request based on equity, if it was requested multiple times, its proximity to schools, and if it was within the high injury network.
Once the committee had thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work in creating an implementation strategy, Councilmen Bunch asked why the department was not installing more. Bunch stated “The City of Detroit installed 5,500 speed humps in 2023… maybe we are setting the bar too low”. Waldron responded positively, saying they would like to get closer to that impressive number, given time and resources. The committee unanimously recommended approval before City Council, which Council granted on Thursday.
Ordinance 240610 approves the funding and construction of an additional connector to the Blue River Trail, within the Marlborough neighborhood. Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Richard Allen presented this ordinance to the committee, stating its importance and value to the community. Councilwoman Robinson then requested the Parks and Rec Department update their city trail plan given the amount of new trail connectors being approved recently. The committee recommended approval, and City Council passed the ordinance on Thursday.
Ordinance 240522 approved a community engagement project titled Reconnecting Westside, which aims to use the ideas and wants of the westside community to create plans and solutions around I-35. Jason Waldron also presented this ordinance, stating its necessity: “The day I-35 gets replaced, we’ll have ideas and solutions”.
Councilmen Bunch agreed with the importance of this, stating “The communities most affected by I-35 were historically the ones without the political standing to fight back”. Councilwoman Robinson further the point by questioning how many original residents of the Westside would benefit from this ordinance. Councilmen Crispin Rea, who represents the 4th district, including the Westside neighborhood, stated that many current residents of the Westside remember homes being torn down for the construction of I-35. The committee recommended approval of this ordinance, and the City Council passed it on Thursday.
Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee
Tuesday, July 23th at 1:30pm
The Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee (NPD) includes Chairperson Ryana Parks-Shaw, Vice Chair Eric Bunch, Councilmember Melissa Patterson Hazley, and Councilmember Nathan Willett.
Ordinance 240592 approved the development of a single-family residential subdivision located within the Mission Lake neighborhood, west of Grandview.
Ordinance 240606 approved the development of a multi-family residential plan, called Redwood Tiffany Springs, containing 178 units in 35 different buildings. The homes will be located within the KCI & Second Creek neighborhood.
Both Ordinance 240592 and Ordinance 240606 were on the consent agenda, and were therefore recommended for approval by the committee with little debate or testimony.
Ordinance 240584 authorized continued funding for two youth guidance programs: Becoming a Man (BAM) and Working on Womanhood (WOW). These programs are hosted in Kansas City by the Hickman Mills School District, but also have locations within other cities, including Chicago, Boston, Pittsburg, and Los Angeles. BAM and WOW have been operating in KC since 2020, after Mayor Quinton Lucas championed their expansion into the city. More information can be found on Youth Guidance’s website. The Neighborhood Planning and Development committee recommended approval of this ordinance, which was upheld by Council on Thursday.
Ordinance 240581 approved the founding of the West Bottoms Community Improvement District (CID) to allow businesses within the West Bottoms to self-tax for the financing of public infrastructure. Grant Romace presented the committee with the plan for the CID and spoke about the improvements already in place. Currently, 17 acres of private land within the West Bottoms has been incorporated into a master plan for rejuvenation of the area. The plan has been through many public meetings and incorporated historic tax credits. The NPD committee recommended approval of this ordinance. The City Council passed this ordinance on Thursday.
Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) are areas of non-residential property who share a common area or identity within the city. Businesses and organizations within these areas can decide to create their own CID for the purpose of raising funds through taxes. The elected leaders or directors of the CID can then decide how best to spend the funds. Usually, a CID funds improved infrastructure, such as trash services, pedestrian amenities, or even hired security. CID’s are one of the best ways for communities to become self-sufficient and reach their growth, safety, and community goals. To learn more about CID’s in Kansas City, read the City’s website here.
Ordinance 240599 requested the vacation of the public right of way known as Fremont Avenue. This issue has been covered in previous editions of This Week at City Hall. City planning staff Larisi Chambi presented this case to the committee with applicants Karina Moltry and Lia Sutington. Several years ago, Urbavore Urban farms laid gravel on the City right-of-way in order to connect their property to 55th Terrace. As Urbavore Urban Farm grew in scale, 55th Terrace started receiving more and larger vehicles traveling within their neighborhood. Disliking the extra noise and traffic, neighbors Karina Moltry and Lia Sutington petitioned the City to vacate the right-of-way the farm was using to access their street. The case received a recommendation of approval from the City Planning Commission (CPC), but was unable to receive a recommendation from the Board of Zoning adjustment in time for the NPD committee meeting.
On Tuesday, Moltry and Sutington plead their case again before the NPD committee to mixed reactions from the Council people. Vice Chair Bunch stated his historic opposition to vacation, while Councilwoman Patterson Hazley and Mayor Pro Tem Parks-Shaw generally sided with the applicant’s frustration. Councilman Nathan Willett was the last to weigh in, saying he would look to the Councilors of the district, as well as City staff and the CPC, for guidance on the case.
Before finalizing the vote, owner of Urbavore Urban Farm Daniel Heryer and his lawyer, Christian Johnson, spoke to the committee against vacating the right-of-way. Johnson argued this vacation would place undue hardship on the farmers. After hearing them both, the committee made a motion to approve vacation. Johnson then attempted to speak over Mayor Pro Tem, but was stopped by City security. The committee recommended approval of vacation 3-1, the nay being Councilmen Bunch.
Urbavore Urban Farm owner packs Council chambers on Thursday. After Tuesday’s NPD meeting, Urbavore Urban Farm’s other owner, Brooke Salvaggio took to social media requesting all their supporters show up to the City Council meeting on Thursday. Even on short notice, the Council chambers quickly filled up on Thursday, leaving only standing room for many. Over 100 people attended with signs and shirts saying “Save our farm!” and “Composting is the future”, all waiting to hear what the Council would decide. When the Council meeting finally began, Mayor Lucas asked for a motion to hold the case for one week. Before many in the audience knew what was happening, the Council decided to postpone the ordinance until next week.
Resolution 240603 and Ordinance 240604 approved a plan amendment and zoning change of a lot within the Columbus Park neighborhood. This change would allow the building to again be used for residential and commercial uses. This case has been covered in a previous edition of This Week at City Hall. The committee recommended approval of this case, which was upheld by the City Council on thursday.
Resolution 240614 and Ordinance 240566 approved the plan for a large multi-family development at 4520 Benton Blvd, within the Oak Park neighborhood. This case has been covered in a previous edition of This Week at City Hall. After hearing neighborhood concerns at their City Plan Commision meeting, the applicants reduced the number of units, as well introduced market rate apartments into their plan. The committee was satisfied with the applicant’s changes and public engagement, and therefore recommended approval of the ordinance and resolution before council. These cases will come before the City Council next Thursday.
Ordinance 240605 approved a historic designation for 101 W. Linwood Blvd, known as the Carmen building, within the Old Hyde Park neighborhood. This case has been covered in a previous edition of This Week at City Hall. The Carmen building was nominated for historic designation by Nadja Karpilow, president of the Old Hyde Park Historic District organization. After the current owner applied for demolition of the Carmen building, Karpilow and her associates contacted the City. City staff likewise understood the historic nature of the buildings, and along with the City Planning Commision, recommended approval of the historic designation. The NPD committee recommended approval of the designation, which was upheld by the City Council on Thursday.
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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