Neighborhood Watch List: Country Side ◈ Rockhill Gardens/Waldo Towers ◈ Armour Hills ◈ Maple Park ◈ Wendell Phillips ◈ Downtown ◈ Red Bridge (Mayfair HOA) ◈ North Kansas City ◈ SPENA (Swope Park/Zoo)
Mayor’s Commission on Reparations Committee
June 23rd, 2026 at 6 pm
The Mayor’s Commission on Reparations was created in 2023 to study and make recommendations to the city on reparatory justice for past harm and discriminatory practices against Kansas City’s Black community, and to facilitate the development and implementation of local reparations policies and proposals.
Present committee members: Terri Barnes (Chair), Bridgette Jones, Kelli Hearn, and Danise Hartsfield
Meeting Summary:
This month’s meeting of the Mayor’s Commission on Reparations Committee started with no old business or meeting notes to review from prior meetings, so the committee jumped right into new business. A few points of interest were brought up by Chairwoman Terri Barnes regarding the recent Department of Justice decision to join a lawsuit against reparations in the City of Evanston, Illinois, which was the first city to pass municipal legislation regarding reparations back in 2019 with the actual reparations distributing in 2021. This DoJ decision falls in line with current political moment and the US federal government’s prerogative, which was brought up by an attendee, and that the work being done by the Mayor’s Commission in Kansas City is in the same political context.
Dr. Adrian Carter was called on to present the progress of the research team. Research is on schedule with the culmination of the research expected to reach 300–500 pages in length and cover multiple policy areas as established by the Mayor’s Commission including Healthcare, Education, Economics, Housing, and Criminal Justice. Most policy areas have a committee member assigned, although it is worth noting the commission lost its housing expert (Ajia Morris) and its public safety/criminal justice commissioner (Ryan Searle) along the way. Both individuals have agreed to return as external reviewers for their respective areas. The housing and health reviews are still to be scheduled. Dr. Carter also reported that the community engagement report is complete, with roughly 27 stories collected through listening sessions and individual interviews between August 2025 and March 2026, which will be woven into the relevant impact areas of the larger report. Not every harm area has a “harm statement” attached yet, so the research team will work to make sure the remaining areas have one.
With research almost completed, questions regarding the review, approving and voting on a finalized proposal document were brought up by Commissioner Bridgette Jones, and this was deliberated for most of the remainder of the meeting. An explicit decision regarding how to organize this process was not reached during this deliberation.
Upcoming calendar events were then discussed regarding public meetings outside
the committee that correlates with the committee’s work. It was discussed that the next meeting on July 28th might be in person, and other next steps were discussed, including the written review and approval process, report from attorneys, and to plan public listening sessions on the Commission’s recommendations, before the meeting was adjourned.
End of Mayor’s Commission on Reparations Committee
Board of Zoning Adjustment
June 24th, 2026 9 am
The Board of Zoning Adjustment was attended this week by BZA Members Gorenc, Meier, and Ventura III.
CD-SUP-2026-00025
5600 Main St – A request to approve an extension to a previously approved special use permit for a parking lot expansion (CD-SUP-2024-00015) for St. Teresa’s Academy on about 17.01 acres generally located at the NW corner of Main Street and West 57th Street.
Owner: St Teresa’s Academy of KC
Applicant: Babette Macy – Macy Consulting Services, Inc.
Representation Status:
CPC Recommendation: Approval with Conditions on Jun 17, 2026
Neighborhood/District: Country Side Homes Association
Result: Presented by city planner Larisa Chambi. The board unanimously approved an extension of the school’s existing parking-lot permit and removed its expiration date, so it no longer has to be renewed. Two conditions were updated; one requiring a certificate of occupancy was dropped, and another now asks the school to give the city an easement for the lot’s stormwater drainage basin before the final paperwork is issued. No neighbors objected; the school had already made the parking improvements it promised earlier (parking permits, carpool incentives, bike racks, extra security, and better signage).
CD-BZA-2026-00080
1201 E 108th Ter – A request to approve a variance in an R-7.5 district to the footprint of a detached accessory structure, plus any additional variances on about 1.2 acres generally located at 1201 E 108th Ter.
Owner: Rooney Brian & Mary Ann
Applicant: Brian Rooney
Representation Status:
Neighborhood/District: Red Bridge (Mayfair HOA)
Result: Presented by city planner Connor Tomlin. The board unanimously approved two exceptions so an existing (and previously unpermitted) building can stay; one for its size (296 square feet over the limit, for a 496-square-foot structure) and one for its height (1 foot 9 inches over, to 11 feet 9 inches). It had to be reclassified from a garage to a shed, which the owner made possible by blocking off the door opening, so a car can’t pull inside.
CD-BZA-2026-00082
600 E 71st Ter – A request to approve variances to the infill residential development standards and parking & loading standards to permit an addition to a single-family dwelling on the subject property, plus any additional variances, on about 0.16 acres generally located at 600 E 71st Ter.
Owner: Mullens Courtney Brooke-Trustee
Applicant: Matt Mullens
Representation Status: Owner Present
Neighborhood/District: Rockhill Gardens/Waldo Towers Neighborhood Associations
Result: Presented by city planner Liz Collins. The board unanimously approved letting the homeowners build a two-story addition over their garage about 5 feet 3 inches closer than the standard limit. A second exception listed in the public notice turned out to be a measuring error and was dropped. City staff had actually recommended denial, arguing the garage could be redesigned to fit the rules, but the board sided with the owners, who said a modern two-car garage needs the extra width.
CD-BZA-2026-00019
5 E 70th Ter – A request to approve a special exception to the maximum height of a fence on a residential corner lot, plus any additional variances on about 0.15 acres generally located at 5 E 70th Ter.
Owner: Hickam Katrina Lynne
Applicant: Nicholas Hawk
Representation Status: Owner Present
Continued From: May 27, 2026
Quorum: Ebbitts, Gorenc, Mixdorf, Ventura III, Wright – Apr 22, 2026
Previous BZA Hearings: 5/27/26, 4/22/26, 4/8/26, 3/25/26
Requested Board Action: Continued to July 22, 2026
Neighborhood/District: Armour Hills Homes Association
Result: Continued to Jul. 22, 2026
CD-SUP-2026-00022
7718 and 7730 N Oak Trfy – A request to approve a special use permit to permit outdoor used vehicle sales in an B3-2 zoning district on about 1.35 acres generally located at 7718 N Oak Trafficway.
Owner: Cummins Magda L Trust
Applicant: Rachelle Biondo – Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.
Representation Status:
CPC Recommendation: Approval with Conditions on Jun 17, 2026
Neighborhood/District: HOA/N.A. not available (in North Kansas City)
Result: Presented by city planner Stephanie Saldari. Approved unanimously. The permit makes official the used-car sales the current tenant, TD Auto Brokers, had been running since 2018 assuming the previous business’s permit covered them, but did not. Because of overhead power lines, the owner will plant shrubs instead of the usual street trees, and that landscaping plan is due before the permit is finalized. No objections.
CD-BZA-2026-00048
5218 N Randolph Rd – A request to approve a variance to the residential accessory structures to permit a carport in the front yard, plus any other needed variances in an R-6 zoning district on about 0.54 acres generally located at 5218 N Randolph Road.
Owner: Knudson Don L & Robin G
Applicant: Brandon Kinney
Representation Status:
Continued From: June 10, 2026
Quorum: Ebbitts, Gorenc, Meier, Ventura III, Wright – Apr 22, 2026
Previous BZA Hearings: 6/10/26, 5/27/26, 4/22/26
Neighborhood/District: Maple Park Neighborhood Council
Result: Handled by city planner Stephanie Saldari. Postponed to August 12, 2026 (with a fee, since the case has to be re-advertised). The applicant had been hospitalized and asked for more time.
CD-BZA-2026-00078
2317 Park Ave – A request to approve a variance in a R-1.5 district to permit a 2-story detached dwelling on an infill lot, plus any additional variances on about 0.11 acres generally located at 2317 Park Ave.
Owner: Vision Rehab & Investments LLC
Applicant: Jontell Jones
Representation Status:
Neighborhood/District: Wendell Phillips & Downtown East Neighborhood Association
Result: Presented by city planner Connor Tomlin. Approved unanimously. The board allowed a 6-foot height exception, so the home can be rebuilt two stories tall (18 feet) on a block where only single-story homes are normally permitted. The house is being rebuilt after it was set on fire during construction, and the owner wanted to restore its original two-story design.
CD-BZA-2026-00086
2000 E 27th St – A request to approve a special exception to permit a taller fence in the front yard, plus any other needed special exceptions in an R-1.5 zoning district on about 0.08 acres generally located at 2000 E 27th Street.
Owner: Bell Darryl & Annette
Applicant: Annette Bell
Representation Status:
Neighborhood/District: Wendell Phillips Neighborhood Association
Result: Presented by city planner Stephanie Saldari. Approved unanimously. The board granted two exceptions allowing an 8-foot fence (2 feet over the limit) along the side and back of the property. The extra height makes up for a slope, and is meant to block weed-killer overspray from next door that has repeatedly killed the owners’ plants.
CD-BZA-2026-00079
12220 NW Skyview Ave – A request to approve a variance to allow gravel in a proposed B4-1 district, and any other necessary variances, on about 23 acres generally located at 12220 NW Skyview Avenue.
Owner: Longview Ventures LLC
Applicant: Sam Malinowsky – SM Engineering
Representation Status:
Requested Board Action: Continue to Aug. 12, 2026
Neighborhood/District: N/A; North Kansas City west of KCI
Result: Continued to Aug. 12, 2026
CD-SUP-2026-00027
818 Grand Blvd – A request to approve a special use permit in District DC-15 (Downtown Core) for the reuse of an officially designated historic landmark as a hotel on about 0.3 acres generally located at the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and East 9th Street.
Owner: Axis KC LLC
Applicant: Brian Crawford – Hoefer Welker
Representation Status:
CPC Recommendation: Approval with Conditions on June 17, 2026
Neighborhood/District: Downtown Neighborhood Association
Result: Presented by city planner Justin Smith. Approved by a four-member panel, board member Meier stepped aside because of personal matters, but the applicant agreed to proceed with four members. The permit clears the way to turn the historic Scarritt Building and its arcade into a 169-room hotel, with no time limit given the size of the restoration. The Downtown Neighborhood Association sent a letter of support.
CD-SUP-2026-00030
6800 Zoo Dr – A request to approve a special use permit for a building expansion in district R-2.5 on about 235.82 acres generally located at 6800 Zoo Drive.
Owner: City of Kansas City Property & Ins Div
Applicant: Andy Short – INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTS ATELIER INC
Representation Status:
CPC Recommendation: Approval with Conditions on Jun 17, 2026
Neighborhood/District: SPENA; Kansas City Zoo
Result: Presented by city planner Larisa Chambi. Approved unanimously. The permit allows a roughly 15,463-square-foot, two-story addition to the zoo’s education building, roughly doubling its classroom space, with the work phased into 2027. One condition was dropped because the required property-owner consent form had already been turned in.
End of Board of Zoning Adjustment Agenda
Dan Baldwin is the author of This Week at City Hall, a current Urban Planning & Design student at UMKC, a veteran, former Kansas Realtor, a political activist & organizer, and local musician. Dan is passionate about building a better future through policy design and how it interacts with our built environment and lived experiences and is confident that his time as the Center for Neighborhood’s intern will help him grow in those passions and be an opportunity for communal growth as well.
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