City funding for homelessness relief, a special session to address crime in KC, and a request to overturn City Staff’s determination.
- Scarritt Point
- Knoches Park
- Lykins
- Blue Township
- South Indian Mound
- Washington Wheatley
- North Hyde Park
- Broadway Gillham
- Davidson
- Shoal Creek
- Waldo Homes
Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee
Tuesday, September 10th 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.
Resolution 240702, Resolution 240703, Resolution 240704, and Resolution 240705 approved the appointment of directors for several Community Improvement Districts (CIDs); including the Flintlock Shoppes CID (Shoal Creek), Landing Mall CID (Waldo Home), Skelly CID, and the Flintlock Plaza CID (Shoal Creek). Russ Cline, owner and founder of RCA Group, was appointed a director to all of the CIDs, and Alex Block was appointed as a director of three. With little discussion, the committee unanimously approved the appointment of these directors.
Ordinance 240411 amends the City’s distance requirements for marijuana dispensaries. Due to the newly legalized status of dispensaries, the city is seeking to establish basic distance requirements for facilities selling marijuana. After the passage of this ordinance, 2,000 ft will be required between dispensaries, and 300 ft between dispensaries and schools, churches, and daycares. There was discussion between the committee as to whether the ordinance would place an undue hardship upon those wishing to establish a marijuana dispensary. If that was determined to be the case, the city would be in violation of state law, which requires that cities allow dispensaries to establish themselves. After assurance from the city’s lawyer, Sarah Baxter, the committee recommended approval of the ordinance.
Ordinance 240713 approved city funding for two social programs addressing homelessness within Kansas City: Care Beyond the Boulevard and First Call Alcohol/Drug Prevention and Recovery. Jaynell (KK) Assman, founder of Care Beyond the Boulevard, told the committee of her program’s work in the city. According to KK, Beyond the Boulevard is the only program that meets people in the streets, wherever they are in the city. They provide trucks and medical professions so those in need can get service the same day they meet with Beyond the Boulevard. KK also stated the importance of health care in the process of housing someone experiencing homelessness. 50% of those who stayed in Beyond the Boulevard’s shelter were able to find permanent housing. After thanking her for her service, Councilwoman Patterson-Hazley asked KK for the truth of the status of homelessness in KC. KK asked “Do you want the truth?… It’s bad”. KK reminded the council that KC has no low-barrier shelter, and the impacts that have upon anyway without a home in KC. Emily Hage, with First Call, also informed the committee of the relief services provided by her organization. The committee unanimously recommended approval of the funding of these two programs.
Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee
Tuesday, September 10th at 6:00pm
Special session to address growing public safety concerns in Kansas City. The Fiance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee (FGPS) held a special session on Tuesday at the Plaza Library to discuss public safety in Kansas City. The board of police commissioners, the county prosecutor, the mayor, and nearly the entire city council were all in attendance. The committee addressed its regular agenda items, heard a special presentation from the police chief, and listened to comments from the public.
Ordinance 240696 adopts a broader definition of equity within the city’s code. Councilwoman Robinson sponsored this ordinance, and presented it to the committee. Robinson’s goal is to encourage development and invest in the 3rd district, which contains the most economically vulnerable communities in the city. Robinson stated, “We know the urban ghetto hasn’t happened on purpose”, and defended a comprehensive framework to combat redlining, which was birthed in Kansas City. Robinson went on, “Understand, most of the crime is happening on the east side. Most of the homicides are happening on the east side; and most of the 911 calls are going to the east side”.
Chairperson Andrea Bough introduced an amended ordinance which further incorporated the new definition into the city economic development policy, which is currently being updated. If adopted, the new definition would read:
Equitable Economic Development means economic development that breaks barriers and expands opportunities for low-income and minority groups and aims to invest in people and places to help communities thrive and unlock the full potential of the City’s economy.
With no objection from Robinson, the committee unanimously recommended approval.
Ordinance 240724 increases the penalty for street racing and sideshows in Kansas City, and makes it easier for police to prosecute those involved. Gavriel Schreiber, general council for the mayor, presented this ordinance to the committee. After the ordinance is passed, the maximum fine for street racing will go from $500 to $1,000, and police will be allowed to press charges against bystanders as well as those participating. The standard of proof to impound a vehicle will also be lowered by this ordinance.
During public testimony, Diane Allen and Steve Walker (from the Marlborough neighborhood) both stated their concern about street racing, and how it affected their neighborhood. Both Allen and Walker approved of the ordinance. Two additional community members testified against the ordinance, worried about the lack of oversight in the police department. They also mentioned how impoundments disproportionately affect poor individuals. After hearing all testimony, the committee unanimously voted to recommend approval of the ordinance.
Presentation of the state of crime in Kansas City. After finalizing the regular agenda, the committee welcomed Police Chief Stacey Graves to the stage. The presentation included questions from all committee members, and several slides Mayor Lucas previously posted to his Twitter. The first slide included a graph showing employment in the KC police department. In the last 4 years, while funding had increased by nearly $50 million a year, the police department has had a net loss of 250 officers. Another graph showed the increase in car thefts, showing over 4,000 additional car thefts last year compared to 2022.
Councilmen Crispin Rea addressed the chief, asking “This year, there has been a 25-30% reduction in homicides, but the year still feels unpeaceful. What reassurance can you give us, considering the increased funding provided by the city, that officers will proactively be at locations known for high crime?” Chief Graves responded, “KC residents should be concerned with every single homicide that happens in the city, no matter what neighborhood they happen in”. Graves went on to say the department has hired 54 new officers this year, and expects to reach 150 new officers in the next year or two.
After the questioning of Chief Graves, the committee moved into public comment. Several members of the public wanted to see more police funding and intervention, some even asking for a new jail. Among them was William Jackson, a family court lawyer who said “Enough is enough”, and stated his belief that most police officers are good. Two property owners also spoke to the committee, asking for more reassurance that the police will protect the interests of property within KC.
Other than those several individuals, the majority of people who testified echoed the same sentiment: public safety means more than funding the police. Many members said things like “Don’t raise my taxes to cage my neighbors” (Katelyn, social worker). People’s statements include requests for more funding for public services, public transit, and housing. Many people, like Ben Nail, said things like “Police don’t prevent crime, they only respond to it”, and asked the city to address the root cause of crime: poverty. Two former council people, Sharon Sanders Brooks and John Sharpe, spoke to the committee suggesting legislative changes such as increased pay for 911 operators and EMS workers. As a whole, the public’s requests seemed to demand that the council do more than fund police. They demanded an investment in social services, education, housing, programs to alleviate homelessness, and no new jail; none of which was originally addressed by the committee or the police chief.
Board of Zoning Adjustments
Wednesday, September 11th at 9am
The Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) was attended this week by Chairperson Mark Ebbitts, Maggie Moran, Emerson “Jaz” Hays, Myeisha Wright, Rani Mixdorf, and Tom Gorenc.
CD-SUP-2024-00013 requested the approval of a Special Use Permit for Bed and Breakfast, located at 511 Gladstone Blvd, within the Scarritt Point neighborhood. This case was covered in a previous edition of This Week at City Hall. This case was heard by the BZA due to the significant variances requested by the applicant. According to the zoning code, Bed and Breakfasts must include an on-site manager or the homeowner must live within the property. At 511 Gladstone, applicant Megan Duma is requested to remove this condition and operate the property more similarly to a short-term rental. At the July 10th BZA meeting, the board asked Duma to prepare a thorough justification for the removal of the on-site manager requirement.
After City Planning staff Ahnna Nanoski summarized the case, Duma defined her case as reuse of a historic site, which she believed was supported in the City’s past. Duma justified her abnormal use of the bed and breakfast designation as the only feasible way for the private sector to participate in historic preservation. Duma detailed the history of historic preservation in the city, and outlined how her project fits within the goals of preservation, as defined by City Council.
Several board members questioned if approval of this case would eliminate all regulation on properties with a historic designation. Since Duma was requesting for her property to be allowed to exist inside the box of “historic reuse”, and the current zoning code has little precedent or regulation around reuse of historic properties, City staff was concerned with how this path could be abused. To further clarify what was allowed and not, the BZA elected to go into close session to consult their attorney. After one board member had to leave the meeting, Duma requested that the case be continued to allow for the full board to vote.
CD-SUP-2024-00027 requests the approval of Special Use Permit for the expansion of Friendship Baptist Church, located at 3530 Chelsea Avenue, within the Knoches Park neighborhood. This case has been covered in a previous edition of This Week at City Hall.
Despite staff recommendation, applicant Matthew Schlicht elected not to include new sidewalks as a part of the addition to the church. Schlicht argued that because of the lack of pedestrian infrastructure in the surrounding neighborhood, the benefit associated with building a sidewalk wouldn’t outweigh the costs. The board unanimously recommended approval of the plan.
CD-BZA-2024-00111 requested the approval of a gravel parking lot with vehicle storage and towing at 5631 E US 40 Hwy, within the Lykins neighborhood. City staff Stephanie Saldari reccounted the history of this case, including CD-BZA-2021-00137, which approved a plan for the subject site in 2021. Despite getting BZA approval, applicant Tate Williams was not able to complete the plan due to rising costs associated with construction. In Wednesday’s meeting, Williams testified again, telling the board the additional grant funding he had to seek to finalize construction. Williams also stated, “The costs of the construction are going to be greater than the value of the build due to historic redlining and relative disinvestment in the neighborhood”. Despite this, Williams still seeks to build an affordable home within the neighborhood. The board recommended approval of the ordinance.
CD-BZA-2024-00063 was a request to appeal a Notice of Abandonment for a bill-board at 8912 E US 40 Hwy, within the Blue Township neighborhood. Normally, a Notice of Abandonment would require the property owner to demolish the sign within 30 days. Applicant Anthony Privitera requested to appeal the notice, which must first be approved before the BZA considers the case. This case has been covered in a previous edition of This Week at City Hall.
Applicant Martin Haley maintains that he did not receive the Notice of Abandonment until after the deadline to appeal. In the July BZA meeting, Haley also stated the sign was never vacant for more than a day or two. If this were the case, the Notice of Abandonment would not apply to Haley, as the notice can only be issued after 45 days or more of vacancy.
During Wednesday’s meeting, City Planner Ahnna Nanoski showed Google Maps evidence of the sign being vacant from April of 2022, to November 2023, and also in April of 2024. According to Haley, as soon as he received the notice, he corrected it by applying a new vinyl to the billboard. Despite this, the Notice of Abandonment does not change if the billboard becomes active again, and the owner still must demolish the sign. Board member Hays questioned whether this sign would be considered non-conforming if built under the current zoning code. To determine this, city staff requested more time to review the case. The board granted a continuance on this case to allow staff to determine the legal status of the sign.
CD-BZA-2024-00106 requested the overturning of City Planning Staff’s determination involving the infill standards at 2024 Benton Blvd, within the Washington Wheatley neighborhood. City Planners guide applicants through the complex process of navigation the zoning code. Staff interprets the zoning code to inform applicants whether their proposal is allowable or not. When told their project would violate the zoning code, applicants have the option to appeal to the Board of Zoning adjustments in hopes of a favorable determination.
City Planner Larisa Chambi presented this case to the board. Applicant Charlie Russel was seeking to build a duplex upon a combined lot, on a block that only contains single-family homes. Without context from other existing duplexes, Chambi informed the applicant that he would have to follow the city’s infill design standards. The board recommended approval of this case.
CD-BZA-2024-00085 requested a deviation from setback standards to allow a deck in the side-yard at 347 Lawn Ave, within the South Indian Mound neighborhood. Homeowners Javi and Sara Juarez built the deck after getting approval to build a detached garage in their backyard, not knowing the deck violated zoning code standards. Architect Dwanye Hodges built the deck in 2015, but the original builder did not follow the correct procedure during the process. The board recommended approval of the case.
CD-BZA-2024-00112 requested a deviation from the setback standards to allow a rear addition for accessibility accommodation at 900 E Linwood Blvd, within the North Hyde Park neighborhood. According to applicant Lisa Hardwick, the Delta Athenaeum was built before accessibility standards requiring elevators and ramps. In working to renovate the site, Hardick spoke to architects who told her it wasn’t feasible to add an elevator into the existing building. To ensure that the building can still be approved by the city, Hardwick requested this variance, which eliminates the elevator requirement, and adds alternative accessibility options. Hyde Park neighborhood association president Chris Kotch testified during the meeting, letting the board know that the neighbors supported the project. The board unanimously recommended approval of the case.
CD-BZA-2024-00108 requested a variance to the maximum amount of floor space allowed in an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at 3419 Baltimore Avenue, within the Hyde Park neighborhood. Applicant Erich McGrew requested this variance in order to construct an ADU for him to “age in place”, which he believed was the goal of the ADU ordinance. After McGrew informed the board that the ADU was attached to the home with a deck, city staff requested that McGrew’s case be pushed to the virtual BZA meeting on Friday, September 13th. During public testimony, neighbor Andrew Johnson testified before the board. Johnson opposed the use of the site as an ADU, stating his wish for Hyde Park to return to primarily single-family homes. The board continued McGrew’s case until Friday, September 13th.
Grayson Johnston is the author of This Week at City Hall, but also 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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