Plans for Legacy Crossing, a single-family residential subdivision of more than 100 new homes in southwestern Shawnee are underway.
Arise Homes, a home builder based in Overland Park, is proposing to build 126 single-family homes on 41 acres in the 7500 block of Clare Road. While the area remains a predominantly agricultural part of the city, the open fields of the proposed site are just east of the Preserve of Clear Creek subdivision.
The property is currently owned by Jim Bichelmeyer.
In a presentation on Monday to the Shawnee planning commission, Austin Chamberlin with Arise Homes gave the following details about the homes for the proposed project:
- Single-story with slab foundation
- Full brick and stone masonry
- Eco-friendly and LED lighting as well solar technology
- In lieu of a basement, safe rooms will be an option for homeowners
City staff noted that the architectural design of the homes is “unique” to the area, and that proposed plans will bring a density of 3 dwelling units per acre on the site. Lot sizes for the homes range from 7,793 to 12,390 square feet.
The proposal also calls for leaving 13% of site for open spaces, which will be used for a walking trail and rain garden basins for stormwater treatment.
Additionally, the city is requiring the development plans to include improvements to Clare Road as well as buildout of 75th Street to the north. Extension of 75th Street also includes plans for a 10 foot paved trail along the south side of the street.
City staff reported that the new development of homes will have little impact on the surrounding traffic. Commissioner Randy Braley said he would like to make sure the city stays ahead of current traffic volumes and future road buildout as new subdivisions come online.
“This is the start of hopefully more development is going to happen out there,” Braley said. “I’d rather we be proactive and ahead of it.”
A few neighboring homeowners raised concerns about the new subdivision, especially about the quality and size of the proposed homes and the impact on traffic — especially because there are one-way bridges in the area.
“I think this project is all wrong; the density is way too high for what is out there now,” said Keith Canant, a resident, noting that the proposed homes are much smaller compared with his subdivision, Preserve of Clear Creek. “You don’t have the infrastructure for the traffic.”
Other residents were concerned about their home values decreasing as a result of the new subdivision. Some believe the proposed homes do not fit with the character of surrounding subdivisions.
“My main concern is what I’m going to have to look at,” said Shari VanLerberg, another neighbor. “Because I don’t want to look at a bunch of backyards of little dinky houses that don’t fit in our area. This isn’t fitting with us.”
Commissioner Leo Nunnink noted his approval of the housing subdivision but also echoed some concerns from residents about the size of the homes. Planning staff member Mark Zielsdorf said they primarily focus on density when considering projects like this.
“We have not smaller lot sizes like this west of K-7 typically, and it’s up to the planning commission to decide if this is the direction they want to go,” Zielsdorf said.
The Shawnee planning commission voted 9-0 to approve rezoning and preliminary plat for the project. Commissioners John Montgomery and Steven Wise were absent.
The city council will consider the rezoning at a future meeting.
