Overland Park is moving forward once again with a new mixed-use development along 135th Street after the project was sent back to the city’s planning commission for further consideration.
Driving the news: A rezoning request for the new development at the southwest corner of 135th Street and Antioch Road gained unanimous approval from the Overland Park Planning Commission Monday afternoon.
Background: In August, the rezoning request was reviewed by the Overland Park City Council, who initially voted 8-4 to reject the project due to concerns about deviations requested by developer Ryan Companies for parking and building length.
- The city must identify “unique conditions” in order to approve variances for any development to go forward.
- In August, several councilmembers said they found the development appropriate for the area, but could not identify any conditions unique enough to warrant authorizing deviations.
- Ultimately, the council voted 9-3 to remand the rezoning request back to the planning commission.
New details: With the revised site plan, the developer is still proposing converting 17.5 acres into 4 acres of commercial space and 13 acres into an apartment complex but has decreased the site’s density while increasing parking.
- The apartment complex has been reduced in size to 413 units spread out over five separate four-story buildings.
- Additionally, the number of parking spaces has been increased, eliminating the need for a parking deviation.
- A deviation that would allow the developer to exceed the city’s 200-foot maximum building length is still a part of the rezoning request.
Key quote: “I think they have met the deviation criteria,” Commissioner Holly Streeter-Schaefer said. “In order to have enough green space, which I think we need in these apartment complexes, the buildings are situated in a way that I think makes this property unique.”
Opposition: Despite the commission’s unanimous approval, president of the Nottingham Forest South Homeowners Association Ted McBride came out to speak in opposition to the project, citing concerns about density.
- “Our number one concern from the start has been density because it drives all our other concerns — traffic, safety, sewer runoff, etcetera,” McBride said.
- Dozens of residents, particularly from McBride’s subdivision to the south of the proposed property, spoke against the property when it was presented to the council in August, as well.
What’s next for the proposed 135th and Antioch apartments
The new rezoning request for the mixed-use development will need to be reviewed by the city council in order to receive final approval.
- It will come before the council at one of its upcoming regular Monday night meetings within the following months.
