Overland Park is considering plans for a new single-family subdivision in a southernmost part of the city.
The Overland Park Planning Commission on Monday recommended approval of a rezoning request for a residential neighborhood near the southwest corner of West 183rd Street and Metcalf Avenue, near the outskirts of Stilwell.
The subdivision would span 36 acres
- With the rezoning, developer Rodrock Development would be able to construct homes on minimum lot sizes of 8,000 square feet.
- While the rezoning would allow the developer to construct up to five homes on a single acre, Harold Phelps of Phelps Engineering said the developer plans to keep the density much lower than that.
- However, specific details about the proposed subdivision, such as exact lot sizes and site layout, would be made in the future when a final plat is submitted.
- Conversely, nearby residential lots to the north, south and east of the proposed subdivision range in size between 1.5 acres to 40 acres.
A total of 38 residents have signed a protest petition
- Stilwell resident Marlene Carter, who lives 1,000 feet from the proposed development area, said she and other residents are concerned the new subdivision will change the rural feel of the area.
- Carter also expressed worries that the subdivision will cause traffic congestion along 179th and 183rd streets as well as Metcalf Avenue, which are all two lane roads with no shoulder in this area.
- Another resident, Claire Moser, also argued “natural resources, including large areas of trees and vegetation, have a significant impact on the quality of life within this area and are important assets that need to be protected as the area develops.”
The commission unanimously recommended approval
- Commissioner Kip Strauss said he found the proposed subdivision to be a good transition between the low density of Stilwell and other high-density areas to the north.
- Strauss also noted the city is thinking about expanding roads near the proposed area, and therefore did not find traffic to be a concern.
- “I think the feel [of the proposed subdivision] could work here, especially because you’re along [U.S. 69 Highway] on one side and Metcalf is a busy arterial now and certainly in the future,” added Commissioner Rob Krewson.
- The item is set to come before the Overland Park City Council on May 1.
Want more? Overland Park OKs plans for two new subdivisions to the south
