A revised development plan that reconfigures some buildings planned for the One35 development in Leawood got a nod of approval Tuesday from the city’s planning commission.

The Leawood Planning Commission OK’ed a part of the development that calls for a mix of apartments and retail space south of 135th Street and west of High Drive.

The project, which has been in the works since 2018, had earlier been approved for three buildings and underground parking, with residences above retail space on the ground floor of each building.

The new plan by owner Rick Lashbrook and Klover Architects combines two of the buildings and reduces the height of the third from four floors to one. The third building would no longer have apartments.

The reimagining also drops the number of apartments from 193 to 190 while increasing the average square footage from 930 to 1,040 square feet, said Patrick Reuter, project architect. The number of garage stalls is increased from the previously planned 198 to 225, and they are now at ground level.

Check out more design images in city documents here, starting on page 263.

Apartments aimed at “renters by choice”

The changes allow developers to add a second courtyard and dog run and bike storage room while making the pool deck more convenient for all residents, Reuter said.

The apartments will be aimed at “renters by choice” who are active adults, and will not be restricted by age, Reuter said. It is still a couple of years before construction can start, and the timeline tentatively puts completion in 2029, he said. Rent is estimated to be about $2,000 for one bedroom and $3,000 for two bedrooms.

Leawood officials have had their eyes on the 135th Street corridor and have expressed concern lately about the number of apartments being built in the area, especially since a recent study warned against too many apartments and large shops.

Planning Commission Chair David Coleman asked about that during discussion of the revised plan. “We’ve got apartments being built left and right,” in that area, he said. “I do have some concern that the whole corridor will have too many apartments at some point.”

Reuter said he believed the study took into account the projects that were already approved, including One35.

“Obviously we wouldn’t be here right now if we weren’t confident that what we have now will be built,” he said.

Commissioner Mike Fishman objected to a part of the plan that said owners would be obligated to pay $600,000 to add an eastbound lane to 135th Street in the future if traffic conditions warrant it. He said he didn’t think the language gave strong enough collection enforcement to the city, given that it might be years before the additional lane is needed.

Lashbrook sought to reassure commissioners that the requirement goes with the land and is enforceable, similar to a deed restriction.

Fishman was the only vote against the plan. It was approved 6-1, with

Chris Frantze, Steve McGurren, Stacey Belzer, Dana Farington, Doug Stevens and Coleman voting in favor. Members Kathy Nadlman and Matt Block were absent.