An Olathe developer is going to build townhomes that will address the “missing middle” gap in housing. At below market value, they’ll be priced under $500,000.
Olathe City Council approved a rezoning request and preliminary site plans Tuesday that will make way for the mixed-use development featuring 44 townhomes and commercial space.
The project, which the city council unanimously approved, will be located at an approximately 5-acre site at the southeast corner of 133rd Street and Black Bob Road.
Councilmember LeEtta Felter recused herself because her husband, Jib Felter, is a developer for the project. The Olathe Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval on July 13.
The “missing middle”
The project comes just months after the city council approved Olathe’s new comprehensive plan, “Elevate Olathe,” which outlines priorities for housing, transportation, economic development and infrastructure across the city for the next 15 years.
The 183-page document is intended to serve as a guide for city staff, elected officials, business owners and residents.
City staff began working on Elevate Olathe in June 2024, gathering input from roughly 4,000 residents, business owners and stakeholders through workshops, open houses and surveys.
Results from community outreach found that the “dominant concern” for Olathe residents is a lack of affordable and attainable housing.
According to Elevate Olathe, the average home appraised value in Olathe is $437,657 while about 43% of Olathe renters are “cost burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, according to the plan.
To address that, the plan calls for more varied housing options, including duplexes, townhomes and smaller homes, all of which are often called “missing middle housing.”
Jib Felter, a developer with AAG Farms LLC, told the city council that he had studied Elevate Olathe and worked with city staff to determine the density needed to make the homes more attainable.
He said the development will require about $3 million in infrastructure regardless of whether it includes “20 or 40” homes. In other words, increasing the number of units allows those costs to be divided amongst more homes which lowers the selling price.
Felter said 32 of the homes will be approximately 1,780 square feet and priced under $500,000, which he said is below market value.
“We want the next generation of Olatheans to be able to find a home, and so this is a start,” Felter said.
During the public hearing portion of the meeting, one Olathe resident mentioned the affordability of the townhomes.
“We often hear about the missing middle,” Bridget Moore said. “But to me, it’s still scary that the missing middle was going to be less than half a million dollars.”
About the development
Named “The Row at the Uptown, the project will turn 5 acres of vacant land zoned for agriculture to a planned district. The new zoning designation allows for a mix of residential and commercial spaces.
Preliminary site plans have two commercial buildings totaling about 5,000 square feet at the entrance. Five buildings surrounding the retail spaces on three sides will house the 44 townhomes.
The three- and four-story townhomes will feature ground-level entries and built-in elevator shafts, allowing buyers to install elevators or convert the space into closets.
Councilmember Dean Vakas praised the accessible features and noted the homes could be a good place for retired couples.
The development will be designed with French Renaissance-inspired architecture and is intended to be walkable. It will also have three active open space areas.
The townhomes will be available for sale and rent.
City council asks about traffic
As part of the project, developers will extend 133rd Street east from Black Bob into the development, which will end in a cul-de-sac.
Councilmembers asked whether the new entrance would require a traffic signal.
City Engineer Nate Baldwin said the amount of traffic generated from the development doesn’t warrant putting a stop light at the new intersection, but they will re-examine that if needed.
Developers didn’t say which businesses will occupy the commercial spaces. The only establishments not permitted under the C-1 zoning are animal care with outdoor kennels and anything with a drive-through.
Developers didn’t provide a construction timeline but with the city council’s approval, are able to begin at any time.
