After some revisions to the plan, a vacant property south of the Bluhawk mixed-use entertainment district in Overland Park could soon see a mix of housing options and commercial uses.
The project, located at 167th Street and U.S. Highway 69, comes from Price Brothers, the same developer behind Bluhawk. If fully realized, it could bring a collection of single-family homes, higher-density apartments and a commercial district with some big box stores.
After voting to continue the application last month to sort out some details, the Overland Park Planning Commission voted 11-0 on Monday to recommend approval of the rezoning request for the project.
“I’m okay with this development, it’s not perfect,” Commissioner Kip Strauss said, “but I think overall, it’s a good development in the right location of the city.”
How they voted
Here’s how members of the planning commission voted:
• Radd Way, chair: Yes
• Jenna Reyes, vice chair: Yes
• Kip Strauss: Yes
• Jameia Haines: Yes
• Kim Sorensen: Yes
• Holly Streeter Schaefer: Yes
• Thomas Robinett: Yes
• Chris Staus: Yes
• Tizrah Gregory: Yes
• Matt Masilionis: Yes
• Ned Reitzes: Yes
340+ apartments, 120+ homes planned
The 167th Development project features different densities of residential development and some commercial space.
Housing is the dominant feature of the development from Price Brothers on this roughly 100-acre property. About 56 acres have been earmarked for 122 small-lot single-family homes. Those are located primarily on the southern half of the project area.
Another 15 acres on the east side of Lowell Avenue is set aside for eight apartment buildings that will have a combined 343 units. There will also be a clubhouse, swimming pool, picnic area and playgrounds for future tenants.
The remaining 30 or so acres on the northern portion of the property will be reserved for four commercial pad sites, as well as a convenience store with fuel pumps, along 167th Street. Additionally, there will be two larger-scale big box stores, though the intended tenants have not been publicly identified.
Since the plan first came to the planning commission last month, the developer has made some changes to address some of the sticking points.
For instance, more buffering between the residential areas and commercial areas was added. There have also been some tweaks to the overall design and site layout, including the addition of two small retail or restaurant buildings closer to 168th Street.
The developer has added some site amenities to offset the excess surface parking that is planned with the development.
The property in question is currently zoned with a carryover rural designation from the time of annexation into the city of Overland Park. In order to develop it as Price Brothers intends to, portions need to be rezoned for single-family homes, higher-density apartments and commercial development.
Some skepticism persists about big box stores near 167th Street
Though most of the planning commission’s concerns about the development have been addressed, some commissioners still expressed some trepidation about the fit of big box stores in this area of the city.
“I like the commercial development; I have a hard time with that big box development being a part of this plan,” Commissioner Tirzah Gregory said, echoing some of her comments from August.
Karon Staten, who lives nearby and spoke during the public comment on Monday, seemed to have a similar issue, curious about what tenants might eventually use the proposed buildings.
However, in the end, Gregory and her fellow commissioners all voted in favor of supporting the project.
Next steps for 167th Development:
Now that the planning commission has voted in favor of approving the rezoning application, the 167th Development project goes to the Overland Park City Council for consideration.
It is currently scheduled for the Oct. 5 city council meeting.
In the future, if ultimately approved, Price Brothers will need to submit a final development plan to the planning commission for consideration.
Keep reading: Commercial lot near Bluhawk poised to become 139 apartments and townhomes instead
