A new version for developing 40 acres near SummitWoods Crossing along Pryor Road has been shown to the Lee’s Summit City Council, which earlier this year rejected an earlier $102-million mixed use project.
At a work session Aug. 17, city staff presented a concept plan for West Pryor Village, the city’s idea for that site after meeting with developer David Christie and neighborhoods that opposed the first development.
The 39 acres have been the subject of discussion for several years, touched off by the city’s proposing to sell about 8 acres it owns on Pryor Road, said City Manager Steve Arbo.
City officials hope to use that proposed sale to spur development of land along Pryor Road, between Chipman Road and Interstate 470.
Christie has proposed a big box development like SummitWoods Crossing, which is across the street, Arbo said, but the council rejected that idea, wanting something more.
Council members will vote on the concept plan during a regular session, then the city expects Christie to apply to again submit a proposal, but one which conforms to the city’s vision. Christie’s revised proposal would go to public hearings and need additional council approval.
Bob McKay, director of planning, said the latest concept plan relocates entrances to the development, which would discourage additional traffic from using Black Twig Lane, and redesigned proposed apartments.
McKay said that some traffic from apartments might take Black Twig Lane through the Summerfield subdivision, if the person wanted to go to Metropolitan Community College-Longview or to the Fred Arbanas Golf Course by using Chipman Road.
But most motorists would want to go to Pryor Road on a road within the development and head to Interstate 470.
The four-story apartment buildings on the south end of the development would be in a ring, McKay said,with parking lots on the interior, giving them a better appearance.
The number of apartment units in the project is being cut by nearly 100, down to 243 units total.
There would be a hotel and a parking structure on the north end, at I-470 and Pryor. In the middle, the developer could locate office buildings, retail shops, a grocery and restaurants. The retail would total about 232,000 square feet. At the south end, there would be two restaurant sites and a small lake.
Residents of the Summerfield subdivision have opposed apartments so close to their homes.
Nearby residents are not satisfiied, said Mike Hochstedler, president of the Summerfield Homeowners Association. They are still concerned about apartments being immediately next door to their subdivision.
“We want this project to be the best project, we’re still not happy with project and how we’ll be imposed on with the traffic, crime and whatever else,” he said.
McKay said the city is looking for a walkable mixed-use development where people can live, work, shop and play.
“We’re not going to satisfy everybody, we realize that,” McKay said. “Staff feels the apartments are necessary to make this a little community.”
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