Kansas City approves Northland industrial development over wishes of staff, residents
A majority of the Kansas City Council on Thursday approved the development of two industrial warehouse buildings in the Northland over objections of an adjacent neighborhood, city staffers and planning commissioners.
By a 9-4 vote, the council approved an amendment to the Briarcliff-Winnwood Area Plan for a project on vacant land currently zoned for residential use. Liberty-based Star Development wants to build a pair of 288,000 square foot warehouse buildings on 36 acres just north of Missouri Route 210 between Searcy Creek Parkway and Brighton Avenue.
Voting against the amendment were Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and council members Eric Bunch, Kevin McManus and Andrea Bough.
Residents of the Chouteau Estates community just west of the site objected to an industrial development so close to an established neighborhood.
Kansas City’s planning department echoed those concerns, recommending that the council deny Star Development’s proposal. The City Plan Commission, which advises the council on land use decisions, also recommended rejection.
Council members Heather Hall and Kevin O’Neill sponsored the ordinance. Star Development’s proposal is in their council district, which covers most of Kansas City that is in Clay County.
The council approved the project with little discussion. The plan was amended slightly to add more trees between the warehouse buildings and Chouteau Estates, as well as a fence if neighborhood residents request one.
Lucas, one of the no votes, said on social media earlier Thursday that he stood with the concerns expressed by Chouteau Estates.
“We wouldn’t permit a warehouse in residential zoned land in Brookside. Why would we do so in the Northland?” Lucas wrote on Twitter. “We should think of highest and best use not just today but in the future.”
