Planning Commission

INFORMATION REGARDING Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting:

To reduce the likelihood of the spread of COVID-19 and to comply with social distancing recommendations, this meeting of the Leawood Planning Commission will be conducted using the Zoom media format, with some of the commissioners appearing remotely. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube and the public can access the livestream by going to www.leawood.org for the live link, just before the 6:00 p.m. start time. The public is strongly encouraged to access this meeting electronically; however, if you wish to comment on a public hearing item, please contact the Community Development Department at 913-339-6700 to make arrangements.

Public comments will only be accepted during the public hearing portion of each agenda item where a public hearing is required. The City encourages the public to submit comments in writing prior to the public hearing by emailing comments to planning@leawood.org. Written public comments received at least 24 hours prior to the meeting will be distributed to members of the Planning Commission. Individuals who contacted the Planning Department in advance to provide public comments will be called upon by name.

Overview

Regular meetings of the Leawood Planning Commission are held the fourth Tuesday of each month (except December) beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Commission may also conduct a work session followed by a meeting on the second Tuesday of each month.

Anyone wishing to appear on the Planning Commission agenda or work session agenda should contact Planning Services at (913) 339-6700.

The Leawood Planning Commission is a nine member non-partisan body whose members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

The Planning Commission prepares the Comprehensive Plan that is used as a general guide for the development of the community. The Comprehensive Plan is reviewed and updated annually as part of the commission’s ongoing process of evaluating trends and patterns. The Commission also reviews all zoning, special use permit, site plan and plat applications prior to making recommendations to the Governing Body for final action.

Rezoning and Special Use Permit Procedures

Newspaper Publications

The city will be responsible for publishing the notice of public hearing in the official City newspaper not less than 20 days prior to the date of the public hearing.

Posting of the Sign

Upon submission of the application, the City will supply the applicant with a sign to be posted on the property. The sign must be posted not less than 20 days prior to the public hearing.

Letters of Notification

The applicant will be responsible for mailing notices by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the proposed zoning change to all land owners located within 200 feet of the area proposed to be altered. These notices must be sent a minimum of 20 days prior to the Planning Commission hearing.

Interact Meeting

The City’s Interact Program requires that an applicant meet and discuss a development with neighboring property owners. Prior to scheduling a public hearing, the applicant must send courtesy notification via regular U.S. mail to the owners of record of property within 500 feet of the proposed development (the “interact participants”) and submit proof of such notice to the City Planning staff either upon the filing of an application or within ten (10) days thereafter. The City shall also notify, if possible, the president(s) of adjacent and/or nearby homes associations(s).

Public Hearing

The Planning Commission hears all zoning requests, hearing from the applicant and anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against the proposal. The Commission will then make a recommendation for approval or denial to the City Council or continue the application to another Planning Commission agenda. The following is an outline of the public hearing process.

Staff summarization of comments and recommendations.
Applicant presentation and response to staff comments and recommendations.
Public Hearing
1. Anyone wishing to speak, either in favor or opposition has an opportunity to speak.
2. It will be appreciated if the speakers keep repetition to a minimum.
The applicant will have an opportunity to respond to points raised during the hearing.
Planning Commission discussion.
Motion and second by the Planning Commission.
Planning Commission discussion of motion.
Planning Commission vote on the motion.

Protest Period

Certain neighboring property owners may file a petition protesting the application within 14 days after the close of the Planning Commission public hearing.

City Council Action

After the protest period has concluded, the application will be placed on an agenda for a City Council meeting. The City Council may then take action on the proposal. The council may approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation, or it may amend and approve or remand the proposal to the Planning Commission for further consideration.