On Monday, the Lenexa Planning Commission approved a sizable portion of a residential development that will be located at the southwest corner of Monticello Rd. and 90th St. in the heart of Lenexa, Kan.
The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of eight out of nine items of the development, including a concept plan for the site; a preliminary plan for the Copper Creek Apartments and Townhomes on the north end; and rezoning required for nearly all components of the project.
The commission voted 8-1 to recommend approval of rezoning for the high-rise apartments.
Located on 187 acres, the proposed Watercrest South and Copper Creek project totals 1,239 housing units.
The project includes preliminary plans for 44 townhomes in seven buildings, 688 multifamily apartments in 14 buildings and 257 lots for single-family homes.
Conceptual plans were approved for the mix of a 100-unit multifamily apartment, 150 senior living units and 187,000 SF of commercial space to potentially include two hotels.
Because of the recent decline in demand for office space, previously included office space plans were removed from the city’s future land use map and replaced with additional single-family homes to the west of Watercrest Landing North.
The project also hinges on completion of Woodsonia Dr., which will run north and south through the area. City staff proposed completing the new street in one phase in conjunction with early phases of the private development, owned by Q.C. Development, P & L Development LLC. and Watercrest South LLC.
The next Lenexa City Council meeting will be held August 18, 2020, where they will continue to discuss other components of the development.
The Kansas City Council has approved rezoning of about 50 acres near the Grandview Triangle in the Hickman Mills area, clearing the way for the first new upscale residential project in that pocket of South Kansas City in a generation.
Construction is expected to begin on the first phase of the River Birch Townhomes project in late summer, with 27 fourplex buildings completed in 2020. At full buildout, development plans call for construction of 204 units in 51 two-story buildings built in two phases.
The $28 million project is being developed by James Ellis of HC Realty Development Co. and aims to attract young professionals working at Cerner Corporation’s Innovation Campus less than five miles away, as well as Honeywell's campus at I-49 and Missouri Highway 150.
“There’s a strong need for quality housing in south Kansas City, Missouri,” Ellis said. “With quality employers including Cerner and Honeywell and the proposed redevelopment of the former Bannister Federal Complex, there will be a large influx of young professionals.”
No incentives were requested for the project, which was unanimously approved by the Kansas City Council and the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals. It also has received strong support from the South Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance and the Hickman Mills School District.
The community will offer two- and three-bedroom units for lease starting at about $1,500 per month. Amenities planned for the project include a clubhouse, pool, playground and large amounts of green place.
