Planning Commission Meeting – March 24, 2025
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Planning Commission Meeting – March 24, 2025
The Olathe Planning Commission held its regular meeting on March 24, 2025, at a temporary location due to City Hall renovations. All nine commissioners were present. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda, two public hearings, and decisions on a final plat and a rezoning with plat.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda, containing three routine items, was approved unanimously (9-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lyonz Den Townhomes (FP25-0005): No public comments were received.
- Jemi Homes (RZ25-0001 & FP25-0006): Two neighbors spoke. Stephanie Whitner (16737 W. 157th Street) and Harold Schreiber (1674 W. 157th Terrace) expressed concerns over existing street parking congestion and traffic on 157th Street, especially near Merlin Road. They worried additional on-street parking from the facility would worsen conditions and affect property values. Both asked for better parking controls.
Discussion Items
- Lyonz Den Townhomes: Senior Planner Emily Corillo presented a request for approval of a final plat and vacation of a sanitary sewer easement for a 0.89-acre lot at 514 E. Kansas City Road. The plat establishes one lot for two previously approved townhome buildings. Staff recommended approval with no stipulations; the applicant agreed. The item was approved unanimously (9-0) and will proceed to City Council on April 1 for dedication acceptance.
- Jemi Homes Rezoning and Plat: Planner Andrea Morgan presented a request to rezone 0.84 acres at 15690 S. Renner Road from County Residential Low-Density (CTY RLD) to R-1 Single-Family Residential, and a final plat creating a 36,359 sq. ft. lot. The existing single-family home would be used as a state-licensed home-plus facility for up to ten residents. No exterior changes are planned. On-site parking (six spaces) exists. Staff recommended approval with no stipulations.
- Commissioners asked about parking adequacy and enforcement. The applicant, Chris Van Horn (CMP Construction), stated that the detached garage can hold up to eight vehicles, the driveway can hold six, and additional flatwork could be added. He assured that staff would park in the garage and no on-street parking would be used.
- Discussion centered on ensuring sufficient off-street parking. Deputy City Attorney Chris Grunwald noted that if parking becomes a safety issue, traffic can post no-parking signs, but there is no direct enforcement mechanism unless conditions change. Commissioner Corcoran proposed requiring a deferred parking plan as a stipulation on the plat.
- After debate, the commission approved the rezoning (RZ25-0001) separately with no stipulations (unanimous roll call). Then approved the final plat (FP25-0006) with a stipulation requiring the applicant to submit a deferred parking plan that can be activated if the city determines on-site parking is inadequate (unanimous roll call).
Key Outcomes
- FP25-0005 (Lyonz Den Townhomes): Approved unanimously (9-0). Forwarded to City Council.
- RZ25-0001 (Jemi Homes Rezoning): Approved unanimously (9-0) without stipulations.
- FP25-0006 (Jemi Homes Final Plat): Approved unanimously (9-0) with a stipulation for a deferred parking plan to be implemented if needed.
- The commission adjourned after announcements.
Meeting Transcript
Like to call tonight's meeting to order. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Good evening and welcome to the City of Olatha's Planning Commission meeting for March 24th. As you can see, this is our first meeting in our temporary location. City Council and the Planning Commission will meet in the here through May while construction is taking place at City Hall, and cross our fingers and maybe it's no longer than that. So with that said, I'll take a moment to acknowledge that we have a quorum of planning commissioners present with nine out of nine in attendance. So welcome everyone. Planning commission meetings are an important part of the process for interpreting and applying the city's comprehensive plan and unified development ordinance. It's important that our meetings are conducted with dignity and respect that applies to every person in attendance. We strive to provide an atmosphere where the ideas and opinions of all participants are held in the highest regard. Finally, the actions on the issues we discuss are ultimately under the responsibility of the city council. As the planning commission, we're here to help the council as our elected representatives to be fully informed to make the best choices for our city. By statute, the planning commission strives not to engage with any party on the issues on our agenda prior to the meeting tonight. Should that interaction take place as a result of a business relationship or any other interaction, which we refer to as ex parte communication? Commissioners will report that when we reach that item in the agenda. We'll now move on to the consent agenda. Tonight it looks like we have three items on the consent agenda. Commissioners, is there any items that need to be pulled for additional information or questions from staff? Seeing none, I'll call for a motion. Mr. Chair, I'll move to approve the consent agenda. Thank you, Commissioner Barin. May I have a second? Second. Thank you. I kind of look not supposed to look. Okay, thank you, Commissioner Bergida. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. And that passes nine to zero. We'll now move on to our regular business and on our regular agenda. We have two scheduled public hearings tonight. The first public hearing is a request for approval of a plat and vacation of an easement for the Lions Den Townhomes, which are located southwest of Spruce Street and Kansas City Road. Ms. Corillo is here this evening to present the case. Thank you, Chairman. Emily Corillo, senior planner, has mentioned for your consideration this evening. This is an application for a final plat for Lions Den Townhomes, which includes a public easement vacation with this application and therefore requires a public hearing per UDO. The subject property is located at 514 East Kansas City Road, and that's near the intersection of East Spruce and East Kansas City Road. This replat will establish lot lines, dedicate public easements, and vacate a portion of the existing sanitary sewer easement. The final plat includes one residential lot located on approximately 0.9 acres as intended for the construction of two remaining townhomes structures previously approved at this location. This replat is consistent with the revised preliminary site development plan. Zoom in just a touch here. Highlight this existing 10-foot sanitary easement. You can see highlighted there kind of in a reddish-orange color. That's the segment that's going to be vacated and it's being just slightly relocated. It's just going to shift positioning, and then this is where the sanitary sewer easement is being dedicated per the plat this evening.
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