Olathe City Council Meeting: May 19, 2026 – Awards, Zoning, and World Cup Alcohol Sales

The Olathe City Council met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, beginning with an executive session at 5:45 PM, then reconvening for a regular session at 7:00 PM. The meeting featured presentations, public hearings, new business items including a rezoning and World Cup alcohol hour expansion, and a planning session covering industrial revenue bonds and the 2026 state legislative session review.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 14 routine items (A through N) including: minutes from May 5, 2026; new and renewal licenses; expense report for City Auditor Caitlin Clark’s conference attendance; resolutions fixing public hearing dates for structures at 617 N. Water Street and 414 E. Cedar Street (July 21, 2026); a combined subdivision participation and release regarding the National Prescription Opiate Litigation; acceptance of land dedications for final plats (Stellar Apartments and I-35 Logistics Park Eighth Plat); additional funds for Sunset and Ridgeview Intersection Improvements; agreements for basketball court construction at Black Bob Park and for traffic signal supplies (two contracts); and a contract for digester cleanings at the Harold Street Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Vote: Motion carried 7–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Fench (Olathe resident): Expressed concerns about the Olathe Gateway Landing project (apartment development near Boulder Hills Enclave at 175th & Black Bob). He stated a 2007 plan approved 264 owner-occupied townhomes/condos, but now 318 units in three-story apartment buildings are proposed, calling it a "fundamental change" that erodes trust between citizens and government. He noted the developer already has RP3 zoning, allowing the increase without new approval.
• Cameron Smith (Olathe resident): Requested changes to Title VI, Chapter 6.09.040 of the Olathe Municipal Code regarding noxious weeds. He asked to remove poison sumac (never found in Kansas) and poison ivy (essential for bird ecosystems) from the problem plant list. He also asked to add bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei), both listed as noxious/invasive by Johnson County and neighboring states.
• Jo Spear (Olathe resident): Spoke against the Gateway Landing project. She argued that rental properties don’t fit the character of Boulder Hills (home values $500,000–$850,000+), raised concerns about safety, traffic, stormwater, privacy (three-story apartments overlooking yards), and school overcrowding. She asked the council to represent current constituents and preserve neighborhood character.

Discussion Items

• Forest View Townhomes (RZ26-0004 / Ordinance 26-21): Senior Planner Emily Carrillo presented the proposal to rezone 14.6 acres from CTY RUR to R-3 (low-density multifamily) for 72 townhome units in 14 buildings (phase one: 48 units; phase two: 24 units) southwest of K-7 Highway & W. 119th Street. Key features: one waiver (reducing corner side-yard setback from 20 to 15 feet for three buildings), 60-foot buffer (exceeds 20-foot requirement), 28% tree canopy preservation (exceeds 20% minimum), and 65% open space. Traffic impact study completed; access via 119th Street at Mesquite with right-turn lane. No left-turn lane warranted per traffic counts. Parking meets code (1.5 stalls/unit), but Mayor Bacon and Councilmember Schoonover expressed concerns about on-street parking and guest parking. Developer Judd Claussen (Phelps Engineering) noted fire sprinklers mitigate single-access issues and said they could add parking spaces. Councilmember Vakas called it a "well designed" addition to West Olathe. Vote on Ordinance 26-21: 7–0.
• Alcan/120th Street Right-of-Way Amendment (Ordinance 26-22): Approved unanimously (7–0) to update the 2014 vacation ordinance with a full legal description.
• World Cup Alcohol Hours (Ordinance 26-23): Approved unanimously (7–0) to amend Title 7 of the Olathe Municipal Code, allowing expanded hours for alcoholic beverage sales during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, enabled by a new state law.
• 103rd Street Lift Station Survey (Resolution 26-1043): Approved unanimously (7–0) to authorize a survey for land needed for the 103rd Street Lift Station Replacement Project (PN 1-C-011-17).
• 103rd Street Lift Station Land Acquisition (Ordinance 26-24): Approved unanimously (7–0) to authorize acquisition of land for the same project.
• Eminent Domain – McDonald’s (Ordinance 26-25): Approved unanimously (7–0) to pay an eminent domain award and appraiser’s fees for the Santa Fe, Ridgeview to Mur Len Improvements Project (PN 3-C-025-18) regarding McDonald’s USA, LLC.
• Eminent Domain – Brogden Properties (Ordinance 26-26): Approved unanimously (7–0) for the same project regarding Brogden Properties, LLC. City Attorney Ron Shaver noted a few agreements remain under negotiation.

Planning Session – Industrial Revenue Bonds Reports

• Report 1 (167 Olathe 3, LLC / Faith Technologies): Accepted – 76,800 sq ft office building at 167th & Lone Elm Road.
• Report 2 (OFI Manager, LLC): Accepted – Two industrial buildings (260,870 sq ft and 80,000 sq ft) on 60 acres east of Monticello Dr & Erickson Road. Councilmember Schoonover requested cost-benefit analysis at 50% IRB level (vs. proposed 80%). Councilmember Vakas asked for sustainable design information.
• Report 3 (Mitchell Properties II, LLC): Accepted – 33,000 sq ft industrial facility at 15680 S. Keeler Terrace.
• Report 4 (Scannell #798, LLC): Accepted – 646,380 sq ft industrial facility on 32.47 acres at NWQ of 159th & Clare Road. Schoonover expressed same concerns as Report 2.
• Report 5 (Scannell Properties #476, LLC): Accepted – Two buildings totaling 683,800 sq ft on 43.54 acres at NWQ of Clare Road & W 159th Street. Schoonover expressed same concerns.
• Mayor Bacon noted 80% for 10 years is less than 50% for 20 years (as offered by Lenexa), and many warehouses become high-dollar manufacturing.

Planning Session – 2026 State Legislative Session Review

• Natalie Bright (Bright and Carpenter Consulting) presented highlights: 1,300+ bills introduced, 136 signed, 12–14 veto overrides. New Local Government Caucus formed (~41 members). Wins: property tax reform failed (veto not overridden); sales tax distribution formula study; fire sprinkler authority for units ≤4; Star Bonds for Chiefs’ sports authority. Losses: bills eroding local control (public nuisance, prohibiting rent control, independent police review boards) – vetoed but overridden. 2026 elections include governor (open seat), U.S. Senate, all 4 U.S. House races, statewide offices, and 2 constitutional amendments (judicial selection in primary, citizenship voting in general). Priority offseason items: property tax reform, sports authority monitoring, sales tax distribution, right-of-way issues, and election tracking.
• Councilmember Essex and Creighton thanked Bright and noted the importance of proactive council feedback. Mayor Bacon thanked the federal delegation meetings in Washington, D.C.

Key Outcomes

• Forest View Townhomes (Ordinance 26-21): Approved 7–0.
• Alcan/120th Street Amendment (Ordinance 26-22): Approved 7–0.
• World Cup Alcohol Hours (Ordinance 26-23): Approved 7–0.
• 103rd Street Lift Station Survey (Resolution 26-1043): Approved 7–0.
• 103rd Street Lift Station Land Acquisition (Ordinance 26-24): Approved 7–0.
• Eminent Domain – McDonald’s (Ordinance 26-25): Approved 7–0.
• Eminent Domain – Brogden Properties (Ordinance 26-26): Approved 7–0.
• Consent Agenda: Approved 7–0.
• IRB Reports: All five accepted; staff to provide additional cost-benefit and sustainability data for Reports 2, 4, and 5.
• Legislative Review: Council to provide proactive feedback for 2027 session; next year’s agenda development to begin in summer/fall.
• Additional Items: Parking garage construction to begin after June 16 (Zach Hardy). Iowa Street repaving to start mid-June, completed by end of June (Nate Baldwin).