Resident raises storm water concerns at Leawood city planning meeting

The Planning Commission of Leawood, Kansas, convened on March 25, 2025, to address various community concerns, with a significant focus on stormwater management in the area. The meeting featured public comments, including a detailed account from a resident who has lived in the vicinity since February 2002.

The resident expressed deep concerns regarding stormwater retention and its potential impact on his property, which is located directly across from a proposed water retention area in the reserves at Iron Horse. He highlighted that when he purchased his home, it was not in a floodplain, but by 2025, it has been assigned a high flood rating due to ongoing issues with flooding from ***** Creek.

The resident criticized the city’s previous efforts to address stormwater issues, particularly referencing work done in 2008 related to the Iron Horse Golf Course and the banks of ***** Creek. He emphasized that the current stormwater drainage plan appears inadequate, lacking effective measures for downstream modifications that could mitigate flooding risks to his property.

He raised concerns about the proposed drainage system, describing it as a sand column type that may not effectively manage significant rainfall. The resident also noted that the removal of trees and vegetation, which previously helped retain water, could exacerbate flooding issues in the area.

The meeting continued with further discussions, including additional public comments, but the resident's testimony underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive review of stormwater management strategies in Leawood. The commission is expected to consider these concerns as they move forward with planning and development decisions.