[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6461251,"mediaKeyId","5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272","parentId",5825534,"title","Leawood BZA grants rear-yard setback variance for Ensley Lane deck replacement","audioSeconds",532,"startMs",380000,"endMs",912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272&start=380&end=912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272/thumbnail_380000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461251/Leawood/Johnson-County/Kansas/Leawood-BZA-grants-rear-yard-setback-variance-for-Ensley-Lane-deck-replacement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461251-cc7a02f814ed1e4bd836339eeec6a2ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081636&Signature=QF5INmWTgBrUCj7KQz0i1DSqAtec19t-N4PuLP~xiOieAMT-cOy-1nvTUPAvSMfBH3I5EX8~Nt-RBiFvc-Rl-ygKfjAlEBBb9WPA3iF1JR6pl-QMVXi0CphQmCx1LZhxHWm6R9nGx1rbcOnOOzJF0D-gasaSjxD~mAay6yxVTT7ERAva5VEBA4lP8TznM5aVOVN0yH98~HysW3D1-Yhh7opS40EhgWCTuLlLFLYbaHncbEK91NGWWBG8EeSXJLsZna1GwQcH6ZYSgbtz-kn1IEOhYH5c2d2dUuTkfUWqZqDan7gT6zZRjN-WFPJEKiX~SaeHdqB7dMVssxZadhKTuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Leawood, KS","date","2025-09-25T00:42:00.12Z","article","The Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously Sept. 24 to grant a variance that will allow a homeowner at 12614 Ensley Lane to replace a nonconforming deck and reposition it so the new deck will be at least 10 feet from the rear property line.

The applicant, Jacob Conklin, told the board the lot is irregularly shaped and the existing deck is in disrepair and constitutes a safety hazard. He said the house and current deck are about 9 feet from the property line; the proposal shifts the deck roughly 16 to 18 inches and increases its width so the new footprint will meet the requested 10-foot setback on both sides.

A board member summarized the five variance factors the panel must apply and led discussion. Board members said the lot’s irregular shape met the uniqueness test, that replacing a deteriorated deck constituted hardship in favor of relief, and that the proposal would not adversely affect public safety or the spirit and intent of the Leawood Development Ordinance. The board moved to approve and voted 6-0. The city will notify the applicant in writing.

Why it matters: The variance allows the homeowner to bring the deck up to modern footing and code standards while reducing a nonconforming condition on an unusually configured lot.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Zoning Appeals [BZA] - Sep 24 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board approved a variance allowing replacement and slight relocation of a nonconforming deck at 12614 Ensley Lane to meet modern footing requirements while achieving a 10-foot setback from the rear property line.","taxTitle","Leawood, Johnson County, Kansas","taxId",55742,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461256,"Leawood BZA unanimously approves fence-height exception for West 130th Terrace property",186,171000,357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272&start=171&end=357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272/thumbnail_171000.jpg","/articles/6461256/Leawood/Johnson-County/Kansas/Leawood-BZA-unanimously-approves-fence-height-exception-for-West-130th-Terrace-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461256-62ccc62f7bce7d3663f052563dd6ca4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081636&Signature=Se23Vl0uSUc0TaVmOplzN4uIFaE5Lk~DFLWmZyQek26aehv3DBRx9FWFmFbdrCzFMHkLuMKoB4rAcPt99aWGNLxrTE4FuijRLl3H7KhEVohlh26V~lkYGlIjof-SJeKUNW~Yqs-WdWBIKblRLTK37xuafeldTMmQtQgup0nTb7Rfohd~Za2vCI8HJynmtDJoyQ1q~oPsQdzIi6KUQrKhwgGoOXTjBPiH0vMwdB1m9pJJPQT3g~uIpGt2fSJFtiRfM1pDqXQ7UW83DMtWtSbS4E6BB1JWgOZKH-PY-rASFoXdBTjxsyUFHxRSKFzp9sBAIH5qCvERP2x6NOUjZjPADA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 24 unanimously approved a fence-height exception allowing the owner of 4352 West 130th Terrace to replace roughly 36 feet of four-foot wooden fence with a six-foot wooden privacy fence.

The applicant, Pat Foley, told the board the rear yard includes a berm that effectively raises the fence height at that location and said an enforced 48-inch fence would leave a small gap that could allow the household dogs to escape. \"I've got a berm here... that fence is about 5 and a half feet right now,\" Foley said during the meeting.

A staff member reported that the application asked to replace approximately 36 feet of four-foot fence with a six-foot privacy fence at the rear of the property. Board members asked whether nearby neighbors had been notified; Foley said he had sent certified letters. After brief questions from the panel and no public opposition, a board member moved to approve, a second was recorded and the board voted 6-0 in favor. The board announced the applicant will be notified in writing by the city.

Why it matters: Fence-height exceptions affect neighbor sight lines, public right-of-way safety and animals. In this instance the board cited the berm, the existing fence condition and the small area affected when approving the exception.

Procedural note: The discussion occurred under a routine BZA agenda item for fence exceptions and produced a formal 6-0 approval; the city will send written notice of the decision to the applicant.","The Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals approved a request Sept. 24 to replace about 36 feet of 4-foot fence with a 6-foot privacy fence at 4352 West 130th Terrace, citing a berm and pet safety as reasons for the exception.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461243,"Leawood BZA approves grade-change variance for Meadow Lane property but denies detached motorized pool-cover structure",4693,1476000,6169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272&start=1476&end=6169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272/thumbnail_1476000.jpg","/articles/6461243/Leawood/Johnson-County/Kansas/Leawood-BZA-approves-grade-change-variance-for-Meadow-Lane-property-but-denies-detached-motorized-pool-cover-structure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461243-64d5d868c6a3dff62b2db4ea3e2c4003/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081636&Signature=im9NICQz1WZENgokmkYvJWgdWVbNgsUN07uYlXF7GCNSOc9BxBqzV~NCncNx43MJuwvIyVpqFL~AdponzDzvoBUCS8jmtgPVTM1UbmXJGCaFQ5n92FPn~ct~RigTPF00ImYjihNmTVvUa2dhB8sP5GR7XZI23~5XCMVt700fUomzkjLq97d4ZKJDJg35sYNlvhvgzfE~YJSfAUMR-Qa1pCjAQvJgbJ~k~nMi8c~ABJipWp4XlnpRRRJiTqF~wKW9uvWclmXdchbVEX9VseweUfw23WoPGy6omE6dWCPwpYjSrKoXSfDqTzQ853-0~PCVC6qcmBJ2dZqc1dmulyG5jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals voted Sept. 24 to grant a variance for maximum grade change at 8708 Meadow Lane so the property owner can install retaining walls and an engineered drainage system, but the board denied a separate request to permit a detached, motorized pool-cover structure that the applicant proposed as a sliding deck.

What the board approved: Staff described the grade-change request as two retaining walls associated with a teardown-and-rebuild property and a proposed outdoor-living project that would require a maximum grade change of about 3.9 feet in some locations. Contractor Mark Rao and homeowner Shannon Ryan presented engineering and drainage plans, and Brett Hoagland of Continental Consulting Engineers described a drainage design that includes downspout collection, an infiltration trench and a linear 6-inch perforated pipe and detention facilities to capture groundwater and reduce runoff to downstream neighbors. Hoagland said the plan would redirect the site’s runoff to a north-end inlet in the cul-de-sac via a right-of-way agreement that will go before the city council. Board members found the five variance factors were met and approved the grade-change variance 6-0.

What the board denied: The homeowner separately asked for a variance to allow a detached accessory structure — described as a motorized, rolling cover built as a deck that would slide over the pool and lock in place — because Leawood’s ordinance permits only decks attached to the primary structure. The applicant described the design as a hard, lockable cover intended to increase safety for her neurodivergent child and to make a small yard more functional. Planning staff and several board members noted the LDO explicitly precludes detached decks and said the application lacked sufficient technical detail on the track and motor system. After discussing the five factors, the board determined most factors were not met for the detached-deck variance and voted to deny that request unanimously.

Other action: A separate variance to the rear-yard setback related to the deck was withdrawn by the applicant after the denial of the detached-deck variance.

Why it matters: The grade-change approval permits engineered work intended to address persistent drainage problems, a high groundwater table and runoff that neighbors reported; the denial conserves the city’s extant interpretation of accessory-structure rules and signals the BZA’s reluctance to authorize a new class of detached, load‑bearing pool covers without ordinance changes or additional technical review.

Details from the meeting: Board members and staff repeatedly cited the property’s severe slope, documented spring and ongoing drainage impacts to adjacent yards as the basis for the grade-change hardship and uniqueness findings. The applicant reported she had a geotechnical analysis completed (cost not specified in testimony) and that sump pumps and flows had repeatedly affected downstream yards. The engineering presentation noted the plan would reduce the area draining northwest to approximately 1,000 square feet by capturing roof and deck drainage and routing it to an inlet at the north end of the cul-de-sac. The denial on the detached-deck item centered on the ordinance language requiring accessory structures be attached to the primary structure and concerns about the lack of detailed, tested safety specifications for a motorized, load-bearing cover.","The BZA approved a variance to allow 2 retaining walls and associated grade changes at 8708 Meadow Lane to address drainage and a high groundwater table, but denied a separate variance to permit a detached, motorized pool-cover deck; a third setback variance was withdrawn by the applicant.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461248,"BZA allows existing unpermitted six‑foot fence on West 100th Terrace to remain",464,956000,1420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272&start=956&end=1420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825534-01895c2b8eeb1126cb29398f12213272/thumbnail_956000.jpg","/articles/6461248/Leawood/Johnson-County/Kansas/BZA-allows-existing-unpermitted-sixfoot-fence-on-West-100th-Terrace-to-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461248-2ff7684c025f5f4d795e93ab72626d3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771081636&Signature=aBjAuhJU-OCfi0LVktIKK16GhibTrjyyOA7pgFVzjmg~gfqAVUCLey5PtCkgeQ4FDZ9jkUuDUNwQ7DWMNSX04BugR3nxnWlCmqis2iSv2pgQ7vFPUYDDMEUuRyacqpKXzd8BRRu1WCFkRSulVRY8x-sN3BdlGz1o06AR~rRj0Sqthq4FMdUB0-QKxWB3jVy-BCjIbyiglmoUf8KHcikxRxsxpGcCgZSWFIjSw1NHlOAPYhTW2ovSppavn9c7KtEbpu6A0cAQMB92ZyGTuAL-JxQ5q796eQnBsiT2aaqgNmIjx2u4fsBKiKfn8eJb0jKgl0drIDqp-llqA5deHlKBaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals approved a fence-height exception Sept. 24 to allow a six-foot fence already installed at 2111 West 100th Terrace to remain and obtain the required permit.

Applicant Stuart Morash and Jillian Morash told the board the work began as spot repairs and evolved into a full replacement intended to keep dogs in the yard and to protect a five-year-old child who uses the backyard. \"We started just getting rid of the wire mesh, and then the dogs started jumping back and forth,\" Stuart Morash said. He acknowledged the homeowners had not pulled a permit before completing the work and said they accepted any fees or consequences.

Staff advised that small repairs may be exempt but that replacing multiple sections generally requires a permit. No neighbors registered opposition, staff reported. A board member moved to approve under the Leawood Development Ordinance; the board voted 6-0 in favor. The city will send written notification to the applicant.

Why it matters: The decision regularizes an already-installed fence and reinforces the city's permitting expectation for fence replacements and larger repairs.","The Board granted a fence-height exception to allow a six-foot fence already installed without a permit to remain at 2111 West 100th Terrace; applicant cited child safety and pet containment as reasons for replacement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Leawood BZA grants rear-yard setback variance for Ensley Lane deck replacement

Leawood BZA unanimously approves fence-height exception for West 130th Terrace property

Leawood BZA approves grade-change variance for Meadow Lane property but denies detached motorized pool-cover structure

BZA allows existing unpermitted six‑foot fence on West 100th Terrace to remain