Planning commission backs zoning updates including R-1B district, 1.7 parking standard and 900‑sq‑ft minimum in new district

The Kearney Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the Board of Aldermen approve a set of zoning code amendments intended to allow smaller single‑family lots and more flexibility for multifamily and commercial development. The package includes revised lot coverage limits, allowance for certain multifamily uses in commercial zones, creation of a new R‑1B district with a 900‑square‑foot minimum dwelling size, and a multifamily parking standard of 1 space per studio/efficiency unit and 1.7 spaces per other dwelling unit.

City planning staff member Shannon presented a memo summarizing the proposed changes and the rationale. Shannon said the proposed R‑1 lot coverage would be 60 percent based on a test build of a 60‑foot wide lot, and staff adjusted other residential and nonresidential coverage numbers by comparing to the R‑4 zone and peer communities. Shannon said the proposal did not change the city’s existing 1,100‑square‑foot minimum dwelling size for R‑1 but noted the Board of Aldermen had requested the option of a new R‑1B district to allow smaller minimums. "I put together a new memo," Shannon said, reviewing proposed tables and visual exhibits of houses on narrower lots.

Commissioners debated minimum livable floor area and parking. Commissioners referenced peer cities: Blue Springs (tiered system, 850–2,600 sq ft), Lee’s Summit (750 sq ft), Liberty (864 sq ft), Parkville (900 sq ft on a 7,500 sq ft lot), and Smithville (1,100 sq ft). Several commissioners said they would support a 900‑square‑foot minimum in a new R‑1B district rather than lowering the R‑1 standard citywide. Commissioners also voiced support for tiered parking or the staff recommendation of 1 per studio plus 1.7 for other units; staff presented a hypothetical 240‑unit project in which a flat 1.5 spaces per unit equaled 360 parking spaces and 1.7 equaled 408 spaces.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) were removed from the current code amendment for separate consideration. Shannon said questions raised by the Board of Aldermen on ADUs—parking, utilities and design criteria—warrant a standalone ordinance. The commission directed staff to prepare ADU language and return it to a future meeting.

A motion passed to recommend the ordinance updates to the Board of Aldermen with two amendments: create an R‑1B zoning district that includes the proposed lot changes and sets a 900‑square‑foot minimum dwelling size for that district, and adopt multifamily parking of 1 space per studio/efficiency unit plus 1.7 spaces per other dwelling unit. The motion carried by voice vote with four members in favor and one member absent. The recommendation will go to the Board of Aldermen for final action.

Commissioners asked staff to prepare the ordinance language and the updated land‑use table for the Board’s consideration and to bring back a separate ADU ordinance later.