Community Development presents 2024 annual report; commission invited to March 27 strategic planning session

Community Development staff presented the department's 2024 annual report and combined monthly reports for January and February at the Blue Springs Planning Commission meeting March 10 and invited commissioners to participate in a citywide strategic planning boards-and-commissions session March 27.

Staff said Blue Springs issued 1,274 building permits in 2024, an increase from 2023; the city approved 11 rezonings, 10 preliminary plats and nine final plats during 2024. Staff reported 210 sign applications were issued administratively and three annexations were approved. The department told commissioners the city's population grew by 1,021 people from 2023 to 2024 to a total of 60,539, a 1.72% increase.

Staff highlighted several projects including the Blue Surf Bay Waterpark, the Blue Springs Business and Technology Park and multiple residential subdivisions (Cambridge Park, Eagles Creek, 4 Pillars, Edgewater at Chapman Farms, The Woodlands at Chapman Farms) and noted commercial activity concentrated along 7 Highway. The department reported total construction cost for projects in 2024 was about $93 million more than in 2023.

In the January–February update staff said construction activity typically slows in winter: January 2025 recorded eight single-family detached permits and 76 total permits, with lower construction cost compared with January 2024. Code enforcement recorded 53 code cases in the recent reporting period with nuisance inspections being the most common. Staff also noted recent approvals including the Tommy's car wash rezoning and administrative approvals for a Target master sign plan and a corrected final plat for Dutch Bros.

Commissioners asked for more granular nuisance/code case data comparing 2023 and 2024 and to measure progress; staff agreed to bring that information to a future meeting. The city clerk (or assistant to the city administrator) and assistant city administrator Cheryl Morgan were cited as having sent invitations about the March 27 strategic planning meeting, which will be led by consultant Barry Dunn at Adams Pointe Golf Club from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Staff said boards and commission members may be asked to leave staff at some point during the session so consultants can solicit unfiltered feedback.

One commissioner complimented recent exterior design and color choices in new developments and urged the city to encourage similar design features going forward. Staff did not propose ordinance changes at the meeting; staff said a comprehensive plan update and potential code updates will follow the strategic planning process and the city council's timeline.