Board approves preliminary plat for East Elm Estates, defers rezoning vote to April 21

The Harrisonville Board of Aldermen approved a preliminary plat for East Elm Estates (Lots 78–87) on April 7 and scheduled further action on a companion rezoning request. The preliminary plat resolution passed by roll call and was entered as Resolution 2025-06; the rezoning application for 32.88 acres from Agriculture (A) to Single Family Residential (R-1) was the subject of a public hearing and the first reading of council bill 12, and the board will bring that reading back at its April 21 meeting.

Christina, a city planning staff member, told the board the applicant seeks to subdivide 32.88 acres to allow single-family lots; the preliminary plat before the board covers 10 lots (Lots 78–87) and proposes sidewalks on both sides of new streets. Christina said the property was annexed on April 8, 1988 under Ordinance 2968 and that the applicant has applied five times since 2002 for rezoning of all or part of the tract. She said the city’s Comprehensive Plan (2040) designates the area as Suburban Neighborhood and that Planning and Zoning recommended approval 8–0 subject to the staff conditions.

Staff recommended approval of the rezoning and the preliminary plat with conditions including: sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps at intersections and normally separated from the street by a 24-inch grassy strip; all non-paved right-of-way to be sodded or seeded; submission and city approval of a final plat prior to issuance of any development-related building or infrastructure permits; and payment of a parkland cash-in-lieu fee before final plat approval.

Aaron Horn, representing the property owners John and Diane Southern and the trust, requested favorable approval. He also said the developer, referred to in public comments as Mr. Sellers, intends to be the builder for the homes in the development. Resident Chris Johnson (302 Amy Street) said he did not oppose rezoning but urged the city and developer to consider a relief access to avoid using curvilinear neighborhood streets during construction. He told the board, “We think it'd be rather hard to get a flatbed hauling a dozer or a track hoe in,” and recommended adding a relief street from Highway 2 to the new development.

Neighbors at Matt Street raised concerns about school pickup congestion and regular parked cars narrowing roadways during afternoon hours; Storm Reiner (2707 Matt Street) and Dennis Bernays (2709 Matt Street) described erosion and drainage problems on their lots and asked the city to ensure stormwater design and compaction testing will prevent future settling and foundation issues. Reiner said, “I’m worried about the water runoff creating foundation problems for us,” and Bernays noted an existing catch basin that has been overwhelmed in the past.

Aldermen and staff said they would review those access, parking and drainage concerns ahead of the final plat review. Alderman Davidson asked about connections to surrounding streets; staff and the applicant described multiple existing and proposed access points connecting to Eastern Hills, Amy Street and Quail Street. The board approved the preliminary plat by motion from Alderman Mills with a second from Alderman Milner; roll-call votes were recorded as aye from Mills, Milner, Davidson, Franklin, Turner, Chaney and Fouch, with Alderman Doerhoff excused.

The rezoning request will return for a reading and possible vote on April 21; the preliminary plat approval requires the applicant to comply with the stated conditions and to submit a final plat for staff and board review before permits can be issued.