Lenexa council rezones Lakeview Avenue site for warehouse use, approves preliminary plan; sales-tax renewal ratified

The Lenexa City Council approved rezoning of property at 11217 Lakeview Avenue from CPO (planned general office) to BP-2 (planned manufacturing) and approved a companion preliminary plan for an existing 36,000-square-foot building, the council said. Council members also passed an ordinance to levy a voter-approved renewal of the city’s general-purpose retailers’ sales tax.

The rezoning returns the site to business-park manufacturing zoning to accommodate an incoming tenant, Mechanical Sales Midwest, and authorizes site improvements including two truck docks and landscaping work. Scott McCullough, community development department, told the council: "This is, as you know, to request to rezone property, and a preliminary plan associated with a few improvements, revisions to that. The applicant is mechanical sales Midwest. it's a, already in a Lenexa established business on Strangeline Road, so they're relocating to this site, which, suits them a little bit better."

Why it matters: the change from CPO back to BP-2 aligns the property with surrounding business-park zoning and the city’s comprehensive-plan land-use map, and it clears the way for building improvements and tenant relocation. Council members said staff and the planning commission recommended approval.

Site details and applicant comment: staff described the property as roughly a 4-acre lot with an existing one-story, 36,000-square-foot building and parking that exceeds the code-required amount. The preliminary plan shows two new docks and circulation for truck traffic; McCullough noted some existing landscaping will be removed and replaced as part of the permitting process. An applicant representative identified in the record as Mr. Nolte said the building previously had different uses and deferred maintenance and that "we've got a really nice 36,000 square foot building ready to go and looking forward to it." The council noted final plan review and permitting will be administrative steps following tonight’s approvals.

Other planning business: a separate rezoning and preliminary-plan item, Vantage at Lenexa (a proposed multifamily development at the northwest corner of Prairie Star Parkway and Monticello Road), was continued to the May 20, 2025, council meeting at the applicant’s request. Council members from Ward 2 reported meeting with about two dozen neighbors concerned about the apartment proposal; the item remains continued for further review and public comment.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (items 1–5): approved collectively (motion by Bridal; second by Chelsea). The consent agenda covered routine matters listed in the packet; no items were pulled for separate discussion. - Rezoning of 11217 Lakeview Avenue (Agenda item 6): motion to pass the rezoning ordinance approved (motion by Council member Craig; second by Council member John; council recorded the motion as passed). The rezoning reclassifies the property from CPO to BP-2 to allow warehousing and related uses. - Preliminary plan for 11217 Lakeview Avenue (Agenda item 6B): motion to approve the companion preliminary plan approved (motion by Council member Chelsea; second by Council member Bill; motion passes). Final plan and permits will be handled administratively. - Ordinance levying renewed general-purpose city retailers’ sales tax (Agenda item 7): council passed an ordinance to levy the renewed 3/8 of 1% sales tax effective Oct. 1, 2028, through Sept. 30, 2048. Mike Nolan, assistant city manager, said the Johnson County election commissioner’s official results attached to the packet show "79% in favor, 21% opposed." The city will publish the ordinance and notify the Kansas Department of Revenue so collection can begin on the effective date.

What’s next: the Lakeview Avenue project will proceed to administrative final-plan review, permitting, and inspections before any site work. The multifamily Vantage at Lenexa application will return to the council on May 20, 2025, per the applicant’s request.