Planning commission approves rezoning for 360‑unit Infinity Apartments at 19300 E. 30th Terrace

The Independence Planning Commission on June 24 recommended approval, by a 7‑0 vote, of a rezoning and planned unit development for the Infinity Apartments at 19300 East 30th Terrace, a proposed 360‑unit multifamily development with two levels of below‑grade parking and four stories of dwelling units above.

Gabe, planning staff, told the commission the site is an unplatted tract of about 11.07 acres northwest of the 30th Street commercial corridor and north of the Independence Center. “This application for rezoning slash planned unit development is located in generally the Southeast region of the city of Independence,” Gabe said during staff presentation, and he described surrounding uses, required notification, and a set of conditions staff recommends be attached to any approval.

The commission heard detailed project materials: a two‑level parking garage providing 685 stalls (the staff calculation showed required parking for 360 units as 661 stalls), a unit mix of 46 studios, 196 one‑bedrooms and 118 two‑bedrooms, a central amenity courtyard with a pool, cabanas and a playground, and landscaping using native species such as river birch and redbud.

Staff recommended approval with conditions, including submission of a final development plan, compliance with municipal services requirements for a preliminary sewer capacity study and likely development agreement for sanitary sewer improvements, locating proposed water main extensions outside of a 3:1 slope, and verification that the Independence Fire Department has adequate access around the building before final plan approval. Gabe also noted the proposed density of 30.84 units per acre exceeds the stated 30‑unit maximum and will be handled through the PUD process.

Jason Osborne, the architect representing the applicant, said the developer revised an earlier proposal of multiple buildings to a single podium structure after engineering work showed the prior plan would have required large volumes of fill. “We learned that we had to, in fact, bring in 265,000 cubic yards of fill,” Osborne said, describing the amount as a primary reason for the design change and saying the new plan reduces required earth movement and increases green space compared with the prior submittal.

Commissioners asked about visibility of the parking garage because of the site's slope, on‑site stormwater and grading, EV charging infrastructure and fire‑truck access. Gabe and the applicant said portions of the lower garage would be exposed on the north face because of topography but that grading, drainage and fire access are being addressed in the engineering review. The applicant confirmed a small number of charging stations are expected but that EV charging is not currently required by code.

The commission voted 7‑0 to recommend approval of case 2512502, with the standard PUD conditions listed by staff. Next steps for the project include final development plan review for engineering compliance, execution of a development agreement if sanitary sewer upgrades are required, completion of a minor subdivision prior to building permits, and any additional municipal services approvals.