Independence City Council reviews Historic Square (HSQ) zoning overlay to implement master plan

Independence City Council study-session attendees on Aug. 11 heard a staff presentation on a proposed Historic Square (HSQ) zoning overlay meant to implement the Independence Square master plan and streamline redevelopment around the city’s historic square.

The proposal would replace the existing HSQ language in the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Section 14901 with a new, master-plan‑aligned overlay that consolidates allowed uses, adds design standards for residential, mixed-use and nonresidential buildings, and creates three subdistricts — Historic Square, Downtown Transition and Downtown Neighborhood — intended to reflect and preserve local building patterns and encourage reinvestment.

Tom Scannell, the city’s community development director, told the council the HSQ draft sets design standards by building and block frontage type, addresses alley activation and open-space frontage, and includes rules on materials, transparency and streetscape elements. Scannell said the district would allow accessory dwelling units with…