Public Works committee recommends denying proposed median break at 130th & Switzer for Carrington Square development

The Overland Park Public Works Committee voted 4-2 to recommend denial of a requested partial median break (southbound left-in only) at 130th Street and Switzer Road tied to the proposed Carrington Square development.

Jane (engineering services staff) told the committee staff's recommendation is to deny the request because the proposed location does not meet the city's median-spacing standard in Resolution No. 3816 and because staff believes the site already has adequate access from nearby median openings. "Staff is recommending denial of the median bridal request at 130 Sixth Street And Switzer because it does not meet the median break spacing set for the resolution, and staff feels that the site has adequate access due to the existing median breaks," Jane said.

Applicants and consultants urged the committee to allow the partial left-in median break, saying it is necessary for the project's commercial viability and would reduce unsafe u-turns. Jed Claussen of Phelps Engineering, representing the applicant, said the site has remained undeveloped for nearly 20 years and that pass-by retail trips and out-of-town drivers make a left-in desirable. Traffic consultant Michael Hare (Merge Midwest) reported the study shows ample sight distance and projected the southbound left-in movement could accommodate roughly 50'75 vehicles during peak hours; he summarized recent crash data for the intersection (7 crashes in the past three years) and placed the intersection's crash rate between statewide averages and the state's critical crash threshold.

Committee discussion split along safety and planning-policy lines. Several members emphasized that Resolution No. 3816 aims for roughly one median opening about every quarter mile to optimize traffic flow and reduce conflict points; staff noted Schweitzer Road already has multiple openings along the segment and that adding a new opening near sports-complex traffic could create conflict points and increase crash risk. The applicant said their plan is for a left-in only opening (no left-out) and noted storage was proposed to accommodate queuing (the applicant's traffic exhibit proposed about 150 feet of left-turn storage).

Two motions were considered. An initial motion to recommend approval failed on a 2-4 voice vote. A subsequent motion to recommend denial of the partial median break carried 4-2; committee members forwarded the denial recommendation to the City Council. The applicant and staff were informed the Planning Commission will still review the land-use items (preliminary development plan/special use permit) in July, and the Council will see related land-use items in August; the median-break recommendation will be recorded and transmitted with staff comments.

The committee's action does not itself close the land-use process; it records a transportation-engineering recommendation for the Council and Planning Commission to consider.