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Planning commission forwards landscaping amendment to governing body, changes tree-replacement rules
Summary
The commission approved an amendment to the Leawood Development Ordinance (Case 58-25) revising landscaping requirements outside single‑family districts, including tree-replacement accounting and exceptions for street-tree placement; the amendment is forwarded to the governing body for final action.
The Leawood Planning Commission voted May 27, 2025 to forward an amendment to the Leawood Development Ordinance (LDO §16-4-7.3) that revises landscaping requirements for non‑single‑family districts and clarifies tree-replacement rules.
Planning staff said the amendment addresses typographical corrections, aligns street-tree exceptions with city code and changes how required replacement caliper inches are calculated and credited. Under the amendment, all existing on-site trees that are removed must still be replaced at a one-to-one caliper-inch ratio, but required street trees, parking-lot island trees and other required landscape trees will be credited toward the total caliper inches required to be replaced on-site. Staff said the city arborist determination language was removed and the governing body will be able to approve deviations when on-site replacement is infeasible.
Staff detailed exceptions where required street trees need not be planted: within 35 feet of any street corner, within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 lateral feet for medium trees (mature height about 25–40 feet) or 30 lateral feet for large trees (mature height greater than 40 feet) of overhead electrical distribution lines, or where they would violate utility easements. The amendment also sets an administrative threshold: if total on-site replacement exceeds a specified threshold (noted in staff materials as greater than 32 caliper inches per acre), the governing body may grant a deviation of up to 50% of required replacement inches when warranted.
Commissioners discussed possible unintended consequences. Commissioner Franze cautioned that the 50% deviation above a threshold could create a “cliff” where a small change in the measured inches would change eligibility for deviation; he suggested the issue be considered during broader LDO revisions. Commissioner Black thanked staff for simplifying the approach and said while not perfect, the amendment is an improvement over prior proposals.
Commissioner Liz Hoyt moved to approve Case 58-25; Commissioner Fishman seconded. The commission voted to approve the amendment and forward it to the governing body for final consideration.
