Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals approves multiple residential variances and exceptions; fence, setback and square-footage requests granted

Leawood — The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a slate of variances and exceptions for residential properties during its April 23 meeting, granting requests for fence-height exceptions, side-yard setback variances, placement of a permanently installed generator and two requests to exceed maximum allowed square footage.

The decisions, taken on motions from board members and announced as passed with affirmative responses from the board, affect properties on Mission Road, Linden Street, High Drive, West 100/110th Street, West 80/8th Street and West 90th Street. Applications were presented by homeowners or their representatives and were supported by staff reports and, in several cases, letters from adjacent neighbors.

Why this matters: The board’s rulings allow homeowners to replace or extend existing fences, build additions, and relocate equipment in ways that do not meet strict dimensional requirements in the Leawood Development Ordinance (LDO). Board members repeatedly cited the irregular shapes of older lots, existing neighborhood building patterns and direct neighbor support as key reasons in their findings on the required variance/exception criteria.

Most significant items

- 10211 Mission Road: Homeowner Michael Wondra asked to replace sections of a legally nonconforming 6-foot fence with like materials and height. Wondra said the fence is needed “mainly for security” and because he has “3 young children.” The board approved the fence-height exception under the LDO.

- 12414 Linden Street: Homeowners John and Karen Morales sought to replace two 6-foot privacy screens on…