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Neighbors prevail: Board denies Ensley Lane rebuild exception after residents cite loss of trees and neighborhood character
Summary
The board denied an exception for a proposed 5,314 sq ft teardown/rebuild on Ensley Lane after numerous residents said the design would be out of scale with Old Leawood and threaten mature trees; applicant reps said the plan responds to market and modern living needs.
The Board of Zoning Appeals denied a property owner’s request for an exception to the City’s maximum allowable square footage for a teardown/rebuild at Ensley Lane (Case 53-20258721) at its Oct. 22 meeting after an extended public comment period.
The request and the numbers: Staff reported the proposed teardown/rebuild would total 5,314 square feet, exceeding the LDO maximum of 4,536 square feet by 778 square feet (under the 20% threshold that classifies the request as an exception rather than a variance). Applicant representatives, including Eric Robinson, said the plan would provide four bedrooms and more usable second‑floor living space; architect Weston (ESC Architects) said the design sought to match features of nearby new homes.
Neighbors’ concerns and testimony: Dozens of neighbors attended and several spoke in opposition, citing loss of mature trees, change to the…
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