Leawood — The Planning Commission on Tuesday declined to approve a revised preliminary development plan that would demolish the old City Hall, alter the historic Fire Station 1 for community use and create a new park, and voted instead to continue the item so staff can address resident concerns.

The project, Case 124-25, would remove portions of the former City Hall, renovate and reuse parts of the old Fire Station 1 as meeting and multipurpose space (including a place to display the historic fire engine), relocate the eastern parking lot to the west, and add a playground, a demonstration garden and pedestrian improvements along Lee Boulevard. Staff recommended approval with 12 stipulations after an Interact meeting held Nov. 5 that drew about 38 residents, and presented the plan to the commission as a revised preliminary concept.

Why it matters: Neighbors told the commission the plan raises safety, privacy and historic-preservation questions. Many residents urged better pedestrian protections across Lee Boulevard — including a longer-term plan for sidewalks on the east side of Lee — and more buffering between the park and adjacent backyards. Several commenters and commissioners also asked for firmer cost comparisons and alternatives showing whether Old City Hall could be retained instead of demolished.

Residents’ concerns were a decisive factor. Heather Curry, a nearby resident, said she had attended multiple meetings and told the commission, "I feel like you're just checking a box," expressing frustration that a substantially different plan had reached the dais during Thanksgiving week without a new round of public review. Multiple speakers asked that the plan return to a public forum after the revisions.

Staff and applicants defended the design and process. Chris Claxton, the city's director of Parks, Recreation and Arts, said the park concept has been discussed since 2010 and that staff and the project team had worked through several concepts, adding that the old Fire Station 1 was feasible to retain for the community uses the city envisions. Scott Bingham of BBN Architects explained the programmatic tradeoffs, including why the walking trail shown earlier was removed and why parking was shifted to preserve existing oak trees.

Commission action: Commissioner Black moved to approve the preliminary plan; that motion failed on a 5–2 vote (Commissioners Carleberg and Block voting yes; Commissioners Nadelman, McGurren, Belzer, Coleman and Fishman voting no). After discussion, Commissioner McGurren moved to continue the case so staff could provide additional information and allow further public engagement. The continuance passed on a recorded vote: Ayes — Nadelman, McGurren, Belzer, Fishman, Carleberg, Coleman; No — Black.

What’s next: Staff said the item will return to the commission for further consideration; a work session was scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026, and the commission's next regular meeting is Jan. 27, 2026. Staff also committed to provide a landscape history for the site, more detail on crosswalk and signage options (including RRFB and other countermeasures), and to coordinate additional public outreach before the item is reconsidered.

The commission's vote preserves the project's status as a preliminarily revised plan but requires staff to address safety and neighbor concerns before the governing body sees the matter.