Leawood amends development code to allow luxury personal vehicle storage in Business Park district

The Leawood City Council unanimously adopted amendments to the Leawood Development Ordinance that add a new use category for "luxury personal vehicle storage facilities." The text clarifies that the use would be allowed only in Business Park zoning, and only via a special‑use permit with development standards intended to prevent living quarters and limit public display.

Planner Julie Hurley explained the rationale: developers and prospective owners have inquired about ownership‑style climate‑controlled vehicle storage that is condo‑platted rather than monthly rental storage. The ordinance includes a definition, updates to the table of uses and parking requirements tailored to low‑parking storage uses. Fire Marshal Britney Brown addressed fire‑protection requirements: Leawood’s existing code requires commercial buildings over 1,000 square feet to be sprinklered, and the council heard that the proposed buildings would be treated as a single building occupancy for fire protection and would require sprinklers and alarms.

Council and staff discussed how building permits and code enforcement would prevent conversion to living quarters; Hurley noted building‑permit reviews and fire inspections would catch any attempts to add full kitchens or plumbed bathrooms that would constitute residency. After discussion, the council approved the LDO amendments by roll‑call vote, 8–0.