The Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals on Dec. 17 approved two related variances for a proposed teardown-and-rebuild at 9614 Sagamore Road (cases 69-20259614 and 70-20259614). The board first approved a variance to the front setback and then approved a separate variance to exceed the maximum allowed grade change to accommodate a walkout design and ADA-friendly patio.

Staff reported the proposed front of the new house would sit at 93.1 feet while the LDO's average-front formula yields about 59.05 feet, producing a needed variance of approximately 36.05 feet for the front setback. Applicant and property owner Todd Raleigh described the lot as about 1.2 acres, pie-shaped and on a cul-de-sac, and said moving the home back would reduce the 'scrunched' appearance of the existing house, provide a functional driveway able to accommodate an SUV, and preserve more trees and landscaping. Raleigh presented multiple neighbor support letters.

On the grade-change variance, staff said the rebuild would require maximum grade changes in two spots of 5.5 feet and a variance of about 4.5 feet to complete the design. Raleigh said the slope of the lot and desire for a safe walkout basement with egress for lower-level bedrooms and a level patio justified the request; he said a drainage/stormwater study would be submitted as required with the permit. Neighbors including Brian Greenwald spoke in favor; one neighbor, Satish Panuru, told the board he already experiences standing water on his property and worried the changes could increase backyard flooding.

Board members questioned how stormwater is handled and staff explained that a third-party stormwater study must accompany any teardown/rebuild permit and that Public Works reviews the submitted plan; if the stormwater submission does not meet city standards, a building permit would not be issued. After debate on uniqueness, hardship, effects on adjacent properties and spirit and intent, the board voted to approve both variances. Staff will prepare written notice to the applicant and the approvals will be recorded in the BZA docket.

The approvals allow the applicant to proceed to the building permit stage, subject to the required stormwater and plan-review conditions.