The Kansas City, Kansas City Planning Commission voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to approve a series of routine land‑use requests ranging from a short‑term rental renewal to permits for bars, a tire shop and automobile sales, and a change of zone to permit sheep grazing.

The most contested consent‑item removal, special‑use permit SP2025‑081 for a short‑term rental at 809 Central Avenue, was approved after staff confirmed inspection documentation and that an egress window in the basement had been installed. Applicant Tatum Phillip told the panel, "My name is Tatum Phillip, and the address is 809 Central Avenue," and said she was seeking to renew the permit. Byron Toye of the planning department said staff had "accepted the previous home inspection" because the prior permit had not yet expired and recommended approval subject to the conditions in the staff report. Commissioner Karen Jones moved to approve the permit subject to staff stipulations; Commissioner Joseph Straws seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 7–0 in favor.

The panel also approved a change of zone, COZ2025‑029, to reclassify 5934 Oak Grove Road from R‑1 (single‑family) to AG (agricultural) to allow sheep grazing. Applicant Jerome Nienaber described plans to start with about six sheep and grow the herd to between 12 and 20, with perimeter fencing and pasture subdivision. Staff recommended approval with the conditions listed in the report; the motion carried 7–0.

Other approvals included:
• SP2025‑076 for El La Macichea Sports Bar at 1042 Central Avenue. Applicant Eduardo Vasquez said the business would feature live music and community‑oriented events. Staff noted the prior bar license at that address expired in 2023, ending the site's nonconforming status, and recommended approval with conditions including parking arrangements and compliance with the moratorium on off‑street parking requirements. The commission approved the permit 7–0.
• SP2025‑077 for Boswinito Tire at 2431 Junction Road. Owner Carla Perez said tires would be kept inside a garage and disposed of weekly; she estimated about 50–60 tires accumulate in a week at a comparable location. Staff emphasized that the change of use prohibits on‑site mechanical work and requires outside storage to be screened and limited to 20% of building square footage. The commission approved the permit 7–0.
• SP2025‑082 for automobile sales at 1809 North 7th Street, proposed by Jaime Garcia, to operate a small auto sales lot (initially 8–10 vehicles, up to 20) with no on‑site repairs. A neighborhood representative, Stevie Wakes, said the applicant held a neighborhood meeting and there was no opposition. Staff recommended conditions including paving, striping and landscaping; the commission approved the special use 7–0.

Motions to approve the permits were frequently made by Commissioner Karen Jones and seconded by Commissioner Joseph Straws. In each case staff recommended approval subject to the stipulations included in the packet; roll calls recorded unanimous 7–0 outcomes.

Most of the approved special‑use permits and the TIF affirmation discussed later in the meeting will be forwarded to the Unified Government Board of Commissioners for final action on Jan. 8, 2026. For final plats and final plan reviews, the Planning Commission’s decision is final; otherwise the board will act on recommendations.

The commission recessed to nonconsent business after completing the consent items and moved on to several other matters that were also approved.