Planning Commission recommends denial of 80-foot seasonal dome for View High Sports Complex

The Lee's Summit Planning Commission on Nov. 13 recommended denying both the preliminary development plan and the special-use permit for a proposed seasonal inflatable dome that would cover an outdoor soccer field at the View High Sports Complex.

Planning staff recommended a shorter initial special-use permit term and additional mitigation, but a majority of commissioners said an 80-foot apex would be unprecedented and too visually intrusive near residences. After public opposition and extended technical discussion, the commission voted to recommend denial.

Why it matters: The dome would have allowed the field to be covered each year from Oct. 31 through March 1 to extend play during winter months and to offer climate‑controlled tournament capacity, but neighbors and several commissioners said the proposed peak height and visibility constituted an unacceptable precedent for future temporary structures.

What the applicant proposed: Engineering Solutions representative Matt Schliss explained the dome design and operations, saying panels are bolted and heat‑sealed, the structure includes two fabric layers with fire retardant properties, and air‑handling units with backups would maintain pressure. Manufacturer Tom (Bridal Building Systems) described engineering controls: “There is some ability to make that a little shorter. It may affect the structural design… it could drop it about 6 feet or so on a building this size,” he told commissioners during technical questioning.

Neighbors' concerns: Residents testified that the dome would be visible from nearby streets and yards in winter when deciduous trees lose leaves and called the 80‑foot height “imposing.” Lawrence Close told the commission, “The dome will be visible to probably about half of that neighborhood,” and urged commissioners to disapprove the request.

Commission reasons and outcome: Commissioners said the main issues were the structure's height relative to the UDO 40‑foot maximum and the lack of local precedent for domes of this scale. Staff had suggested a five‑year initial SUP rather than the applicant’s requested 20‑year term; commissioners nonetheless concluded the height and potential precedent outweighed the operational benefits. The commission moved to recommend denial of the PDP and of the SUP; roll-call votes carried the motions.

Next steps: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be conveyed to the City Council as part of the applicant’s formal record; the applicant may choose to revise the proposal (for example by seeking a shorter structure or different covering solution) and resubmit.