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Planning commission approves Leawood Market Center rezoning, with conditions
Summary
The Leawood Planning Commission voted to approve the Leawood Market Center rezoning and preliminary development plan for a mixed townhome and commercial project at 135th and State Line, with stipulations addressing building separations, open space and downspout enclosures on commercial structures.
The Leawood Planning Commission on April 28 approved rezoning and preliminary development plans for the Leawood Market Center, a two‑phase project on the southwest corner of 135th Street and State Line Road that would add rental townhomes and a commercial phase anchored by a grocery tenant.
Senior planner Carrie Caniller presented the application (Case PC025‑2026) and recommended approval with 14 stipulations and a staff memo amendment. Caniller told commissioners that a late e‑mail from a nearby property owner raised questions about cross‑access easements; staff said the existing easement is expected to remain and that entries along the easement would not be changed by this approval.
Applicant Judd Clawson of Phelps Engineering said phase 1 would consist of townhomes (rezoning to RP‑4) and phase 2 the commercial portion. He described site layout, landscaping and elevations and noted adequate open space — staff recorded roughly 50–57% open space on the site, above the 30% minimum required by the LDO. Developer Matt Siegel (TriStar Properties) and owner Doug Henslick said the commercial portion has a signed letter of intent for a grocery tenant of about 22,000 square feet.
Commissioners asked about requested deviations from the RP‑4 30‑foot building separation requirement; staff explained the applicant requested a reduced separation in limited locations (down to 10 feet between some clustered units) while maintaining open space elsewhere. Public Works and engineering staff said all buildings would be sited outside the mapped floodplain and noted stream buffers and floodplain lands along the western property edge.
Commissioner Fishman moved approval as amended to adjust stipulation 6 so that “all downspouts shall be enclosed on commercial structures,” and the motion was seconded. The commission approved the application by voice vote; the case will proceed to the City Council for final action.
The approval includes conditions addressing final materials, landscaping, compliance with Public Works comments, and other requirements listed in the staff report. The commission’s action was a vote to forward the approved rezoning and preliminary plans to the City Council rather than a final plat or building permit.
