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Council tables Paragon Star redevelopment plan amid interchange, timing concerns
Summary
Council voted 7–1 (one recusal) to table the Paragon Star amended LC redevelopment plan after residents and several council members said developer assurances and the nearby interchange work remain incomplete; the garage lease (separate ordinance) was passed.
The Lee Summit City Council voted to table consideration of the amended Paragon Star Land Clearance (LC) redevelopment plan on March 9, citing concerns about incomplete infrastructure and developer accountability.
Grayson Capital presented an amended, phased plan for the Paragon Parkway site and asked council to endorse an updated redevelopment plan that would transfer developer responsibilities and allow a phased approach. Grayson Capital representatives told the council they seek only a sales‑tax exemption on construction materials for phase one, not an exemption on real property taxes. At the public hearing the developer said phase one would be about 225 units and estimated the sales‑tax exemption at about $1.095 million, with roughly $212,000 of that expected to be allocated to Lee Summit.
But multiple council members, citing unfinished regional interchange work and prior missed commitments associated with the broader Paragon development, said they were not comfortable advancing the amended plan at this time. A number of residents likewise urged caution, describing the scale of apartments already approved in the area and asking that the council hold developers to prior commitments on infrastructure and certificates of occupancy. Staff explained the city does not issue certificates of occupancy in the village area until the associated interchange is 100% complete; they estimated completion near the end of April.
After extended debate the council voted 7–1 (with one recusal) to table bill 26‑039, which will cause the current ordinances to fall off the table at the city’s transition/sine die unless the applicant re‑notices a public hearing and returns later. Council members emphasized they would consider the matter again if the developer could supply updated timelines or demonstrate completion of the interchange work. Separately, the council did adopt the garage lease (bill 26‑040) related to the Paragon project, which staff said effectuates aspects of a previously approved 2022 plan and applies to property already built.
The tabled disposition preserves the LC board’s earlier recommendation but requires the developer to return with an updated package if it wishes the council to act before the current council’s term ends.
