Board transmits Lake Asbury interchange village‑center amendment after agreeing to keep new housing north of Verbina Parkway

The Clay County Board on Feb. 24 approved transmittal of a large‑scale comprehensive plan amendment to expand the Lake Asbury Interchange Village Center at Henley Road from 18.75 acres to 52 acres, after a period of public comment and negotiation with the applicant.

Chief planner Beth Carson reviewed the proposed text and map changes that would increase the acreage for the Henley Road interchange site and lower the required minimum residential share to allow developers flexibility. Susan Fraser of SLF Consulting, representing the applicant, said the enlargement would provide additional non‑residential space to serve the Lake Asbury community and the new beltway traffic.

Neighbors from Village Park and surrounding subdivisions raised concerns about potential high‑density housing abutting their single‑family neighborhoods. Tommy Childress, HOA president, and other residents urged the board to prevent multi‑family development adjacent to existing homes and sought legally enforceable commitments from the developer. Resident Gary Schiff recommended setting a 0% residential cap for the portion south of Verbina Parkway.

After discussion the applicant agreed to locate any future residential development north of Verbina Parkway to reduce direct impacts on adjacent single‑family neighborhoods. Staff advised the board this transmittal is the procedural step that sends the amendment to state reviewing agencies; a later public hearing will pair the plan amendment with a zoning request and a final decision.

The board voted to transmit the amendment with the clarification limiting residential to north of Verbina Parkway; the item will be reviewed by state agencies and returned to the board for a final decision at a later meeting.