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Overland Park council approves rezoning for 29 townhomes at 71st and Metcalf
Summary
Council voted to approve REZ2026‑00004 to allow 29 townhome units on a two‑acre parcel at 71st & Metcalf, granting deviations and stipulations after staff review and a protest petition representing roughly 59.2% of notifying property owners.
The Overland Park City Council voted to approve REZ2026‑00004, rezoning the northeast corner of 71st Street and Metcalf Avenue to RP‑3 to permit a 29‑unit townhome project with developer-proposed design changes and council‑required stipulations.
Planning staff told the council the application includes five buildings with garages, about 66 parking spaces, sidewalk connections, and stormwater detention on site. "The proposal is for 29 townhome units," the staff report stated, and staff said vehicle trip generation would add roughly 19 AM and 23 PM peak trips — numbers the staff concluded the local thoroughfare system could accommodate. Staff also reported that a valid protest petition representing approximately 59.2% of the notification area had been filed, which affects the majority threshold required for council action.
Council debate touched on traffic safety, preservation of large mature trees, lot coverage and architectural modulation along Metcalf to avoid a monolithic façade. The developer agreed to additional screening, a solid perimeter fence and architectural variations after review by the site plan committee and planning commission; one unit was removed during review to add green space and a pedestrian connection.
Developer and applicant Scott Koenigsdorf said the project was revised based on staff and commission input and argued the plan is intended as attainable rental housing. "I plan to develop and retain ownership of this project for the foreseeable future," Koenigsdorf said, adding that the design aims to be compatible with the city’s Framework Overland Park guidance.
Councilmember Melissa Cheatham, who moved approval on the planning commission's recommendation, said the application aligned with the city's traditional‑neighborhood transition guidance and the Unified Development Ordinance updates under consideration. After discussion, the clerk recorded unanimous roll‑call 'yes' votes and the ordinance passed.
