Kansas City Council Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee (March 24, 2026)

By Connye Griffin, Kansas City Documenter

These notes were produced through Kansas City Documenters, which trains and pays community members to take fact-checked notes at public meetings, strengthening transparency and accountability in local government.

Summary

• The committee recommended approving temporary Special Event Projected Image signage ahead of the World Cup 2026.
• The committee recommended acceptance of approximately $1.2 million in federal assistance for HIV/AIDS patients.
• In response to constituent concerns, the committee directed the city manager to report to the City Council regarding advertising signs placed on public and private property.

Notes

Meeting Attendance

• Eric Bunch, council member, acting chair   
• Nathan Willett, council member  
• Melissa Patterson-Hazley, council member
• Kevin O’Neill, council member
• City Planning and Development Department staff
• Legal adviser
• City support staff

• Consent Items 260270, 260271, 260272, 260273 and 260274 were read. Each agenda item authorized approval of land plats for commercial, industrial or residential use. Ordinance 260273 authorized a school plat for the Northland Christian Education System. Councilman Eric Bunch, acting chair, noted each met requirements set in state statutes. The committee approved the five plats recommended by the Planning and Development Department.
• Item 260281 was approved in advance of the World Cup to recommend amendments to the zoning and development code by repealing Section 88-370-09 “Special Event Building Signage” and replacing it with language that defines a special event, lists permitted temporary uses, defines a sign and projected image, sets general and safety standards, and establishes limits.
• Item 260267, recommended by the health director, was approved unanimously. The action authorized acceptance of grant money from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration in the amount of  $1,224,667. TheRyan White HIV Emergency Relief Part A/Minority AIDS Initiative Grant provides core medical services and support services, such as referrals and housing, in partnership with outside agencies. The 11-county Kansas City Transitional Grant Area had 229 new HIV diagnoses in 2024. Its diagnosis rate for new cases was below that of the nation between 2020 and 2024, but the TGA rate was above statewide levels in Kansas and Missouri. Research regarding this grant shows that 91% of Ryan White recipients are virally suppressed with treatment. The city provides some matching funds.
• Item 260280 was approved. It OKs a mixed-use development plan for approximately 52 residential units with ground floor commercial space and rooftop amenity on about 0.44 acres generally located 140 feet south of West Linwood Boulevard on the west side of Main Street. The development includes the historic ABC Building. Council members were enthusiastic about the transformation of the site.  
• Item 260284 was approved without council discussion or public testimony for commercial use for used car sales. The approval is a major amendment to a previously approved plan on about 2.42 acres generally located at the southeast corner of East 135th Street and Wornall Road.
• Item 260261 was approved to rezone approximately 13 acres near the northeast corner of North Shoal Creek Parkway and North Oak Trafficway under the terms of a master planned development. Councilman Kevin O’Neill strongly supported the project for its enhancement of developing residential neighborhoods. The project came to council with the three conditions regarding water services and parking. One grocery store likely to be included requires a waiver in the city’s parking standards as its brand design cannot be shrunk. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to advance the plan to the council without two conditions related to parking standards/restrictions.
• Item 240524 was also unanimously approved after concerns shared by residents near the nonresidential, industrial development were addressed. The concerns had to do with traffic flow and large trucks. Councilman Nathan Willett said long-term projections ameliorated neighbors’ initial concerns. The development plan covers about 60 acres generally located at 10951 N. Congress Ave.
• Items 260213 and 260220 addressed amending a master plan development governing approximately 2,500 acres near the Interstate 29/435 split for the KCI 29 Logistics Park. After clarifying the developer’s request regarding exemptions made for the first phase and appropriate language added, the request was unanimously approved. The expansion necessitates aligning Mexico City Avenue to connect to North Bethel Avenue instead of Missouri Highway 92. This change was also unanimously approved.
• Item 260221 calling for renaming streets previously named was approved. Staff erred in naming Northwest 82nd Street and Northwest 82nd Terrace. The signs already made will be switched.
• Item 260257 regarding a resolution to adopt the Health Commission’s 2026-2029 Kansas City Community Health Improvement Plan was held until the following week because the health department director was not present.
• Willett introduced a resolution (260264) requiring the city manager to report to the council in 90 days regarding unauthorized placement of advertising signs on public and private property and rights-of-way. Some discussion among the committee members referenced existing ordinances and discussed lax enforcement. The commissioners unanimously approved the resolution.
• Items 260283, 250997 and 260142 were not addressed, approved or disapproved.   

Observations & Follow-Up Questions

• How will the Ryan White funding help improve service to HIV/AIDS patients in the city?
• How does a Community Health Improvement Plan translate into new city policies?
• Will new ordinances be necessary to control messaging in public places and on private property? Or will enforcement using established law satisfy the constituents’ concerns?