The project is on 40 acres

The land there has been vacant since 1960, when the city was incorporated.

Under planning guidelines, street layouts in this area are not required at the rezoning stage but would come later when the site is platted.

The low-density designation on the city’s guidelines means that only one to five homes can be built per acre.

Planning staff estimated that the project’s density would likely fall within those limits once buffers and rights of way are figured in.

Two people spoke at the public hearing

Vance Preman, who lives just north of the site said he was especially concerned about the increase in traffic in an area that already has a lot of bicycle and car traffic.

“I’m rather stunned that this is happening out there,” he said. “Kids and bikes everywhere and all these cars is a very bad combination.”

Chuck Stephens, who lives in the same area, said a development representative told him the building will be complete in two and a half years, and questioned whether the homes would be of low quality or prefabricated.

He also worried that the project would result in the loss of many trees and wildlife habitat.

What happens next

Commissioners unanimously approved the rezoning without much further discussion, noting that it is a good fit in an area of single-family neighborhoods.

It will come before the city council on June 5.

Roxie Hammill is a freelance journalist who reports frequently for the Post and other Kansas City area publications. You can reach her at roxieham@gmail.com.