Despite some push back, Overland Park makes way for apartment complex, commercial space

A new apartment complex may be coming to Overland Park after the planning commission approved a rezoning request at their regular meeting on July 11, making way for 446 units and several commercial buildings.

The property, located on the southwest corner of 135th Street and Antioch Road, was rezoned from a single-family residential area to allow businesses and high rise apartments.

The proposal includes space for a drive-thru bank, two drive-thru restaurants and a commercial retail building on the northern portion of the land.

The apartment complex would include four buildings with a total of 446 units across just over 13 acres, according to the plans. More than 600 parking spaces are proposed, though that includes 22 spots that would require cutting down 15 oak trees. If those spots are deemed necessary, the developer would be allowed to cut the trees down.

Amenities like a pool and dog park are included in the plans, as well as a pond that was originally used as irrigation, but will be slightly filled in and made into a water feature near the dog park.

Brandon Brensing, the vice president of development for the applicant, Ryan Companies, told the commission that many trees would be preserved on the site, but some would be removed to make way for an access point along the west side and near the commercial buildings.

Several residents urged the commission to reject the request due to concerns about the short notice they received for the meeting and the potential traffic increases to the area.

Drew Argetsinger, the president of the board for the Nottingham Forest South Homeowners Association said their neighborhood is just south of the proposed development, but residents were not provided with notice of the hearing.

City staff confirmed at the meeting that the developer followed state statutes and local ordinances by mailing a notice to residents within 200 feet of the development and holding a neighborhood meeting for those within 500 feet, though there were no residential properties within 500 feet.

Argetsinger said that public hearing signs were posted behind fences along Antioch Road and 137th Street and were almost not visible when driving by them.

“Unless you’re standing and looking directly at them, they’re very hard to see,” Argetsinger said.

Many residents were concerned about the Blue Valley Recreation Sports Complex that is directly south of the property, and potential traffic and safety hazards that a large apartment complex would cause.

Residents said the traffic study completed did not take into account how congested the area becomes during peak baseball season when families are going to games. Many said the area is already struggling to keep up with the traffic flow, and the apartment complex would make it even worse.

According to city documents, 137th Street would be widened, a left turn lane would be added to the intersection of 137th Street and Antioch Road, and a right turn lane would be added at the access drive off of Antioch Road, if the project is approved.

Commissioner Kip Strauss said that the city has known about potential development of the area for a long time and has planned for traffic increases. The other commissioners were in agreement that the roads will be able to accommodate the increase in cars.

“I don’t think I’m persuaded that there’s going to be a significant increase in cut-through traffic on 139th Street,” Commissioner Ned Reitzes said. “I think there will be some, but I don’t think that’s going to have a significant impact on the lifestyle of those that live in Nottingham Forest South on either side of Antioch.”

Residents also voiced concerns that the high rise buildings are not set back enough from the road and are too tall and dense compared to the surrounding area.

The commission unanimously approved the rezoning and the request will now go before the Overland Park City Council at its regular August 1 meeting.