The planning commission of the city of Overland Park, Kan. had recommended approval in January of the proposal to build an apartment complex with four buildings and 220 units on part of the property that includes a golf course originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. But homeowners in the nearby single-family neighborhood came out in force for the city council’s February meeting to voice their objections, leading to a vote after 1 a.m. that denied the rezoning and special-use permit applications needed for the proposal to go forward. It’s now unclear what will happen to the course, which is operated by Great Life Golf & Fitness; proponents of the project say tax revenues from the apartments are needed to help pay for repairs to a creek that is causing erosion and flooding on the property.
The city council of Overland Park, Kan. approved a motion to deny the rezoning and special-use permit applications for a proposal to build an apartment complex on part of the Deer Creek Golf Club in Overland Park, KSHB 41 of Kansas City, Mo. reported.
In January, the city’s planning commission voted to recommend approval of the proposal despite strong protests from homeowners in the nearby single-family neighborhood (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/plans-for-apartment-complex-at-deer-creek-gc-move-forward/). But at the City Council’s meeting on February 21, KSHB 41 reported, homeowners again presented their arguments against the plan and extended the discussion past midnight, before a vote was finally taken just after 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, February 22nd, with the council voting 9-3 against letting the development move forward.
It’s unclear now what will happen to the Deer Creek golf course, which was originally designed in 1989 by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Deer Creek is operated by Great Life Golf & Fitness as part of its Destination Golf Clubs portfolio.
Officials from EPC Real Estate, which proposed the project for an apartment complex with four buildings and 220 units, told KSHB 41 News that approving it was the only way to “save the golf course,” because the apartments would generate property tax revenue that would help pay for repairs to Tomahawk Creek, which runs through the course and has caused damage from erosion and flooding.
But city council members ultimately voted against the proposal, KSHB 41 reported, citing reasons including that the project would increase traffic (despite a staff report listing a minimum traffic impact), was too large-scale, did not fit with the existing single-family neighborhood, had no transition to the single-family neighborhood and asked for too many exceptions, in the form of deviations or variances, to city rules.
“The trust of the people in government is to keep the quality of life and investment they’ve made,” Councilmember Faris Farassati said.
The proposal needed seven votes to gain approval and nine votes to be formally denied, KSHB 41 reported. The first roll call ended with only eight council members denying the project. Councilman Logan Haley then changed his vote during a second vote saying that he still supported the project, but was voting to deny it “so we end it,” with the meeting having stretched past 1 a.m. at that point.
Three of four newly elected council members voted against the project, KSHB 41 reported, which could signal a steeper hill for future developers seeking the city’s approval.
C+RB originally reported about the proposal in July of 2021 (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/deal-would-build-apartment-complex-at-deer-creek-gc-in-return-for-5m-in-improvements/).
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