Feb. 16, 2019

Mallory Herrmann
citydesk@lstribune.net

An apartments project may soon come downtown. Cityscapes Properties, LLC, received unanimous approval from the planning commission for their preliminary development plan. The 276 market-rate luxury apartments would be built at the site of The Summit Church, where the former Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church was located near Second and Douglas Streets.

The plan keeps the original structure, built in 1922, a win for many preservation advocates who did not want to see the Renaissance Revival style building torn down. It will be incorporated into the development as the leasing office and location of some tenant amenities.

The developer says the apartment homes are expected to be popular among empty-nesters and work-at-home professionals, who would value the walkability of the downtown area and the proximity to restaurants, office space and coworking opportunities. Parking would include 441 garage spaces and 59 shared public parking spaces, as well as surface lot and new on-street parking.

The preliminary development plan includes three modifications, all supported by city staff. An increase to the FAR (floor area ratio), which is not uncommon, particularly in the downtown area, and a reduction to the parking stall size, reflective of decreasing sizes of cars on the market today. A modification to the downtown core design standards regarding brick masonry on first two floors was also requested; the renderings show brick as high as four floors in some areas. The design materials were chosen to help the transition between residential properties and the downtown retail area.

Donnie Rogers, Jr., executive director for Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, spoke in favor of the development. He cited the need for more downtown housing and for the increased buying power that this project could bring, particularly for those who’d prefer to walk more.

With their vote in favor, the preliminary development plan will next be considered by the city council for approval.

Commissioners John Lovell, Jeff Sims and Donnie Funk were absent from the Feb. 14 meeting.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  • Betty scofield

    March 10, 2019 - 10:39 am

    Hurrah-can’t wait-just know it will be a work of heart and integrity…Betty SCOFIELD

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