May 20, 2023

Lee’s Summit Tribune Contributing Writer
City of Raytown

On Thursday night, May 11, nearly 100 people packed the Council Chambers inside Raytown’s City Hall to voice their opposition to Case No. PZ 2023-01, applicant Nasruddin Bhamani’s request for the City of Raytown to amend a portion of the 5.2 acre tract of land located at 5348 Blue Ridge Blvd, from low density residential to neighborhood commercial.

Jason Sneddon, who was recently appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission at the May 2, 2023, Board of Aldermen meeting was present along with the other eight commissioners.

Bhamani who is a Raytown business owner of Kay-Bee’s Market at 6625 Raytown Rd., and at 9600 E. 59th St., along with his architect Dana Blay, of DBL Architecture gave a short presentation. Blay’s video rendering of the proposed project, Bhamani Center, shows a 7,000-square-foot convenience store, a drive-thru, 4 gas pumps with a canopy, along with a walking trail and space for future tenants.

The presentation also included a traffic study of current traffic patterns and future patterns based upon the addition of the proposed development, which concluded, “This area can absorb the development….there’s a lot of capacity available,” said Kristin Skinner, Traffic Engineer/President, Priority Engineers. According to Bhamani, the undeveloped land will remain R-1 for future construction of single-family homes.

A staff report proceeded the applicant’s presentation. Community Development Director, Diane Egger, clarified the definition of liquor licensing and the difference between a liquor license and a liquor store, “Liquor licensing is regulated by the state, city, and county. Anyone selling liquor must obtain a liquor license. A liquor store is a business that has more than 50% of its sales coming from liquor.” Egger said that Raytown currently has 53 liquor licenses, nine of which are classified as liquor stores. The selling of liquor has been a contentious issue for those opposing the project.

City Planner Chris Gilbert and City Engineer Jason Hanson provided staff reports on the zoning aspects of the project and on the topographic drainage aspects of the project, respectively.

Approximately 25 people spoke against the development, during the public commenting portion of the meeting. Some gave alternate suggestions of what they would like to see developed on the property, which includes a park or senior housing. Commissioner Wilson closed public comments at 12:37 a.m. After a lengthy meeting, Commissioner Bruenger made a motion to vote on the application, including certain staff recommendations, but the motion failed 6-3. The meeting adjourned at 12:51 a.m.

The case will now go before the Board of Aldermen during the June 6 Board of Aldermen meeting. Visit bit.ly/453dnVW to view the meeting in its entirety.