Council approves housing and planning changes
At a glance
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The Council passed a housing fund, designated housing target areas, approved several development and zoning actions, and advanced new vacant-property rules and business-program changes.
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What this means
Residents will see new tools aimed at fixing abandoned homes, supporting repairs in disinvested neighborhoods, and steering some city spending toward targeted areas. The Council also approved several planning and zoning changes tied to specific development projects and road or right-of-way changes. In addition, it advanced broader ordinance changes on vacant properties, business licensing nuisances, and city procurement and travel policies.
Key decisions
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- Created the Housing Accelerator Fund and moved $1.5 million into it, including $750,000 for gap funding to rehabilitate eligible residential properties.
- Designated certain neighborhoods and properties as Housing Accelerator Target Areas.
- Passed a targeted request for proposals for Central City Economic Development Sales Tax funding on Prospect Avenue between 9th Street and Gregory Boulevard.
- Approved a vacant property maintenance guide and outreach campaign.
- Expanded vacant property registration rules and added semiannual fees for chronically vacant nuisance property, vacant commercial property, and vacant unimproved property; directed a Council report within 180 days.
- Defined businesses operating without required licenses, permits, or other governmental approvals as nuisances per se.
- Approved multiple planning actions, including rezonings, area plan amendments, plats, and a development plan for an entertainment venue at 49th Street and Main/Walnut.
- Approved a $2,442,330 water main replacement contract and other utility and maintenance contracts, including HVAC and hydrant/water valve work.
- Authorized a lease for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey at the Robert J. Mohart Center and a lease for KC Mothers In Charge at the Robert J. Mohart Center.
- Authorized a Torch Relay Agreement with LA28 and stated the Council’s intent to fund required city services if Kansas City is selected.
- Advanced proposals to suspend or terminate the City's Minority and Woman Business Enterprise and Construction Workforce programs and to create new business-enterprise and workforce programs.
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