@BlogKCReal estate developers are asking KCMO to annex over 300 acres of rural Platte County just north of the Kansas City International Airport for a large suburban-style housing development called “The Lake at Tomahawke Creek.” While a large-scale development might seem like a godsend in tough economic times, there are some serious issues. Platte County rejected the development after a two year struggle, so now the developers are seeking annexation into the city. If a suburban-friendly government like Platte County thinks the development is egregious, should Kansas City embrace it?
The site at Route 92 and N. Winan is directly in the flight path of one KCI runway, and the airport is warning that it will be noisy for anyone living there. The site is far from existing city services, in fact Platte County rejected it in part because it is leap-frog development. The surrounding area is unincorporated and zoned for rural and industrial uses, so this subdivision would be an island unto itself. The KCI master plan says this area around the airport should be kept free of residential development, for obvious reasons.
One has to wonder if extending the city limits for an isolated subdivision is prudent when the City already struggles to efficiently service our existing 318 square miles of sprawling “city.” Would the development bring in enough revenue to cover the cost of extending services like police, fire, ambulance, codes inspection, animal control, etc.?
The developer’s application is before the City Plan Commission on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the City Council Chamber.
