Southmoor Gardens Neighborhood Association

Letter to the Neighborhood

Landmark Commission Meeting

Dear Southmoor neighbors and friends,

Today's landmarks commission meeting was very interesting - up for landmark consideration was the old house on the corner of 71st and Metcalf. The applicant is the Overland Park Historical Society represented by Florent Wagner, the Overland Park Historian.

Mr. Wagner provided a wealth of information regarding the historic nature of the house and the Southmoor neighborhood in general. However, the commission made no recommendation in the case, which is unusual. I believe all of the commissioners realize it's a political hot potato and wanted to pass it along to the city council as quickly as possible and without comment.

The council will now hear the landmark application, and the rezoning application, at their meeting on Monday, 6/19, 7:30 p.m., at city hall.

We would like everyone to come to the meeting and speak in favor of designating the old house as a historic landmark. Imagine 100 people supporting the application... the council would be shocked! True, there isn't time for 100 people to speak, but just having a crowd show up in favor of the old house would be great!

And of course, we also want you to speak against Dial's rezoning application. The new plan is better than the old one, but 16 units on two acres is still too dense, the setback along 71st Street is still too small and doesn't meet the requirements, and all of the homes are attached which requires multifamily zoning and sets a negative precedent that will result in many more old homes along Metcalf being demolished for multifamily housing projects. What we're hoping for is that the council will remand the application back to the planning commission. However, there's no guarantees - it might get approved just like it is, especially if we don't have a large crowd.

So, please bring your family and friends to the Monday night meeting. It will be THE most interesting city council meeting of 2006, one well worth the free ticket. By the way, the council chambers were recently rennovated and the new chairs are comfortable, there's two huge computer screens, and lots of little screens, so every seat enjoys a view.

To all of our senior friends and neighbors, please come a little early so you get a good parking spot.

Hope to see everyone there.

David