PLAZA BOWL OVERLAY DISTRICT

HKC has long recognized that maintaining the character and historic integrity of the Plaza is essential to preserving Kansas City’s heritage and economic success. HKC was a leader in the City’s update of the Midtown/Plaza Area Plan, which culminated in a zoning ordinance that limits height and land use in the historic core of the Plaza and an updated Plan that provides the framework for protecting the Plaza area and Midtown.

The Plaza Bowl Overlay District limits building heights and land uses on both sides of 47th St. from Roanoke Pkwy. on the west to Main St. on the east. Building heights are limited to 45’ to 190’ depending on location. Uses are more limited than otherwise would be permitted by the underlying zoning.

Plaza Bowl Overlay Timeline

Plaza Urban Design and Development Plan (1989)

  • Significant commercial development pressures in the 1980s

  • 43rd to 55th, State Line to Paseo

  • Commercial, institutional and neighborhood areas

  • Two-year citizen-based planning process

  • Participation: Neighborhoods, commercial property owners, developers, institutional property owners

  • Assisted by internationally known urban planner

  • Established concentric zones with recommended heights in stories

  • Amoeba drawing with approximate zones

  • $800 million new commercial development 1989 – 2014

 

 

 

Midtown/Plaza Area Plan (2016)

  • Covers Midtown from 31st to 51st, State Line to Paseo

  • Also updates the 1989 Plaza Plan, 43rd to Brush Creek

  • Recommends for specificity for Plaza

    • Includes specific maximum Height Zones

    • Includes maximum heights in feet, not stories

    • Amoeba map’s approximate zones replaced with parcel-by-parcel map

  • Recommends proceeding in geographic phases

Implementation Committee (2016 – 2019)

 

 

Following a two year process involving dozens of property owners, city officials, developers and citizens, the Council approved the third expansion of the Plaza Bowl Overlay District, championed by Councilwoman Shields and led by HKC. As a city ordinance, it codifies existing recommendations, adding more “teeth” to height and use regulations for the heart of our iconic Country Club Plaza.

The goal of the Overlay is to preserve the character and integrity of the Plaza, maintain the Plaza Bowl concept, and protect the property values and expectations of Plaza property owners, residents, and visitors. The overlay district is a major “win” for preservation in Kansas City.

How did we get here? Adoption of the overlay was a top priority of the Midtown Plaza Area Plan, resulting from 3 years of community engagement, of which HKC was a major player. Adoption of the overlay district enables future developers and current owners to reasonably rely upon and predict what heights and uses will be allowed for future buildings. HKC’s position: Would it not be better for everyone if we have a clear development policy that no longer necessitates neighborhoods bringing 500 people down to city hall to fight development that is inconsistent with the Plan. An overlay district will defuse sometimes contentious and protracted processes that take away from a coherent and orderly development of the concentric rings around the base of the Country Club Plaza.