Northland development talks split residents, homeowner fears lowered property values

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Homeowner Mary Ellen Erwin is worried about how her property value may change. She lives near Green Hills Road and Tiffany Springs in Kansas City.

A piece of farmland near there is what worries her.

The owner of that farmland wants to sell the land to the city.

Erwin explained, “We're questioning why, at this time, especially because of the economy, that within a mile and a half, one mile area, we are saturated with businesses.”

She said she’s not against new development in the Northland, far from it. Instead, Erwin thinks there's enough empty businesses at Zona Rosa, Metro North Mall and Tiffany Springs Market Center.

Erwin wants the city to focus on filling those spaces, instead of relying n new development. The area would be rezoned as commercial and affect three housing divisions.

Erwin added, “Well, if you go over by the airport, we have 20 hotels over there. We also have at least five office buildings that are at least partially occupied. And, it just doesn't make any sense to us to do that sort of thing.”

She’d like to see the commission table the issue and do further studies on current business spaces as well as potential impact to the environment.

The City Planning Commission recommended it for approval when they met Tuesday, though there are no current developments planned for the land.

The item will go before the Economic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday.
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