Northland council members were most skeptical, but all members of a joint City Council Committee seemed to agree Thursday that a proposed city-wide transit-oriented development plan still needs more work.
First District Councilwoman Heather Hall seemed to sum up the concerns of her colleagues.
“First of all, it's too big to be effectively run by all the different components that we need to do; and it doesn't meet the needs of every part of the city, but in fact the whole city will be responsible for all of it,” Hall told the group.
Her Northland Second District colleague Dan Fowler also expressed displeasure that though the plan had been vetted by a number of business and civic groups, none on the list was from north of the river.
Other committee members noted that there were problems applying some aspects of the proposed policy in the far south reaches of Kansas City, Missouri and on the east side.
The 150-page policy document primarily deals with things like walkability, parking availability and near transit routes. But it ventures into other areas including suggested types of development near transit.
Transit officials and a number of business groups support the idea.
Transit officials say it would make future proposals more saleable for government grants.
Dan Coffey of Citizens for Responsible Government said his group had serious questions about the policy proposal, but said he was very pleased that the council members had asked tough questions and demanded revisions.
Coffey said he is concerned that the plan focuses too much on walkability and bicycle access and excessively limits parking. He said this disregards persons who choose to drive their own cars or who must do so because of their jobs or disability.
The committee chose not to vote on the plan. It was sent back to city staff for revision and for more input from groups north of the river.
Steve Bell is afternoon newscaster and business news reporter for KCUR. He may be reached at 816-235-5173 or by e-mail as steveb@kcur.org
