zoning

Kansas lawmakers are considering ways to incentivize more affordable housing in the state, in response to a severe shortage that is driving up the price of homes. Plus: If you're still searching for a holiday gift that can bring the whole family together, one Kansas board game shop has some suggestions.

Home and rental prices have skyrocketed in recent years because of a housing shortage. That’s leading to a rise in homelessness and could be hurting the economy.

Overland Park City Council voted last week to amend the city's development code and set a height limit for apartments in the city’s highest-density multifamily zoning areas. It spurred a heated discussion about the philosophy of housing in the fast-growing Johnson County city.

In the wake of last year's contentious fight over zoning laws in Prairie Village, new bills in the Kansas Legislature would threaten local control over rezoning and limit cities' ability to stop citizen petitions. The proposals are being fiercely opposed by cities across Johnson County.

The two Kansas Senate bills appear to be a direct response to last year’s contentious fight over zoning that played out in Prairie Village. One bill would sharply curtail a city’s ability to rezone private property, and the other would strengthen petitioners’ efforts to put a question on a local ballot.

The complaints were filed nearly two months ago by resident Mike Sullinger, who has been a frequent critic of the council amid the ongoing debate over affordable housing and zoning changes. Sullinger claimed that the mayor and half the council had conflicts of interest, but members unanimously voted to dismiss the complaints.

Candidates supported by “PV United,” which has fought against proposed zoning changes that would allow for more affordable and multi-family housing options in Prairie Village, won four of six races on Tuesday night.

The big question right now in Prairie Village, Kansas, is whether to adjust zoning laws in order to address the city's affordable housing problem. As that debate rages on in the Johnson County suburb, city council candidates on both sides of the issue have made it central to their platforms.

Author and city planner Nolan Gray argues that places like Kansas City need to abolish zoning laws, which he blames for housing segregation and the lack of walkable neighborhoods. Gray is speaking Wednesday at the Kansas City Public Library's Plaza branch.

A plan to change zoning laws to allow for more multi-family housing in Prairie Village is dawning sharp opposition from some residents who fear the changes threaten the suburb's "Perfect Village" image.

Prairie Village is as divided as ever as city leaders explore options for affordable housing in the Johnson County suburb. But some residents are pushing back against the plans — and even attempting to overhaul City Council.

The issue of Prairie Village rezoning has left the quiet Kansas City suburb more divided than ever. Now, a group wants to kick out half of the City Council.