LENEXA, Kan. – A significant number of Lenexa homeowners gathered at City Hall on Monday evening as the Planning Commission deliberated a plan from Habitat for Humanity to construct 50 affordable homes in western Johnson County. The meeting was marked by passionate discourse as both supporters and opponents of the proposal voiced their opinions on various concerns, including property values, traffic implications, and the pressing need for affordable housing in a region where the average home price exceeds $500,000.
Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City aims to rezone 16.73 acres of city-owned land near the southeast corner of 86th Terrace and Clare Road for the project. The planned homes are designed to range between 1,800 to 2,200 square feet and will be sold at market value utilizing a Community Land Trust model, which offers zero-percent mortgages. The targeted household income range for prospective buyers in Johnson County spans from $51,000 to $96,000 annually, depending on the size of the household.
Locals supporting the project stressed the necessity for affordable options, with Dave Pack, a member of the Good Faith Network, stating, “The market has produced plenty of luxury units, but it has not produced homes that working families can reasonably buy.”
Nevertheless, opposition emerged from nearby residents who expressed concerns regarding potential declines in property values, traffic congestion on Clare Road, and the loss of nearby open spaces used by the community. Lenexa resident Sharon Lab shared her worries, saying, “The proposal takes away a really beautiful area that we use, and it crams in a lot of houses in a small space.” Another resident, Mary Leuszler, suggested that locations closer to existing apartment complexes and job centers would be more suitable for affordable housing, citing access to public transit as a crucial factor.
City officials responded by clarifying that the 16.73-acre parcel was always intended for private development rather than parkland. With over 100 acres of city-owned land in the area, approximately 40 acres have been earmarked for future Centennial Park. The city maintains that the project will not result in the removal of existing public facilities such as stormwater wetlands or trails.
The planning session extended late into the night, with 57 individuals registered to speak. In a subsequent vote for the Clear Creek Subdivision proposal, the Planning Commission unanimously endorsed the project, advancing it to the Lenexa City Council for a final decision slated for February 17.
As the discussion continues, the outcome holds the potential to provide much-needed affordable housing in an area where such options are increasingly scarce, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of housing needs amidst a housing market that often overlooks working families.