Developer Resources
Developer Resources
The current planning division is responsible for managing the development proposal process from pre-application through approval by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Mandatory Pre-Application Meeting
A pre-application meeting is required before an application can be submitted for a Rezoning, Special Use Permit, Revised or Preliminary Development Plan and/or Preliminary Plat.
Apply for a Pre-Application Meeting online at ePLACE
Apply for a pre-application meeting through ePLACE (account required). Following the request submission, Planning staff will contact you within five business days to confirm the meeting date, time and location.
Please attach information about the proposed development, including a site plan, architectural drawings and/or other supporting documents, drawn to scale. Planning staff will outline the requirements of the Unified Development Ordinance, any relevant design guidelines and the Comprehensive Plan. Staff will also outline any studies that may be required for topics such as traffic and stormwater management.
If you have any questions regarding Final Development Plans, Sign Deviations, Vacations and/or other applications, please contact the Planner of the Day at 913-895-6217.
Applications submitted without a pre-application meeting may not be scheduled for the Planning Commission.
Planner of the Day
[email protected]
913-895-6217
Documents
The following checklists, criteria, applications, and guidance may be helpful or necessary when submitting a development application.
Many of these links are to PDFs. Others will direct you to the city’s municipal code online.
- Schedules
- Zoning Code + Development Standards
- Submittal Checklists
- Criteria for Determining Substantial Change – Revised Preliminary Plans
- Criteria for Sign Deviations
- Digital Plat Submittal Requirements
- Downtown Form Based Code – Review Checklist
- Final Development Plan Submittal Requirements
- Final Plat Submittal Checklist
- Plat Submittal Requirements
- Rezoning, Special Use Permits and Preliminary Development Plans Submittal Requirements
- Shared Parking Reductions & Demand Reduction Amenities
- Supplemental Study Requirements
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Traffic Impact Analysis
A traffic impact analysis is required with most preliminary development plans or preliminary plat submittals.
The established guidelines provide uniform criteria for the development of the study. Prior to beginning an analysis, applicants should consult with the Engineering Services Division of the Planning and Development Services Department regarding the scope and assumptions for the study.
Required studies must be submitted with the development application.
- Applications
- Notification + Neighborhood Meetings
- Downtown Form District – Certificate of Conformity Affidavit Packet
- Neighborhood Meeting Checklist, Affidavit Packet and Sample Neighborhood Meeting Invitation
- Non-Residential Use Affidavit Packet
- Notification and Affidavit Checklist
- Preliminary Plat Affidavit Packet
- Rezoning, Special Use Permit, and Preliminary Development Plan Affidavit Packet
- Vacation Affidavit Packet
- Board of Zoning Appeals
- Agreements
Review Guidelines
Unified Development Ordinance
The city’s zoning and subdivision regulations are contained within a document called the Unified Development Ordinance within the city’s Municipal Code.
In addition to specific regulations for each of the city’s zoning districts, the UDO contains development standards for parking, landscaping and screening, signage and floodplain ordinances.
Other city documents, such as the Comprehensive Plan and architectural design standards, supplement the UDO.
Design Guidelines and Standards
The City has adopted three sets of design guidelines and standards to help shape the character of new development in Overland Park. The guidelines work in conjunction with the Unified Development Ordinance and the comprehensive plan to establish expectations for new development and redevelopment in the city.
- Mixed-use design standards establish and encourage innovative mixed-use development as an alternative to typical suburban, use-segregated development. The guidelines aim to create connected, pedestrian-friendly environments with an integrated mix of uses, including a variety of housing types and usable public spaces. These guidelines apply only to properties zoned Mixed-Use District (MXD).
- Site design standards provide site planning guidance for commercial and multi-family developments. Grading, landscaping, site lighting and open space requirements also are included in these guidelines.
- Architectural design standards outline criteria to create high quality, pedestrian scaled buildings that enhance the built environment. These standards apply to commercial, mixed-use and multi-family developments. Some limited criteria apply to infill single-family developments.
Deviations
For property in a planned district or for a non-residential use in a residential district, such as a church or school, the Planning Commission and Governing Body may consider requests for deviations from the relevant standards of the Unified Development Ordinance or the applicable design standards.
A deviation may be granted only when:
- The relief requested promotes development that complements surrounding properties in terms of building scale, form and land utilization.
- The granting of the deviation will not adversely affect the rights of adjacent landowners or residents.
- There are circumstances or conditions affecting the development such that the strict application of these regulations would unreasonably affect the applicant or landowner.
- The deviation desired will not adversely affect the public health, safety, or general welfare.
- The relief requested promotes sound planning and urban design principles that are consistent with the general spirit and intent of this Ordinance.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an analysis of the criteria as they pertain to the requested deviation.
The Board of Zoning Appeals considers variances.
Continuances
Once an item is scheduled for consideration by the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, or City Council, it may be rescheduled to a future meeting with a continuance.
Reasons for a Continuance
Applicants are allowed one continuance by right. Planning staff has the discretion to approve as many as two more continuances when necessary revisions, new or missing information, or other good cause makes consideration of an application premature.
Requests must include the reason for the requested continuance and the date and time an item will be ready for consideration.
Timing
Submit continuance requests in writing to the current planning staff member assigned to your case by the close of business the Tuesday prior to the scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Any late continuance requests must be made in-person to the Planning Commission.
Failure to provide the required notice will automatically result in a continuance. Requests for continuance where no progress is being made to resolve outstanding issues may not be granted.
Notification Requirements
City staff provide rezoning and special use permit applicants a sign to notify the public of the proposal and an upcoming public hearing.
If a continuance is granted, staff will provide applicants a sticker to update the notification sign posted at the property. Applicants must make every attempt possible to notify all property owners previously contacted about applications of the new hearing date.
Parking Standards Study
Parking requirements have been updated to replace parking minimums with a range of parking spaces based on use and geographic location. Parking is allowed outside the recommended range but amenities aimed at supporting other modes of transportation may be required.
The new standards apply to all development.
Learn more about the study at the links below: