Lenexa, Kansas

Unified Development Code 
   

For the City of Lenexa, Duncan Associates drafted a new unified development code. Lenexa is a rapidly-growing suburban Kansas City community that led all Kansas cities in population growth during the 1980s. The new unified development code was intended to be the primary implementation vehicle for the City's recently-adopted, award-winning comprehensive plan. The overall purpose of the new plan and code was to preserve the quality of the city's residential neighborhoods and improve the appearance of its nonresidential uses, including its many low-rise office parks and warehouse distribution centers. The new code includes mixed-use development standards that are designed to encourage sustainable development and highway corridor

overlay standards that are designed to enhance the function and appearance of major gateways into  the city. Improved architectural design controls, landscaping requirements and sign regulations were also included to further address local aesthetic concerns. One unique aspect of the new code is its treatment of the many man-made caverns that exist beneath the western portion of the community. These caverns, created during earlier salt mining operations, have significant potential for reuse. For example, they are ideal for the storage of dry goods and foodstuffs, because of their constant temperature and humidity conditions. A new "Underground Use" district was created for the City that could only be applied to mined underground space outlined in the comprehensive plan.                  

Period:    December 1991 - June 1992               Contact:    Tom Phillips
Team:      Duncan Associates                                               former Planning Director
                                                                                       913.537.2194