§ 88-323-01. PURPOSE

Considerable public and private investment exists and is expected to occur adjacent to boulevards and parkways within the city. The following standards are intended to promote quality development reflective of the character of the city's boulevard and parkway system, whether on an established, historic boulevard or on a parkway traversing undeveloped areas of the city.

Historically, the city has been built along both parkways and boulevards that, while similar in the concept of extending green pathways through the city and connecting residents to parks, vary somewhat in purpose and design. Both complement a grid system of arterials and local streets in enabling transportation. In older, established areas though, formal boulevards predominate, with intersections at all cross streets. Parkways, with wider medians and rights-of-way, accommodate changes of alignment and grade and follow the natural terrain predominant in many undeveloped areas of the city. In these areas, it is not feasible to construct a grid transportation system. The standards support established boulevard and parkway design criteria and are intended to acknowledge variations of development patterns adjacent to parkways and boulevards by accounting for an area's built or rural environment, topography, drainage pattern, or natural features to be preserved while balancing the need to move traffic with the mission of building "a city within a park."

88-323-01-A APPLICABILITY

1.

Generally. Boulevard and Parkway standards apply to all development adjacent to and within 150 feet of a boulevard or parkway classified as part of the Kansas City, Missouri Boulevard and Parkway system and identified on the Major Street Plan. The 150-foot distance is measured from the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the boulevard or parkway to the nearest property line of the lot occupied by or proposed to be occupied by the regulated use or development. The standards apply, however, only to that portion of the adjacent property (parcel or lot) located within 150 feet of the boulevard or parkway.

In addition, there are situations where design standards set out for boulevards will be applied to sections of parkways. This occurs where two parkways meet and within a ¼ mile radius (as measured from the centerline) of these intersections — termed development nodes. Where the median width of the parkway is minimized at these intersections (although right-of-way remains a minimum of 150 feet), application of boulevard standards to these development nodes calls for a reduced building setback, and placement of a customer entrance on the front or side façade. This provides a development pattern upon a complete street system, supporting multi-modal transportation, providing safe access for pedestrians, and offering active commercial street frontages.

2.

New Development. Full compliance with the Boulevard and Parkway Standards (as defined in 88-110-03-G, 88-120-03-G, 88-130-04-G, 88-140-03-G, 88-310-02, 88-323, 88-325, 88-331, 88-335, 88-340, 88-375, 88-425, 88-450, 88-810-192, 88-810-512, 88-810-1108 and 88-810-2165, and Tables 110-1, 120-1, 130-1 and 140-1 ("Boulevard and Parkway Standards")) is required for all new buildings/structures constructed within the area defined in the Boulevard and Parkway Standards.

3.

Enlargements and Expansions of Existing Buildings/Structures and Vehicular Use Areas. Full compliance with the Boulevard and Parkway Standards is required if the enlargement or expansion exceeds thirty percent (30%) of the gross square feet of the existing building/structure and for the development of any new or expanded vehicular use area. If the enlargement or expansion is thirty percent (30%) or under, then the Boulevard and Parkway Standards will not apply. All other provisions of the Zoning and Development Code as are applicable will continue to apply.

4.

Façade Changes. Changes to the façades of existing buildings/structures will not require compliance with the Boulevard and Parkway Standards; provided, however, that no façade changes may be made that will increase the building/structure's nonconformity.

5.

Accidental Damage or Destruction. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 88-610-04-D, nonconforming buildings, structures or uses that are destroyed or damaged in any amount may be restored without coming into compliance with the Boulevard and Parkway Standards. A building permit to reconstruct a destroyed or damaged structure must be submitted or use re-established within 6 months of the date of occurrence of such damage, and once issued, construction must be diligently pursued or the nonconformity will be considered to be discontinued.

6.

Previously Approved Preliminary Plans, Development Plans and Preliminary Plats. Permits may be issued for previously approved site-specific preliminary plans, development plans or preliminary plats that were approved prior to the effective date of the Boulevard and Parkway Standards in accordance with the previously approved plat/plan without compliance with the Boulevard and Parkway Standards.

(Ord. No. 150544, § 1, 7-23-2015; Ord. No. 160341 , § 1, 5-12-2016; Ord. No. 160759 , § 1, 10-20-2016)