LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) – A day after an informational meeting was held in Johnson County, the City of Lenexa says while there is a need to address homelessness in Johnson County and they want to be part of a solution, the proposed Homeless Services Center would place an “unreasonable burden on this area of the community” and its permit should be denied.
City staff cited four additional reasons as to why it is opposed to the proposal, which would bring a Johnson County Homeless Services Center into a converted three-story old La Quinta hotel east of I-35 and just off 95th Street.
A list of the four reasons was shared on Thursday night:
- The proposed use is inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood, which has been identified by the City as a key redevelopment corridor,
- The proposed use, due to its proximity to the only other homeless shelter for single adults in Johnson County, will create a concentration of negative external impacts in this area of the community which will detrimentally affect nearby properties,
- The City’s current law enforcement resources are inadequate to serve the proposed use and the additional cost to the City to add the necessary staff places an unreasonable financial burden on the City, which is exacerbated by the loss of tax revenue caused by the conversion of the subject property to a tax-exempt use, and
- That despite the applicant’s best intentions, the extremely abbreviated timeline under which this project has been conceived and developed has resulted in many of the required elements of a binding Management Plan for the shelter use being unfinalized and/or inadequate, thereby creating substantial uncertainty as to important details about the proposed use, its funding, and ultimately, the overall viability of the shelter operation.
The report was posted as Johnson County was hosting another packed informational public meeting, the second one this week.
Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly didn’t have time to read the full report before speaking with KCTV 5 following the meeting, but says Johnson County and ReStart, the organization chosen to run the Homeless Services Shelter, have met with Lenexa leaders several times to answer their questions.
“I’m really hoping that process can continue, and we are willing to, and I know ReStart is wiling and hopefully be able to address some of those concerns that have caused the city of Lenexa staff to recommend denial at this point,” said Kelly. “I’ve really been impressed with the way Stephanie Boyer (CEO of ReStart) and her team has been able to address quite a few questions and unknowns so far. So I am really hopeful for what they are going to do even in the short, narrow period of time before Monday.”
Kelly added he appreciates the time and effort that has gone into the proposed homeless shelter.
“I get it,” said Kelly. “Lenexa is being asked to consider something that is novel and unique and hasn’t ever been done in Johnson County before. Because of that, it has already been as administrative lift on Lenexa. Lenexa is an important partner to the county. Not only on this, but on many things in the future. Lenexa and the county are going to grow together. I’ve found it encouraging the way Lenexa has held itself during this process and how the county has handled it, even when the conversations are difficult.”
When asked if there is another location under consideration should the permit be denied, Kelly says he just ‘wants to see the process play out’.
“Good, bad, or indifferent, we will be looking to, as always, continue to move forward on that entire housing continuum.”
ReStart will be speaking at the Lenexa Planning Commission on Monday, as the organization submitted the application for the permit.
Members of the public who want to speak at the Aug. 26 Lenexa Planning Commission meeting — where this will be discussed — are encouraged to register online.
https://www.kctv5.com/2024/08/23/lenexa-city-staff-explains-opposition-johnson-county-homeless-center/
