In addition to the Master Plan Update and Noise 150 study, the KCI Area Plan will explore land use and growth issues through the preparation of an Area Plan for the KCI planning area and its environs. The purpose of the Area Plan is to determine a future vision for the KCI Area that attempts to balance the interests and needs of the airport, area residents and business, as well as guide development and improvements in the area to offer a wider range of residential and commercial development opportunities to the larger community.

Background and Orientation

The Kansas City International Airport (KCIA) area is the largest Kansas City North planning area.  Its boundaries include the City limits of Kansas City, Missouri to the north and west, the Platte County line to the East and NE Barry Road and a line approximately 1/3 mi. south of NW Barry Road to the south.

Kansas City’s first annexation north of the Missouri River was finalized on January 1, 1950. The KCIA area was annexed twelve years later along with Gashland, Birmingham Bottoms and the Shoal Creek area in 1962. 

The opening of KCIA in 1972 spurred suburban, residential and commercial development in the Northland. The City chose the site for KCI in 1952 in order to allow for industrial growth and offer a buffer between the airport and surrounding property owners.

The planning area remains largely undeveloped today. As a result, many of its natural resources are intact.

Area population is expected to double in the next 20 years and residents are growing older. Today, the population consists of young family and non-family households. Families may be attracted to the area because of its reputable schools, non-families because of its job opportunities.

The area benefits from an ample highway network, but east-west arterial roads are lacking. As a result, development has focused around interchanges and may continue to do so until both transportation connections and utility access are established for the yet undeveloped portions of the planning area.

Office, retail and industrial market studies indicate that near-term future development opportunities are limited. Longer-term projects have greater potential.

Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of this Plan is to determine a future vision for the KCI Area Plan that:

• Establishes a balance of the interests and needs of the area residents and businesses within the project boundaries
  
• Guides development and improvements in the area to offer a wider and more diverse range of residential and commercial development opportunities.

The KCIA Area Plan will:

• Serve as the “plan of record” for the neighborhood
• Establish a guide to lead the decision-making process involving neighborhood residents, developers, city staff, boards/commissions and the City Council.
• Promote the citywide initiatives established in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, FOCUS Kansas City Plan
• Determine a future vision for the area and strategies to make the vision a reality

Goals of the Plan

The KCIA Area Plan needs to be integrated with the Airport Master Plan and part 150 Study. It also must integrate individual infrastructure plans like the Major Street Plan and Stormwater Plan. These plans must be adapted to work together, resulting in a single, coordinated plan for the area.

Particular emphasis should be placed on examining the development impacts of the Kansas City International Airport. Where necessary information already exists, it should be used efficiently. Where information is missing, it should be obtained and incorporated as part of the process to create the Area Plan.

Goals of the Area Plan are to:

• Create a vision for the future development of the KCIA area
• Build consensus among area stakeholders
• Develop a strategy to create a thriving, sustainable and desirable community, which addresses land use, zoning, area identity, urban design, transportation, capital improvements, public safety and the health and vitality of the neighborhood
• Recognize and protect the character of the Kansas City Airport area

Coordination Efforts
The planning process will involve several departments within the City, including the City Planning and Development Department and the Department of Aviation. Key staff from these departments will make up the core of the technical team, working with other professionals and the consultant team to help identify issues, establish implementation strategies and define project priorities.

Issues to Consider

• Housing
• Preservation of natural resources and stream asset preservation
• Land use and economic development including development opportunity areas, no-build or preservation areas and land use policies
• Amenities
• Basic infrastructure (sewers, stormwater) and transportation options (trails system, arterial connections, sidewalks, bus service, bicycle and pedestrian mobility)