Prairie Village leaders will vote to amend controversial affordable housing recommendations

Prairie Village leaders will vote Monday night to potentially eliminate more than 90% of the city’s housing stock from affordable housing recommendations that have divided the city.

At a 6 p.m. meeting, the city council will decide whether to remove recommendations that impact R-1, R-2 and by-right housing. If passed, it would mean recommendations to add affordable housing options in single-family and duplex zones - which make up the majority of the city’s housing - may no longer be considered.

The vote comes after a months-long push by a group of more than 600 residents who are part of Stop Neighborhood Rezoning PV Kansas on Facebook to pack council meetings and push back on recommendations that affect R-1 and R-2 zones.

Members also took issue with by-right housing, a kind of development that strictly follows zoning and building codes and thus can move forward without discretionary approval. Stop rezoning members have said that by-right development would be approved without meaningful consideration from city officials on whether or not the proposal fit “the character of the neighborhood” or if it would have a detrimental impact on the neighborhood.

The group has also claimed on fliers and social media that, if passed, the recommendations would allow developers to build apartment complexes next door to them and even in their backyards without telling them ahead of time.

Some fliers have told residents, “The Mayor and Council are trying to remove our fundamental legal rights as SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERS.”

In a frequently asked questions page dedicated to the issue, the city said the recommendations would include potential revisions to standards for accessory living quarters and neighborhood-scaled housing, which would allow for more housing in single-family zones. In R-2 zones, the city also potentially wants to consider changing duplex standards to allow for more duplexes and other multi-unit housing options. If Monday’s vote passes, none of those recommendations will be considered.

Lauren Martin, who helped create an opposition group called Prairie Village for All, said she’s worried Monday’s vote could be close. If the council decides to take single-family zones off the table, Martin said the goal of affordable housing in the city would be far less likely.

“When you want to look at making real change,” she said, “you have to look at R1.”

Mayor Eric Mikkelson appointed members of an ad-hoc housing committee in 2021 following the publication of a Johnson County housing study, which highlighted the need for more diversified and affordable housing across the county.

Of the cities studied, Prairie Village was among four cities where home values and rents rose by the highest percentages. The committee’s recommendations, which were approved by council in June, included potential solutions like more multi-unit housing, row homes and apartments throughout the city.

Because of public pushback, city council already amended the recommendations so that the planning commission won’t consider proposals for multi-family housing within single family districts for the time being.

No other action has been taken, though the planning commission said it would schedule several public forums this year before making its recommendations to council.

Martin said council members are making choices that affect the entire city based on feedback from residents who can attend meetings frequently. When Prairie Village for All speaks with other community members, Martin said they’ve been supportive of changes to allow for more affordable housing and weren’t aware of the debate surrounding the issue.

Ahead of the meeting, Prairie Village for All encouraged members to email their concerns to council members. Martin hopes leaders will listen and at least consider the recommendations, rather than eliminating many of the ideas because of pushback from some residents.

“You can’t just appease the small group of people who harass you all the time,” Martin said. “That’s just not good. That’s not healthy for our city.”

The Stop Neighborhood Rezoning group did not respond to a request for comment.