Sunday, July 30, 2023

GET ME REWRITE: Wealthy, most white Kansas City, Kansas, suburb freaks out over push for affordable housing

 

Kansas City Star, 7/30/2023
Four attempts to recall the mayor. A drive to cut the city council in half. And a push to restructure the city government to limit mayoral powers. 
That’s only the latest in what has been an escalating firestorm in Prairie Village — sparked by city leaders considering zoning changes to allow for more affordable housing. Officials have debated adjusting laws to pave the way for duplexes, small apartment buildings and other cheaper options for families struggling to buy a home in the city known for Cape Cod houses torn down to make way for McMansions. 
But the idea has ignited fierce opposition from residents who argue the city of 23,000 people is already built out and too dense to welcome the multi-unit housing they fear would crowd the tree-lined suburb and take away its neighborhood feel. Red “Stop Rezoning” signs have been cropping up in front yards across the city, where average home prices topped $536,000 last year.
And where the average household income is $92,753 compared to $64,521 statewide. 

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