ShawneeDispatch.com

A new site plan to better incorporate existing architecture at a retail center along Shawnee Mission Parkway gained Planning Commission approval Monday.

Renovations made to the façade of the building, at 10314 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., will use materials previously approved by the Commission, but project officials say a new plan will fit potential tenants better.

"The new design is more reflective of a retail building," said Greg Hibarger, of Jantsch/Slaggie Architects.

Once completed, the new Trek bicycle shop will occupy the western end of the building, which is being designed to incorporate aesthetic elements similar to those at First State Bank, to be located just south of the building in the same parking lot.

Discussion regarding the new plan's omission of a rooftop metal screening system, which previously was approved to conceal brown metal gabled projections, initially concerned Commissioners.

The screens, which were planned to be located over each of the building's two entrances, would have given the building a flat roofline common to many office buildings, according to Hibarger.

Instead, interest from potential retail tenants and problems associated with early construction facilitated a new plan to scrap the screening system in favor of working with the metal projections, which provide a pitched look common to retail centers, Hibarger said.

The new plan also would allow the applicant to work with existing architecture rather than imposing new materials on the site, Hibarger said.

"We want to take the building back to its purest form and use what's there," Hibarger said.

Planning staff determined in late April that renovations to the building were not in compliance with plans approved by the Commission and ordered that a new application be reviewed.

"I do not perceive a compelling reason to not move forward with the modifications," said Commissioner Dan Bedora.

The measure was approved 7-2, with Commissioners John O'Connor and Kevin Tubbesing voting against the changes.

Commissioners, during a meeting that lasted less than an hour, also:

• Approved two consent items concerning the Shawnee Crossings Retail Center. The Commission granted final plats for four lots located in the 22700 block of Midland Drive and approved Fish Development's site plan for a 21,700-square-foot medical office building to be located on a 2.43-acre tract in the 6800 block of Silverheel Street.
• Granted final plant approval for Shawnee West Office Park Building 1 to be located in the 21600 block of Midland Drive. The first building of three to be located in the office park is constructed and now is being divided into office suites for sale. The re-plat consists of three units in the building.
• Approved plans for a façade renovation at Shawnee Shoe Repair, located at 11022 Johnson Drive. Sam Azrilian, who owns the building, plans to remove existing cedar shake shingles and a mansard roof to expose original brick surface underneath. The renovation was included as a recommendation in the Downtown Design Guidelines adopted last year by the city.