City of Sunset Hills

The Comprehensive Parks Master Plan for the City of Sunset Hills establishes a framework to meet the city's evolving parks and recreational needs over a twenty-year period. It is guided by principles of relevance, accessibility, iconic design, and sustainability for the parks and recreation system. The plan addresses fifteen key focus areas including Goals and Objectives, Demographic Analysis, Policies and Procedures, Community Engagement, Benchmarking, Inventory Analysis, Planning and Design Analysis, Facility Analysis, Maintenance Analysis, ADA Assessment, Program Analysis, Partnerships, Staffing Analysis, Capital Improvements, and Funding Analysis. The overarching vision is to create a citywide network of engaging, inspiring, and connecting parks and recreational experiences that enhance the quality of life for all residents.

The subject of this request is the Sunset Hills Subaru request for a waiver from the Traffic Impact Study requirement necessary for a Planned Development Permit to construct an approximately 18,500 square foot service shop expansion at the dealership located at 10100 Watson Road. The Unified Development Ordinance mandates a traffic impact study for new development requiring a planned development permit; however, a waiver may be requested if the petitioner demonstrates that the proposed development will not adversely affect the existing transportation system or may enhance it. The improvements are situated internally on the existing site and do not alter access points to Watson Road. Approval of the waiver requires a simple majority vote by the Board of Aldermen and does not imply future approval of the overall development project.

Key discussion topics for the meeting included receiving various committee reports such as the City Report (mentioning an End of Last Year Report), Presidents Report, Awards, Social, Volunteers, Computers, Apparel, Dive Representative, and Coaches Report. Other matters addressed involved a Swim Party, Swim Caps, Keeping Sports You, Pictures, Mascot, and several proposed rule changes for swim and dive events. Specifically, four rule changes were voted upon: changing the time of the finals scratch meeting to 5:00 pm (Passed), prohibiting deck entries for Prelims/Finals (Passed), leaving the decision for Dive vs start in the water up to the host or unanimous decision for all up to the host, and adding a rule on weather for prelims/finals to match the regular dual meet rule (Passed).

The Board action item concerns a Zoning Map Amendment request submitted by Micah Dowdy representing Chick-fil-A for a 1.2-acre tract at 10706 Sunset Hills Plaza. The request seeks to rezone the parcel from "PD-BC" Planned Development Business Commercial to "LC" Local Commercial District to allow for the expansion of the drive-thru and the addition of an awning. Staff noted that rezoning is necessary because the existing PD-BC zoning does not permit substantial site modifications under the current Unified Development Ordinance. The proposed "LC" designation is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan, which designates the area as Commercial.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and consent items, which covered bills and requests for events, including the Memories Car Club's annual Car Cruise and Laumeier Sculpture Park's Art Fair sponsorship. A presentation was given regarding a concept plan for a Sunset Hills Subaru expansion, involving an 18,400 square foot addition and upper-level parking. Key legislative actions included the second reading and approval of ordinances related to exempting the City from state liquor license provisions (Bill No. 137), approving an amendment to the Viking Conference Center Community Improvement District petition (Bill No. 138), and rezoning/subdivision approval for a tract of land at 13165 Maple Drive (Bill Nos. 139 and 140). Department reports addressed budget adjustments, the City winning a financial reporting award, legislative alerts regarding food sales tax, ongoing road repairs, and positive updates on Day Camp registration and Tennis Court work. New business involved approving several resolutions for contracts with various vendors (MACC Contracting, Spencer Contracting, Sweetens Sealing Services), purchasing a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado, declaring surplus property, and approving a slate of Directors for the Viking Conference Center Community Improvement District. Appointments were made to the Public Works Committee and Finance Committee. General discussion centered on a potential private street cooperative program to assist residents with road repairs and the need for an ordinance amendment to permit senior living facilities in certain zoning districts. The session concluded with a closed session to discuss legal matters.