Andrew Osman's Statements on Development Create More Questions.

Mr. Osman said in (what I now would argue is a carefully worded statement) an article for the KCJC that he "did not have any projects within the city" and would "avoid future projects if elected". He didn't mention he has/had an interest in vacant land at 103rd and State line. Is he wanting to plant a garden? What do developers do with vacant land? He also doesn't pledge to not have any projects with the city if elected only that he will "avoid" them. Seems a little sketchy now. This is exactly why I don't like developers on City Council.

Perhaps he no longer has any commercial development planned in Leawood or no longer has any development projects in the works but as of less than a year ago he stood before the City Council regarding his "vested interest" in property at 103rd and State line for a Planned Business Park. I guess it depends on what the definition of "is" is.........to quote a much more famous American politco as to whether it seems reasonable that this developer is interested in being apart of the development of Leawood. So let's just imagine how this might have gone if Mr. Osman had been sitting in a Council person's chair on April 20, 2009?

April 20, 2009 Leawood Council Minutes

Andrew Osman, 3312 W. 86th Street, stated he had a vested interest in property located at 103rd and State Line Road in the Planned Business Park District [BP]. The property has been vacant for a significant amount of time and the layout and description allows very limited use. Mr. Osman wanted to express his intention of presenting a possible amendment to the BP zoning that would allow different types of applicant’s occupancy. Mayor Dunn stated this issue has been referred to staff and will return before City Council on a future Agenda.

Indeed, the council met on September 8 in a work session to discuss the issue. Apparently, it is in a flood plain. I couldn't find Mr. Osman's proposal to amend the zoning.



I wonder if Mr. Osman still has an interest in the property and if he still plans to present an amendment to his benefit and that might improve the value of his investment and if that would be at tax payers expense? Hard to know but wouldn't you like to know before you vote on April 6th? Think the following are fair questions and I wonder why the KCJC didn't ask them?


Mr. Osman:

• Do you still have a vested interest in this property?

• What are your plans for this property?

• What is your proposal for changing the zoning and will it cost taxpayers ie the city raising it out of the flood plain?

• When making a statement to the KCJC regarding this issue why didn't you acknowledge your vested interest?

I'm confused.



Mr. Osman has an absolute right to do business in Leawood including commercial development. I just don't like the appearance of conflict it creates to have developers running around city hall.

Leawood Rocks on Thoughtful Development

Kansas City Business Journal reported about this interesting study produced by UMKC and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) of the 14 busiest cities for commercial development.

It reports Leawood as being ranked worst in terms of permit approval time. Our neighbor, Overland Park, ranked last in time AND cost. Ouch.

At face value it would be easy to see this as a smack on Leawood. I don't.

I guess developers would see this as a negative that they can't ram through a commercial project before anyone has a chance to really study it.

This is Leawood, not Gardner or Wyandotte County. Development should be thoughtful with people given opportunity to be heard on it. Leawood should be given a high five for this ranking. It says to me we don't have a huge bureaucracy waiting around for work....we are lean. It says we are busy with lots of people wanting to develop stuff here. It says we don't rubber stamp stuff so it is done right and it will enhance our community. Ever see a building someplace and say, "what were they thinking??" I don't see that in Leawood too much.

I think it is refreshing and positive that developers don't run our city.....the proverbial tail wagging the dog.

For now....this is a highly desirable area for development. I imagine it is fun to be the hot chick but that doesn't mean she has to sleep with everyone on the first date.

By the way it wasn't our costs of development that was a problem.....we were middle of the road on that scorecard.

"Old Leawood" Osman Addresses My Post

My post regarding the race in "Old Leawood", Ward 1, got a tiny bit of attention from The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle this week. Andrew Osman addressed a little bit of my concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest by directly referencing the blog in a what I'll call a very friendly fluff article. Let's just say I'm not expecting a similar profile on Dr. Peppes in in KCJC.

***********************************

Brief digression: When ever someone calls it "Old Leawood" I think of Ron Burgundy. "Do you know what Old Leawood is Ron?"

"I believe it is an old, old wooden ship". I know....only funny to me. Sorry. Bromance me.

***********************************************************

Anyway. I would agree with Mr. Osman that it is sad that often seats so uncontested. Public service is honorable. I'm glad he is running. I'd like to hear some specifics on what he'd like to accomplish. Serving on committees and boards within the city are also a great way to serve the city you love. He suggests term limits. I guess I'm okay with that. Not a bad idea. But to say that the leadership we HAVE had is by default poor....well......I can't go along with that. This has been an exceptionally well run city at all levels. In fact, it has been down right impressive. I can't figure out how that represents a vacuum of leadership.

He says in the article that he doesn't have any projects before the city and won't if elected. Fair enough I guess. At least he addressed it. Me personally? I still don't have a need for developers on city council. That is just me.

But if that is the case then I don't understand this part of the article:

In addition to keeping up with Council and committee actions for his business, Osman said, he has attended many Council meetings to get a feel for
city government. He also attended a Leawood Police Department citizens’ academy
course. (Rick Hellman, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, March 19, 2010)

Hmmm.......what's the deal here......he doesn't have development projects in Leawood but he is keeping up with Council and committee actions for his business......I guess that is the business he doesn't have with Leawood? JOCOeveryman is super confused and putting down the vino.

I don't know.....just something I noticed. Probably an honest mistake. By the way......someone still needs to tell him that Leawood City Council has zero to do with "education policy".

I'm sure he is cool dude.