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    Summary:  Leawood residents proved (10/18) that sometimes you can fight city hall as Red Development has officially scrapped plans to build a 90-foot tall high-rise condo in a residential area as part of the Crate and Barrel development at West 119th and Roe. New Ward 4 councilman James Azeltine fought developers despite dealing with major health issues in his family.

Dear Neighbors,

Thanks to all of you that worked to defeat this wrong-headed project. This is a major victory in the effort to preserve Leawood's heritage as a bedroom community.

James Azeltine
Leawood City Councilman
Ward 4

Letter from concerned resident of the nearby Berkshire development expressing his concern about the development:

    "...Now, for the reasons I'm addressing you:

1. The plan does not comply with the City's definition of "mixed    use" development.
2. The developer has not worked with the Planning Commission on anything the Commission has requested.
3. The building design does not fit in with projects you have recently approved, i.e. Park Place and Mission Farms.

I suggest that you stand at the corner of 119th and Roe and do a 360 degree turn to see what designs currently exist. With the exception of a very unattractive white box structure to be occupied by Crate and Barrel, everything that has been built is attractive and pleasing to the eye.

When asked at the public hearing why their design was so contemporary, the architect replied that this type of project has been very well received in Phoenix and Las Vegas. The response by a concerned citizen to that comment was that she "moved here rather than Phoenix or Las Vegas because I liked the ambiance of the neighborhoods and business developments found in Leawood.

This architectural design was ugly in the 60's and 70's, why would we like it now?"

This plan, in no way, conforms to the Leawood image of quiet, comfortable and attractive, residential and commercial areas that we have all found very appealing over the years.

As my elected representatives on the City Council, I ask you to follow the recommendation of the Planning Commission that the project, in its present form, should not be approved.

By failing to respond to any of the Commission's requests, the developer has used strong-arm tactics, expecting the Commission to back down on their decision so the developer can build whatever he/she desires. Working with people like this would not be a pleasing experience..."