Overland Park Public Works Proposal Outlaws Asphalt in New Developments

KCHBA members and staff as well as other industry stakeholders participated in the June 27 City of Overland Park’s public input meeting regarding recently proposed updates to the Design and Construction Standards Manual at City Hall. The language slated for adoption would outlaw the use of asphalt for street construction in all new residential developments. City staff worked through a 12-slide presentation and then fielded a handful of pertinent questions from the building and development community. The concerns about the speed at which this dramatic change is being considered, the lack of an independent paving study that incorporates a broader pool of expertise and the anticipated implementation timeline remain.

A link to watch the video is unavailable, as the meeting was not recorded. Click here to view the side by side of cost per lane mile. You will see that the “Cost Per Lane Mile,” introduced in March, has since been updated. KCHBA staff would contend that this modification demonstrates the need for additional information through a thorough, third party study. If the anticipated costs are subject to change by $50,000 after fewer than 90 business days of scrutiny, Overland Park residents deserve to have a clearer, firmer picture of the financial impacts of the city’s street program changes.

Submit Public Comments By July 31

KCHBA is asking members to submit public comments requesting a third-party study to better determine the impact and viability of requiring new residential streets to be constructed with concrete. This would provide assurance as to whether moving to all concrete streets is the best decision for Overland Park and its taxpayers for the next 50 + years. Click here to submit comments on the city’s website until July 31 at 5:00 p.m. If you submit comment(s), please also forward your thoughts to .

The proposal is expected to go before the Public Works Committee on Aug. 23 and then to full Council on Sept. 11. Please contact Will Ruder (, 816.733.2216) or Courtney Reyes (, 816.733.2214) for additional information.

CLICK HERE for a print version of the informational flyer.