WESTWOOD, Kan. — Westwood leaders have rejected residents’ petitions to stop plans to convert a park into office space.
Joe Dennis Park in Westwood sits near 50th and Rainbow Boulevard. Some residents are upset with new development plans and were hoping to force a public vote.
Neighbors told FOX4 they value the park and don’t want more traffic along Rainbow either. Residents also said the proposed buildings are ugly, too tall and don’t fit the current design of the neighborhood.
The city has noted the developer’s plans also include turning the neighboring Westwood View Elementary site into a new park and greenspace for the community.
Residents have also questioned whether Westwood followed Kansas statute when working to sell the land. But city leaders said the land was never really a park.
Westwood said it wasn’t originally purchased with the intent of its present use of a park, never levied a park tax, and it was never “dedicated.” Therefore, city leaders argue they don’t need to follow state law and hold a public vote before selling the land.
Regardless, the city accepted protest petitions from residents who wanted to force a vote, and the city spent several weeks determining if they were valid.
But on Wednesday night, the city of Westwood held a special council meeting. Members unanimously passed a resolution that deemed the petitions as invalid.
Council members said passing the resolution was in line with a decision from the Johnson County Counselor’s Office.
Westwood originally faced a Jan. 4 deadline to complete the sale of Joe Dennis Park. But when FOX4 reached out for more information on the petitions and potential sale, the city said the due diligence has now been pushed back until July.