A newly proposed neighborhood development called Lion's Gate, located just north of Lion's Lake on the west side of S. Main Street, threatens property values and raises other concerns for homeowners in the area.

The 27-acre site, which is currently wooded and bordered by 20 existing homes, will have to be clear-cut to make way for 86 houses whose lot sizes barely meet the minimum allowable square footage for the city of Warrensburg. The loss of trees combined with closely spaced houses will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the home values for nearby properties.

There are two additional issues with the size and location of this development: surface water runoff and traffic. To date, an environmental impact study has not been conducted for this development. With the clear-cutting of this property and the downhill proximity to Lion's Lake, stormwater runoff from an 86 house development will include all debris, chemicals, and other pollutants picked up by rain or snow.

S. Main Street currently sees a lot of pedestrian and auto traffic. The street is one of the most direct routes from the university and downtown to Lion's Lake. With 86 houses, S. Main can expect to see nearly 200 additional automobiles from the construction of this development. The city of Warrensburg will have to afford to widen the street, install curbs and sidewalks, relocate power lines, and will likely have to reconfigure the north intersection of W. Clark and S. Main Streets in order to deal with the traffic from Lion's Gate.

Investors in the Lion's Gate development want to make a return on their investment. Area homeowners want to protect what they currently have invested in their homes. A possible solution is to reduce the number of houses in Lion's Gate and increase the lot sizes. Doing so would allow for some of the mature trees to be preserved, a proven way to improve the value of the home properties. According to the National Wildlife Federation, "Economic analyses have found that the value of homes near trees is 9 to 15 percent higher than homes without."

Please attend the City Council Meeting on May 13, 2019, 7:00 p.m. at the Warrensburg Municipal Center, 200 S. Holden, Warrensburg, MO 64093.  You can also call or email City Council to voice your concerns.  (The item was on the April 8 agenda, but it has been moved to May due to a council member's ability to attend the April meeting.)