The Overland Park Planning Commission met on Monday and voted 9‑0 to adopt a revised preliminary development plan for the former Metcalf South shopping‑center parcel at the southeast corner of 97th and Metcalf. The new plan clears the way for a 3,400‑square‑foot fast‑casual restaurant with a wrap‑around drive‑thru, replacing the earlier proposal for a 7,500‑square‑foot office‑and‑retail building.
Background on the site
The roughly one‑acre lot has been vacant since the final retail buildings were demolished a few years ago. Over the years, the area has seen a piecemeal influx of single‑story drive‑thru eateries and a few residential units behind the site. City officials have repeatedly expressed concern that this auto‑centric development diverges from the long‑term Vision Metcalf plan, which envisions mixed‑use, walkable neighborhoods with higher‑density housing and office activity along Metcalf.
Commissioners’ reactions
Commissioner Jenna Reyes said she had no problem with the restaurant, noting the existing concentration of drive‑thrus at the corner. “I personally don’t have a problem with this,” Reyes told the commission. Commissioner Chris Staus was absent, and Commissioner Holly Streeter‑Schaefer, who was present for the meeting, was not present for the vote.
City leaders have previously criticized the fragmented redevelopment of the former Metcalf South site, calling it a “fast‑food haven” and lamenting the lack of cohesive, pedestrian‑friendly planning. The new restaurant, owned by Kenny Xiao of Royal Investment Group, is described as a family‑focused Asian‑food concept, though details remain limited.
Vision Metcalf and future plans
When Vision Metcalf was finalized nearly two decades ago, the mall was still operating, leaving the future of the site undefined. The plan identifies the area around 95th and Metcalf as a prime location for commercial and office activity, with an eventual civic campus that could include a new city hall and public park. Recent acquisitions of an office building on College Boulevard for the future Overland Park City Hall have shifted those civic‑center aspirations.
Critics argue that the current drive‑thru development does not align with Vision Metcalf’s goals for walkability and mixed‑use density. The plan’s concept art shows mid‑rise, urban‑style buildings with housing placed directly on the main street, a stark contrast to the single‑story, auto‑oriented structures now emerging.
Economic and community impact
Proponents of the restaurant point to job creation and added dining options for residents. The Thompson Thrift apartments, located just west of the site, are slated for early‑2027 move‑in dates, and the new restaurant could serve both apartment residents and the broader community.
Nevertheless, the shift from a mixed‑use office‑and‑retail project to a fast‑casual eatery underscores the ongoing tension between market‑driven development and the city’s long‑range vision for a more walkable, family‑friendly environment.
Next steps
Box Development, the project’s developer, will move forward with design and permitting for the restaurant. The Planning Commission’s approval clears the path for construction, though city officials may continue to monitor how the project fits within the broader Vision Metcalf framework.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to stay engaged with future planning meetings, as the Overland Park community works to balance growth with the quality‑of‑life standards outlined in Vision Metcalf.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
