Council advances 20-year renewal for Solstice Senior Living special-use permit

The Lee's Summit City Council on Aug. 4 advanced an ordinance to renew the special-use permit for Solstice Senior Living at 1088 Northeast Independence Avenue for 20 years from the date of adoption.

David Waters of Spencer Fane, legal counsel for the applicant, told council the facility has been in operation for more than 20 years with no changes to buildings or use; Tasha Arlin, a representative for Solstice, was present to answer questions. “This is a facility that's been in existence for over 20 years. And there are no changes to the buildings, there are no changes to the use, everything else is staying the same,” Waters said.

Hector Sotto Jr., senior planner, said the facility contains about 123 dwelling units across three buildings and that staff had found no history of code violations or problematic conditions. “The existing facility has 123 dwelling units housed within 3 buildings ... It's my understanding that there are a total of about 140 or so residents in that facility,” Sotto said.

Council members asked whether units are rented and about typical rents and services; Tasha Arlin said units are rented on month-to-month leases and that prices vary by unit type with rents that include services such as meals, housekeeping and some utilities. “A studio is probably $2,200, but that includes all services. That includes 3 meals a day, housekeeping, maintenance, all utilities, activities, and transportation,” Arlin said.

After brief discussion, the council amended the staff-recommended time frame so the renewal runs 20 years from the date of adoption (amendment approved unanimously), and then advanced the ordinance to second reading as bill 25-139. The motion to adopt the ordinance as amended passed on a 7-0 council vote to move the item to second reading.

The renewal does not change the operation, number of units or services provided; it continues the special-use permit under conditions previously associated with the site and will return for final action at second reading.