Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) Law was enacted by state statute (Sections 99.300-99.715 RSMs) in 1951 to help local municipalities eradicate blighted and insanitary areas of their community and to encourage redevelopment of real property, particularly in urban areas.  LCRA, once created locally, is a separate political entity required to comply with all Missouri laws applicable to political subdivisions.  LCRA is governed by five commissioners who are appointed by the mayor to four year terms.  A commissioner must be a taxpayer who has resided in the community for at least five years.  At least once a year, the authority must file a report of its activities with the city clerk.

Role

Before a municipality may operate an LCRA, the governing body of the city or county must find ‘blight’ or ‘insanitary’ conditions within the redevelopment area, and it must approve a redevelopment plan for the area.

Once established, and with governing body approval, the LCRA may provide the financing of any land clearance or urban renewal project within the redevelopment area through, among other powers, the issuance of bonds or certificates of qualification for tax abatement for property owners within the area.  Additional powers of the authority include:

  • To prepare or cause to be prepared and to recommend redevelopment plans to the governing body of the
  • community
  • To arrange or contract for the furnishing of services, works, streets, roads, public utilities or other facilities in connection with a land clearance project
  • Within its area of operation, as necessary or incidental to a land clearance project, to purchase  or obtain; hold or improve; develop; and sell, dispose of or retain for its own use real or personal property
  • To borrow money, issue bonds, provide security for loans or bonds, and invest reserve funds  
  • To conduct examinations, hear testimony under oath at public hearings, to administer oaths and issue subpoenas on any matter of material for its information
  • To make or have made surveys, studies and plans necessary for carrying out the LCRA law
  • To delegate to a municipality or other public body any of the powers or functions of the authority with respect to the planning or undertaking of a land clearance project

History

  • In 1961, a local LCRA was established through approval of local voters of Lee’s Summit (Ordinance 681) and the Board of Alderman (Ordinance 686).  
  • In July 1985, the Board of Alderman executed Ordinance 2662 resurrecting the LCRA.  A redevelopment plan was approved in November 1986.  
  • On September 1, 2009, LCRA was reactivated through the appointment of five commissioners by the mayor.

Meetings

Meetings are held as needed.  

Public Information Meeting Documents

Resources

Members
Rich Wood
Mark White, Vice Chairman
Shelley Kneuvean
Drew Reynolds
Jason Betts

Department Liaison
Administration

Click on the maps below to enlarge

Downtown Urban Renewal Area
Project No. MO. R-47:
Map of Downtown Urban Renewal Area

Lakewood Business Park Urban Renewal Area:
Map of Lakewood Business Park Urban Renewal Area

US 50/M-291 Hwy Urban Renewal Area:
Map of US 50/M-291 Hwy Urban Renewal Area