Raymore City Council on Tuesday reviewed proposed amendments to the city’s Unified Development Code that would require front‑facing entry features—such as porches or articulated entryways—to reduce monotony in new residential subdivisions.

Staff said the proposal is intended as a minimum standard for front facades and would not, as drafted, shorten existing building setbacks. "The intent of this wouldn't really address any of the setbacks," a staff member said, noting the amendments would require separate code language to allow limited porch encroachments past the build line.

Councilmembers praised the goal of more inviting streetscapes but pressed staff on potential unintended consequences. "My only question or concern…we're not looking at shortening our setbacks for the houses to where we're gonna put them right up closer to the sidewalks, are we?" one councilmember asked. Staff responded that setbacks would remain as in today's code and that property owners could still pursue variances when necessary.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City urged caution. Will Reuter, executive vice president of the association, told the council that higher architectural requirements can increase costs, narrow builders’ economies of scale and shift markets toward larger homes or multifamily products. "The average new home construction price today is about $479,000," Reuter said, describing how lot and fixed development costs push construction pricing and compress profit margins.

Reuter also said Kansas City’s builder base has not recovered to pre‑2008 levels and that most local builders construct only a small number of homes per year, which limits the ability to achieve cost savings from repetition. He advised the council to weigh the design goals against market realities so the city does not inadvertently reduce housing supply or affordability.

Councilmembers and staff agreed on a next step: staff will host an open‑house meeting with local builders to present the exact proposed code language, gather cost and implementation feedback, then prepare a formal draft for Planning and Zoning advertising and hearings before returning to council. Staff said they have been informing developers about the council’s direction and do not believe a rush of applications has occurred to date.

The council emphasized flexibility and process: staff said the draft aims to maximize design options and allow variances as a last resort, and councilmembers urged that the city finish the outreach and code text soon so builders can plan ahead for spring construction schedules.

If adopted, staff will place the amendments into the UDC as minimum standards; Planned Unit Development (PUD) approvals could still specify higher design expectations.

Councilmembers asked staff to return with a draft code text and the comments from the builder open house before any Planning & Zoning public hearing.