Excelsior Springs has a new city planner. Melinda Mehaffy, economic development director, announced during an Aug. 12 work session at the Hall of Waters that the city had hired University of Kansas (KU) urban planning graduate student Shantele Frie for the position, with Aug. 15 set as her first day. “(I’m) excited to have her,” Mehaffy said. “I think she’s going to be a great fit for our team.” As planner, Frie’s duties involve assisting “with the historic preservation and planning and zoning boards,” Mehaffy stated Aug. 26 via email. “Her day-to-day work will include reviewing site plans to make sure the use of land meets current zoning codes,” Mehaffy wrote. In addition, Frie will help with the clarification of issues concerning the city’s master plan, Mehaffy said. In a related note, Mehaffy stated that the city plans to update its master plan, now 13 years old, “in the near...