The unanimous council vote overturns a recommendation for denial in August by the Independence Tax Increment Financing Commission.

The Trinity TIF application has come a long way since the August TIF hearings.

Commissioners said they did not believe the city should use TIF funds to relocate a Sprint cellular tower to make way for an office building.

The applicants removed the cellular tower from the TIF plan and will find another way to pay for it. By doing so, Trinity moved into favor with the City Council.

The $37.1 million development calls for 17.5 acres of commercial, retail and office space on three corners of the intersection of Little Blue Parkway and Valley View Parkway.

The cornerstone of the project is likely the proposal of two 50,000-square-foot office buildings.

Developer Jim Harpool with DIAL Realty of Kansas City said the $7.8 million in TIF assistance will help spur another 70 acres of development to the south that will not require tax increment financing.

Council members agreed the development would enhance the skyline with the existing Blue Ridge Bank and Tri-City Ministries church campus.

Trinity Development is Tri-City Ministries' land holding company, represented legally by the King Hershey Law Firm

Harpool, who developed the Hartman Heritage Center north of I-70, was named Monday in the city ordinance as the developer.