Follow Us 
Related News
Current Poll
| Citizens Argue Against Vehicle Auction Business |
 |
 |
 |
| News - Osawatomie | |||
| Written by Travis Perry | |||
| Tuesday, 10 November 2009 09:00 | |||
|
Several residents of rural Osawatomie turned out last week when the Osawatomie Planning Commission discussed a request to allow a commercial business to operate on agriculturally zoned land. Brent Peterson, who lives in Olathe, owns property at 27410 W. 347th St. and rents out a house on the land. He approached the Planning Commission to request a special-use permit that would allow him to operate an online auto auction on the property. Thirteen people who live in the vicinity of Peterson’s property showed up Nov. 4 to voice opposition to the permit. However, what was officially billed as a public hearing on the permit request quickly turned into a heated discussion a few coarse words shy of a shouting match. Those who voiced concerns about the Internet automotive auction business were worried about a host of issues, including increased traffic in the area and higher security risks associated with the storage of multiple vehicles on the property. Discussion, though, soon veered away from the official matter at hand, and some at the hearing instead focused on a motorcycle dirt track Peterson constructed on the property. “I did not move to the country to have dirt tracks and car lots down the road,” said Dee Mendel, who added that use of the dirt track fills the air with noise and pollution. Mendel, as well as several others, said the biggest problem is access to the track is not always secured, and even though Peterson uses it only once a week, others in the area use the track when he is not around. Concerns about the track flowed into concerns about how Peterson would manage and secure the auction business on the property. “I don’t want to be an unreasonable person; I want to get along with my neighbors,” Peterson said. “I think if you knew where my heart was in this situation, there wouldn’t be this animosity.” Peterson apologized for any unauthorized use of the dirt track and attempted to quell concerns about his proposed business by saying any and all vehicles stored on his property would be in a large shed, not outside. He also said because of how he would operate the business would operate, all vehicles would be sent to buyers, so neighbors don’t have to worry about increased traffic. Some at the hearing said they still have doubts. “If Osawatomie won’t welcome us as a business, we’ll go somewhere else,” Peterson responded. “With all due respect, I’m coming to you people trying to do the right thing.” After closing the public hearing on the special-use permit, members of the Planning Commission moved to table the issue for several reasons. First and foremost was to examine city zoning regulations to see if a permit is even necessary for Peterson’s business, because the land would be used for vehicle storage, and he would run operations primarily from his home in Olathe. Secondly, officials said they want to examine whether a special-use permit is required for the dirt track. The motion to table the issues passed 4-1, with Claude Light dissenting.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 449 Trackback(0)
Comments (0)
 Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
