The Pottawatomie County Commission unanimously approved the rezoning of a 79-acre tract of land from Agriculture to Agriculture Residential Monday, but not without some opposition.
The zoning change will allow the entity applying for the rezoning to develop houses at a higher density. The tract of land discussed is located about 3.5 miles north of Hwy 24 and Flush Road.
Celia Bessin, a Pottawatomie County resident, says people who live on this land in the future may not be able to handle living next to agricultural areas.
Commissioner Pat Weixelman says he believes what the applicant does with their land shouldn’t necessarily be dictated by what their neighbors want.
Tyler Umscheid, a farmer in Pottawatomie County, says the area is not ready for higher traffic levels and that driving a tractor while hauling a farming implement is already dangerous enough.
Commissioner Greg Riat says he also shares these concerns, but respects a property owner’s freedom to do what they want with their land.
The issue was brought to a vote at the county commission meeting after a protest petition was submitted in response to the Planning Commission’s decision to recommend the zoning change.
In other Pottawatomie County news:
- A committee consisting of county officials and staff from Pottawatomie County and Wabaunsee County will meet to review Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) from engineering companies in regards to an analysis of the Belvue Bridge.
- The commission discussed purchasing a dump truck and advertising for bids for a second one.
- Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jack Allston gave the commission an update on what he has been working on during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also gave an update on the status of certain small-business loan programs.
