Commission
gives okay to subdivision
A 25-acre rezoning request was approved last week by
the Platte County Commission, clearing the way for a small
subdivision in the northern part of the county.
"I found there was just no legal basis to deny the
rezoning request," said Michael Short, first district
commissioner.
The applicant, Apex Management, Inc., John Pepper, was
asking the commission to rezone 25 acres of a 65-acre
tract located along the northside of Highway H and one
mile west of intersection Highway H and P for a two lot
minor subdivision from AG (agriculture) to RE (rural estates).
During the last meeting, opponents of the rezoning request
approached the commission with their concerns.
At the last meeting, one of the opponents Ralph Hicks
who owns property adjoining the land to the east, relayed
his concerns to the commission.
"My personal reason (for the objection) is because
I purchased my property in 1998 because it was rural and
there wasn't a lot of development in that area,"
said Hicks. "I think the request should be denied
so the area can remain a rural and ag area to keep the
density in the area to a minimum. I would ask the commission
to reconsider this application."
Jerry Cox, owner of the property to the north, also spoke
to commissioners about his concerns regarding the remaining
40-acres of land not being rezoned.
Last week, planning and zoning director Aaron Schmidt
assured the commission and the opponents that if the owner
of the land were to want to rezone that land, they'd have
to come back before both the planning and zoning committee
and the county commission.
Jim Farley, attorney for Pepper, informed the commission
that his client had no further intent of subdividing the
land beyond the two tracts currently proposed.
"After last weeks session, I took the opportunity
to talk with planning and zoning and to look at maps and
I took a road trip to look at the proposed area. I found
there was no reason to deny the request," stated
Steve Wegner, second district commissioner.
In other business, the commission approved the appointment
of three new members to the Platte County Stormwater Committee.
Mike Howell, Terry Breyfogle and Tom Jacobs were appointed
to the three seats.
Director of Planning and Zoning Aaron Schmidt told commissioners:
"With the increased responsibility of the board I
feel we need more people appointed to the committee."
The committee, which was formed in 2000, is a citizen
oversight committee appointed by the commission to review
stormwater related projects throughout Platte County.
Commissioners also approved an intergovernmental agreement
between Platte County and the City of Platte City for
the purchase and use of a roll-off truck. The four-year
agreement will extend from April 25, 2002-April 25, 2006.
The cost to the county is $7,500 and the cost of maintenance,
with any other costs beyond oil change, filter change
and the repair of flat tires, will be shared between the
two entities 75/25, with the city funding 75 percent of
the costs and the county paying for the remaining 25 percent.
Commissioners also approved a New Holland tractor lease
for one-year from May 1, 2002-May 1, 2003. The tractor
will be leased from St. Joseph Tractor Inc., St. Joseph.
One bid was also received for the purchase of a special
utility vehicle by the sheriff's department from All Pro
Ford of Platte City.
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