It’ll include light industrial and residential areas east of I-29, north of Hwy. 92
What is described as the largest private sector investment and largest single development in Platte City’s history is being planned east of Interstate 29 and north of Hwy. 92.
Three hundred total acres are involved.
Van Trust Real Estate (VTRE) has applied for preliminary plat approval for a light industrial subdivision, which will cover 160 acres and will be known as Platte City Commerce Center. Three industrial buildings are planned on that site. The project will be a multi-million sq. ft. light industrial/logistics complex near the I-29/Hwy. 92 interchange.
In addition, zoning for an adjacent 140-acre residential subdivision has been approved. The residential acres are not included in the Platte City Commerce Center subdivision and preliminary plat approval for the residential parcel will be sought separately.
A rezoning on the 140-acres to be used for residential was approved recently by the city. The rezoning application was submitted by David Barth and the 140 acres were rezoned from commercial to R1-8 single family dwelling district.
City documents describe the residential acreage as a buffer between the Commerce Center and existing residential subdivisions. The newly-rezoned residential acreage is adjacent to the subdivision known as Timber Creek, which is a Platte County residential subdivision.
City officials say roadways that will provide access to the development area will be able to accommodate the traffic affected by the rezoning.
The additional development in that area–including these two projects as well as the planned Hunt Midwest logistics park set to go in on the south side of Hwy. 92 east of I-29 (not in the city limits of Platte City)–are helping spark the city as it works with developers, MoDOT, the Mid-America Regional Council and the Congressional delegation to identify potential funding sources to fund improvement to Hwy. 92 as a four lane urban highway from I-29 to Bethel Road “as soon as possible,” said DJ Gehrt, city administrator.
“The city would like to identify highway financing options/partners by the end of 2023 with potential construction in 2025/26. This is an extremely aggressive schedule with a lot of ‘hope’ involved in both funding participation and the highway improvement schedule,” Gehrt told The Landmark.
The future Hwy. 92 will be a four lane highway with signalized intersections near the Bank of Weston and at Windmill Drive, Gehrt said.
Of the 300-acre project combining light industrial and residential acreage, Gehrt said:
“This is easily the largest private sector investment and the largest single development in the city’s history,” Gehrt remarked.
The industrial project is further along in the development process than the residential property for which Barth has obtained the zoning change. Gehrt said the city has not yet heard any information on the development plans for the residential parcel, as far as the number of homes planned, etc.
The VTRE preliminary plat and site plan approval for the light industrial project is scheduled for a public hearing and potential action by the city’s planning and zoning commission in May.
If all goes according to the schedule and assuming city board approvals, VTRE anticipates site work beginning before the end of 2022, with vertical construction of at least the first building in 2023 with completion in late 2023/early 2024. Construction of the remaining two industrial buildings is currently planned for 2025 and 2026, Gehrt said, although all of these dates are subject to change.
The draft preliminary plat information shows three access points onto Hwy. 92 for the industrial development.
*Drive 1: There is a right in/out drive located 565 feet east of a future signalized entrance near Bank of Weston, which is on the south side of Hwy. 92.
*Drive 2: A full access drive located across from the entrance to Platte City Self Storage and 1,180 feet east of drive one and 860 feet west of Windmill Drive.
*Drive 3: A full access drive located across from Windmill Drive at a future signalized intersection. City officials say a signal is not warranted for this project.
City officials say an 80 ft. right of way dedication included in this project anticipates future highway improvement with the majority of the new highway construction occurring on the north side of Hwy. 92 from I-29 to Timber Creek.
Gehrt said VTRE first notified the city in late 2021 of its intention to purchase approximately 300 acres inside the city limits for the purpose developing a multi-million square foot light industrial logistics complex and including a portion of the property for single family development.
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