A formal decision has officially been made regarding a zoning change request for property northeast of Emporia.
During their weekly action session Thursday morning, Lyon County Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve the request for the so-called Price Tract in the 1500 block of Road 200. However, as there was a formal petition filed against the motion, a supermajority — unanimous decision — was needed for the motion to pass.
The aforementioned request was to change the zoning designation of the property from agricultural to heavy industrial thus allowing owners Lex and Janice Price to market the over 300-acre property to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. This, in turn, would have allowed for potential economic development in the area.
Lyon County Commissioner Scott Briggs was the lone no-vote citing a lack of certainty for what would be developed in the area as the main reason for his decision.
Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas President Kent Heerman says he understands Briggs’ point, however, he feels uncertainty is often a component of economic development.
While the request did not pass, commissioners did express a desire to see the Price family and RDA continue to seek potential projects for the property.
In other business, commissioners unanimously approved the signing of the city/county radio project contract and lease with Motorola. The total cost of the project will be just over $5 million after factoring in the cost of the city’s radios — just over $800,000 — and post-warranty costs.
Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell says this project is not simply for emergency and first responders but is essentially a community project.
All of the equipment included in the contract is scheduled to be shipped by Dec. 20 with the project expected to be fully completed by summer 2020.
Additionally, commissioners voted to table discussions on two items regarding a property at 1771 Road G presented by City of Emporia Zoning Administrator Joe Foster until their Nov. 27 meeting. Also, commissioners were presented with the Flint Hills Community Health Center’s third-quarter report by environmental health director Jennifer Milbern.
The Lyon County Commission will again hold it’s weekly meeting next Thursday at 8 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
