Is the third time the charm for bringing significant development to a rural property northeast of Emporia?
In 2015, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas and Emporia Enterprises tried to bring a Menards distribution facility to land owned by Lex and Janice Price in the 1500 block of Road 200. The development groups then tried again in 2017, with the goal of landing a Nucor Steel plant that ultimately went to Sedalia, Missouri.
This time, however, the Price family has reached a tentative agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe to market the property — if Lyon County changes the zoning from agricultural to heavy industrial. The Lyon County Planning and Appeals Board is in agreement, voting unanimously to recommend the zoning change to the Lyon County Commission for final approval.
The Price family deferred to RDA President Kent Heermann for comment. Heermann says development would take advantage of the railroad’s certified rail site program if county commissioners are on board.
Heermann says future development could involve inbound and outbound rail traffic. It could also include inbound-only or outbound-only rail service.
Representatives of Burlington Northern Santa Fe on site deferred to regional media relations director Andy Williams for additional comment. KVOE News has reached out and is awaiting word.
Lyon County commissioners are tentatively set to hear the Price Tract presentation at their meeting Aug. 29. Commissioners could approve or reject the proposed zoning change. They could also send the item back to the Planning and Appeals Board to make changes, thus prompting another hearing on the proposal likely later this year.
