The McPherson County Planning Commission voted to run a subdivision application and a special‑use review at the same time for a proposed event center and Christmas‑tree sales operation on family‑owned land, saying the concurrent process should resolve questions about parking, sanitation and final ownership. The motion to “run them together” passed with a voice vote after brief public discussion.
The property owner’s mother, Sue Crabill, told the commission the applicant needs an acreage determination before a bank will finalize funding. “She can’t go any further until she has that answered,” Crabill said, adding that the area marked on maps is “approximately easily 10 acres.” Planning staff explained that a subdivision sketch plan and a special‑use permit would answer sanitation and water needs and that staff could inspect the site and advise on whether the parcel shape should be adjusted to accommodate sanitation lines and parking.
Commissioners and staff discussed sequencing and timing: staff advised that applicants generally must own property before starting a subdivision, and that the special‑use review would ultimately need to be held in the eventual owner’s name if ownership changed after subdivision. Planning staff estimated typical processing times: “You’re looking at a minimum 60 to 90 days, probably closer to 5 months” for sketch, preliminary and final plat work, and noted that a special‑use review typically takes place through the planning board and then to the commissioners.
After discussion about access, parking (the applicant estimates 100–115 cars for a 200‑person event) and potential sanitation routing that could affect the tree farm layout, a commissioner moved that the two processes proceed together in the parents’ names with transfer to the applicant (Katie) upon sale. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The commission recorded no additional conditions at the vote and directed staff to note the decision in the minutes and to coordinate on site inspection and the required survey work. Staff said more detailed answers on lot size, access and required improvements would follow as part of the sketch‑plan and special‑use reviews.
The action is procedural: the vote allows staff and the applicant to pursue both the subdivision plat and the special‑use permit concurrently so the applicant may obtain bank financing and move forward with design and sanitation planning. Additional approvals (survey, plat recording and any required building permits) remain required before construction or transfer of permitted uses.