Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Colburn Library Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident says Colburn Road library access unresolved for months; staff says easement negotiation holds repairs
Summary
A Lee's Summit resident urged council to address ongoing access problems at the Colburn Road Library, saying permits were issued before easements were secured. City staff told council developer and library easement negotiations remain outstanding and staff cannot record private easements or condemn on behalf of the private developer.
A Lee's Summit resident told the City Council on March 25 that access to the Colburn Road Library has been obstructed by construction and remained unresolved for months despite repeated calls to city staff. The resident, Rob Stitt, said he had been told a permit would resolve the issue in weeks but that four months had passed.
Why it matters: The library is a frequent destination, and Stitt said the access issue creates a daily safety and convenience problem. He urged the council to move with urgency and suggested the city consider condemnation if the library and private property owners cannot agree on easements.
Resident comments and staff response Rob Stitt, who gave his address on the record, said the problem involves permitting and private easements, and that the developer proceeded with work before resolving access to the library. “Every time I’ve called, there seems to just be this tremendous amount of lack of communication,” Stitt said. He asked council to consider condemning land if other efforts fail.
Michael Park, director of public works, and Ryan Elam, assistant city manager, told council the issue is a private development matter requiring private easements. Park said the developer has received necessary easement documents from the library and that staff had a meeting scheduled with the developer to discuss recording and timing. Park emphasized the city has no contractual relationship with the developer on the private work and therefore cannot unilaterally record or force completion of private easements.
Ryan Elam added that plans were ready from a permitting standpoint but the recorded easements are the remaining item. “They have got everything ready from a permitting standpoint that we're just waiting for the easements on them,” Elam said, and noted negotiations over easement documents had been ongoing since at least February.
What council asked and next steps Councilmember Reiter asked staff for clarity and asked Park to explain the status; Park and Elam said staff will continue discussions with the developer and the library and monitor timing. Park noted the city is reviewing permitting processes to avoid issuing permits before necessary easements are recorded.
Ending: Councilmembers urged staff to press for timely recording of the permanent easements and asked for updates; staff said they would pursue coordination meetings with the developer and library representatives.
