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Harvey County denies appeal to allow long-term parking of carnival trucks in RS zone
Summary
The county upheld Planning and Zoning’s recommendation and denied Rita Eason’s appeal to use her RS‑zoned 5‑acre property for extended parking of carnival trucks and equipment.
The Harvey County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 28 to deny an administrative appeal from Rita Eason seeking permission to park up to 30 carnival trucks and trailers on her 5‑acre property at 5615 North Hesston Road for up to 60 days a year.
Why it matters: The decision affirms the county’s interpretation of the rural single‑family (RS) zoning district and limits commercial storage and industrial activity in residentially zoned rural subdivisions. Planning and Zoning staff and the Planning Commission recommended denial after public comment and technical input from the Hesston Fire Marshal and Road & Bridge.
What commissioners heard: Planning and Zoning staff said the property is in an RS district intended for residential use; the proposed long‑term parking would function as industrial use rather than a residential accessory use. Hesston Fire Marshal Mark Perez testified about fire‑safety concerns, including required turning aisles for fire apparatus, higher fuel load and risks from vehicle refueling or leaking fluids. Road & Bridge raised concerns about heavy truck turning on hot asphalt on Hesston Road. A neighbor to the south opposed the proposal; one neighbor expressed support. Eason told the board she had previously arranged a culvert through Road & Bridge, that trucks had been parked on the site in prior years and that last year’s higher volume followed flooding in Texas.
Board action and conditions: The board followed the Planning Commission’s recommendation and denied the appeal. Commissioners instructed staff to revise internal procedures to reduce future miscommunications between Road & Bridge and Planning & Zoning; the board acknowledged that limited parking of personal business vehicles is sometimes allowed in RS zones and suggested a practical limit (up to five pieces of equipment) to be applied administratively rather than through a CUP.
Next steps: Staff will draft process changes and bring recommendations back to the board. The denial stands; Ms. Eason may pursue other lawful avenues consistent with county zoning, including applying for a CUP under appropriate conditions or reducing the number of vehicles stored on the property to conform with RS standards.
