Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Geary County approves conditional use permit for RV park on former Kenny’s concrete plant
Summary
The Geary County Board of Commissioners approved conditional use permit O90125 for an RV park on a 75-acre, floodplain parcel along K-57, allowing an initial 35–40-site phase with conditions including elevated structures, city water and sewer hookups, and fire-safety measures.
The Geary County Board of Commissioners voted to approve conditional use permit O90125 to allow an RV park and recreation use on the former Kenny’s concrete plant site along K-57.
Courtney Gladstone, GIS and zoning staff, told commissioners the applicants, Kelly and Tony McDonald, purchased the 75-acre property and sought county approval to develop an RV park and outdoor-recreation services. Gladstone said the Planning Commission held a public hearing on Sept. 9 and recommended approval, noting a primary concern that the entire parcel lies in a flood plain.
Gladstone summarized floodplain requirements and permitting constraints: roadways for mobile RVs are acceptable if units remain roadworthy and can be moved in the event of flooding; fixed structures such as a bathhouse and office must be elevated at least one foot above base flood elevation. She said state health officials (KDHE) will not allow lagoon-style wastewater systems in a flood plain, but the city manager agreed to allow the McDonalds to tap city water and sewer where those services reach the property gate.
Gladstone also relayed fire-safety concerns raised in review, saying a county fire-safety official, Moyer, worried that "if one of those RVs goes up, they're all in such close proximity to one another that can create quite a bit of problems." Gladstone said fire staff requested at least one, and perhaps two, hydrants in or immediately adjacent to the park, and noted county fire apparatus carry about 1,000 gallons on a first truck, creating a need to keep every location within roughly 1,000 feet of a hydrant.
Commissioners and applicants discussed site access and emergency planning. Gladstone said the single entrance was a concern but that applicants told the board they "do plan on doubling that, for an entrance and an exit. That's in the plan," a statement made by Kelly McDonald during the meeting.
The applicants described an initial phase of about 35 to 40 RV sites and said a second phase could follow at an unspecified later date. The McDonalds also described offering canoe and kayak trips on the Republican River with pick-up points such as Grand Avenue and the Ogden drop-off, and potentially longer trips toward Manhattan.
A commissioner moved to approve the conditional use permit O90125; another commissioner seconded. The board voted in favor and the chair declared the motion carried. The Planning Commission recommendation, the applicants' commitment to city water and sewer hookups, the KDHE prohibition on lagoons in flood plains, and the fire-safety and access conditions were recorded during the discussion.
Next steps discussed include siting one or more hydrants to meet fire department coverage requirements, filing an emergency-evacuation plan with emergency management, and applicants coordinating with county staff and emergency management to finalize technical details before substantial site work begins.
Votes at a glance: Conditional Use Permit O90125 — approved (motion moved and seconded; recorded as "motion carried")
