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St. Benedict's Abbey outlines 50‑lot housing plan and seeks RHID support as medical school bid advances
Summary
St. Benedict's Abbey described plans for roughly 50 estate-size lots and asked Atchison County for a letter of support to pursue a Residential Housing Incentive District (RHID); the Abbey also discussed a Benedictine Medical School application that representatives said requires about $10 million in escrow to meet a May 20 deadline.
St. Benedict's Abbey representatives presented a proposal for a residential neighborhood of about 50 estate-size lots, each intended for homes priced at roughly $400,000, and asked the Atchison County Commission for support to pursue a Residential Housing Incentive District (RHID).
Becky Berger of St. Benedict's Abbey and Dwight Stephenson described two candidate properties: a south parcel envisioned for sale to homeowners and a north parcel that might be retained by the Abbey or sold with a right of first refusal. They said current zoning on the Abbey's north property is Planned Development District and the south property is currently assessed at agricultural value. Berger said the Abbey is prepared to move quickly and requested either an in-person or written letter of support to take to the Abbey community.
The Abbey representatives raised sewer-service limits as a principal challenge: the existing sewer line terminates at the hospital, so extending service would be required for conventional residential lots. Commissioners discussed the possibility of developer-built roads to county minimum standards with the county later accepting maintenance.
Abbey representatives also discussed an unrelated but concurrent item: a Benedictine Medical School application. The Abbey delegates said the medical school application was trying to meet a May 20 deadline and that an estimated $10 million remained for escrow; they stated that an accepted medical school would increase local housing demand from students and staff. "Becky Berger will send timeline information and noted the process needs to start quickly," the minutes record.
Commissioner John Calhoon encouraged use of local contractors if the project proceeds. County Counselor David Van Parys noted procedural steps for an RHID and island annexation are governed by state law and would require a resolution, publication, a public hearing, and notice to neighboring property owners. Abbey representatives were advised to initiate the RHID application promptly; the County indicated it would work with the Abbey as the process proceeds.
Next steps: the Abbey will prepare application materials and the County Counselor will work with Abbey representatives on legal steps; the Abbey requested a letter of support for presentation to the monks.
