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Board denies permit to store carnival trailers at Hesston-area property over fire, zoning and soil concerns
Summary
The board unanimously declined an administrative appeal for CUP25-02 at 5615 N. Hesston Road after the fire marshal, staff and neighbors raised safety, zoning and environmental concerns about parking up to 30 carnival trailers on a 5-acre RS-residential parcel.
The Harvey County Planning & Zoning Advisory Board unanimously denied CUP25-02 on Jan. 7, rejecting an administrative appeal from property owner Rita Eason to allow carnival trailers to be stored at 5615 N. Hesston Road.
Eason requested permission to park up to 30 trailers or ride units — typically 24–50 feet long, including sets of double trailers — on a 5-acre property zoned RS-residential for up to 60 days during the summer. She told the board the activity supports moving equipment between states and brings short-term hotel stays to Hesston. Neighbors and officials, however, raised multiple objections: Rusty Krehbiel cited potential well contamination and visual impact; Road & Bridge staff warned heavy turning loads could damage hot asphalt; and Planning staff flagged that heavy semi-type equipment is seen by zoning as industrial use and not permitted in RS residential zones. P&Z staff specifically cited the site’s Ladysmith silty clay loam soils as inadequate for repeated parking of 30,000–40,000-pound vehicles.
Hesston Fire Marshal Marc Perez recommended denial on fire-suppression grounds, saying tanker operations would be required and that configuration of parked trailers could obstruct emergency access; he also raised concerns about generator and extension-cord usage. Planning staff recommended against the CUP; Vice Chair Joni Embree-Meinders moved to decline CUP25-02 with staff recommendations and Daryl Regier seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The board’s denial means the property may not be used for large-scale trailer storage unless vehicles are registered to the property owner or a properly zoned site is secured.
