Harvey County planning board tables Tallgrass Pointe rezoning after water-supply concerns

The Harvey County Planning & Zoning Advisory Board unanimously tabled Mark Elliott’s rezoning request for the Tallgrass Pointe subdivision after members and nearby landowners raised concerns about whether adequate water supplies exist for new homes.

Elliott described his plan to convert the parcel from A-1 Agricultural to RS Rural Single Family and said he "aims to create a rural single family dwelling area," noting he had coordinated with county staff, surveyors, civil engineers and utilities and compiled plans for drainage and road construction. Commissioners agreed that the parcel lies in a rural transitional growth area but repeatedly flagged water availability as the decisive issue.

Neighbors told the board they have experienced water shortages during dry years and cited additional worries about cul-de-sac maintenance, extra traffic on existing roads, loss of rural character, potential declines in property values, and conflicts between future homeowners and farming activities. The commission’s primary direction was to require proof of adequate water from professionally drilled test wells before the rezoning or related subdivision items proceed.

Daryl Regier moved to table Item 6.1 (the rezoning) pending water analysis, Mike Weber seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Because the rezoning was tabled, the board also tabled the preliminary plat review and Variance V2026-001 (maximum cul-de-sac length) for Tallgrass Pointe pending the same water analysis. Staff said it would contact the state and other professionals to determine the best method to verify water availability and return the matter to the commission when testing and reports are complete.

The board did not act on substantive plat or variance changes at this meeting; the tabling preserves the status quo while test wells and analysis are completed.