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Commission approves vacation of a 50-foot segment of Edith Drive after debate over pedestrian access
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing and exchange about neighborhood access, the commission approved vacating a 50-foot-wide portion of platted East Edith Drive to allow developers to construct private driveways; the board added MAPC recommended conditions including easements to preserve access and utility rights.
Planning staff described the application (GBAC2024-00060) to vacate roughly 1.2 acres of platted East Edith Drive in Holmes Valley View Estates. Scott Whittle said utility providers (Evergy, Cox) do not object if easements remain in place, and that the MAPC and subdivision committee recommended approval after applicants satisfied conditions and no valid written protests were filed. "All of the MAPC recommended conditions have been met by the applicants," Whittle said.
Agent Kirk Miller and property owners said meeting county road standards would be costly and that a private-driveway solution is cheaper; they emphasized they did not intend to block neighborhood pedestrian access. Several commissioners pressed for alternatives (partial vacation, pedestrian easement, delineation). Assistant County Counselor Samantha Siang advised the board to consider two statutory criteria: whether the vacation would cause public loss or inconvenience and whether private rights would be injured. The board adopted MAPC findings and added the seven MAPC-recommended conditions; the motion passed by majority vote and staff will record the vacation order with the legal descriptions and easements required by the conditions.
