Travel plaza gets planners’ OK

A few more steps remain for developers of a large-scale project at K-68 and I-35, who received the OK for a plat that previously was rejected by Ottawa planners.

Planners Wednesday approved a final plat for Eastgate North, which proposes 40 acres be divided into nine lots for a travel center, retail and restaurants.

Last month, planners on a 3-3 vote denied a final plat.

They were divided on the matter of highway access, particularly for adjacent landowner Glenn Underwood, whose tenant operates Crist Auto & RV Sales there.

The Underwood property has direct access to K-68, but the Kansas Department of Transportation could choose to eliminate that access sometime in the future. If that happened, the owners would be financially compensated through condemnation proceedings.

Wynndee Lee, director of planning and codes, said the revised final plat shows a 60-foot dedication to provide access to the Underwood property instead of the previous 50-foot access easement, along with some other easement changes. She said the developer is willing to dedicate a right-of-way, though not automatically assume financial responsibility for it.

If a street is needed, it would be constructed according to street standards at the time, Lee said.

“I feel that at this point, this developer has really gone out of his way to make it work,” planner Richard Warren, who voted against the plat last month, said.

“I think the parties have worked hard. I think it needs to go forward.”

Planner Phil Hatfield, who previously voted against the plat, voiced concerns with what he called a “backdoor approach” to the Underwood property. He said such access for an existing property is unfair.

“It doesn’t seem to be a good neighbor policy to me,” Hatfield said.

Other planners noted the Underwood property has access to K-68 now, and no one knows whether KDOT would ever choose to eliminate that access.

Planners approved the plat on a 4-1 vote, with Hatfield dissenting. Planners Gary Jones and Ed York did not attend the meeting.

A site plan of the development will come before planners for approval at a later date. City commissioners also must approve the final plat.

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.