City gives travel plaza a green light

Construction is expected to start in less than two months on a travel plaza at K-68 and I-35.

City commissioners Wednesday morning, on a 4-1 vote, approved a final plat for Eastgate North, which proposes 40 acres to be divided into nine lots for a travel center, retail opportunities, hotels and restaurants.

“It’s an excellent location for this type of truck and auto plaza,” John Brown, president of J & J Development, said, adding that he wants to break ground in 45 to 60 days. “There’s been a tremendous response from the motel and restaurant industry so far.”

Ottawa planners initially denied a final plat but returned later and approved a revised plat.

At the time, they were split 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.

Rod Richardson, legal representation for the Underwoods, said eliminating direct access to the Underwood property will make that property harder to lease and sell, and, under the current plat proposal, getting in and around the property would be difficult and possibly dangerous.

“This isn’t a today decision, this is a long-term impact decision,” he said. “Tomorrow gets here faster than you know.”

If KDOT did close the direct access — no one except KDOT can predict when or if that would happen — the owners would be financially compensated through condemnation proceedings, officials have said.

Two new streets are proposed for the project — Wildcat Drive and Snyder Drive — with Wildcat Drive intersecting with K-68.

 Richardson said his clients want Snyder Drive to be extended to their property. Matthew Gough, a lawyer for J & J, said to do so would cause the street to cut right though the proposed travel plaza, which was unacceptable to them.

Representatives for J & J said several design alternatives were considered, but the current plan was the best fit.

“J & J has done what it reasonably can to be a good neighbor,” Gough said.

Staff said the revised final plat shows a 60-foot dedication to provide future access to the Underwood property instead of the previous 50-foot access easement, along with some other easement changes.

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

In other matters, commissioners:

• Authorized the public sale of about $1.12 million in general obligation temporary notes Aug. 20 for the Coves at Tallgrass project in northeast Ottawa.

• Placed a moratorium of 120 days on issuing of sign permits related to flashing and moving signs so language in the rules for signs can be clarified.

• Approved changes to the city’s regulations dealing with fences in agricultural zoning districts.

• Welcomed new city employees Chris Raby, public works, and James Hawkins, new officer for the Ottawa Police Department.

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