Child safety was the key issue when a sand pit permit was issued. Here's why it's not now.
The safety of children living nearby was the key issue put forth last February when the Shawnee County Commission authorized Topeka-based Mid States Materials to create and operate a sand dredging pit in eastern Shawnee County.
The company has since resolved that issue by make arrangements to purchase the property where those children lived, Shawnee County commissioners were told Monday.
Consequently, no one objected that morning as the commission voted to allow the dredging operation to more than double in size.
Monday's 3-0 vote by Commissioners Aaron Mays, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook puts in place a major amendment adding 61.98 acres to the dredging pit property, for which they voted Feb. 7 to grant a 30-year conditional use permit.
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That permit allowed the Topeka-based Bettis Group of Cos. to create and operate the dredging pit on 55.4 acres owned by Frakes Inc. in the 7600 block of N.E. Kreipe Road, between N.E. Herschell and Shadden Roads.
Frakes is leasing the 55.4 acres to the dredging pit's operator, Mid States Materials LLC, a division of the Bettis group, which is buying the 61.98 acres commissioners added Monday to the area the permit covers.
'I don't want to live next to a sand pit'
The Feb. 7 vote came after five people asked commissioners to deny the permit.
"I don't want to live next to a sand pit," said Jennifer Voegeli, who told commissioners she lived nearby with her husband, Anthony Voegeli, and their four children.
The amendment commissioners approved Monday expands the dredging pit operation by adding to it two nearby tracts of land Bettis Group is buying from Jennifer and Anthony Voegeli, one encompassing 20.85 acres and the other 9.66 acres, as well as a 31.47-acre tract the company is purchasing from Challan and Deborah Baker.
The agreements involved were considered favorable by Bettis Group and the sellers, said Rich Eckert, the former county counselor who is an attorney for Bettis Group.
Before approving the amendment Monday, commissioners revised it to include a requirement that the dredging pit's operators notify the county planning department when it begins operating.
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Topeka to host demolition derby, concert by rock group Foreigner
Commissioners on Monday also:
• Heard Riphahn say he was among hundreds who attended Saturday's dedication of a newly created World War II Memorial at the Gage Park Veterans Memorial at the northwest corner of S.W. 10th and Gage Boulevard. Those present included World War II veterans Jim Freel, Roy Reese and Orval Knodal, Riphahn said.
• Heard Kellen Seitz, general manager of Stormont Vail Events Center, note that it will host the Blizzard Bash demolition derby from Thursday through Sunday and will host a concert next May by the rock group Foreigner.
• Met behind closed doors in executive session for one hour to discuss contract negotiations regarding Stormont Vail Events Center.
Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Shawnee County Commission OKs expansion of sand dredging pit area
