An application to establish an impound lot at Highway 56 and I-135 was withdrawn Tuesday night during the McPherson Planning Commission meeting.
The land, which is located on the northeast corner of I-135 exit 60, would have been used by Salina businessman Roy Palmer as a temporary storage facility for vehicles that had either been wrecked or abandoned. Palmer told the commission that the maximum time a vehicle would have been stored at the location would be 10 days or less, before being moved to Salina.
However, several McPherson residents expressed opposition to the impound lot, claiming that the I-135 and Highway 56 interchange is the front porch to the city, and that further development would have been affected if the lot was allowed to proceed.
“It’s a very visible property, even with an 8-foot fence,” said Terry Lacy, owner of Lacy RV, which would neighbor the property. “My preference as a citizen is to see that land developed.”
Randy Voren read a letter signed by six surrounding landowners expressing opposition as well.
Public comments against the lot took the better part of an hour, and afterward, Palmer voluntarily withdrew his application, saying he would look for another location.
The commission also continued to review revised subdivision regulations for the city, but no action was taken. The matter will continue to be discussed in at the commission’s March meeting.
McPherson, Kan. —
