The decision to deny a special use permit to Patriot Pawn to open an establishment on Main Street was upheld by the McPherson City Commission Monday, but for different reasons than the McPherson Planning Commission used.
Mayor Tom Brown frequently referred to the city’s Comprehensive Development Plan, which is scheduled to be in use until 2013, as the basis for denying the permit. This plan did not factor into the planning commission deliberations.
“I’m exercising the information I think is relevant at this point,” Brown said.
The plan lists the kind of business that are desired in the Main Street area, such as coffee shops, brewpubs, entertainment and specialty retail. A pawn shop did not fit into any of the three downtown districts, located on Main, Maple and Ash Streets.
The final vote on the matter was 2-1, with Commissioner Michael Alkire voting against adopting the recommendation from the planing commission.
Steve Owens and Bart Kellum, co-owners of Patriot Pawn, did not object to the commissions actions.
“If it is the overwhelming desire of the community to not be on Main Street, we respect that,” Owens said.
Instead, the pair has signed a lease on another property on Kansas Avenue, where the Old Carriage House was formerly located.
“We have not wavered in coming to McPherson,” Kellum said. “We want to be a part of this community."
Brown asked that Planning Administrator Tom Stinemetze do everything in his power to expedite Patriot’s new application to the planning commission, as they have to restart the entire process. Stinemetze said that it’s a state mandated process, and therefore, there wasn’t a lot he could do.
In other business:
•BPU workers will be installing Christmas decorations around the city. They hope to have the process completed Monday.
•BPU Chairman Tim Maier again advised the commission about the consequences of the pending “Cap and Trade” bill in Congress. Maier said that if passed, the legislation would have a big impact on McPherson, and would lead to a 50-percent increase in energy prices by the year 2030. Brown referred to the process as “...raising money for both coasts.”
•Dec. 5 will be McPherson YMCA Donor Appreciation Night. Brown signed a proclamation to that effect, that will again be read on Dec. 5.
McPherson, Kan. —
