Commissioners vote down sports complex

Nearby residents voice concerns about traffic, property values.

- Shawnee County Commission

By JENNIFER KNOPP

The Capital-Journal

The normal tranquility of the Shawnee County Commission meeting took some time off Monday as residents of the rural southeast area of the county voiced their opposition to a proposed non-motorized sports complex at 7321 S.E. 45th.

County commissioners voted unanimously against a resolution for a conditional use permit needed to establish the complex.

Michael Weinbrecht, who proposed the complex, has owned and resided at 7321 S.E. 45th since December.

Weinbrecht's complex would have included indoor gymnasiums, indoor rock climbing walls, outdoor in-line skating, indoor ice skating, ice hockey, outdoor skateboarding, BMX racing, mountain biking trails and a flying disc golf course.

The Topeka-Shawnee County Metropolitan Planning Commission's zoning and platting committee on June 19 had recommended approval of Weinbrecht's request for a conditional use permit by a vote of 3-2.

The permit would have restricted the complex operation hours to daylight, so bright lights and noise wouldn't disturb neighbors at night.

Despite that concession, Weinbrecht's neighbors said the increased traffic would cause accidents on 45th Street, which they said was too narrow to carry more traffic.

Other residents complained of decreased property values and customers wandering onto nearby residential property.

One resident, who lives 800 feet from Weinbrecht, said she was afraid complex patrons would park at the end of her 600-foot driveway where she wouldn't be able to see them.

Commissioner Mike Meier said he wished there was a way to approve Weinbrecht's request but it just wasn't possible in the proposed location.

Meier said Weinbrecht hadn't lived along S.E. 45th Street as long as his neighbors had, and he would have to establish integrity with his neighbors before they completely trusted his endeavours.

"You're looking at a commissioner that really loves and understands what it's like to live out in the country," Meier said.

Commissioner Marice Kane and Commission Chairman Ted Ensley also commended Weinbrecht for wanting to provide safe recreation for children but agreed that the location wasn't appropriate.

Commissioners did approve a resolution adopting an electronic media and communication services policy and use of county property guidelines.

The resolution was proposed after Kane learned of some county employees disseminating what she called "smut" through e-mail.

Assistant county counselor Susana Valdovinos drew up the resolution, and it was distributed to all department heads for review.

County Counselor Rich Eckert said Monday that the guidelines should be enforced at the discretion of each department head.

"We certainly don't want to become a Big Brother over our employees, watching everything they do," Eckert said.

Eckert said all county employees will be required to read and sign the resolution.

Commissioners also Monday:

- Presented a proclamation in recognition of Project Redirectory Month.

- Presented a certificate of appreciation to Betsey Litscher for recognition as teacher of the week by The Topeka Capital-Journal.

- Approved a revision of a clerical addendum to the 1998 Master Agreement with the Teamsters local Union No. 696.

- Approved a resolution for a conditional use permit for a quarter midget racetrack with associated facilities on property at the southeast corner of S.W. Westview Road and University Blvd.

- Approved a resolution amending district zoning classification from Residential Reserve District to Office and Institutional District on property at S.W. 21st Street and Arvonia Place for two office buildings.

- Approved a request for capital expenditures for elevator repairs and a public address system upgrade and repair.

- Approved changes in staffing for the coroner's department.

- Approved appointment of deputy coroner.

- Approved a contract with the Information Network of Kansas for online property tax payment.

- Approved a corrected contract for the Women, Infants and Children program.

- Approved a contract with Southwestern Bell Telephone for the connection of nine integrated services digital network lines to support the wide-area network.

- Approved a contract with Dictaphone for maintenance on the Sheriff's Department Dictaphone system for the remainder of 2000.

- Approved the relocation of a network administration staff and repair facility to the North Annex, Room 225.

- Approved a request for out-of-state travel for communications engineer.

- Approved a resolution authorizing the director of public works to allow placement and maintenance of certain traffic control devices.

- Approved a contract with VanDoren Hazard & Stallings Inc. and the Kansas Department of Transportation to provide engineering services for replacement of the S.W. Jordan Road Bridge over the Wakarusa River.

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