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Public Listening Session – SUMMARY

Listening Session 1
 
Listening Session 2

June 14, 2006
7:00–9:00 p.m.
Stilwell Elementary School, Stilwell, Kan.

INTRODUCTION

The South Metro Connection Study Team held a Listening Session on June 14, 2006, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stilwell Elementary School. The purpose of the listening session was to provide a forum for residents to share their concerns and ask questions of the study team. Mell Henderson from MARC opened the meeting with an initial presentation of background information and the purpose of the study and then opened it up for comments and questions from the audience. Microphones were set up around the room and people were asked to come to the microphone to provide their comments. Comment forms also were provided as an alternative way to leave their comments regarding the project. 275 people signed into the meeting and 30 people provided their comments verbally.

REVIEW OF PRESENTATION

Mell Henderson and Chris Rops, HNTB Corporation, provided an overview of the study background, process and schedule for the audience. [View PowerPoint presentation]

Past studies that have provided background information for this study and guided the need to look at future transportation investments in this area:

Development patterns for Johnson County since the 1960s, show a steady increase both south and west. Northern Cass County shows an increase in growth overtime, particularly in the Belton/Raymore and Peculiar areas. Johnson County continues to remain an employment center for the Kansas City metro area, which attracts more housing.

The previous Perimeter Transportation Needs Assessment, CARNP and the North Cass Parkway study all concluded that there is a need look at future transportation investments in this area.

SCOPE AND GOALS

The scope for the South Metro Connection Study is:

Stage 1: Data Collection
(Demographic, Economic, Land Use, Travel Demand, Environmental Forecasting)
Stage 2: Purpose & Need
Stage 3: Concept Development/Facility Type
Stage 4: Refine/Recommend Alternative
Stage 5: Environmental Documentation

Heavy, continuous public engagement will occur throughout the study

The intended outcomes of the study include:

The Mid-America Regional Council was asked to lead the study because of its multi-jurisdictional nature. Johnson County, Cass County, Overland Park, Olathe, Belton, the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Missouri Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration are all part of the study team to provide technical expertise and coordination.

A Partnership Advisory Board has been convened in order to provide input and guidance to the study team. The board comprises 22 members: 18 from Johnson County and four from Cass County, providing a broad range of expertise and viewpoints.

PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

Chris Rops provided an overview of the study process and schedule. The study contains several components including land use, traffic, environmental issues and public involvement.

Technical milestones as well as public input opportunities exist at each stage of the study.

The land-use component involves gathering lots of data and information on current conditions and future land-use plans. Three scenarios identified for further review:

  1. Rural to low-density mix
  2. Low- to medium-density mix
  3. Other outside factors

The Traffic Analysis will include:

An Environmental Document is required when evaluating the potential for a new roadway and includes the following:

The next phase of the study includes establishing a purpose and need for the study. The purpose and need:

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Public involvement goals for the study are:

Activities for public involvement include:

The study team is very interested in hearing citizen concerns. To date we’ve heard:

PUBLIC COMMENTS EXPRESSED DURING SESSION

Mell Henderson introduced the comment period and invited audience members to offer thoughts or questions at the microphone. He explained that the intent of the Listening Session was to allow participants to share their comments and concerns with the study team, but the study team would not respond to most of the comments.

The study team took note of the issues, concerns and questions raised during the listening session. Many of the comments, while varying slightly from person to person, centered on the similar themes. The study team recorded the concerns identified in each comment on flip charts and by taking notes, and have attempted to group the comments under similar issues. There is no verbatim transcript of the meeting nor were word-for-word comments taken.

Issues and supporting comments identified by those who provided comments are summarized below.

Impacts to property value, eminent domain

Comments were raised concerning where a four-lane road would be in relation to their homes, and whether having a road close to homes would affect their worth and the ability to sell them in the future. One comment referenced a home sale that did not go through because of this study and the potential impacts to 181st street.

The issue of eminent domain was identified as a concern because property becomes prime for commercial development once a highway goes in.

Impacts to the quality of life

A resident noted that the reason many moved to this area was for its rural nature, the large lots, sense of community and beautiful surroundings. They are concerned that this will be diminished or destroyed with a roadway being built, as it would bring more traffic through the area. Increased truck traffic was also stated as a concern. One person noted that they do not want another 135th Street in the area, driving tax money for the county. They said they would prefer not to see the commercial development that surrounds those types of streets. A petition was circulated to oppose the study.

Impacts to environmental features

It was noted that this area of is a beautiful and pristine part of Johnson County that should be preserved for its features. Locations such as the Overland Park Arboretum and the Girl Scout Camp are unique and should not be impacted at all. The Aubry Cemetery was identified as another important feature in the area, and the historical importance of the region was noted. Roadways near these facilities could negatively affect these areas.

Regional travel, trucks, intermodal connection

It was stated several times that ther is not a need for connectivity from Johnson County, Kan., to Cass County, Mo. The proposed intermodal facility at Gardner and the facility at Richards-Gebaur concern residents who do not want a link between the two facilities or this area to be overrun with trucks. Trucks on the local streets also are a concern. It was noted that there is a need to understand how these intermodal facilities would impact the study area and the traffic, as well as what role that BNSF plays in the South Metro Connection Study. There is a concern that this study is the 21st Century Parkway – Part 2.

Some residents commented that CARNP supports improvements to the local road network when triggers are met. A question was raised about what the traffic triggers in this area are. One person referenced that CARNP does not support truck traffic on local streets, so why would Johnson County support roads in this area if they did not think it was going to be a superhighway?

Attendees also asked about the relation of this study to SmartPort, connecting the I-35 corridor from Juarez, Mexico, through Kansas City to the Canadian border (NAFTA trucks).

Another commenter noted that the focus of this study should not just be on east-west connectivity, but also on north-south connections. U.S. 69 already backs up at 199th Street, so improvements or adding a highway, should also improve the north-south roads.

The role of Missouri and the M-58 Parkway Study

It was stated that Johnson County residents in this area do not want to see Missouri dictating the placement of a road in Johnson County. Others were concerned that the results of M-58 North Cass Parkway Study and where the interchange is proposed in Missouri will dictate where a potential road would be located in Kansas. It was stated that Missouri also needs to improve and extend its own streets because 199th and 191st do not extended past state line into Missouri

Study area location

It was stated that the study area should be moved further south. One person noted that If an east-west connection was truly needed this far south, it should be moved away from development and into Miami County. One resident commented that the study was too late for this area, that if the growth that was previously discussed was truly coming, it should be moved away from the established communities and be further south.

One comment mentioned that right-of-way had been purchased along the 179th Street corridor, so why wouldn’t this be the place for the corridor? Also noted was that the link to the North Cass Parkway connection makes this seem a viable option.

There was a request to narrow the study area or to mark certain locations off limits. It was noted that certain areas would likely not be impacted, such as the Overland Park Arboretum and other parks, so it would make sense to identify those areas in order to have a better idea where a possible road could occur

Review to the west

One commenter noted that considering west past US 69 to I-35 is leading the study to a certain result because it is just another way of developing a 21st Century Parkway which no one supports.

Study communication

Numerous comments were made about the lack of information available and that many within the study area were not notified of the Listening Session. People within the study area indicated that they did not receive a flyer when their neighbors did. It was stated that it is important to define how public input is going to be used in the decision making. One person express skepticisml that public input will be considered. There were requests for more details on the project schedule, and to post that information on the Web site.

The study team was asked to post a response on the Web site to this question: “What factor will public feedback play in the decision to go forward?”

Public feedback will be integrated into this study at each step. Public feedback is helping to shape the discussion of the need for new investments and what purposes they might serve; public feedback will help form the alternatives that will be considered for the study area; public feedback will narrow the alternatives and determine a preferred or recommended course of action; and public feedback will influence the implementation of that recommended course of action.

Purpose of the study

It was noted that the growth projections shown in the slides were used as the reason to discuss the need for this road, but one commenter asked who really needs it. Some questioned why Johnson County would want to do this study for its residents and why spending additional funds to build new roads is more important than maintaining the ones that currently exist.

Growth in south metro area

It was stated that the study area will not see enough growth and that this study would promote “building a road to nowhere.” Some residents noted that even though growth is coming south and west in Johnson County, it isn’t coming fast enough, and the geography/topography of the area cannot support more people. One resident said that the shale subsurface in the area makes it difficult to install sewers; therefore, development will be limited and building a road would not serve any purpose in this area.

Supporters of the project

It was suggested that elected officials attend these meetings, as well as whoever is pushing for the connection to happen. The question was raised about who is driving the need for the study. A resident commented that those in favor of this study were not at the meeting, and it would be appropriate to hear from the people/entities who support the project.

Environmental assessments should be thorough and not glossed over

Local roadway needs

Thus far, Johnson County has chosen not to improve, replace or maintain roadways within the study area. Its own local roadway needs are not being met. Why should perceived freight needs be met?

County commissioners are listening

Three Johnson County commissioners (Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh, Commissioner Dolores Furtado, Commissioner David Lindstrom), Rep. Ray Merrick, and city council members from Overland Park attended the meeting. Commission Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh responded to a few questions and comments from the audience. She noted that, as an elected official, it is important to review all the information before any type of decision is made. She is sensitive to the concerns noted and is willing to talk with anyone regarding the study. She appreciates the passion behind the issue.