Raymore Stops Landfill Project Near Kansas City Border
City Council Unanimously Approves Settlement in Landfill Construction Proposal
In a unanimous vote, the Raymore City Council has approved an agreement that deters a developer from constructing a landfill within the boundary of Kansas City which lies north of the border it shares with Raymore. The deal reached Monday evening between Raymore and landfill developers sheds light on the shifting dynamics of urban development and preservation efforts.
Agreement Contingent on Legislation Change
The agreement, whose details began to emerge last week, leans on the prospect of a new law being signed into effect. Proposed laws Senate Bill 739 and House Bill 1751 would reconfigure the approval process for landfills, expanding the range of consideration from cities within a half mile to those within a full mile. At the time of reporting, neither bill has reached the desk of Governor Mike Parson.
Terms of the Agreement
As part of the agreed terms, Raymore is to compensate the developers, South KC Acquisitions and Kansas City Recycle & Waste Solutions, a sum of $3.29 million. In return, plans for a landfill on the land in question would be abandoned, and restrictions would be imposed on future development of the developers’ land, limiting its utilization to agricultural, residential, and light commercial uses.
Within the terms of the agreement, Raymore retains the option to purchase about 12 acres of land from developers at a price of $440,000. The acquired land can potentially be developed into an extension for Madison Street, boosting connectivity between Raymore’s Creekmoor neighborhood and Highway 150.
Reaction from the Mayor and the Residents
Raymore Mayor, Kris Turnbow, characterized the settlement agreement as a “worthwhile” compromise. He emphasized that the financial implications of the deal would not affect city services, stating, “This resolution is fair to all, reasonable and relieves generations of people in our community from the fear of living next to a landfill.”
Residents have voiced their concurrence with the Mayor’s viewpoint, expressing relief and satisfaction at the halting of landfill plans. Signs reading “Kill the Fill” are a common sight in the yards throughout the region. One local resident, Jake Pace, voiced his sentiments saying, “We’ve been praying a lot about it, and I just know God works in mysterious ways. If that’s one of them, that’s awesome; we’ll take it.”
Conclusion
This agreement signifies a critical victory for the local community in their long-standing quest to protect their environment. While the agreement still hinges on the signing of new legislation into law, it nonetheless offers a sense of hope and victory to the residents around the proposed site of the landfill.
