Jason Brown Packs His Bags But Corruption Still Entrenched in Platte County Government

Since Jason Brown has been completely discredited in Platte County through his alleged corruption, he apparently is moving the entire family to SW Missouri.  He publicly is telling people it is for "cattle ranching," but gossip is that he allegedly wants to become involved in development and even run for public office in that area.   Now that Jason Brown has helped to destroy Platte County,  he is moving on to new pastures.

Nonetheless, this unfortunately does not mean an end to corruption in Platte County government.  In fact, it seems to be business as usual.  Ron Schieber campaigned on the promise to clean up corruption in Platte County government, and in Planning and Zoning in particular, but nothing has changed.   There is no new leadership in P&Z.  No new transparency in P&Z.  Some of the new people appointed to the P&Z Commission have deep ties to the real estate industry and were put there to rubber stamp deals.  And the county commissioners have done nothing to stop Chapel Ridge.  In fact, they keep voting for it.

Thousand Oaks' Property Values To Be Devastated?

As reported by the Platte County Citizen this week, the proposed soccer stadium for the SE corner of 435 & 45 (behind the gas station there) fell through.  Now the City of Parkville is exploring an earlier idea:  build a massive apartment complex at that location.  (N.B.  This area of land was incorporated by Parkville and is a part of City of Parkville, although much of the surrounding area is not and is unincorporated Platte County.)

The idea of building a massive apartment complex at this location was floated this week by Pete DiSalvo (of DiSalvao Development Advisor of Dublin, Ohio), where he said that up to 300 rental units could drive commercial development for the area.   Current zoning codes for Parkville, however, are more restrictive than for Kansas City or Platte County according to the PCC article, whereby "DiSalvo suggested the board look at its zoning codes, with an eye to such development."

N.B.  This idea is in the very early exploratory stages.  Nothing concrete has been proposed.  And if anything is proposed, it more than likely will have to be approved by the Parkville Planning & Zoning Commission & Parkville Board of Aldermen.  Parkville documents putting forward apartment complex idea are here and here.

I'm truly saddened by this.  Is this really Parkville's vision for the future?  Build some short-sighted apartment complexes so the city can make some quick revenue (to pay for Parkvile's imprudent investment of extending sewer line to gas station), completely disregarding the long-term consequence?

And what will these consequences be?

Well, a massive rentals complex would:

(1) Flood surrounding area with traffic, including on Brink Meyer and 45 Hwy. (If you use national traffic engineer standards, a 300-unit apartment complex would add at least 2,700 car trips per day on Brink Meyer and 45.)

(2) Increase crime. Statistically, rentals structures are magnates for higher crime, so this development most certainly would increase crime rates for the surrounding area.  Developers today tend to "trick" residents by telling them that apartments will be "upscale" but national statistics show that even "upscale" apartments quickly depreciate and even the most "upscale" apartments have higher crime rates than privately owned units.

(3)  Decrease property values for the surrounding area.

Thousand Oaks would probably be hardest hit by this.  Unlike Stone Gate (which is a technically a gated community), Thousand Oaks is open to Brink Meyer, so much traffic and crime from this development would find its way to Thousand Oaks, possibly devastating property values there.  But other areas would be hit hard too:  Such as Stone Gate, Smart Estates, Timber Ridge, and Country Wood Estates.

Let's hope the Parkville Planning & Zoning Commission & Parkville Board of Aldermen have some good sense and do not seek to devastate this area with such a short-sighted, foolish plan.  There would be more appropriate uses for that land:  such as (1) single-family homes on large lots; (2) a privately owned nature center; or (3) a country-club style private sports club (which would include the following amenities:  tennis courts, both grass and indoor courts; squash courts; badminton courts; ice rink; ball-room dancing & gymnastics building; and a fine-dining restaurant and bar).

To voice concerns about this idea, send an email to (these addresses include mayor of Parkville, director of planning and zoning, aldermen, and others --- just copy and paste all the addresses below into your "To" field of email):  njohnston@parkvillemo.gov, ddriver@parkvillemo.gov, klamer@parkvillemo.gov, jwerner@parkvillemo.gov,  drittman@parkvillemo.gov, kwelch@parkvillemo.gov,  djones@parkvillemo.gov,  msportsman@parkvillemo.gov, gplumb@parkvillemo.gov,  lpalmer@parkvillemo.gov, sackerson@parkvillemo.gov, inspections@parkvillemo.gov, egault@parkvillemo.gov, aschank@parkvillemo.gov, tbarnard@parkvillemo.gov, ronald.schieber@yahoo.com, jbrown@co.platte.mo.us, beverlee.roper@co.platte.mo.us, duane.soper@co.platte.mo.us, savesouthplatte@gmail.com, save-south-platte-county@googlegroups.com

Please also leave comments below to let us know what you think!

Updates:

Parkville Alderman Marc Sportsman emailed the following (to some critics):

"Many believe that building high quality, upscale apartments will attract a number of people with significant disposable incomes which will increase the need for additional stores, restaurants and amenities that once in place, will actually increase property values because it will reduce the isolation many homeowners, or potential homeowners, in that area feel.  It's unfortunate individuals resort to ill-informed and short sighted scare tactics before they fully explore the benefits and drawbacks of any potential proposal or idea. "

If anyone believes this, please email us at the email address listed to the side.  We have some ocean-front property in Omaha we'd like to sell you.

--

We received reports from a few people that Parkville spent $40K of taxpayers' money for study to recommend apartment complex for 45 & 435.  Why is Parkville spending  $40K of taxpayers money to recommend apartment complex, on land it does not own, which will destroy surrounding property values?

Wanted: New Director of Planning and Zoning

Something beautiful is happening across Platte County.    Citizens across the county are standing up and demanding an end to county corruption -- which has reached epidemic levels.

Ground zero in this fight against corruption is Planning and Zoning, where the office itself has become but a rubber stamp for developers, putting at risk the safety and well-being of the county.

As one email forwarded to us about the current director Dan Erickson puts it:

it's true....Danny Erickson resides in county offices and hell he even collects a paycheck each month from taxpayers....but let's be honest, ... Danny  doesn't work for platte county... he works for developers.   

we need a director of planning and zoning that puts the interests of neighbors, citizens and taxpayers first and foremost and isn't some human rubber stamp for developers.

It's sad indeed that the once ethical P&Z has become this swamp of corruption.

There is some hope on the horizon, however.  Recently elected as presiding commissioner, Ron Schieber has promised to clean up corruption in Platte County government.  Well, there's no better place to start than with the P&Z Staff.

Let's demand an end to Platte County corruption.  Support new leadership for Planning and Zoning.

Let's work together and clean up Platte County Government!

-- Platte Republicans & Democrats United Against Government Corruption

Will Ron Schieber clean up Platte County government?

The election for presiding commissioner is over.  Ron Schieber won.  Now the big question is, what will Ron Schieber do to move county forward away from corruption?  The tenure of Jason Brown has been dark, essentially amounting to turning the county over to his developer friends to loot.  This is not what Platte County needs.  This is not what voters want.   We do not want Platte County to be a Johnson County clone.   We can only hope that Ron Schieber will take positive steps to move the county away from the short-sighted influence of developers.  Ron Schieber stated that he opposes both Chapel Ridge and NBH, which is a good start.  Let's hope he keeps to his word and helps to rid Platte County of this corruption.

Update:

Unfortunately, things may still be dark in Platte City, as it has been hinted that Dan Erickson, director of Planning and Zoning, might recommend NBH, just as he did Chapel Ridge, again putting the profits of developer buddies ahead of the well-being, property values and safety of Platte County citizens.  Please, Dan,  put the interests of Platte County first and stop playing lackey to corrupt influences.


 Other News:


Sign the NO NBH petition here.

"Say NO to the NBH FourPlex & Commercial High-Density Development Plan for K / 45 Intersection" and "NBH Commercial FourPlexes to Triple Traffic"

"Jason Brown Helps Buddies Out, at Expense of Platte County"

Visit new website:  South Platte for Responsible Development

Defeat the NBH Proposal.  Attend the August 12 Planning and Zoning Meeting, 6:00 PM, Platte County Administration Building, 415 Third St., Platte City, MO 64079

Meet the Candidates: Presiding Commissioner, GOP Primary, 2014

As many of you know, the Platte County GOP primary is August 5 where  Jim Plunkett, Ron Schieber, and Russell Wojtkiewicz seek the GOP nomination for presiding commissioner of Platte County.  Whoever wins this primary effectively will be the next presiding commissioner (as the Democrats are not running anyone).  This is an open primary so anyone (not just Republicans) can vote in it.

Some residents of south Platte County put together some important questions for the three candidates for presiding commissioner and below are their answers.


QUESTIONS:

1. Many people live in Platte County for its unique charm, rural feel and open green spaces.  We do not want to see Platte County become an over-congested, high-density clone of Johnson County, KS.  If you are presiding commissioner, what would you do to help protect Platte County from becoming a Johnson County clone?

2. Many people are worried that developers and real estate interests have too much political power in Platte County.  For instance, the bulk of Jason Brown’s political contributions came from the developer / construction / real estate industry.  Many feel that this industry, in essence, wants to transform Platte County into a Johnson County clone — thereby enriching themselves, harming everyone else. If you are presiding commissioner, what would you do to help protect Platte County from the influence of this industry?

3. Related to question #2, many people feel that Platte County Planning & Zoning is completely out of control — rubber-stamping and fast-tracking projects for their developer buddies, all at the expense and loss of safety of tax-paying citizens. [N.B.  We are referring here to the recommendations by the P&Z staff, not to the unpaid board members of the P&Z commission, although there is the future possibility that developers could try to stack the unpaid P&Z board with their friends.] If you are presiding commissioner, what would you do to clean up Platte County Planning & Zoning?

4.  Many people in this area of South Platte County are happy with their septic systems and do not want to be forced into hooking up to a sewer system.  If you are presiding commissioner, what would you do to guarantee that Platte citizens could keep, upgrade and construct new septic systems?

5.  There were 15 votes against Chapel Ridge (from the first and second P&Z hearings and county commissioner hearing) and one person, presiding commissioner Jason Brown, voting in favor of Chapel Ridge who approved it.  If you were presiding commissioner, how would you have handled this differently?

6.  Many people are worried about the NBH FourPlex & Commercial High-Density Development Plan for K / 45 Intersection, which many feel will “junk up” this area of 45, effectively be the first step in transforming this area of 45 into a North Oak Trafficway.  If you were presiding commissioner, what would you do to protect citizens from such short-sighted development plans?



JIM PLUNKETT’S ANSWERS:


1: We moved to Platte County from Johnson County because we loved the quiet, rural setting but still wanted to be close to conveniences. I certainly understand your concerns because we moved to Platte County for many of the same reasons and want to see this area maintain its unique features.

If I am elected Presiding Commissioner, I would adhere to Platte County’s Land Use Plan. The Land Use Plan was created with citizen participation and other community organization involvement in 2002 and updated in 2010. Platte County has invested a significant amount of money in this plan.

The Land Use Plan and Zoning Order should be followed with the intent that it was created for. Applicants wanting to use just one part of the book or comments from a single sentence should be discouraged.

As Presiding Commissioner, I will continue to follow the Land Use Plan in order to develop Platte County in a manner that will protect its unique qualities.

2: When I was commissioner, my top goals were to be as transparent and accessible as possible. I kept an open door policy and I still give out my cell phone on all my campaign pieces. I take calls from residents 7 days a week, any time of day. When there was a controversial issue, I would always make sure to meet with concerned citizens so I could hear all perspectives.

When I decided to run for Presiding Commissioner, I invited all the residents concerned with the Chapel Ridge development to my office. We met for several hours and I was able to listen as they voiced their concerns with both the proposed development and the process by which it was approved.

I have earned a reputation for being reasonable and approachable, and I promise that I will continue to be so as Presiding Commissioner.

Next, I would protect the integrity of the office by voting based on what is best for the county, not what’s best for contributors. When I first ran for office in 2004, I made a pledge to voters that I would not take contributions from people or businesses that were doing business with Platte County, and I kept that promise the eight years I was in office and have honored that pledge during my campaign for Presiding Commissioner.

I believe that you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. Jason Brown was my opponent Ron Schieber’s largest contributor in 2012. I am concerned that if Schieber is elected as Presiding Commissioner, it will just be another Jason Brown running Platte County.

3. The Platte County Commission needs a Presiding Commissioner who is willing to make tough decisions in order to fix problems. When I was elected as Second District Commissioner, the Platte County Regional Sewer District was in need of some serious clean up. I was appointed to the Board and went about making changes to the management structure in order to make the Board more efficient, effective and transparent.

If elected, I will take the same approach to the Platte County Planning & Zoning Staff. I will inspect the process and take appropriate action to ensure that it’s functioning to the highest level possible.

4. South Platte County sewers are currently complicated. There are three entities involved: the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Platte County Health Department and the Platte County Regional Sewer District, and all three have their own rules.

I spoke to Missouri DNR and they promote the use of septic tanks through 10CSR20-6.030 with the oversight handled through the Platte County Health Department.

PCRSD bylaws state that if your property is located within 300’ of their sewer line and the structure is located within 400’ of their sewer line they want you to hook up to their sewer system.  I know the board has allow property owners in the past not to hook up if their existing septic is working with the understanding that at some point they could connect in the future if it become necessary.

One way to address these issues is to appoint the right people to the Platte County Regional Sewer District. The County Commission appoints the members so it’s important to have a Presiding Commissioner who is knowledgeable about these issues and makes the right appointments.

Maintenance of your septic system is very important.

5. When I was commissioner, I never once overrode a decision of the Planning and Zoning Board. These are people who give a lot of time and energy to help make informed decisions and have researched the issues thoroughly, often going out to visit the sites proposed developments on their own time.

If I had been presiding commissioner during this process, I would have listened to all citizens. I would have responded to their emails and phone calls and invited them to meet with me about it.

I would have voted to uphold the Planning and Zoning Commission decision on Chapel Ridge

6. The county needs to adhere to the Land Use Plan. It states that infrastructure must be in place for an application to be approved. If the traffic count would exceed what the road can safely handle, the application must be denied.

These safeguards are in place to preserve the integrity to Platte County’s development and should be followed.


[Correction: Jim Plunkett's campaign sent an email saying the above should say Jason Brown was Ron Schrieber's largest contributor in 2010, not 2012.]



RON SCHIEBER’S ANSWERS:


Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions and discuss your concerns about the current and future development issues in Platte County.

Platte County has a land use and zoning plan.  That plan should be the starting point for all development.  I am a supporter of responsible development, that is properly vetted, and makes sense to our community.

Following the current land use and zoning plan is sufficient to protect us from becoming a Johnson County clone.  Insuring that new development fits within the scope of the plan is my commitment.  If, and when, variances from the plan may be necessary, I commit to working with concerned neighbors, developers and land owners to come to a reasonable compromise.
That process includes the Platte County Planning and Zoning Department.  Their recommendations should be considered in variance decisions.  However, I am committed to giving the Planning and Zoning Board decisions more weight in my decision to vote for or against variances.  I would not vote for a development that was rejected by the Board, nor will I ever use the Presiding Commissioner’s “preferential vote” to determine an outcome.  This type of behavior causes citizens to lose faith in the process and government in general.  The actions of the current presiding commissioner may have been legal but I do not think it was right.  One of my goals is to bring trust back to the presiding commission's office.

With all of this said, I do not support the NBH Development currently being proposed and I will work with the citizens in the area to try to stop a repeat  of the Chapel Ridge fiasco.

I support a person's right to maintain a septic system as opposed to forcing them to hook up to a sewer.  The Platte County ordinances do allow for reasonable variances to the standard hook up requirements.  If we find that the variance process is not strong enough to protect this right, I am committed to working with the department, sewer district boards, and the other commissioners to try to change the ordinances to protect this right.

NBH Commercial FourPlexes to Triple Traffic

Of the many disturbing aspects of the NBH FourPlex & Commercial High-Density Development Plan for K / 45 Intersection (driving down property values, replacing the rural aesthetic with an aesthetic similar to North Oak, etc), one of the most disturbing is the updated traffic study (see attached PDF here).

According to this study, the additional average daily car trips generated by NBH Commercial FourPlexes will be 9,911 for both K Highway and 45 Highway.

Now, let's look at K Highway.

The 2011 MODOT traffic count figured 3,333 cars per day for K Highway / Hampton Road.

Chapel Ridge , if approved by judge, would add an additional 3,669 new traffic trips per day for the surrounding area.

In other words, traffic on K Highway could easily go from around 3,000 car trips a day to over 10,000, if NBH is approved.

Make no mistake about it, K already is a very dangerous highway.  If NBH is approved, human lives will be lost.

Traffic piling up behind school bus on already
busy K Highway

Click here if you want to see what traffic in our area will eventually be like, if high-density development is not stopped.

Sign the petition here.

Attend the P&Z hearing on Tuesday, July 8, 6:00 PM, Platte County Administration Building, 415 Third St., Platte City, MO 64079.  More info here.

Visit new website:  South Platte for Responsible Development

Say NO to the NBH FourPlex & Commercial High-Density Development Plan for K / 45 Intersection

As some of our readers may know, a very dangerous development is being proposed for the K / 45 intersection that could devastate the aesthetic and property values for this area.

The proposal?  It's the NBH FourPlex & Commercial High-Density Development Plan for K / 45 Intersection.

This development:

- will double traffic on K highway, leading to more accidents and a lower quality of life.  There will be increased auto fatalities on K Highway and 45 if this development is approved.

- will include fourplexes and duplexes, completely incongruent with large-lot aesthetic of the immediate area.  (Any residential development here should only be for low-density housing - no fourplexes and no duplexes.)  Although these fourplexes & duplexes will be "for sale," they more than likely would eventually become rentals.

- will lower property values for immediate area.

- will include high-density commercial, possibly including grocery store, drug store and fast-food restaurants - transforming this immediate area from quaint rural setting to an aesthetic similar to North Oak Trafficway.  (Any development for this area should only be residential and not commercial.)

Please do not let NBH Holdings turn this area of 45 Highway into the next North Oak Trafficway.  Say NO to the NBH FourPlex & Commercial High-Density Development Plan for K / 45 Intersection.


Sign the petition here.

Attend the P&Z hearing on Tuesday, July 8, 6:00 PM, Platte County Administration Building, 415 Third St., Platte City, MO 64079.  More info here.

Visit new website:  South Platte for Responsible Development


Here's an image of what the developers have in mind for our area of South Platte County:

Let's hope we can get politicians with the courage to stand up to these developers!

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