This post almost makes it sound as if Dan Erickson is advocating for Chapel Ridge. Is he? Is he supposed to? Why does Erickson seem so hell-bent on fast-tracking Chapel Ridge?
Friday, August 30, 2013
The fast-tracking of Chapel Ridge
Over at Brian Mertz / Tabb Reese's facebook page, they recently wrote:
This post almost makes it sound as if Dan Erickson is advocating for Chapel Ridge. Is he? Is he supposed to? Why does Erickson seem so hell-bent on fast-tracking Chapel Ridge?
This post almost makes it sound as if Dan Erickson is advocating for Chapel Ridge. Is he? Is he supposed to? Why does Erickson seem so hell-bent on fast-tracking Chapel Ridge?
A few of my favorite things in south Platte County
While this blog hitherto has focused on some negative aspects of future development of south Platte County, it's time to take a look at some of the positive things about south Platte County --- things we want to preserve.
As Julie Andrews sang, these are a few of my favorite things about our area of south Platte County:
- Minimum 1 acre lots generally in our area of south Platte County
- Large, open green spaces in our area of south Platte County
- That Charlotte Sawyers donated her land off Union Chapel to the Platte Land Trust.
- Abundant wildlife (deer, turkeys, groundhogs, red foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and the occasional quail)
- The fact that there aren't chain and fast-food restaurants everywhere in our area of south Platte County
- The fact that much of the 45 corridor has been kept business free
- Cafe des Amis (can be expensive but arguably the best restaurant in Platte County)
- The French Bee Bakery (a new, and welcome addition to Parkville)
- Old news, but the Vasto-Hustler feud did provide endless hours of entertainment
- The breakfasts at Frank's and Roxanne's.
- English Landing Park
- Occasional drinks at the Rusty Horse or River's Bend, or pizza at Stone Canyon.
- U-Gene's Deli in Riverside
What are a few of your favorite things?
As Julie Andrews sang, these are a few of my favorite things about our area of south Platte County:
- Minimum 1 acre lots generally in our area of south Platte County
- Large, open green spaces in our area of south Platte County
- That Charlotte Sawyers donated her land off Union Chapel to the Platte Land Trust.
- Abundant wildlife (deer, turkeys, groundhogs, red foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and the occasional quail)
- The fact that there aren't chain and fast-food restaurants everywhere in our area of south Platte County
- The fact that much of the 45 corridor has been kept business free
- Cafe des Amis (can be expensive but arguably the best restaurant in Platte County)
- The French Bee Bakery (a new, and welcome addition to Parkville)
- Old news, but the Vasto-Hustler feud did provide endless hours of entertainment
- The breakfasts at Frank's and Roxanne's.
- English Landing Park
- Occasional drinks at the Rusty Horse or River's Bend, or pizza at Stone Canyon.
- U-Gene's Deli in Riverside
What are a few of your favorite things?
Who owns developable land in area around proposed Chapel Ridge?
Many people have asked: Who owns other tracts of land in this area that could potentially be developed? Below is a brief survey. What's interesting is that much of this land more recently is in the form of LLCs and LPs, where previously it was owned by private owners.
The land (parcel 20-5.0-16-300-001-031-000) across from the proposed Chapel Ridge (across from the Baptist church) was sold on June 10 to Westwood Partners, LLC, which is addressed to Adam Tholen, who lives down 45 Hwy.)
The land off K (parcel 20-4.0-20-100-000-003-000), just south of Union Chapel elementary school (what people have called "the man cave"), is owned by RD Owens Investment LLC, since 2011. RD Owens Investment LLC, is addressed to Douglas Owens, who lives at the Nationals. Prior to 2011, this tract of land was owned by Platte Clay LLC, addressed to Michael Gunn, who is an attorney, was previously arrested and allegedly maced, and used to represent Platte County Planning and Zoning.
The house at the corner of 45 & K (parcel 20-4.0-20-100-000-005-000) was purchased by Darrel's Haven LLC in 2011. The registrant of this LLC is Robert K Kirkland of Liberty, Missouri. Kirkland is an attorney.
Another potential big player in this area is Harmony IV LP, which owns parcels of land all up and down 45 Hwy and Brinkmeyer (parcels 20-4.0-20-100-000-011-000, 20-4.0-20-100-000-014-000, 20-4.0-20-100-000-013-000, 20-5.0-21-300-003-010-000). Harmony IV LP is registered to a Roger L. Wagy of Lees Summit.
The land off Brinkmeyer (parcel 20-4.0-19-000-000-008-001), behind the gas station at 45 and 435, is owned by Brinkmeyer Investors LLC, registered to Scott Sperry and Jim Nichols of Lees Summit. The land adjacent to this (parcel 20-4.0-19-000-000-029-000) is registered to 45 Park Place, L.L.C., which in turn is represented by an agency out of Jefferson City.
As many already know, the land on the SE corner of the K / 45 intersection (parcel 20-5.0-21-200-002-001-000) is registered to John and David Barth.
The land on the NE corner of the K / 45 intersection (parcel 20-5.0-21-200-001-004-000) is owned by NBH LLC, registered to Keith Hicklin and Jennifer Snider of Platte City.
There is nothing wrong with owning land. In fact, it's a good thing. Many people, however, do not want reckless, irresponsible development in this area. People do not want south Platte County to become a clone of Johnson County, KS - high-density subdivisions, apartment complexes, chain and fast-food restaurants, etc. We like our big lots and big, open green spaces.
If you know of any other interesting potentially developable tracts of land in the area and their ownership, please post in the comments below.
The land (parcel 20-5.0-16-300-001-031-000) across from the proposed Chapel Ridge (across from the Baptist church) was sold on June 10 to Westwood Partners, LLC, which is addressed to Adam Tholen, who lives down 45 Hwy.)
The land off K (parcel 20-4.0-20-100-000-003-000), just south of Union Chapel elementary school (what people have called "the man cave"), is owned by RD Owens Investment LLC, since 2011. RD Owens Investment LLC, is addressed to Douglas Owens, who lives at the Nationals. Prior to 2011, this tract of land was owned by Platte Clay LLC, addressed to Michael Gunn, who is an attorney, was previously arrested and allegedly maced, and used to represent Platte County Planning and Zoning.
The house at the corner of 45 & K (parcel 20-4.0-20-100-000-005-000) was purchased by Darrel's Haven LLC in 2011. The registrant of this LLC is Robert K Kirkland of Liberty, Missouri. Kirkland is an attorney.
Another potential big player in this area is Harmony IV LP, which owns parcels of land all up and down 45 Hwy and Brinkmeyer (parcels 20-4.0-20-100-000-011-000, 20-4.0-20-100-000-014-000, 20-4.0-20-100-000-013-000, 20-5.0-21-300-003-010-000). Harmony IV LP is registered to a Roger L. Wagy of Lees Summit.
The land off Brinkmeyer (parcel 20-4.0-19-000-000-008-001), behind the gas station at 45 and 435, is owned by Brinkmeyer Investors LLC, registered to Scott Sperry and Jim Nichols of Lees Summit. The land adjacent to this (parcel 20-4.0-19-000-000-029-000) is registered to 45 Park Place, L.L.C., which in turn is represented by an agency out of Jefferson City.
As many already know, the land on the SE corner of the K / 45 intersection (parcel 20-5.0-21-200-002-001-000) is registered to John and David Barth.
The land on the NE corner of the K / 45 intersection (parcel 20-5.0-21-200-001-004-000) is owned by NBH LLC, registered to Keith Hicklin and Jennifer Snider of Platte City.
There is nothing wrong with owning land. In fact, it's a good thing. Many people, however, do not want reckless, irresponsible development in this area. People do not want south Platte County to become a clone of Johnson County, KS - high-density subdivisions, apartment complexes, chain and fast-food restaurants, etc. We like our big lots and big, open green spaces.
If you know of any other interesting potentially developable tracts of land in the area and their ownership, please post in the comments below.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Chapel Ridge and Acts of Desperation
Desperate people do desperate things, so they say. Nowhere is this more apparent than Brian Mertz / Tabb Reese's "truth" campaign in favor of the hideous monstrosity known as Chapel Ridge. And what is the "truth"? Well, apparently for Mertz and Reese truth means stealing another company's logo and trying to pawn it off as their own. That's the truth. It's well documented. Mertz & Reese are trying to fabricate support for Chapel Ridge, such as misleading websites and a handful of well-placed yard signs reading "Know the Truth," which upon closer inspection are nearly all upon public lands, on the land of the sellers of the property, or on the properties of friends / associates of Mertz and Reese. That's fabricated support. Reality? The reality is that nearly everyone in this area opposes Chapel Ridge, as it will lower the surrounding quality of life and property values. We know the truth.
Here are some more interesting facts (Chapel Ridge, by the way, conveniently dislikes facts):
Chapel Ridge (by the developer's own study) will create 3,669 new vehicle trips a day. Do you want 3,669 more cars driving down your street every day?
Another fact: Chapel Ridge is a dense monstrosity. 379 houses crammed onto 143 acres! Just look at this Google overlay image:
Disgusting, isn't it?
Do everything you can to oppose Chapel Ridge. Don't let Chapel Ridge destroy the charm of south Platte County.
Here are some more interesting facts (Chapel Ridge, by the way, conveniently dislikes facts):
Chapel Ridge (by the developer's own study) will create 3,669 new vehicle trips a day. Do you want 3,669 more cars driving down your street every day?
Another fact: Chapel Ridge is a dense monstrosity. 379 houses crammed onto 143 acres! Just look at this Google overlay image:
Disgusting, isn't it?
Do everything you can to oppose Chapel Ridge. Don't let Chapel Ridge destroy the charm of south Platte County.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
More Chapel Ridge "Truth"?
Brian Mertz / Tabb Reese have set up their Facebook page, website and yard signs in favor of Chapel Ridge. The theme of their advertising is that they're telling the "truth"; the opposition, "lies".
Here are a couple screen shots from their online "truth" ad campaign:
Here are a couple screen shots from their online "truth" ad campaign:
What is the problem here?
Well, the Chapel Ridge logo they're using in their online advertisements possibly isn't theirs.
In fact, the logo seems to come from a Chapel Ridge in North Carolina (see here, here, and here), and is possibly in violation of trademark law.
It is indeed ironic that Mertz / Reese are advertising their sites to be the "truth" versus "lies," and yet they're possibly stealing logos from other websites? Why didn't they pay a graphic designer to make their own logo? What about all the possible other misinformation on their webpages (such as photos of houses that do not yet exist and other possible empty promises)? Can these people be trusted?
UPDATED:
Someone from Southstar Communities responded to someone in our No Chapel Ridge opposition and said that the above logo is Southstar's, they did not give Mertz / Reese permission to use it, and that they were going to ask them to remove it.
Since Mertz / Reese seem to be too cheap to design their own logo and have to resort to stealing another company's logo, a graphic designer in our group kindly made a logo for them (free of charge, just as they like it):
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