KSHB 41 reporter Olivia Acree covers portions of Johnson County, Kansas. Share your story idea with Olivia.
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Olathe residents near 175th and Lone Elm plan to make their voices heard when the City Council hears reports about a cold storage facility proposed near their neighborhood.
The Olathe Planning Commission denied the proposal last month, but the City Council will vote on it Sept. 16.
Neighbors across from the proposed 2.2 million square feet of warehouse space worry the area isn't ready for industrial development. One of their main concerns is the height — a 140-foot-tall building that would stick out against the otherwise suburban and rural landscape of the area.
“We like to be able to look and see clear skies and be able to enjoy the quietness of the neighborhood," said Janice Rummel, Nottington Creek Neighborhood HOA president.
The developer, Lineage Logistics, is asking for $670 million in bonds. Lineage Logistics says the project will create 735 jobs over the next 10 years.
While the company believes it will bring economic growth, some neighbors told KSHB 41 last month that Lineage Logistics hasn't addressed their concerns about chemicals, light pollution or road capacity. That's why the Planning Commission denied the proposal.
"The OSHA, the safety concerns, the traffic concerns, the lights, all of the list of concerns, our property values," Rummel said.
John Reinhart, a Nottington Creek neighbor, expressed concerns about traffic as well.
"With the increase in truck traffic brought on by this proposed facility, I don't know what we're going to be able to do. It's going to be very challenging," Reinhart said.
The Olathe City Council will hear two reports related to bonds and tax breaks for the project, plus hold the public hearing. The council will then vote on Sept. 16.
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