By Lucky Kidd
GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Great Bend City Council has voted to send back proposed zoning regulations for commercial solar systems in the three-mile jurisdictional area surrounding Great Bend to the Planning Commission to review liability insurance and groundwater testing requirements and one other item – to consider adopting the stricter setback requirements in Barton County’s regulations.
That additional was suggested after a presentation from former Council member Leslie Hallbower Barrett, who told the Council the decisions they are making on this issue are the toughest decision a council has had to face in 25 years. Barrett presented data to the council on material used on the panels and also on storage batteries, any leaks from which she said would destroy soil and water in the area.
Her suggestion for increased setbacks is what she called a short-term measure, until both the city and county reconsider and do further research and protect citizens and natural resources.
“You don’t get a second chance. There are no second chances,” Barrett said. “If we build this thing, it’s there forever.”
The Council at a work session earlier this month asked general liability insurance requirements to be increased from $1 million to at least $2 million, and that a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment or equivalent be conducted instead of groundwater tests at the time of construction and every five years thereafter.
On Monday, the Council approved an ordinance establishing a STAR Bond district for proposed projects at the Expo complex west of Great Bend. The bonds would be paid off over 20 years from the increased sales tax revenue generated within the district, with no liability to city taxpayers.
Projects proposed include improvements to the drag strip and rodeo grounds, a new livestock arena and banquet hall with capability for sporting events, and an additional hangar and restaurant. During a public hearing representatives of the Barton County Fair Association asked that they be included in any discussions on these projects. The Council also approved proceeding with abatement of several nuisances on a property in the 1800 block of Stone.
An ordinance allowing property owners to combine smaller adjacent lots to combine them into one single lot for zoning purposes was approved. Through what is known as a lot-tie agreement, the owner agrees that the lots involved will be held under the same ownership and not sold separately unless approved by the city as provided for in other ordinances.
This came about because there have been instances where a bank or mortgage company would not allow combining of parcels due to liens on the property. It would also property owners to add buildable area to their properties.
