Proposed RV park in Butler meets opposition in public hearing

 

Courtesy Prolook Studio

Plans for an RV park that would be located just off Fran avenue adjacent to the Days Inn Hotel in Butler  drew fire from opponents in a public hearing during the April 18 city council meeting. Following a presentation by landowner Sanjay Patel that included an artist’s rendering showing the RV park with trees and other traveler friendly indemnities, the hearing was joined by Dale and Trish Newkirk who vehemently oppose the idea and presented photos with information regarding a similar property previously owned by Patel in Platte City indicating upkeep was not being done.

The Newkirks also questioned conditions regarding the Days Inn hotel (owned by Patel), stating that while the RV park may look nice when new, over time may not be kept up resulting in overflowing dumpsters, abandoned vehicles and sewage concerns.

Patel, along with hotel maintenance man Grover Jackson rebutted saying they have made attempts to clean up concrete debris and remove the abandoned car; also the overflowing dumpster was not a normal occurrence. Jackson stated that another hotel owned by Patel in Olathe has great reviews “you wouldn’t find a flaw anywhere” and that  the above mentioned concerns in Butler will be addressed. 

Patel did acknowledge that the RV park in Platte City was no longer owned by him, now owned by a family member and no longer under his control. In his remarks he also stated that the park would not be wholly visible from West 52 or Fran Avenue.

Other concerns arose from the council and spectators such as making sure the campers get moved every 15 days; will there be individual sewer connections or a dump station; and who will police the property to make sure trash is picked up and overall upkeep done? The proposal included the option for RV’ers to build campfires which was brought into question due to safety issues.

As back-and-forth discussion continued, the condition and upkeep of the now idled Super 8 hotel in Butler (also owned by Patel) came into play with some questioning the future of that property and condition as well. Patel answered that “the city cannot substantiate two hotels” but would do his best to keep it up.

Other comments from attendees included former mayor Don Malan who stated that he did not want the park near his property and former councilman Linn Nitsche, who called out Patel for incorrectly stating earlier that he did indeed still own the RV park in Platte City but is now saying otherwise. 

As the hearing came to a close, councilman Mallatt stated that “we (as the council) want to do what is best for the community” by hearing both sides before making any decisions. With that, the questions kept coming.

Councilman Hall asked if the park would have individual sewers or a dump station, noting that most campers do not have the capacity to store sewage for 15 days which would require a sewer connections. Patel replied that a dump station is proposed but would switch to a sewer connection as needed. 

Hall went on to say that “a lot of information was thrown at us tonight. To be fair, we should absorb some of this information and suggest we table this for now” and a motion was passed to discuss more at a later date which likely will be the May 2 session.

Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm at city hall. The full video of this meeting can be viewed on YouTube on the Mid America Live channel.