Despite considerable opposition, a proposal to turn the old Tower Lanes bowling alley property into apartments passed the Kansas City, Kansas, Planning Commission 5-4 on Monday night.
A fire had gutted the old bowling alley in October 2007 and the former bowling alley has since been demolished.
Conrad Miller, an attorney who is one of the owners of the property, said at the Planning Commission meeting, on Zoom, that the project would have first-class apartments at market rates.
There would be 30 two-bedroom and 10 one-bedroom units in the Tower View apartment complex, he said. All of the five buildings would be two-story buildings. The project would retain a single-family home on the property that could be used as an office and a home for the manager.
Neighborhood group leaders and residents spoke in opposition to the project, which would add 40 apartment units at 5115 and 5125 Gibbs Road.
The project next will go to the Unified Government Commission for final approval at 7 p.m. Jan. 7.
State Sen. Pat Pettey, who lives about a half-mile from the proposed apartments, said at the Planning Commission meeting that she had been contacted by several people who are neighbors. She said a 40-unit apartment project would really not fit in with the area. Also, she said one of the biggest concerns has been about overpopulation of this area.
The area is adjacent to the Highland Crest housing development, built in 1951. While many of the development’s residents have maintained their properties, there have been a lot of issues over the years with other properties there, along with overpopulation and lack of resources in that area of the community, she said.
Mary Jean Grindel said she would prefer a nice cul de sac with a few homes to an apartment complex at that location. She asked a number of questions about security and crime, and if there would be occupancy limits in each apartment.
Dennis Grindel, with a neighborhood watch group, said he was concerned about the safety of children that may be playing nearby. Cars are speeding down Gibbs Road, and it might not be safe for kids, he believes.
Shari Johnson, who lives near the proposed apartments, said she has often asked for increased radar enforcement in the area because of cars going 50 mph, and not stopping for stop signs. She had fears for the safety of anyone in traffic there.
Alex Craddock, with the South Turner Association and Turner Community Connection, said their biggest concern was the density of the area and the number of people that would be coming out into the streets.
Barb Kill, director of the Turner Community Connection, said her main concerns were with the added amount of traffic, and probably more crime. They would prefer the area to remain a single-family area, she said.
Chandra Ward, an area resident who also is a Realtor, said her concerns were with traffic and safety. Also, she said this project will have an impact on property values on the homes to the south of the complex.
Miller said the tenants would be screened and would have jobs that were able to sustain the rents. The standard occupancy would be two people per bedroom, Miller said. He said there would be background checks on tenants.
As far as noise and traffic are concerned, Miller said the old Tower Lanes bowling alley had more noise and traffic, particularly on the weekends. He said this would probably be less impact than a bowling alley.
Planning Commission Chairman Jeff Carson said with an apartment complex, there probably would be coming and going 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Miller said there would be security cameras on site. He also said a facility manager would be living at the site. The complex also would have a security or privacy fence, he added.
Miller said they would keep in communication with the neighborhood watch groups and the community.
He also said, in answer to a question from Commissioner Karen Jones, that if the multi-family housing development was not approved, he would have to find another use for it, such as a commercial use. He said over the past decade they have had offers for development of other things that they didn’t think would fit into the neighborhood.
Sen. Pettey, who is also a past member of the Unified Government Commission, said she believes there is a good market for $250,000 single-family homes in that area, and a subdivision nearby is continuing to build these homes. She also said there was no public transit at the proposed apartment location.
The vote was tied 4-4 when Planning Commission Chairman Carson cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the project.
Carson said his vote to support the project was based on his real estate background and his knowledge that most people in apartments typically buy a home within several blocks of where they rented a property. He hoped that the apartment project would mean the new residents would become new homeowners in the future in the Turner neighborhood.
The master plan amendment, the change of zone and the preliminary plat for the apartment project all were approved on a 5-4 vote. They next go to the UG Commission for final approval.
A special COVID-19 testing event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, for students, families and staff in the Turner school district. The testing will be at the Oak Grove parking lot at 5340 Oak Grove Road, Kansas City, Kansas.
Oak Grove Elementary School in the Turner school district announced on Thursday that it would return to all-online learning for two weeks because of COVID-19. At Oak Grove, three staff members and four students tested positive for COVID-19, with 100 students exposed.
The testing at Oak Grove School today is only for Oak Grove families, students and people in the Turner school district.
Other members of the community who live or work in Wyandotte County can get tested at the usual free testing site, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday – Friday at the UG Health Department, 619 Ann Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
Pop-up COVID-19 testing will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at Oak Ridge Baptist Church, 9301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. This free test is offered through Vibrant Health and the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force.
Next Monday, on Oct. 19, the Health Department is planning to change its testing location to the Kmart parking lot at 78th and State.
COVID-19 cases at schools in Wyandotte County are shown on a map at the UG’s COVID-19 website at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/. (From UG COVID-19 website)Wyandotte County reported an additional 52 COVID-19 cases on Thursday afternoon, for a cumulative total of 7,342, according to the Health Department’s COVID-19 website. There was no change Thursday in the number of deaths, at a total of 134. (From UG COVID-19 webpage)
Oak Grove Elementary School in the Turner School District will return to online learning on Friday, Oct. 9, because of COVID-19 cases and exposures among staff and students, according to an announcement today from the Unified Government Health Department.
The latest exposures took place Oct. 5, according to a Health Department news release, and students will return to in-person learning on Tuesday, Oct. 20, which is 14 days after the most recent known exposure.
This temporary measure is the best way to curb further COVID-19 cases and potential exposure within the school, according to Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer with the Unified Government Health Department.
“Students will return from in-person learning 14 days after the last known exposure. That is the duration of one incubation period of the virus, meaning that by keeping people out for that length of time, we can provide the safest possible environment for the return of students and staff,” Dr. Greiner said in the news release.
According to the Health Department, there were seven confirmed cases at Oak Grove, including three staff members and four students. More than 100 students were exposed to COVID-19 at the school, the Health Department stated.
Turner District Superintendent Jason Dandoy stated that cases were identified between individuals who had contact at Oak Grove School.
No cases were attributed to transmission related to sporting events, Dr. Dandoy stated.
Although Turner High School is listed on the Health Department’s school case map as having eight student cases, more than Oak Grove, no cases were shown to be connected at the high school, according to Dr. Dandoy. The Health Department is allowing the high school to remain open.
The UG’s school case map shows COVID-19 cases at several schools throughout Wyandotte County. Turner Middle School had four student cases, according to the map. Carl Bruce Middle School in the KCK school district had three staff cases. Piper High School had six student cases. Piper Creek Elementary had three student cases and one staff case. Bonner Springs High School had two student cases. Plus, other school cases were reported throughout the county. The schools case map is at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/.
A Health Department letter sent to those affected at the school said that Oak Grove parents and teachers should monitor themselves and their children for symptoms during the 14-day quarantine period that the school building is closed. If they develop symptoms, they should get a test. If they were exposed to a positive case, they should get tested seven to nine days after exposure, regardless of their symptoms, according to the letter.
According to the Health Department news release, the cases and exposures were identified and investigated through a close collaboration between the school nurse and the Health Department’s epidemiology and contact tracing staff.
“This serves as a reminder of both the importance of contact tracing and of partnerships to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19. I’m incredibly proud of the hard work of our contact tracers and Epidemiologists during this unprecedented pandemic, and it’s amazing to see our school nurses and education leaders working closely with public health experts to protect our community,” Dr. Greiner said in a news release.
The Health Department, in collaboration with the school and the district, decided to transition to online learning temporarily due to the high number of COVID-19 exposures, according to the Health Department news release. All parents/guardians and families with students at Oak Grove Elementary have already been notified of the COVID-19 cases and the temporary transition. Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 at the school has been notified and instructed to quarantine at home, according to the Health Department news release.
The Health Department has worked closely with districts in Wyandotte County to help schools protect students, families, and teachers as much as is possible, according to the news release.
“Although we have worked closely with all of our school districts over the previous several months to help create environments that allow students, families, and teachers to remain as safe as is possible, health professionals do often worry about the potential for exposure within schools despite safety precautions,” Dr. Greiner said. “In this instance, we are extremely glad Public Health Department staff and USD 202 moved quickly to identify the exposure and work collaboratively to prevent further spread.”
During this period, Oak Grove Elementary will move to online learning. Teachers may go into the building to provide virtual education but must isolate themselves in their individual classrooms, according to the Health Department news release. No intermingling of school staff will be allowed during this time.
The Health Department is working with Oak Grove Elementary to provide testing next week for students and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19. Additionally, local public health experts are continuously collaborating with all area schools about COVID-19 precautions. Health Department leaders meet regularly with superintendents, and the Health Department epidemiology team works very closely with school nurses, according to a spokesman.
“This continuous interaction and outreach between UGPHD, school officials and school nurses is critically important to continuing to provide the best educational environment for our students as possible, with the biggest margin of safety against the spread of COVID-19,” said Juliann Van Liew, director of the Unified Government Public Health Department. “Both UGPHD and our schools are constantly assessing and re-assessing our protocols and dealing with unanticipated events – the best way to overcome these challenges and protect our students and teachers is through open communication and cooperative, unified action in cases like this.”
“Oak Grove and USD 202 have been working very closely with the Wyandotte County Health Department regarding COVID-19 cases and exposures affecting our schools,” Dr. Dandoy said in the news release. “Student safety is our top priority and while unfortunate, we hope this temporary measure will slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. While students are away, Oak Grove will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. While we are disappointed not to work with our students in-person during this time, we are excited to provide opportunities for them to work with their teachers remotely. We know that these changes can be challenging and we will work to support students and families during this period. Oak Grove looks forward to seeing students return on October 20.”
More COVID-19 data for Wyandotte County, including the map of school-related COVID-19 cases, can be found on the COVID Hub at wycokck.org/COVID-19. Additional COVID-19 information can also be found by calling 3-1-1.
Free testing continues
Free COVID-19 tests are at the UG Health Department parking lot, 619 Ann Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. They are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is needed.
The tests are for those who live or work in Wyandotte County. Participants should bring something that shows their address or their work place, such as a piece of mail or a work badge.
The pop-up tests and the Health Department tests now open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. People now can be tested without any symptoms. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule because of the weather or for other reasons.
Case numbers in Wyandotte County
Wyandotte County reported an additional 52 COVID-19 cases on Thursday afternoon, for a cumulative total of 7,342, according to the Health Department’s COVID-19 website. There was no change Thursday in the number of deaths, at a total of 134.
The number of COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Health System was down a little Thursday morning, with 32 in the hospital, less than 34 on Wednesday; 11 in the intensive care unit, increased one from Wednesday; and six on ventilators, no change from Wednesday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. KU Health System had 26 more patients who were in the recovery phase, an increase of one since Wednesday. HaysMed in Hays, Kansas, reported 22 COVID-19 inpatients, an increase of two from Wednesday.
Kids affected by the pandemic
The University of Kansas Health System doctors’ news conference on Thursday included a discussion about mood changes in children who are affected by the pandemic. Dr. Stephen Lauer and Dr. Danielle Johnson offered advice for parents on how to spot warning signs in children and information to help cope.
Dr. Lauer advised that children keep to a routine, with regular bedtimes and mealtimes. Disruptions from COVID-19 have had a big impact on students’ physical and mental health, he said. Getting back to a regular schedule and to normal rhythms of daily life will help, he said. Also, laying around is not good for anyone – getting up and doing something has a lot to do with mental health, he said.
Dr. Johnson said most children who went back to in-person school have shown a decrease in anxiety. The children need to keep social distancing and wearing a mask while in school, which could be hard for older students. Dr. Johnson advised parents to open conversations with troubled teens in non-threatening ways, asking if they’re struggling with anything, and reassuring them that the parents will be there for the teens.
Since there are a number of activities and gatherings not taking place in the COVID-19 era, Dr. Johnson advised families to create some new traditions for the holidays. Think about how to alter the usual holiday activities to stay safe from COVID-19.
