Letter to the editor – Feb. 1, 2022

Dear editor,

I am writing in support of rezoning the area on North Walnut to allow the old Arkhaven site to be converted into 51 one- and two-bedroom apartments.  

I attended the zoning meeting on Jan. 18 and heard the statements from some of the residents of the area and understand their concerns.  However, the only one that I thought merits any real consideration is how the increased traffic might be mitigated. I think that with planning by city officials, the “traffic problem” could be moderated.

Several years ago, I was involved in the recruitment of an individual who had a proposal for senior living apartments in Iola. This individual had a stellar reputation with other projects that he had completed in several other communities in Kansas.  The residents living near the proposed area came out in force and caused him to take his project for Southeast Kansas to Chanute, where I understand it is doing quite well today. I have driven by the Chanute site, and it certainly isn’t the shoddy, dilapidated buildings that the residents who protested its construction in Iola predicted.

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