by: DeAngela McDougaldThe Junction City Commission has decided to send a request for a special use permit back to the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC).
As reported first by JC Post on June 9th, the MPC recommended approval of a special use permit to allow a recreation vehicle (RV) campground at 1510 Rucker Road.
Concerns surrounding establishing an RV campground on land that is zoned for a mobile home park district arose from multiple community members.
City Manager Allen Dinkel said concerns arose about safety in the area.
“There’s concern about what it’s going to look like as far as aesthetically; I think one of the biggest concerns is that area has been a blighted area for a number of years,” said Dinkel. “The key issue is to keep it looking good and also safe for the neighborhood.”
Police Chief Dan Breci reported that the site has been an “eyesore and crime infested problem” during his 21 years in law enforcement in Junction City. He went on to say that Rucker Road is a residential area and he would “hate to see the City put something in where tenants at the RV park could remain forever.”
As local officials work to improve the aesthetic appearance and image of the city while attempting to boost the local population, JC Post asked Dinkel if an RV park is the right move.
“I think a high quality RV park [is good]; we have one at the edge of town south of I-70 that is a high quality image and that’s where we want to be,” said Dinkel. “[City officials] are not opposed to an RV park, but [we] also want certain standards – to look good, and to be an asset to the community.”
City Commissioners sent the request back to the MPC with recommendations that they (1) consider imposing conditions and standards on the approval of the project, (2) put a three year limit on the special use permit, (3) consider putting a time limit on what an extended stay by an RV user would be, (4) and consider the standards and requirements for the aesthetics of a future project.