The Riley County Commission has approved the extension of the Native Stone Scenic Byway into Riley County on a 2-1 vote Monday morning.

The extension of the byway would begin in Wabaunsee Countygoing north of I-70 on K-99 and then west on K-18. The Riley County section would begin on K-18 Highway through Zeandale to K-177 where it would then go south on K-177 to I-70.

Commission Chairman, Ron Wells voted against the extension because he is opposed to the extension onto K-177.

“I have people that are landowners, same along McDowell Creek Road, that are opposed to it. The thing is, I’ve been here 70 years and even though I am in Government, it doesn’t mean I trust some Government anymore than I have before, because I’ve been involved in two condemnations, I’ve been involved in expansions of right of ways, I’ve been involved in things my entire life,” said Wells. “As Monty (Wedel, Planning/Special Projects Director) pointed out, you can add this and then delete it later. Well the city has done that in the past to, I’ve heard them say ‘Well we’ll go ahead and pass this and then we’ll work out the details later.’ I don’t mind or care for that.”

He went on to say that his is supportive of the scenic byway and he would support it going down McDowell Creek Road but he does not support the expansion down K-177.

It was asked why the Native Stone Scenic Byway Committee chose to expand down K-177 opposed to McDowell Creek Road.

Sally Stratton, Chairman of the NSSB Committee explained that they chose K-177 in part because they want to include the Konza Prairie scenic overlook along that stretch of road. She also explained that she had spoken to property owners along McDowell Creek Road.

“They are opposed to the byway being on McDowell Creek Road, they don’t want the traffic. However we’ve found in our area, that there’s no noticeable increase in traffic, there’s just travels that come and spend their dollars eating lunch or buying something in a small shop along the byway,” said Stratton.

Commissioner Ben Wilson was also hesitant about approving the extension along K-177 but was open to approving the extension on a short-term basis in order to see if there were any negative effects or benefits.

Commissioner Robert Boyd explained he was in favor of the entire extension, but was understanding of his fellow commissioners concerns and moved to approve it on a two-year basis with the idea that it would come back to the commission in two years to be considered again at that time. It was approved on the 2-1 vote with Wells opposed.

Boyd had added as a side note with his motion that he encouraged the NSSB Committee to look into possibly moving the byway to McDowell Creek Road opposed to K-177 in two years when the commission reconsiders it.

A one mile section of the route does fall in Geary County. The Geary County Commission has yet to approve the designation for that section of K-177.