Concerns over a proposed workforce housing development in Ellsworth’s Canren Addition were voiced at Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council.

Sharon Nelson, a resident of the Canren Addition on the south edge of Ellsworth, spoke for the six Canren residents at the meeting. They attended the weekly session of Ellsworth County commissioners earlier in the day.

“We’re here because we’re concerned and do not know anything about these 12 houses that are intended to be built in our neighborhood,” Nelson said.

Nelson said she understood the lots under consideration in the Canren Addition are owned by a private individual and the city is under no obligation to tell Canren residents about negotiations on those lots.

“But I just thought it was the ethical thing to do when you are going to shake up our neighborhood,” she said.

Nelson said there are currently 12 houses in the addition, with many having only one occupant.

“We’re just a handful of people out there,” she said. “And then you are considering just dumping — that’s what I kind of feel like — you’re just dumping probably at least 45 to maybe 60 people out there.”

Nelson said the reason Canren residents chose to live there was because it is quiet and has almost no traffic.

“We’re all trying to figure out who is going to live in these houses, what kind of houses are they, are they the kind of houses that are going to re-sell, so what is it going to do to our property values,” she added.“So we have a lot of questions.”

“They are rent-to-own,” said Mayor Alan Stefek.

“The developer has no affiliation with the city,” Patrick Hoffman, city attorney, said. “No one has asked the city to do anything.”

Stefek said it was a private land deal.

“Your questions need to be addressed to the developer,” he added.

Nelson said she did so, but was blocked.

Nelson asked about income requirements.

Stacy Schmidt of the Smoky Hill Development Corporation said she would be happy to provide that information to Nelson and her group.

Nelson also questioned the size of the lots.

“They are just small lots which is certainly not going to improve our property values if people live there and eventually want to buy them,” Nelson said.

Another problem, according to Nelson, are easements, and the effect the additional houses could have on farming in the area.

“I think you guys need to get with the developer,” Stefek repeated.

Schmidt said the developer has made an offer to meet with Nelson and her group.

Nelson asked why the city wasn’t involved when it has given approval to the project.

Hoffman said the city approved one letter of support.

“There has been no application from anyone for the city to do anything,” he said.“No one has asked for a change in plat, no one has asked for a change in zoning.”

Hoffman said that area has been zoned for residential use for decades.

“It would be similar to two neighbors having some sort of dispute and wanting the city to adjudicate it,” he said.“We don’t really have control over what private entities do.”

Nelson said it sounds as if the council doesn’t care what happens in the town.

“They have standards they have to meet,” Patti Booher, city clerk, said.

“Are these going to be standards that affect our property, yes, they are,” Nelson said.

“But that would be possible anywhere you live,” council member Mark Kennedy said.

“What are municipal codes for,” Nelson asked.

Booher explained the city planning commission worked with a certified city planner to develop a plan, which was presented to the council for approval.

Schmidt suggested Nelson talk to Ellsworth County appraiser Carl Miller about any city code questions. Booher suggested Canren residents submit a written list of questions to the city.

“I am more than willing to answer the questions, the ones the city can. We can answer the ones that relate to the city directly. I am more than willing to help with that, definitely. I think you guys also need your concerns addressed. If there is something that relates to the city, we can do that,” the city clerk said.

“I think probably the majority of the questions that we have are ones you’re going to say only the developer can answer those,” Nelson said.

Stefek said the developer does need to answer the questions.

“We’re not the ones to answer them,” he said.

“So anybody can come out and build a house of any size,” Nelson asked.

“As long as it means the requirements for that zone,” Booher said.

Later in the meeting, Ellsworth County Commissioner Kermit Rush said Nelson and her group addressed Monday’s commission meeting for an hour-and-a-half.

“We would like to meet the developer,” Rush said. “We’ve never saw the person. And we wanted Carl (Miller) to be there too, but he couldn’t be. So we didn’t make any kind of decision.”

Rush said the county did sign a letter of support.

“Same as we did,” Stefek said. “And that’s all either one of us did.”

“That doesn’t bind us to anything,” Rush said.

“Exactly,” Stefek answered. “I think what needs to happen is the developer needs to come and have an open meeting where all concerned — residents and developers need to come and ask questions. Because we can’t answer the questions.”

In other business:

• Approval was given to Resolution 19-0624A, setting a notice of public hearing for 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at the Ellsworth Golf Course meeting room to allow the proposed annexation of Evans Street to take place according to Kansas Statute regulations for municipalities.

• The council received and filed the airport forecast/critical design aircraft approval memo from the Federal Aviation Agency as part of the airport’s long-range plan.

By phone, city administrator Scott Moore, who was in Texas, said he wanted the council to be aware that in the process of determining the dimensions of the proposed runway, Benesch Engineering made the necessary adjustments to keep the grass runway in place by adjusting the proposed runway and taxiway north.

• The council received and filed the 2018 NRP request for payment of $31,115 in community development block grant funds in reference to the housing grant agreement contract which the council approved in March of 2018.

Moore noted the funding request is for payment to contractors for the work being completed at 304 N. Kansas and 516 W. Eighth Street. He said rehabilitation work is scheduled soon for 410 Washington Ave. Moore said once these three properties have been completed, the Ellsworth Housing Board and the project administrator will initiate a demolition request for proposals to remove up to five structures. As of May 31, only two completed applications were on file and record for demolition.

• Approval was given to a request by Stacy and Jon Halbegewachs and neighbors to temporarily close Ninth Street between Charles and Elizabeth from 6 to 10 p.m. July 4.

• Ellsworth Police Chief Emil Halfhill said two EPD vehicles received significant hail damage in Sunday’s hailstorm, along with two broken windows at the police department. He voiced concerns about a carnival being in Ellsworth June 27, 28, and 29 in conjunction with the chamber’s local fireworks show. However, he said officers will be on scene.

• Moore, who attended the meeting late, said the council is being asked to prioritize project funding consideration for several projects, including the KDOT work at the intersection of Eighth and K-156 Highway, the KDOT storm detention project, engineering services for the airport runway, drainage improvements, park and recreation development improvements and street and highway improvements.

Moore also said the boiler at city hall needs replaced within six months because it didn’t pass inspection.

“We need to make sure we anticipate these capital expenditures,” he said.