'It's very emotional': Shawnee County neighbors confront local leaders over plan to build new duplexes

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A group of neighbors and farmers in Shawnee County took a stand against the local government in a failed bid to keep an area of farmland from turning into new housing.

Developers are looking to transform plots of land near Soldier Township into duplexes and new housing for locals in the Seaman School District. The move is not sitting well with some area residents who aired their frustrations at the Thursday, Dec. 12 Shawnee County Commission meeting.

"There are currently three townhouse facilities in the Seaman School District," said Robert Palmer, real estate agent. "All of them are rented out, there's waiting lists, no vacancies, only one of them offers more than two bedrooms. It's going to be well-built, high class and gorgeous. The project is going to bring millions of dollars to the community."

People from in and around Solider Township were angered after they were notified by the county that it is looking to reclassify land across from their homes to add 13 new duplexes. The locals gave emotional and heartfelt pleas to the commission members to keep their neighborhood the way it is.

"I get the quiver in my voice," said Jackie Nelson, a resident in Shawnee County. "It's very emotional. You can't regain the grounds for farming, and it's been wonderful to see the cattle back again."

Residents of the area cited the history of the open space that developers are looking to establish the new duplexes on.

"The nature of being out in the county, which is to enjoy the space," Nelson said. "It just would be a travesty to start looking to the north and no longer see the cattle and the land. To see all the other units that are being built and the noise and construction."

Shawnee County commissioners gave their sympathies to those who appeared at the meeting. However, they also stressed the county's critical need for housing amid a shortage.

"There is a high demand for housing in the Seaman area," said Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook. "I think this does address those concerns by also keeping the ag land there and trying to incorporate in some walking trails or other amenities for the tenants."

The developers will need to get approval from the City of Topeka prior to building on the land as it is within three miles of city limits.

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