OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – A popular donut shop in downtown Overland Park has closed its doors following a dispute with the city.
Over the weekend DOP Donuts announced on its Instagram account that the seasonal business will permanently close its trailer located at 7512 West 80th St.
DOP Donuts owner Travis Lindemoen confirmed to FOX4 that the business is closed due to the city’s refusal of a special use permit (SUP).
In 2019, the city approved a SUP to allow the donut trailer to sit on a lot located east of the Nexus IT building, provided the trailer was moved on nonbusiness days. As part of the deal, the trailer had to be moved off site or parked behind the adjacent building when not in use because the trailer was considered a mobile unit.
According to city records, city personnel visited the business multiple times and noted that the trailer was not being moved. Over the summer the city approved a permit for allow DOP Donuts to manage your trailer until December 18, as city staff and the DOP sought a more permanent solution.
Overland Park communications manager Meg Ralph sent FOX4 this statement:
“A permanent structure should meet building code requirements for a restaurant to operate safely and hygienically, as well as ADA accessibility and access to public restrooms. Mobile units are considered vehicles and building regulations do not apply to them.
The owner agreed to the requirements when the city council approved the special use permit, but city personnel observed and the owner admitted that the trailer didn’t move on non-business days.
Unfortunately, this failure to meet permit requirements meant that staff could not recommend special use permit approval in the future. To do so would set a bad precedent and be unfair to other similar businesses that comply with mobile unit requirements.”
Lindemoen said he’s looking into other options for turning the trailer into a permanent building, but long-term plans are still up in the air.
