A Missouri house committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that could prevent a landfill in South Kansas City. The bill would extend the buffer zone from half a mile to a mile between a new landfill and an area with more than 400,000 residents. The Missouri House Committee on Local Government approved the bill after members said they received hundreds of complaints last week from school principals and citizens, business owners and residents against the landfill proposal. The House also received more than 440 pages of witness statements about the project. The bill now goes to the full House of Representatives. “People have invested their life savings in their homes, and now they’re faced with a landfill they didn’t expect to see,” said Kansas City Central Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor Kent Dunwoody. Dunwoody testified in Jefferson City last week against the landfill, saying he is hearing from people in his congregation about the negative effects a landfill would have on the area on their health and property values. At the same committee meeting Tuesday, Jennifer Monheiser of KC Recycling and Waste Solutions said a company she owns is under contract or has purchased nearly 500 acres with plans to build a landfill on 270 acres of that property. from Southwest Peterson Road on the west to Horridge Road on the east. Neither Monheiser nor her husband agreed to an interview with KMBC 9 Investigations about their plans for the landfill. On Tuesday, KMBC asked the Monheisers and their spokesperson for four specifics: The exact boundaries for the proposed landfill project. Any terrain maps to be used in the proposed landfill project. Preliminary engineering reports for groundwater impacts in this area. Any project documents used to present to lawmakers the need for a landfill in the area. KMBC has not received a response to those specific requests. Next Wednesday, Kansas City, Missouri council members will consider joining nearby cities like Raymore, Grandview, Belton, Lee’s Summit and Peculiar with a resolution that would formalize opposition to the landfill at this time. The resolution would also give the city manager six months to detail the city’s future solid waste needs and provide potential workarounds. Don’t take a dump anywhere in Kansas City. PREVIOUS COVER OF THIS ISSUE: Developer Confirms Plans for South Kansas City Landfill Near Jackson, Cass Raymore County Line, Kansas City Residents Discuss Latest Updates to Proposed Landfill Major Concerns Raised About Impact statement of potential South Kansas City landfill Lee’s leadership opposes potential landfill near border Grandview Waste Transfer Station proposes alternative to Raymore Landfill, Kansas City leaders discuss landfill issues He also said that the proposed area is an excellent location for housing. the current proposed location is needed or the correct location for a new landfill in the Kansas City region. KMBC also asked if any of the men or their staff had any previous written, telephone or in-person communications with Aden or Jenny Monheiser or their representatives about a potential landfill project in South Kansas City. Neither Platt nor S Haw replied. City Press Secretary Sherae Honeycutt responded to the email, saying the resolution will be on the committee’s agenda next Wednesday. “City elected officials will be discussing it at that time,” Honeycutt said. “Any communication on this matter at this time should come from the sponsors of the ordinance.” KMBC 9 Investigates continues to look into all angles surrounding the landfill project. If you have any suggestions you’d like to share, please email investigative journalist Matt Flener at [email protected]
A Missouri house committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that could prevent a landfill in South Kansas City.
The bill would extend the buffer zone from half a mile to a mile between a new landfill and an area with more than 400,000 residents.
The Missouri House Committee on Local Government approved the bill after members said they received hundreds of complaints last week from city and school leaders, business owners and residents against the landfill proposal.
The house has also received more than 440 pages of testimonials about the project.
The bill now goes to the full House of Representatives.
“People have invested their life savings in their homes, and now they’re faced with a landfill they didn’t expect to see,” said Kent Dunwoody, pastor of Kansas City Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Dunwoody testified in Jefferson City last week against the landfill, saying he has heard from people in his congregation about the negative effects a landfill would have on the area on their health and property values.
At the same committee meeting Tuesday, Jennifer Monheiser of KC Recycling and Waste Solutions said a company she owns is under contract or has purchased nearly 500 acres with plans to build a landfill on 270 acres of that property.
The property in question is located near an area publicly identified by the City of Raymore as East 155th Street between 150 Highway and Southwest Peterson Road on the west to Horridge Road on the east.
Neither Monheiser nor her husband agreed to an interview with KMBC 9 Investigates about their plans for the landfill.
On Tuesday, KMBC asked the Monheisers and their spokesperson for four specific points:
- The exact boundaries for the proposed landfill project.
- Any terrain maps to be used in the proposed landfill project.
- Preliminary engineering reports for groundwater impacts in this area.
- All of the project documents they used to present the need for a landfill in the area to lawmakers.
KMBC has not received a response to these specific requests.
Next Wednesday, Kansas City, Missouri council members will consider joining nearby cities like Raymore, Grandview, Belton, Lee’s Summit and Peculiar with a resolution that would formalize opposition to the landfill at this time.
The resolution would also give the city manager six months to detail the city’s future solid waste needs and provide potential workarounds.
The council resolution comes after Kansas City, Missouri city manager Brian Platt said last November“We’re not doing a landfill anywhere in Kansas City.”
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He also said that the proposed area is a great location for accommodation.
KMBC 9 Investigates emailed both Platt and public works director Michael Shaw on Tuesday to see if they feel the current proposed location is necessary or appropriate for a new landfill in the Kansas City region.
KMBC also asked if any of the men or their staff had any previous written, telephone or in-person communications with Aden or Jenny Monheiser or their representatives regarding a potential landfill project in South Kansas City.
Neither Platt nor Shaw replied.
City Press Secretary Sherae Honeycutt responded to the email, saying the resolution will be on the committee’s agenda next Wednesday.
“City elected officials will be discussing it at that time,” Honeycutt said. “Any communication on this matter at this time should come from the sponsors of the ordinance.”
KMBC 9 Investigates continues to look into all angles surrounding the landfill project.
If you have any advice you’d like to share, please email investigative journalist Matt Flener at [email protected]
