The Oxford Township Zoning Board recently considered a request by the Blue Valley High School in Stilwell, Kansas, to allow the school to build a parking lot on land now occupied by a church. The lot is right next to the Blue Valley Riding neighborhood swimming pool and private residences. The proposal is strongly opposed by surrounding neighborhoods. The Board split on its vote 2 to 2, so the application is going to the County Commissioners without a recommendation of denial or approval.

Protest Petition Has Plenty Of Signatures

Sherry and Richard Dvorak turned in a Legal Protest Petition against the attempt by the Blue Valley School District to build a parking lot next to Blue Valley High School on land now owned by the Blue Valley Church of the Nazarene. (Image shows Protest Petition area). The land juts right into Blue Valley Riding neighborhood.

It took a lot of work, but with Sherry and Richard leading the charge the protest petition was signed by owners of 30% of the land within 1000 feet, well over the minimum of 20%.

Is The School Giving Away Land: $18,000 an acre

A new startling fact was turned up by Richard about this land deal. He obtained the contracts between the school and the Church. The school district is selling the Church 5 acres on the southwest corner of 165th/Antioch for a total of $90,000. Even at rock bottom residential prices of $40,000 an acre, 5 acres should get $200,000. Many of us were under the impression there was a fiscal crisis, but apparently the school feels it can sell cheap.

At the same time, the school is willing to pay the Church $290,000 for 1.5 acres next to the highschool. The 1.5 acres includes an old church building that will have to be torn down to build the parking lot. Apparently the school feels it can buy dear .

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