Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL MUG: Letter art

To the residents of White Cloud Township, Nodaway County Missouri:

I am writing to support the zoning initiative that will be on our ballot in November. There are misunderstandings being shared in the community and this letter is to clarify for those who do not understand what the purpose of putting a zoning vote on our ballot is. My husband Tim Lance who is the White Cloud Township board president was approached by community members to see what was required to put this on our ballot. He in no way is seeking this for his own personal benefit. Because of his role as board president, he is not allowed to campaign for or against this, so I decided to write this letter to clear up the misinformation out there.

First and foremost, should this pass it does not mean my husband or the current white cloud board members will determine what the zoning rules will be. If it passes, there will need to be a zoning board developed of community members who will then work with the lawyer to determine the rules/regulations for the zoning ordinance in White Cloud Township. The White Cloud Township board have been working with the lawyer to ensure proper steps are taking place in this process so should it pass then they will continue to do this in order that this continues.

Second, should this pass it does not prevent the current plans to build the data center from happening. It will just be up to the new zoning board going forward to set the regulations for future businesses wanting to come into the township.

As development continues to change rural communities, we must consider what happens when large commercial or industrial operations are built near family farms, homes and established agricultural areas without adequate planning or safeguards. Depending on the type of operation, this development can bring increased heavy traffic, excessive noise, dust, lighting, drainage problems, and environmental concerns to our community. Once a major development is established, it is often difficult or costly to address problems that could have been considered beforehand. Reasonable zoning provides a process for evaluating where different types of development are appropriate and can establish consistent standards and give residents the opportunity to participate in decisions that may affect our community which has not been the case with the current Evergy natural gas project, the White Cloud Acres Data Center project, and the Hwy 71 J turn project. Those of us who are residents of White Cloud Township had no opportunity to vote in any of these cases.

White Cloud Township has a proud agricultural heritage. Our farms, our family homes, the open fields, and the rural surroundings are part of what makes this community special. We should do everything possible to protect that investment and preserve the character of our township for future generations. Establishing reasonable zoning regulations now gives White Cloud Township an opportunity to help guide future development rather than simply react to it. It allows our township to consider which uses belong near our homes and in this agricultural area. Zoning is not about opposing every change or preventing economic growth. It is about making thoughtful decisions that respect our community while protecting our agricultural heritage. Our township deserves the opportunity to plan its future rather than have that future determined by big development without adequate local safeguards.

I encourage the residents of White Cloud Township to not only do your own research but once you have done that, make your own informed decision regarding this and then please vote. Having done this myself, I will be voting yes on this issue to protect our farms and homes and preserve our community for our future generations.

Sincerely,

Cindy Lance, White Cloud Township resident