Kobach reviewing options after meat shop ruling; plans to build home in Douglas County this fall

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach tells Douglas County commissioners Wednesday night why he's opposed to a plan to put a specialty meat store near his rural property west of Lecompton.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and some Douglas County residents opposed to a specialty meat shop near Lecompton are reviewing their options after county commissioners granted a conditional use permit for the venture.

Wednesday night, commissioners unanimously approved Lawrence chef Brian Strecker’s permit application to build a 640-square-foot shop called The Burning Barrel on a 30-acre plot of land at 292 N. 2100 Road.

Kobach, who owns a one-bedroom structure on 160 acres of land near the future business, was one of more than a dozen people who spoke out against the meat shop at Wednesday’s meeting. His structure, which he described as a “metal building,” has been the subject of some recent controversy surrounding county code enforcement.

Though he was both surprised and displeased by commissioners’ decision, Kobach told the Journal-World Thursday, he and other critics of the project have no specific plans to appeal the outcome.

“Residents in the area are still talking about what, if anything, can be done,” Kobach said. “But there are no definite plans to do anything at this point.”

Kobach said he, his wife and his five daughters — who attended Wednesday’s meeting — do not currently live in Douglas County, residing instead at a home in Wyandotte County, near Piper. And although Kobach’s metal building is outfitted with a living quarters, he said, his family won’t reside there in the future. Rather, they plan to build a larger home on the land.

“Our plans are to sell our house in Piper and build a house on the farm in Douglas County,” he said. “We already had the architectural drawings made, and we’re hoping to get started this fall.”

During Wednesday’s meeting, Commissioner Jim Flory said the commission was not fearful of any potential legal backlash.

“It’s not a matter of concern,” he said. “When we make decisions, we make decisions. We don’t make decisions concerned about whether someone may file a lawsuit.”

On Thursday, Flory said his statement still held firm, adding he had no news of any potential appeal or lawsuits.

“I haven’t heard anything about any further action that anybody might take,” Flory said. “I’m comfortable with the decision, and people are free to do what they want to do, but I think it’s a sound decision that would withstand any judicial scrutiny.”