At Monday’s Tonganoxie City Council meeting, Mark Elston, a local business owner and high school football coach, spoke on behalf of about 10 residents who live south of the city. Elston questioned council members about whether the city is exploring the possibility of establishing an industrial park near the Kansas Turnpike and Leavenworth County Road 1.

Elston said his group had heard that council members had inquired about land availability and prices in the area.

“No parent wants to live next to an industrial park,” Elston said.

But council members said they are not planning an industrial park in the area. They merely are investigating the city’s options.

The residents’ concerns stem from the May 8 city council meeting, during which member Pat Albert suggested that the city look into establishing an industrial park south of Tonganoxie. Mayor John Franiuk appointed himself, Kathy Graveman and Albert to a task force to explore the possibility.

Council members reiterated Monday night that they were merely looking into the idea.

“We are looking out for the future of Tonganoxie,” Franiuk said.

Council members said they had no plans to purchase the land and the task force had not met.

“We have no deals in front of us,” Franiuk said.

Bill Jones, Tonganoxie, questioned the city’s desire for additional industrial land in light of the fact that Urban Hess industrial park in north Tonganoxie is not full.

Dale Breshears, Tonganoxie, said a significant source of the city’s water comes from a property near the site near the turnpike and County Road 1.

Other residents said that they move out here or live out here for the “wide open spaces.” They said they don’t want their view to be an industrial park.

Even if the city did add another industrial park, it would require much investigation and consideration, council members said.

“Our goal is to have a diversified economic community,” Albert said.