Neighbors, advocates clash over Olathe homeless shelter

Barb and Marc McEver wanted to do something good for Johnson County and meet a vital need sheltering homeless adults. So they spent more than $250,000 this summer to buy a building in Olathe.

Before the purchase, they had verbal and emailed assurances from city officials that the zoning was allowed and that the former Masonic Lodge at 725 W. Park St. could be used as an emergency shelter.

But shortly after that purchase closed, the city’s rules changed. Now, the McEvers are told a special-use permit for transitional housing is required, which means seeking neighborhood support. At a tense meeting Monday night, where emotions ran high and voices were raised, it was clear there’s significant neighborhood opposition. It could torpedo the whole project.