[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6576487,"mediaKeyId","3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb","parentId",3091628,"title","Planning board approves preliminary plat that would split 5-acre High Point parcel into five 1-acre lots despite strong neighborhood opposition","audioSeconds",4556,"startMs",2941000,"endMs",7497000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb&start=2941&end=7497","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb/thumbnail_2941000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576487/Valley-Center/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Planning-board-approves-preliminary-plat-that-would-split-5-acre-High-Point-parcel-into-five-1-acre-lots-despite-strong-neighborhood-opposition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576487-aaa582b947b9fcb7f65065a0f5f167d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406231&Signature=Fod4hMVAA416VOrGHeb7WKgL9s5BS-GVlXqv7xSL93PY94AR6IOokgUxJLBk9ES4ym3Q-Wpl7DF~AFWnCYjqAA3re19qIbp62qwgQ14WAK8t8MQmtrW3Sfc74vK39txme-4BSWGOsXsRO8hf23XKNYy~e~7jGXHPG-YlR84OCIJCWTfhS06q4luctBgP0nFGdJAvg~OyviryGOB8xuAlKPy7kYLLarxORBsP5VXH5Bi1Lw225pZQdkyLX~t219L~27F6v2SIvPfFyUxh4pfpOFNqGA01aO3-koPwJIky6irAMCUbR1MQXk~H83za0j7MmGLNeNRk18CZuXIwRD5QCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Valley Center, KS","date","2025-04-23T02:56:04.23Z","article","The Planning and Zoning Board approved a preliminary plat (SD2025-02) Thursday that would divide a 5-acre, city-annexed parcel in the High Point neighborhood into five roughly 1-acre lots.

City planning staff and the applicant’s agent, Kirk Miller of KE Miller Engineering, said the proposed plat meets Valley Center’s subdivision regulations and the rural-residential zoning that governs the area; no zoning change was requested. “We’re not asking for anything outside of that,” Miller said, noting the plat follows the city’s lot-size and setback rules.

The proposal drew broad opposition from residents who said the area’s character — large lots adjacent to the community’s grass runway — and its infrastructure cannot sustain additional houses. More than a dozen neighbors spoke at the public hearing. Their recurring concerns included narrow roads used by school buses, limited sight lines at a sharp curve, the condition and thin surface of chip-and-oil streets, potential impacts on private wells and septic systems, wildlife and the loss of open space.

“Putting 5 houses on this plat is going to completely change the entire characteristic of our neighborhood,” resident John Farrington said. Other speakers urged the board to limit development to two or three homes rather than dividing the parcel into five lots. Several speakers also said the tract had been treated as private open space or a de facto park by neighbors, though the property is privately owned.

City staff acknowledged the community concerns but told the board the preliminary plat complies with the city’s subdivision standards. Staff noted covenants filed in the 1960s and later amendments but said the city does not enforce covenants or homeowners associations; the covenants would be enforced by private parties if they choose to do so. Staff also said some adjacent lots have similar or smaller acreage and that the plat’s lot dimensions meet minimum requirements.

During discussion staff and the city administrator explained that the right-of-way for High Point and East Point is already recorded — the city’s existing right-of-way is 60 to 70 feet, while pavement is roughly 22–25 feet wide with ditches rather than curbs; the city typically maintains these roads under its maintenance program. Staff said sight-line issues caused by overhanging trees on private property could be addressed through code-enforcement measures to preserve required vision triangles.

The board voted to approve the preliminary plat after discussion. Members and staff noted that preliminary approval does not finalize subdivision — the plat must return for final-plat review, and any conditions, lot-split requests, driveway placements, sight-line remedies and construction plans will be examined in subsequent steps. The board did not place additional conditions limiting the number of lots; several residents asked that city staff and the applicant work with the neighborhood before final-plat submittal.

The preliminary-plat approval means the applicant may continue to work toward a final plat and building permits; neighbors may raise issues again during the final-plat review and permit process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning & Zoning Board Meeting 04.22.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning and Zoning Board approved a preliminary plat to divide a five-acre parcel in High Point into five roughly 1-acre lots despite extensive public opposition over roads, wells, septic and neighborhood character.","taxTitle","Valley Center, Sedgwick County, Kansas","taxId",61696,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576482,"Board approves 31,000-square-foot additions to Valley Center High School site plan",207,4552000,4759000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb&start=4552&end=4759","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb/thumbnail_4552000.jpg","/articles/6576482/Valley-Center/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Board-approves-31000-square-foot-additions-to-Valley-Center-High-School-site-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576482-3201dd9cef9d38383fde02c0d0d03af3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406231&Signature=Rqg94ZaeA6sVA67gWb-DEi52XZVYYnq5CLjCpX4~M8PpEYIG9Gny8l7FxBn75QHHEBRuClctQx2ccbl~2Zc5cqQ94QWA8bqBFkzYxM~yEy-9iqAwo4sJd9UWFFWYnsQgmgDHQAzmg7UfbogihjEGfcyIx1YNKah10LUEkzjXzveqWDz4IFMjxHGhjq4dCjCKU~M2rIX5iH7GJnWx~eijoyjeQ1Mqmjpm6Qnv-moMhDTlx-VJEs0Ximg9mjKuMP76qwmZEBQso4863eJcpDHIPVLTjWfxsAafJ1dzEQP7NaTKvR1PTuLZfZZ1NTN-lgNzMS-M-ObbCXqxony0xJ7RsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Zoning Board approved the site plan (SP2025-05) for approximately 31,000 square feet of new space at Valley Center High School, including a north-end two-story classroom wing, a northeast career and technical education addition and a south-site supplemental learning center.

City staff reviewed the proposal submitted by Alloy Architecture on behalf of the Valley Center School District and found that the additions trigger site-plan review but do not require changes to existing drives or circulation. Staff said the district will provide temporary parking during construction and that once work is complete the campus will exceed required parking counts.

Staff also said the existing landscape berm that separates the campus from residential lots on the south side will not be disturbed, so the city did not require additional landscaping. There were two inquiries from nearby property owners; neither was recorded as formal opposition.

After a brief public hearing with no speakers, the board voted to approve the site plan. Final permitting and building inspections will proceed through standard school construction permitting processes.","The Planning and Zoning Board approved the school district’s site plan Thursday to add roughly 31,000 square feet to the Valley Center High School campus, finding parking and access adequate and preserving an existing landscape berm adjacent to nearby homes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576492,"City seeks to rezone a commercial parcel near new rec center to multifamily; board approves without opposition",297,2637000,2934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb&start=2637&end=2934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb/thumbnail_2637000.jpg","/articles/6576492/Valley-Center/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/City-seeks-to-rezone-a-commercial-parcel-near-new-rec-center-to-multifamily-board-approves-without-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576492-1a7a78776bd3bc63d54d96f7624cb67c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406231&Signature=odt6E4JmETcI3nDMjv9AwpQySXox9tmINVl7y9bWWKVSGAvJhj7DPouePTA4cvVOF9nWp~DKRzyXyodugoVMNVjB8IckaQkplp-6GWFDsRw6Ie04mbWIsmeyBCl919Rb~GIwHhDBYpRxJaYly9yDDqN5meLux6wF78nsYZemqMBpwbq8kbwgXavVBv6Xe-M6264ctPFxIXkV1RmYrIG8PHrRkWDfIADiP0FJlqns2Rs32PTuY9DV2MJppFG4YSFDridoQmHy64qjTF2cVw~zxbuc7yc9SbAAcuwXBPkHDJHrL23VtDEC5fQ7quSEW8bAICO06O7NYx0wHt1zUFCuQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Valley Center officials asked the Planning and Zoning Board to rezone a city-owned parcel northeast of the planned recreation center — at the future intersection of Emporia and Northwind Drive — from C2 (general business) to R3 (multifamily residential). The board approved the request during Thursday’s meeting.

City planning staff said the tract was platted with C2 zoning when the rec center and adjacent parcels were laid out, but the city now prefers residential zoning for the parcel because it is surrounded primarily by housing. The staff presentation emphasized the city intends to locate “some sort of housing” on the site but said no specific development plan has been finalized.

Staff published notice in the Arc Valley News and mailed surrounding property owners; no comments or objections were received before or during the meeting. After a brief staff presentation and no public testimony, the board opened and then closed the public hearing and voted to approve RZ2025-04. The approval moves the parcel toward residential uses; any specific development will require project-level site-plan or other approvals as applicable.","Valley Center asked to rezone a city-owned parcel from C2 (general business) to R3 (multifamily) near the future recreation center; staff recommended approval, there were no public comments, and the board approved the rezone.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576497,"Valley Center board approves rezoning of 328 N. Birch to allow one duplex; neighbors warned of parking, traffic concerns",1529,1066000,2595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb&start=1066&end=2595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb/thumbnail_1066000.jpg","/articles/6576497/Valley-Center/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Valley-Center-board-approves-rezoning-of-328-N-Birch-to-allow-one-duplex-neighbors-warned-of-parking-traffic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576497-d1e971b33a6c159d250b5d1ead830de9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406231&Signature=UBUBRdd00wAt-tM4vsQHWB169mZkB5NnispusQw33RQQ8L2UK1aCwk6D8PbRWSDwwv7sk0fgpu-xZlGFfLc0b3g9eMet2j5vnstgCRJM~FHRcQBuzl47PGF2gU-ZiQkj5X2l177C7zS77qJrH3xGbtp6Q6mJqicOcpBEdDiG8H2d-kIOb61Pnhf4r82HTTx3eMjFzvktoPgn3K8Mnr~L2syqWsMi59PMPY7rl7N6EvRzHrD5-mSL1ohRLHNKYtBTqDbwmaqjst8xzSjN8JLj1u9gqdqH0WzkXOKivQF-L564LKDNnJBq7nSY5QlVqKhO2uubdcEbsAWOmNR~7Gm9DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Zoning Board voted to approve a rezoning request for 328 North Birch (RZ2025-02) that changes the parcel from R1B (single-family) to R2 (two-family), a step that would allow the property owner to construct a duplex on the lot if subsequent permits and any required lot split are approved.

The applicant’s agent, Matthew Tucker, told the board the move from R1B to R2 is narrower than the earlier R3 proposal that the city council denied; R2 permits only two dwelling units versus the multiunit possibilities under R3. Tucker said the lot is unusually wide (about 50 feet of frontage on a lot he described as “excessively wide” for the street) and that demolition of the existing structure and construction of duplexes would require off-street parking and site-plan review, which he said would reduce on-street parking and improve safety.

Several neighbors opposed the rezoning during the public hearing. Kit Noah (329 North Birch) said the previous residence had frequent street parking that made driveway access difficult and said the neighborhood preferred single-family houses. “The neighborhood's preference is that these be homes, single family homes, and that you deny the R2,” Noah said. Other residents echoed concerns about congestion and the neighborhood character; the city council had previously denied a rezoning to R3 over similar concerns.

City staff recommended approval, noting the lot’s width and that R2 preserves R1B setback standards (so front-yard character would be similar). Staff clarified that approval of R2 alone would not immediately create multiple lots or four units; a subsequent lot-split would be required to create additional buildable parcels and would itself require additional public hearings.

After board discussion and public comment, members voted by show of hands; the chair counted four in favor and none opposed. The board approved RZ2025-02 and the item will proceed through the city’s permitting and platting processes if the applicant pursues lot splitting and building permits.","The Planning and Zoning Board approved a rezoning from R1B to R2 at 328 North Birch that would allow one duplex on the lot; neighbors spoke in force against denser housing citing parking and congestion, and the item follows a previous city council denial of an R3 request.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576502,"Valley Center area board backs conditional use for accessory apartment at 8912 Ross Avenue",804,246000,1050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb&start=246&end=1050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091628-b33f58c6d65af25075065be407a29ffb/thumbnail_246000.jpg","/articles/6576502/Valley-Center/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Valley-Center-area-board-backs-conditional-use-for-accessory-apartment-at-8912-Ross-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576502-bffc45693d3d040cd729dcde9563ea96/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406231&Signature=HWiTESmuhJhkCZU3WXHjbC0MIJNODlsErKuzUImNZIuzjEYM-RO6QsWdGHxvmEHioO5JpDVkKMGec0a8urfdle9XznIIeCFCRHA9~nzCa02-QyY31~hCS1NGeP3PYzOdy5DOJG8u1B3HedQmrLfwAJG3N~OrmazfBtD4YA4hzyOBpA2YTKLVJGpBJ9rVvvinIVsV7mhK5ldJN60vNHwEGSZYjry2vf-XheuEUg~70xlAn5-kNMU-SjJ9aRdpD~UbzHNAwYQCleyhttra0NIULhBG1L5UuI08amoa9sm2~ZID03QaDK-quhKFzAJQHHL6JiCPXMnZfVCtRX3QvYHo4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Zoning Appeals recommended approval Thursday of a conditional-use permit (MAPC CON2025-00057) that would allow a single accessory apartment on a rural residential lot at 8912 Ross Avenue.

Metropolitan Area Planning Department staff said the property is 1.12 acres in a Sedgwick County rural residential (RR) zone and that county code allows only single-family dwelling ordinarily; an accessory apartment requires the conditional-use process. “This is essentially somebody…to be a mother-in-law suite,” staff planner Philip Ziebenbergen said, describing multigenerational living as the applicant’s intent.

Planning staff recommended approval with five conditions: the accessory apartment must remain under the same ownership as 8912 Ross Avenue; development must follow the approved site plan; the accessory structure’s appearance must be compatible with the primary dwelling and neighborhood; the applicant must obtain all required permits (building, health, fire, zoning); and the zoning administrator may revoke the conditional use if conditions are violated.

Ziebenbergen told the board the proposed dwelling would be sited in the rear of the lot, “30 feet from the north property line and east property line and about 70 feet from the west property line,” and that the accessory unit must use the same water and sewer system as the primary dwelling (existing rural water or the lot’s well and septic).

Property owner and applicant Michael Rossback spoke in support, saying the unit is intended for aging in-laws. No members of the public came forward in opposition at the meeting; staff had forwarded one written opposition that had been received earlier in the week.

After brief board discussion — including a question about future road access and county public works permitting — a board member moved to approve the conditional use consistent with staff recommendations and the motion passed by voice vote (ayes; no opposed recorded). The item will be forwarded with the board’s recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners and to the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission as part of the permitting record.

The conditional-use approval allows one additional dwelling unit on the lot. If approved through subsequent county reviews and building-permit approvals, the accessory apartment must remain accessory (same owner and same utility system) and be built per the approved site plan; the county’s zoning administrator may revoke the permit if conditions are not met.","The Planning and Zoning Board/Board of Zoning Appeals recommended approval of a conditional-use request that would allow one accessory apartment on a 1.12-acre rural residential lot at 8912 Ross Avenue; staff recommended five conditions and one written opposition was received.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning board approves preliminary plat that would split 5-acre High Point parcel into five 1-acre lots despite strong neighborhood opposition

Board approves 31,000-square-foot additions to Valley Center High School site plan

City seeks to rezone a commercial parcel near new rec center to multifamily; board approves without opposition

Valley Center board approves rezoning of 328 N. Birch to allow one duplex; neighbors warned of parking, traffic concerns

Valley Center area board backs conditional use for accessory apartment at 8912 Ross Avenue