[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6558012,"mediaKeyId","3276909-8e2e52d9712e564af341bb8ef199f79b","parentId",3276909,"title","Shawnee County planners outline draft solar regulations; propose 240-acre cap, setbacks and decommissioning requirements","audioSeconds",1880,"startMs",1137000,"endMs",3017000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3276909-8e2e52d9712e564af341bb8ef199f79b&start=1137&end=3017","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3276909-8e2e52d9712e564af341bb8ef199f79b/thumbnail_1137000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558012/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Shawnee-County-planners-outline-draft-solar-regulations-propose-240-acre-cap-setbacks-and-decommissioning-requirements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558012-516eb415b793f2c55c9f527ea50652e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140698&Signature=KJvU18FySoRPikmVJnyuAwkhyL42Xyu-GyIsuWjJRhfp2-8-DFfPucsOu1JBDmWiqxwDkxbFVEKU7tjxq2GNT1OIE3zX503xEO8r3tsGyPm0A7zGzco7j9IMcbZlqiBAEvt7hgtV0pB~s2y1yI-Bx1h~NieD96XBY0MgvCbPcof~kmsdOGGheZU72o0isEI-HDiSzJ5Vpo~AIAu0imUHoaCOejgFXu3-MQzKg1CaoaPgRlWq-7PsbqD7bhfRqS--nVlqDQ-ZAC7TK8ZOOkWnOUA1e5tuY-KhtoJ8YVCKos28JcQPWMpVUEYoXT8-XOzXOaezIs5Swxp8a1~XrtxWkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shawnee County","date","2025-05-13T11:47:59Z","article","Planning staff presented a draft of solar energy conversion system (SECS) regulations and solicited input from the Shawnee County Planning Commission on key provisions including allowable zones, project size limits, setbacks, decommissioning and financial assurances.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Herrine Perez said personal solar installations intended for an owner’s on-site use would be allowed in any zoning district and permitted through building permits, but larger utility-scale or commercial SECS would be allowed only by conditional-use permit in RA, RR, I-1 and I-2 zones. Perez proposed prohibiting all SECS within mapped special flood hazard areas (including floodplain and floodway) based on guidance from a Division of Water Resources engineer who recommended avoiding floodplain siting to reduce permitting complexity and potential engineering requirements.

Among the draft standards Perez described: a proposed maximum project boundary of 240 acres, a rule that no project-area boundary be nearer than 2 miles to another project-area boundary (measured as straight-line distance), a 500-foot setback from any residence or accessory building on another property, a 150-foot setback from roads or unimproved road rights-of-way, and a minimum 50-foot setback from property lines (with greater setbacks required where residences or structures exist). Perez also proposed an initial review after the first year of operation and subsequent reviews every five years to confirm operation and to reassess decommissioning financial assurances.

Perez told commissioners the application package for a project should include a site plan, project narrative, total acreage, number of arrays and phasing, technology and mounting details (panel height and mounting), a drainage report, soil erosion controls, vegetation and landscaping plans, glare prevention, and a decommissioning and reclamation plan with financial assurance (bond or cash escrow). She said some items would be required and others recommended; the commission or staff could request additional materials case-by-case, including traffic analysis, construction management plans, plans for removal of damaged panels, FAA coordination if near airports, environmental assessments, soil and groundwater testing, emergency contact information and fire plans.

On enforcement, Perez said the applicant would be responsible for filing required operational reviews; if an applicant failed to comply, planning staff could issue violation notices and refer enforcement to the county counselor’s office, which could pursue court remedies or seek use of any financial surety to remediate sites. Perez advised that bond amounts should be based on the applicant’s cost estimates for reclamation, reviewed by county staff, and adjusted every five years for inflation.

Commissioners raised questions about whether the 240-acre limit should vary by zone (for example, larger limits in RA) and whether projects must be contiguous. They also asked about limiting projects near city limits or in urban growth areas, and suggested sending the draft to municipal planning departments, townships and fire districts for comment. Perez said she would refine sections on battery storage, electrical distribution and transmission-line details and would circulate a revised draft for further study; she also asked commissioners to send written comments to her directly.

The commission agreed to continue reviewing the draft in preparation for a longer discussion at the next meeting. Perez said the moratorium extension on SECS would be placed on the June 9 agenda and, if the commission acts, would be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners so any extension would occur before the moratorium’s expiration.

No formal regulatory changes were adopted at the meeting; staff and commissioners agreed to further edits and intergovernmental review prior to a public hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Shawnee County Kansas Planning Commission Meeting 2025/05/12","oneSentenceSummary","Shawnee County planning staff presented a draft of solar energy conversion system regulations to the Planning Commission, proposing a 240-acre project-size cap, spacing and setback requirements, mandatory decommissioning plans and financial assurance, and further review requirements for operating projects.","taxTitle","Shawnee County, Kansas","taxId",2886,"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},6558014,"Shawnee County planning commission approves rezoning for 1.85-acre industrial site; sends recommendation to BCC",355,736000,1091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3276909-8e2e52d9712e564af341bb8ef199f79b&start=736&end=1091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3276909-8e2e52d9712e564af341bb8ef199f79b/thumbnail_736000.jpg","/articles/6558014/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Shawnee-County-planning-commission-approves-rezoning-for-185-acre-industrial-site-sends-recommendation-to-BCC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558014-cb9edd7081eb35cb37fca064ff7beb23/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140698&Signature=FVYKUjYEKPxg82jVzep3juisSqOV0ZpxnS77-jnSFPx7cIip0htWxt-E4-MMvza2cE53R9WkEQEKKeuuFYAVCH4xOWbKwu~9EyUjJANj-urT-A5z36w7U3mdgS06q9vfsb3yxxonKJCnNQsBumuP5ohujo~okKLSa2xa0LY-WWiXQvoQdnPdvlWqc8kiNb0WpauCom2~GgA9OkSwtw20vPBDIpv-Pzu37ZW2i~uWYBUWXGuXgpmGPkssqetC0GfqaDfK-cEQ~9Vd7IfgqPNBlvnPfnPVlgrfaIzA82N7NrpIT-1bipytMZz3Bntf6G79zSmO96wKRHpJpn0vbxJUcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shawnee County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend rezoning 1.85 acres north of U.S. 24 in Silver Lake Township from RA-1 (rural agricultural) to I-1 (light industrial), subject to three conditions recommended by planning staff. The commission’s recommendation will proceed to the Board of County Commissioners on June 9.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Herrine Perez presented the staff report and recommended approval with conditions requiring submission of a Category 8 drainage report to Public Works for review and approval before development, approval and recording of a final plat prior to development, and either an entrance permit from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) or an ingress/egress easement with the parcel to the west if a permit is not available.

Joshua Balinski of SBB Engineering spoke on behalf of the applicant, saying the property owner to the west operates a window-and-door business and intends to develop the 1.85-acre parcel for additional manufacturing and storage space, with the possibility of storage units in the future. Balinski told the commission that the stormwater report and final plat were being prepared and that the team was pursuing the entrance permit from KDOT.

Commissioners asked whether storage units are allowed under I-1 zoning and were told that the uses being considered would be permitted under I-1 and that separate building permits would be required for specific structures. Commissioners also confirmed that site distances at the proposed entrance location have been reviewed and that KDOT advised the applicant to proceed with the permit application.

A motion to accept the staff recommendation and approve the rezoning, subject to the three conditions, was moved and seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous in favor, and the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners on June 9 for final action.

Votes at a glance:
A motion to recommend approval of Z-25-01 (Rodney Robinson Trust) to reclassify approximately 1.85 acres from RA-1 to I-1, subject to the three staff conditions listed above — moved: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: recommended for approval; tally: 6–0 (all aye).

The commission noted that the applicant will return to the commission again when the final plat is ready.","The Shawnee County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend rezoning 1.85 acres near U.S. 24 in Silver Lake Township from RA-1 (rural agricultural) to I-1 (light industrial), subject to three staff conditions. The item will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners on June 9.","actionData","errors"]

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Shawnee County planners outline draft solar regulations; propose 240-acre cap, setbacks and decommissioning requirements

Shawnee County planning commission approves rezoning for 1.85-acre industrial site; sends recommendation to BCC