[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6520130,"mediaKeyId","5334899-f03b60dedd88717ef135d89b2468d211","parentId",5334899,"title","Commission adopts tower setback rule and updates planning commission bylaws","audioSeconds",653,"startMs",7956000,"endMs",8609000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334899-f03b60dedd88717ef135d89b2468d211&start=7956&end=8609","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334899-f03b60dedd88717ef135d89b2468d211/thumbnail_7956000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520130/Linn-County/Kansas/Commission-adopts-tower-setback-rule-and-updates-planning-commission-bylaws","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520130-f1d46a1b85542976e796b38476813a70/orig.mp4?Expires=1774955253&Signature=ejGhdUPRVVJTirxrnUjgNFZlIflZaQQXMLXUc2S3FSV0lkLHhuxp-Z2bGAjOLf-L0mFXyMZLe9GR5Y0uffV0Umsl9v2Si6gK-qvlBlG6sOVoczbuhlU4SzKEFyOOjiTKgzFljCwLtWV5WQlTVHbVU8LV6Nf2vw-ftTodR7KcEjHs4DskQNCU5opJhrCTlvjJFfAsfK1wVkohtmBxhcmtMUIGcjrISpzy4Jq55nEVKn9eLAUnXPgx6rjLVE6iSuNpCksoaj86tC-RMZSXiNyxnhPMfSHKLrMF3NHY5dk0D4-mKfVmsi2RD0HLrmwl3GR174SaeiHGWtrIBZLOiW5t0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Linn County Kansas","date","2025-07-09T02:32:07Z","article","The Linn County Planning Commission approved amendments to the county zoning regulations that clarify how communication towers are handled on agricultural land and also revised internal planning commission bylaws governing membership, terms and meeting procedures.

Under the adopted regulatory amendment, any radio, cellular, television broadcasting or similar tower 100 feet in height or taller on agricultural land will require a conditional use permit and must be sited so that the nearest property line is at least 110 percent of the tower’s height away from the tower base (for example, a 200‑foot tower must be sited at least 220 feet from property lines). The change replaces a prior ambiguous threshold and specifies the setback standard the commission will apply when reviewing tower proposals in agricultural zones.

Commissioners also voted to amend the planning commission’s bylaws. Changes include setting the commission membership at nine members (three from each county commission district), instituting three‑year terms with a two‑term limit, permitting virtual attendance consistent with county policy, and requiring that agenda packets and accompanying staff reports for new business be made available to commissioners via the county file server or email at least three working days before a meeting. The bylaws revisions also included clarifications on quorum, meeting administration and an instruction that members who miss more than half of regular meetings in a calendar year may be recommended to the county commission for replacement.

Peoples Telecommunications representative Jennifer (last name on record) said public notice requirements for the CUP application associated with a proposed Peoples tower had been published and discussed in prior notices; she asked the commission to confirm procedural timelines. County counsel and staff confirmed state notice requirements for zoning amendments and said the amendment process met the legal notice standard (20‑day publication) and that an amendment can be advanced without the same 14‑day delay that applies to a CUP. Darren Wilson, speaking on procedural law, clarified notice and timing for zoning amendments.

A public commenter, Skye Ferris of Tanglewood, voiced opposition to taller towers generally and said neighbors were concerned about new tower permitting. The commission stated the amendment creates a predictable review process and clarified that towers shorter than 100 feet in agricultural zones remain a permitted use under the county code and would not need a conditional use permit.

The motion to adopt the regulatory amendment and the bylaw updates passed by voice vote. Staff said the amendment will be forwarded to the county commission for ratification as required by county ordinance and state statute.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Linn County Kansas Planning and Zoning Meeting 07.08.25","oneSentenceSummary","Linn County amended its zoning code to require conditional use permits for communication towers of 100 feet or taller on agricultural land and set a 110%‑of‑height setback from property lines, and also revised planning commission bylaws on membership, terms and meeting packet timing.","taxTitle","Linn County, Kansas","taxId",64338,"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},6520134,"Planning panel approves 1.87‑acre lot split; staff to confirm zoning records",4153,366000,4519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334899-f03b60dedd88717ef135d89b2468d211&start=366&end=4519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334899-f03b60dedd88717ef135d89b2468d211/thumbnail_366000.jpg","/articles/6520134/Linn-County/Kansas/Planning-panel-approves-187acre-lot-split-staff-to-confirm-zoning-records","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520134-c2db81598e85397e48186bb940ccc81d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774955253&Signature=HWptKAsRQzNemBy2HQBQF2-t6CFUbedA1uFELglAo8qNcLiBcDFxgSOeuM-VWu9ZWIjBF1~z0NjczjO0F5HS5JWQTKsKYei8iwP44LQA3eIEREqBfDvLPszQbKTnLMQweswzif6LZCGBxmH1aIFbLt0bXFPlAbdxXlt8B2AN54adjQidpDOEIvj7o5F50m2OsYQkufe8GKYTOOaNAb70oke1sjbUUOJgACboDqb-C4HGPgQYHFjG7OxL4QpXJ1DkKYYu1vyBJthJbUQbHGKjuhe5Zk46ffCiflKmdPokoqyIJyY7Pm52nfritlmkRIoAEeKMN7QgvM8hJS7UTWzt5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Linn County Planning Commission approved a lot split that would divide 1.87 acres from an existing roughly 9‑acre parcel, but the commission added a condition requiring staff to confirm that county zoning records match the applicant’s documentation before final signatures are printed.

During the hearing the applicant said he wanted to split 1.87 acres, leaving the remaining acreage intact, because he intends to sell part of the property. “I just wanna split the property,” the applicant said, adding that the split would include existing buildings and leave room for additional development on the remaining land.

Planning staff confirmed that the submittal was complete — survey, payment and application materials were on file — but that the county GIS online map shows the parcel as zoned countryside while paperwork in the office indicated a commercial or light‑industrial designation adopted in March 1993. Commissioner concern led to an amendment to the motion making approval contingent on staff confirming the correct zoning classification and updating records if needed.

The commission’s motion to approve the lot split as described, with the added contingency that staff verify and correct the zoning record if necessary, passed by voice vote. After the vote the chair asked staff to print and collect signature pages from the applicant following the required confirmations.

The item did not involve a zoning change; the applicant stated he did not plan to rezone the new parcel at the time of the split.

","Linn County planning staff and commissioners approved a lot split dividing 1.87 acres from a 9‑acre parcel. The approval was made contingent on confirmation that county zoning records reflect a prior rezoning; staff was directed to reconcile online GIS zoning records before final signatures are printed.",{"_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},6520139,"Linn County planning commission approves Mulberry Limestone quarry permit with conditions",6890,771000,7661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334899-f03b60dedd88717ef135d89b2468d211&start=771&end=7661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334899-f03b60dedd88717ef135d89b2468d211/thumbnail_771000.jpg","/articles/6520139/Linn-County/Kansas/Linn-County-planning-commission-approves-Mulberry-Limestone-quarry-permit-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520139-2155384ecbf9f5c5a355d97831bc31a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774955253&Signature=aJ-BBC~y7QOfeK8EhQ6K6sfjwMCbP~0fN-s1r95YqrKuCg0~dTtVk-dazl-lEnhnCD8MGSTBqcyZ7j01hXATpUkPsYGl2VF3yErQOOhm0bFXUTCmwcGq-j5WyXlkDTIVszzUFtSj~phoXEQhrCAb173vIq8aPEyO6dtIoyq9VtolkYsMVPiq77pm1rNCDIS9Gmflvqme1klf99LrUNvF6wlGEceNreCkNneHL6CFCnbvu20McmhBOS4ce7s1E6Q6-EKmUbMBXDChGJOBupmdL7AkYGZQ2UTnAHXvjjs~Eqdeh1k3sk-94MroAS6F82TR6RwdpeeE3fku0gu8RCiTbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Linn County Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) for Mulberry Limestone Inc. to operate a limestone quarry on the property commonly known as 22779 East 2400 Road in LaCene, Kansas, subject to conditions including confirmed ingress/egress on 2400 Road, a truck/road management plan with public works, pre‑blast surveys for nearby residents within 1,000 feet paid by the company, evergreen plantings on the west berm and a five‑year permit renewal requirement.

The decision followed a presentation from the applicant and technical experts about site suitability, blasting controls and environmental permitting, and more than an hour of public comment from nearby residents and local stakeholders about noise, dust, traffic and long‑term impacts.

Jake Wade, who said he owns the property where Mulberry Limestone is proposing the pit, described the proposal and mitigation steps. “Our goal is to do this the right way, safe way, compliant, and community minded,” Wade said, adding that the mapped mining area would be phased and that berms, setbacks and vegetation would be used to reduce visibility and noise.

The applicant presented technical detail about the rock ledge, the planned phasing (the proposal maps roughly 48 acres to be mined in phases), and operational controls. Matt Lassen, owner of Mulberry Limestone, said hours would be Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m., and described the plan to operate crushers and stockpiles primarily within a pit to reduce off‑site impacts. Dean Manuel of Austin Powder Company, the blasting contractor, outlined blasting design and monitoring and said the company would deploy third‑party seismographs for every shot. “We seismograph every shot no matter what. We want that database of history,” Manuel said.

Triad Environmental Services engineer Dennis Meyer summarized regulatory steps and permitting that will be required beyond the county CUP, including state mining permits, stormwater management, threatened and endangered species surveys, archeological review and federal water/wetland coordination where applicable. Meyer said much of the downstream water management would be concentrated in the proposed pit and discharge to constructed ponds.

Residents who live near the proposed pit raised objections during the public‑comment period. Stephanie Walker, whose property is near the northwest corner shown in the applicant’s map, said many neighbors opposed the proposal: “None of us are wanting it. None of the landowners in the area are in favor,” Walker said. Zach Walker, who lives northeast of the proposed site, said he was concerned about noise from crushing and blasting, dust and wear on local roads. YouthFront executive vice president Topher Fillgreen asked the commission to consider heavy truck traffic on 2400 Road because his organization runs frequent bus and van traffic for camps on adjoining property.

Commissioners and staff discussed conditions to address those concerns. The approved conditions, added to staff recommendations, require the applicant to coordinate a road management plan with the county public‑works director, make permits and required state/federal approvals available to the Linn County planning office, maintain operating hours of 7 a.m.–5 p.m. with heavy‑equipment restrictions, provide pre‑blast surveys at the company’s expense to residents within 1,000 feet who request them, plant evergreens on the west side of the berms along the highway corridor, limit on‑site storage of explosives (no storage on property), and return for a CUP renewal review in five years to allow the county to verify compliance and address issues.

The commission made the motion to approve with the listed conditions and it passed unanimously. The chair instructed staff to keep copies of required state and federal permits on file and asked the applicant to provide signature pages after the meeting.

The company and its consultants repeatedly emphasized that blasting, hauling and crushing are regulated by state and federal agencies and that the operation would follow those regulations and monitoring best practices. Commissioners noted the project history — the proposal had been reviewed previously and was the subject of prior administrative and legal steps — and framed the county permit as one step in a broader regulatory process.

The CUP approval does not relieve the applicant of other required permits: a state mining permit, air and stormwater permits, any required Corps of Engineers or state water/wetland approvals, and other state inspections and registrations. The planning office and the applicant will follow up on documentation and the road management plan before substantial operations begin.

","The Linn County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Mulberry Limestone to develop a limestone quarry at 22779 East 2400 Road, adding conditions on setbacks, road coordination, pre‑blast surveys and a five‑year renewal requirement after public comment and technical presentations on blasting, noise and environmental controls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission adopts tower setback rule and updates planning commission bylaws

Planning panel approves 1.87‑acre lot split; staff to confirm zoning records

Linn County planning commission approves Mulberry Limestone quarry permit with conditions