[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6428702,"mediaKeyId","5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b","parentId",5882717,"title","Commission holds work session on zoning regulation changes; commissioners ask for more time and specific edits","audioSeconds",2330,"startMs",1376000,"endMs",3706000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b&start=1376&end=3706","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b/thumbnail_1376000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6428702/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Commission-holds-work-session-on-zoning-regulation-changes-commissioners-ask-for-more-time-and-specific-edits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428702-5c717455489a88eb6bcaec9911125e87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193560&Signature=OxgKAQzifh5Piv5Qy~WNJuUcem5kChW1upy6wH6RwqiYLpxy8ycbn-Ay0lTJPiKHI1yeVPNoGd3iruHob0v9OkapHv~EBiPQaCnLmZ-3CohwX2JfjOMzpO3Nj20YFTyVGkEcJ~LIL6bxUe4xtIIDB4tIU-ViyUL7~TOGIqzEGqpFj-IBDH49CIS1B2VjrmSgXDcYfIiI~4I597AByxp1X~qqExoQrYyOBrp5WsFQD-hjuyxZxvCukdcQ9t-OOIx1IMKX9KTTvCYcdbORTjPM2leUymDOJb8QLItqj1KiN6B7S6JflT6GTWAguhsvEXNO6UdViU3g-qCAL3YbUQAswQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth County, KS","date","2025-10-01T23:06:25Z","article","Leavenworth County planning staff presented a broad set of proposed zoning-code amendments during a work session that would revise or clarify multiple sections of the county’s zoning and subdivision regulations. Commissioners and staff discussed roughly 15 discrete changes; no ordinance or final action was taken and staff was directed to return with revisions and additional information.

Staff said the package includes: a definition of “garage sale” to prevent flea-market‑style activity where not intended; insertion of plan and zoning-district language adopted in 2019 that never made it into the regulations (a housekeeping item); new parameters limiting where the R-1 residential district may be recommended when reliant on septic systems (staff proposed a 1,500‑foot buffer from city limit lines to concentrate higher densities near cities where sewer utilities are expected); clarifications on whether small ponds and embankments should require building permits; measurement of lot frontage on cul‑de‑sacs and curved streets (allowing minimum road frontage to be measured at the building setback line for pie-shaped lots); and subdivision-regulation housekeeping (repeal of obsolete lot-depth language and easement clarifications).

Staff also discussed special-use permits (SUPs). After earlier Board direction, text now clarifies that SUPs do not automatically transfer to new owners. Commissioners debated options: some said the SUP should transfer automatically to a buyer if the use remains substantially the same, while others preferred retaining the board’s 2024 decision that SUP rights do not transfer on conveyance. Staff proposed an administrative notice-of-transfer process and the board asked staff to return with language making a transfer-of-rights an administrative process when the proposed use remains the same; substantial changes would require reapplication and a hearing.

The draft also includes language allowing the commission to require licensed professional security staff for certain events or SUPs when law enforcement presence would otherwise be required. County counselor Misty Brown said adding the language to the regulations gives notice to applicants that security may be required and leaves room for a later policy to define specifics.

Other items discussed included a proposal to remove the family homestead exemption procedure because staff finds it difficult to track and enforce; and a proposed “lot‑tie” agreement process to allow owners to legally tie two adjacent platted lots together (filed with the register of deeds) so an accessory building may be placed on one lot while the primary structure remains on the other, avoiding a formal replat in many cases.

Several commissioners asked for more time to review the redlines and recommended adjusting front-setback language that now measures setbacks in some places as 105 feet from the centerline of the road. Commissioners asked staff to explore setting setbacks by road classification and measuring from the back of right-of-way rather than a fixed centerline distance. At least one commissioner said he preferred the board have more time to study the package; staff agreed to bring edited language back to the commission before any formal adoption or a public hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Meeting for October 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County planning staff presented a package of zoning-text amendments covering multiple topics, including R-1 density near cities, special-use-permit transfer rules, garage-sale definitions and subdivision housekeeping; commissioners asked for more review time and targeted edits.","taxTitle","Leavenworth County, Kansas","taxId",53898,"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},6428705,"City of Leavenworth explores taking over county transfer station; commissioners ask for more details",653,699000,1352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b&start=699&end=1352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b/thumbnail_699000.jpg","/articles/6428705/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/City-of-Leavenworth-explores-taking-over-county-transfer-station-commissioners-ask-for-more-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428705-d63741c207750d39af197bc487b8856f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193560&Signature=EhMFi7soZSH7-NTkKWlrCFJHaT7cGPcZJj7lOBu8g8tH2aXl~kxlVsJHYqbOHFKFJdKUAxyZuZU~rfv56640vx8E0yYMMPg3TohsmUrc-Hfg9utvjXH9hzbdG-m-Nh0NdG9ubPOP1LdIlpaye-Prvg0yg-0qZ8sA39N3ddEet9Gf14TN1mtO19bUZJGMffpm5SzUvQXqhy3veGK0DeEfY6rH08A7xW8j9hUUzoBCKoRwXOLvJ1z0MVHP~eGk8lKan-iRHfGhcWx2u21iLePGjtz13XQZsD95NMuL3ta3YD726eGKExNTgWpwAcHG1gR~LCcp6Xt5MediyDP0-Jvuhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Leavenworth officials proposed further conversations with Leavenworth County about the future of the county transfer station, telling commissioners the city is considering options that could include taking over station operations or building a consolidation station for the city’s residential waste.

Scott Peterson, Leavenworth city manager, told the board the city owns nearby property on Gilman and is looking at a short-term plan (2026) that would maintain current service levels while buying additional equipment. Peterson said the city’s near-term plan would not open a facility to the public; it would consolidate city residential waste for transfer to the Shawnee landfill or other facilities. He said the city might build a consolidation station on the Gilman property in 2027–28 and that long-term landfill closures make a local transfer capability worth planning for.

County Administrator Mark Laffrey framed the item as an early, exploratory conversation. He told commissioners the county wanted to “explore all options” before the city proceeded because once the city begins construction “there’s really no going back.” Laffrey said the county does not currently subsidize city use of the transfer station and emphasized that any change should not reduce county service levels.

Commissioners voiced a range of concerns. Commissioner Mike Smith and Commissioner Jess Culberson described historical problems with nearby landfill and transfer site operations and said they needed more information before supporting a transfer of operations. Commissioner Mike Stevens and others said the county should seek concrete benefits for county residents before agreeing to any transfer. Several commissioners stressed staff should explore specifics about service level protections, staffing (the city indicated it would likely retain current transfer-station employees), and financial and operational impacts before returning with recommendations.

Scott Peterson said the city would be willing to take on existing transfer-station employees. Tammy, the station’s current director, attended and was identified by staff as part of further discussions.

The board directed staff to continue conversations with the city and report back; there was no formal action to transfer operations or change rates during the meeting.","City manager Scott Peterson told county commissioners the city is considering operating a consolidation/transfer station for municipal residential waste; commissioners expressed mixed support and asked staff to continue discussions before any decision.",{"_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},6428708,"Leavenworth County approves four-year Motorola radio contract, medical director agreement and repeals prior legal-services resolution",243,193000,436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b&start=193&end=436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b/thumbnail_193000.jpg","/articles/6428708/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Leavenworth-County-approves-four-year-Motorola-radio-contract-medical-director-agreement-and-repeals-prior-legal-services-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428708-b944603b9386fd85db48cd08fecb3d48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193560&Signature=PBkDHOBRno7uLFcPoV7XSlYDOxgi4YR0F3yZNrcKDozQ4xmCjY5aRmLYXinzKFnSzmkw00c9WYL5Kv9BVNJGR8CH--pAGuqZCF39NAZ8LwZyHnBfmcpKl1apMrWlPXK-M88-6le4EP1Y13GSYKf7wQgZKPUjNze9lqGSBkdjjYzVbFTaVI2Ekqpq8G3urEHrLbkSrT6od~O6VVyd9WU1t1l7rwhOno9nA3xXd7r~iaAhTKfFa287~cxlrqGA5cpsA4KuAJrV5BgrOInOcW92l92C7pc2JkfjKaePdmJpbSk1Nsr~-3aMmexud-PE~Gm0EtR0WEJHsomXW2rPkk2CtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County commissioners approved three formal items during their meeting: a four-year service agreement with Motorola Solutions for the county emergency radio system, authorization for the chair to execute a medical director agreement covering the county Health and EMS departments, and Resolution 2025-32, which repeals Resolution 2018-1 pertaining to legal services.

The Motorola agreement covers the county’s radio system that connects the sheriff’s office, county dispatch and fire/EMS responders across seven towers. County staff told commissioners the contract is for a four-year period and begins with an initial payment already budgeted in the current year. During discussion Commissioner Jess Culberson asked, “Only game in town?” A county staff member answered, “Yes, sir,” indicating Motorola was the sole viable vendor for the service. County staff gave this year’s payment amount as $487,204.83 and told the commission the contract includes modest increases in subsequent years. The commission voted to approve the four-year agreement (vote: yes 4, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1). The motion to approve was moved and seconded on the record; the board chair recorded the ayes in roll call.

Commissioners also authorized the chair to execute a medical director agreement for the Health Department and EMS. Dr. Bullock, the candidate introduced at the meeting, described her local experience and said she worked at local hospitals and with Leavenworth EMS. Commissioners asked whether she would enforce the county’s parental notification policy and oversee township medical directorships; Dr. Bullock confirmed she would and agreed to provide quarterly reports. The motion to authorize the chair to execute the medical director agreement carried on a recorded roll call (vote: yes 5, no 0, abstain 0).

Separately, the commission approved Resolution 2025-32, which repeals Resolution 2018-1. County staff explained the 2018 resolution placed specific limits on services an attorney who also worked in IT could perform; the staff member said those restrictions no longer matched current practice because that employee will return under the county counselor’s umbrella and perform a broader range of legal tasks. The motion to repeal carried (vote: yes 4, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1).

No additional budget approvals or new funding allocations were passed as part of these items during the meeting. Each motion was recorded on the meeting minutes and roll call was used to register votes.

The commission also held separate discussion items (transfer station, zoning text amendments, efficiency committee) that did not produce these formal outcomes and will be covered in separate reports.","The Leavenworth County Commission approved a four-year service agreement with Motorola Solutions for emergency radio services, authorized the chair to execute a medical director agreement for Health and EMS, and adopted Resolution 2025-32 repealing a 2018 resolution on legal-services limits.",{"_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},6428701,"Commission asks administrator to propose options for government-efficiency committee",837,3727000,4564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b&start=3727&end=4564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5882717-d4e826f88d3bdd61948452423fedb48b/thumbnail_3727000.jpg","/articles/6428701/Leavenworth-County/Kansas/Commission-asks-administrator-to-propose-options-for-government-efficiency-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428701-86c8044ac610094c1a8afc5f4e61a25a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193560&Signature=iDCM8KOutEQ6XYHbGEHkHazfp1FjnP8oSbbjXCsuUbf545ZS4NSnq9qPvLB0-NDOImOA6YYs3U3P01P7Sq62r32Ji8L8FQsxLjscye~3BgTiUqLBOZ0yFn47~bA7qq3GsTDLorXyIW03QBRvHhPVfBuIVG80BtU6e3A7zCdQHUYydw0XOF8M-qUJy0DAiuiNAvZQUCX9PAbd4qmvAITrCDu4CDPWgQ5E7PZ-dqV2RcrJSLt2b76ETKSH7ebFZMNavBA2fSHgE49QOT3NjneL4iLr3ThDNqQ4jlSDbntCqcmD~YwSvoVI-Ka8sy6J0ei8CBwj-utw8ZTGQlbkc8SoCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth County commissioners asked the county administrator to return with two or three options for establishing a government-efficiency committee to review county operations and the budget for redundancies, software integration and potential savings.

The motion, made by Commissioner Mike Smith and seconded on the record, directed the county administrator to present possible committee structures, membership sizes and meeting frequencies. Commissioners debated whether a citizen advisory panel of outside residents would add transparency or whether the elected commissioners and staff should simply build more time into the budget review process. Commissioner Vanessa Reed (referred in the meeting as Nessa Reed in roll-call language) supported a citizen-inclusion model to improve public trust; Commissioner Jeff (Willie Dove/Chair references) and other members said staff and commissioners could extend the timeline and provide more department‑level review instead of appointing an unelected committee immediately.

Commissioner Mike Smith moved that the county administrator provide options for establishing a government efficiency committee; Commissioner Mike Stevens seconded. By roll call the motion carried (ayes recorded). The county administrator indicated staff would return with options for the commission to consider.

The commissioners also discussed starting budget review earlier in the calendar to allow more department-level review prior to final adoption; several commissioners asked staff to give the board at least 30 more days for review in the next cycle.","Commissioners voted to ask the county administrator to present two or three options for a government-efficiency committee to review county operations and budget items; commissioners debated scope and preferred earlier budget review timelines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission holds work session on zoning regulation changes; commissioners ask for more time and specific edits

City of Leavenworth explores taking over county transfer station; commissioners ask for more details

Leavenworth County approves four-year Motorola radio contract, medical director agreement and repeals prior legal-services resolution

Commission asks administrator to propose options for government-efficiency committee