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Planning and zoning report: steady permit numbers, rise in accessory buildings and two vacancies on building-codes appeals board
Summary
Planning reported 64 single-family permits through Q3, 151 accessory-building permits, and a decrease in rezone requests; the building codes appeals board has two vacant seats and staff asked for help recruiting construction-skilled volunteers.
Leavenworth County planning staff reported that single-family building-permit activity held steady through the third quarter while accessory‑building permits rose substantially; staff also said two seats remain vacant on the Building Codes Appeals Board.
John, planning director, said the department processed 64 single-family permits through Sept. 1, a level he described as holding steady compared with the last 18 months. Staff processed 14 accessory-dwelling-unit permits and 151 accessory-building permits (barns, sheds and similar structures), a substantial increase. Development cases numbered 116 through the quarter, with 24 plats recorded.
John told commissioners special-use permits have fallen since 2024 regulation changes; development activity is continuing but some applicants are drawing from a pool of previously platted lots rather than seeking new plats. He said comprehensive-plan updates are expected in 2026 with potential focus areas including sub‑planning areas and higher densities around cities.
Commissioner Mike asked about the Building Codes Appeals Board vacancies; John said two positions have been open for about 10 months and staff is seeking applicants with construction, inspection or fire-protection backgrounds. John said such experts (contractors, fire chiefs, inspectors) are preferred because of the board’s technical review role and that the board meets roughly three to four times a year on an as‑needed basis.
Why it matters: Stable housing permit activity and increased accessory structures affect infrastructure planning and code enforcement; vacancies reduce the pool of technical experts available for appeals and code-variance deliberations.
Next steps: Planning staff will continue recruitment for the appeals-board openings, prepare updated code and text amendments for commissioner review, and advance comprehensive plan tasks into 2026.
