Johnson County commissioners on May 1 unanimously approved a package of development actions for the Metcalf 211 area, including a revised preliminary development plan for Metcalf 211 Phase 3, a final plat for Metcalf 211 Sixth Plat and a final development plan and conditional use permit for a medical waste processing facility at 7400 West 200th Street.

The approvals came by recorded roll-call votes of 7-0. Commissioner Linda Brewer moved to adopt resolution 040-25 for the revised preliminary plan and later moved adoption of resolution 041-25 to approve the final development plan and conditional use permit for the medical waste processor; both motions were seconded and approved without dissent.

The medical waste operator, Medical Waste Services, represented by Justin Methvin, described the company’s process and defended safety measures. Methvin said the company treats non-placarded medical waste — “just like you would see in a red bag inside a doctor's office or a dentist office or a hospital” — with an autoclave that uses pressurized steam to sterilize material before it is compacted and taken to a landfill. He told commissioners the facility will use a holding tank for wastewater from the autoclave rather than discharging to sewer, and that processed waste will go to a compactor and not be returned to the same collection truck.

Michelle Leininger, county planning staff, told the commission the site is zoned PEC-3 and that the East Consolidated Zoning Board recommended approval unanimously. Leininger said updated traffic memos submitted with the applications conclude the development would add a minimal traffic increase, and that “initially, 1 to 2 trucks entering and exiting the site each day, and it's expected to increase from about 10 to 20, over time with the growth of the business.”

Residents raised multiple concerns during the public-comment periods. Ben Hobert asked where Medical Waste Services’ current facilities are located and whether trucks would route past youth soccer fields on Metcalf, and urged shorter permit terms and closer review. Charlotte O'Hara questioned whether a medical waste facility should locate on a parcel served by holding tanks or septic systems and expressed odor and traffic concerns.

Planning staff and the applicant said several stipulations were included in the approval to reduce impacts, including requirements for trash enclosures and limits on outdoor storage. Leininger and commissioners also noted that state oversight is required: the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regulates medical waste processing and a state permit must be obtained before the facility may operate; the applicant confirmed a KDHE permit application had not yet been filed.

Commissioners and staff said the approvals reflect long-standing industrial zoning for the site and follow the process of review by planning staff, roads/public-works, and the zoning board. The commission’s motions and roll-call votes were entered on the record; the board’s approvals are subject to the stipulations noted in the staff briefing sheets and any state permitting required by KDHE.

The items considered together covered land-use approvals (preliminary and final plats), development stipulations for outdoor storage and trash enclosures, and the conditional use permit for the medical waste processing operation. Where questions about traffic routing, septic versus sewer service, odor control and regulatory oversight were raised, staff, the applicant and the zoning board provided the information on the record but noted some requirements — specifically the state permit to operate — remain pending.

Plans approved by the commission are in the county record and will proceed to implementation subject to the stated stipulations and any required state approvals.