The Neighborhood and Community Development Standing Committee voted 4-0 Aug. 4 to approve targeted revisions to the Unified Government’s Land Bank policy and took a series of actions on land-bank option and transfer applications. The committee added a new section requiring yard-extension applicants to make “every effort to consult with neighborhood associations and neighborhood groups” operating in the geographic area of the property, and it added a requirement that any applicant seeking 15 or more parcels provide an in-person presentation at a standing committee meeting detailing experience, financing, staff and qualifications.

Wendy Green, deputy county counselor, told commissioners the changes were introduced to align yard extensions with the notification and consultation standards already required for option agreements and to set clear expectations for large applications. Michael Sutton, redevelopment coordinator, said staff will treat requests for 15 or more parcels as larger projects requiring additional documentation and a public presentation.

On process, staff grouped option requests that drew no opposition into a single consent agenda to streamline committee time; commissioners retained the ability to remove any consent item for discussion. The committee approved the consent package of option applications that had received no neighborhood opposition by roll-call vote. Several items were pulled from consent for further review after commissioners or neighborhood groups requested additional information.

The committee approved one item — a set of 15 lots with a proposed development led by builder Fran Sutton — and voted to fast-track that application to the full Board of Commissioners for the Aug. 7 meeting to support the developer’s permitting and construction schedule. Other individual option and property-transfer requests were held over to give applicants time to meet with neighborhood groups or to clarify ownership and applicant status; those holds included (by the committee’s identifiers) C1 (1705 N. First St.), C2 (1907 N. 10th St.), PT2 (1821 N. 10th St.), PT27 (1604 N. 7th St.), PT31 (918 Walker Ave.), PT41 (2512 N. 21st St.), PT43 (14 S. James St.), and PT45 (1730 Haskell Ave.).

Public commenters raised concerns about soil contamination and brownfields on certain parcels; staff agreed to add environmental disclosure language to application materials and to provide applicants with resources (including referrals to K‑State extension and existing brownfields guidance) to support site assessment and safe use. Commissioners requested that staff provide additional neighborhood outreach, that applicants be encouraged to meet with neighborhood organizations before committee hearings, and that staff prepare follow-up material on soil-testing resources. The committee directed staff to continue refining procedures and to return with any required administrative updates.