Leavenworth County planning commission approves multiple plats, forwards two rezoning recommendations to county commissioners

The Leavenworth County Planning Commission on a single night approved a string of subdivision plats and exceptions and recommended two rezoning requests be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.

Commissioners approved preliminary and final plats (and related exception requests) for Schram Estates (DEV25-017/018), a boundary-line adjustment for Watson and Miller (DEV25-027), Renmeadow Subdivision (DEV25-030/031), Carolina Wren Estates (DEV25-032/033) and an adjustment for Limestone Land Company (DEV25-035). Each planning motion recorded in the transcript passed unanimously by a 9–0 roll call vote. The commission also voted 9–0 to recommend approval of two rezoning requests—DEV25-022 (a request to rezone part of 19701 163rd Street from RR-2.5 to R-1/43) and DEV25-038 (a request to rezone the southern portion of 15212 170th Street from RR-5 to RR-2.5)—to the Board of County Commissioners.

Why it matters: the approved plats will change parcel lines or create new lots that will be considered by the county commission and, in some cases, will require follow-up permits and conditions (for example, an accessory- or ADU-permit upgrade was noted as a condition where applicable). Several approvals required exceptions from the subdivision regulations—most commonly the lot depth-to-width ratio and irregular lot-shape rules—meaning parcels will be created that do not meet the standard dimensional requirements in Article 50 of the county zoning and subdivision regulations.

What the commission decided (selected items): - DEV25-017/018 (Schram Estates, 14445 170th Street): Staff reported the site is zoned RR-2.5 and the applicant sought to split the parcel into two lots; Lot 2 required an exception to the lot depth-to-width standard. The commission approved the exception and the plat; minutes record the exception motion and plat motion carried by vote of 9–0. The transcript states the Board of County Commissioners will consider this item “no earlier than 05/28/2025 at 9AM in the Leavenworth County Courthouse.” - DEV25-027 (Watson & Miller, 26447 and 26567 187th Street): The boundary-line adjustment would follow a creek line and create a smaller lot that exceeds the lot width-to-depth ratio and has multiple nonstandard boundary breaks. Staff advised those natural features can move over time and may cause future boundary disputes; the commission approved two exceptions and the adjustment, votes 9–0. - DEV25-030/031 (Renmeadow Subdivision, Evans Road): A three-lot subdivision; Lot 3 required a lot-depth-to-width exception. The commission approved the exception and the plat, 9–0. The transcript indicates county commission consideration will follow (date noted in the record as May 2025; see votes-at-a-glance for the phrasing used at the meeting). - DEV25-032/033 (Carolina Wren Estates, 24675 Wolcock Road): The proposal subdivides the parcel into two lots; Lot 2 exceeds the lot depth-to-width standard by about 345 feet and required an exception. The commission approved the exception and the plat, 9–0. Staff also reported an access easement (20–30 feet) would be created because the site abuts a state highway and direct access will be constrained by Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requirements. - DEV25-035 (Limestone Land Company): Two exceptions were requested (lot depth-to-width and lot line design where lot lines exceed a 45-degree angle). Staff noted similar exceptions were granted when the track split was approved in March 2024; the commission approved both exceptions, 9–0.

Rezoning decisions and public comment: Two rezoning items required public hearings. Josh (planning staff) told the commission that staff generally did not support one request as written because it could be considered spot zoning and recommended rezoning the entire parcel rather than a single lot. The applicant’s agent, Crystal Wolf of Atlas Land Consulting, and the applicant Steven Tuttle spoke in favor of a single-lot rezoning for DEV25-022 to allow the owners to sell an existing house while retaining the surrounding farmland. Wolf said the request “would continue to be a rural residential residence just like everything in the area.” After discussion the commission voted 9–0 to recommend approval of the applicant’s rezoning request to the Board of County Commissioners. For DEV25-038 (rezoning south of Linwood Road), staff recommended approval because the request conforms to the comprehensive plan and abuts existing RR-2.5 zoning; the commission also voted 9–0 to forward that rezoning recommendation.

Details to note: several plats required that the applicants return for follow-up permits (for example, the staff report reminded the commission that an ADU permit for Lot 2 in Schram Estates must be upgraded to a single-family permit after subdivision). KDOT’s comments were noted for parcels with state-highway frontage: direct access to K-32 will be heavily regulated and likely not allowed without a separate KDOT process.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in meeting transcript): - DEV25-017 (exception) — approved 9–0; DEV25-017/018 (prelim & final plat Schram Estates) — approved 9–0; Board consideration: “no earlier than 05/28/2025 at 9AM.” - DEV25-027 (boundary line adjustment exceptions — irregular shape and lot width/depth) — both exceptions approved 9–0; plat/adjustment approved 9–0. - DEV25-030/031 (Renmeadow exception and plat) — exception approved 9–0; plat approved 9–0; county commission consideration stated in the record (May 2025; transcript phrasing used). - DEV25-032/033 (Carolina Wren exception and plat) — exception approved 9–0; final plat approved 9–0. - DEV25-035 (Limestone Land Company two exceptions) — both exceptions approved 9–0. - DEV25-022 (rezoning request from RR-2.5 to R-1/43 for part of 19701 163rd Street) — planning commission recommended approval to the Board of County Commissioners, vote 9–0. - DEV25-038 (rezoning from RR-5 to RR-2.5 for portion of 15212 170th Street) — planning commission recommended approval to the Board of County Commissioners, vote 9–0.

Discussion highlights and staff concerns: planners repeatedly noted the need to avoid spot zoning and to follow the comprehensive plan. Josh (planning staff) explained that staff typically recommends rezoning entire parcels rather than singling out one lot, which can constitute spot zoning; he also noted the future land use map supported higher density in areas proximate to existing growth corridors. Commissioners asked practical questions about fence lines, creek-line boundaries, and whether parcels would require future surveys if natural features change.

Next steps and follow-up: where the planning commission recommended approval of rezones, the items will go to the Board of County Commissioners for final action; where plats were approved the record shows county commission consideration will follow on dates noted in the meeting packet (the transcript cites May 2025 dates for county consideration). Applicants must return for follow-up permits or administrative steps required by staff conditions (for example, ADU-to-single-family permit updates and any KDOT access approvals for state-highway frontage).