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Valley Center area board backs conditional use for accessory apartment at 8912 Ross Avenue
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Board/Board of Zoning Appeals recommended approval of a conditional-use request that would allow one accessory apartment on a 1.12-acre rural residential lot at 8912 Ross Avenue; staff recommended five conditions and one written opposition was received.
The Board of Zoning Appeals recommended approval Thursday of a conditional-use permit (MAPC CON2025-00057) that would allow a single accessory apartment on a rural residential lot at 8912 Ross Avenue.
Metropolitan Area Planning Department staff said the property is 1.12 acres in a Sedgwick County rural residential (RR) zone and that county code allows only single-family dwelling ordinarily; an accessory apartment requires the conditional-use process. “This is essentially somebody…to be a mother-in-law suite,” staff planner Philip Ziebenbergen said, describing multigenerational living as the applicant’s intent.
Planning staff recommended approval with five conditions: the accessory apartment must remain under the same ownership as 8912 Ross Avenue; development must follow the approved site plan; the accessory structure’s appearance must be compatible with the primary dwelling and neighborhood; the applicant must obtain all required permits (building, health, fire, zoning); and the zoning administrator may revoke the conditional use if conditions are violated.
Ziebenbergen told the board the proposed dwelling would be sited in the rear of the lot, “30 feet from the north property line and east property line and about 70 feet from the west property line,” and that the accessory unit must use the same water and sewer system as the primary dwelling (existing rural water or the lot’s well and septic).
Property owner and applicant Michael Rossback spoke in support, saying the unit is intended for aging in-laws. No members of the public came forward in opposition at the meeting; staff had forwarded one written opposition that had been received earlier in the week.
After brief board discussion — including a question about future road access and county public works permitting — a board member moved to approve the conditional use consistent with staff recommendations and the motion passed by voice vote (ayes; no opposed recorded). The item will be forwarded with the board’s recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners and to the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission as part of the permitting record.
The conditional-use approval allows one additional dwelling unit on the lot. If approved through subsequent county reviews and building-permit approvals, the accessory apartment must remain accessory (same owner and same utility system) and be built per the approved site plan; the county’s zoning administrator may revoke the permit if conditions are not met.
