Developer pitches 20–30-home subdivision for Fort Scott; seeks county support

Dustin Lewis told the Bourbon County Commission on Dec. 30 that his company is exploring a plan to build roughly 20 to 30 new single-family homes in Fort Scott, Bourbon County. Lewis said the homes would be about 2,000 square feet and likely three-bedroom units and that the proposal is in early feasibility and site-selection stages.

Lewis said his team met with Fort Scott city officials on Dec. 20 to discuss potential parcels and that the project would benefit from county and city coordination. “Wemet with the city of Fort Scott on December 20, talking to them about our intentions and kind of what our needs were,” Lewis said, and asked the commission for support and alignment while the developer advances surveys and planning.

Commissioners and staff said they welcome housing projects but emphasized the need for coordinated infrastructure planning — roads, water and sewer — before construction. One commissioner noted the city offers incentive programs and encouraged the developer to work with both city and county staff. The commission did not take formal action on the proposal at the Dec. 30 meeting and directed staff and the incoming commissioner to continue information-sharing and follow up.

The project remains at an early stage: Lewis described the scale and unit type but provided no site address, financing plan or timetable for permitting. County staff and commissioners said they will engage with the developer and the City of Fort Scott to identify infrastructure needs and next steps.