At its Nov. 11 meeting the McPherson County Board of Planning and Zoning Appeals recommended multiple updates to land-use regulations and approved a final plat.

Subdivision regulations: John Kinsey, zoning administrator, told the board the proposed change to the single-plat (single-tract) subdivision standard would increase the residential threshold from 20 acres to 40 acres while retaining a 10-acre limit for other plat types. Kinsey said the change would reduce the need for applicants to return to the board when leftover parcels measure in the high 20s or 30s. After a brief public question from a resident identified as Sherry about special-use permitting, the board moved to recommend the subdivision regulation change to the Board of County Commissioners; the motion, moved by Chris Gibson and seconded by Jeff Smith, passed unanimously.

Zoning regulations and official map: In a separate hearing Kinsey outlined two principal changes. First, the code would allow rebuilding of nonconforming structures damaged more than 50% when a federal emergency declaration is issued, provided restoration begins within one year of the declaration and proceeds diligently. Second, the board proposed removing the current exception that sends some conditional-use matters to the commissioners and instead restore conditional uses — including second residential units, bed-and-breakfasts, and boarding homes — to review by the Board of Zoning Appeals (with effectuating resolutions attached to titles if approved). Kinsey said the change reflects recent practice and a desire that the Board of Zoning Appeals handle these cases in most residential scenarios. The board moved the proposed zoning regulation and map change and the motion passed 4–1.

Final plat: The board considered the Porch Wood (transcribed also as Bushwood) Addition final plat (SD-2024-002). Kinsey reported KDOT had issued an entrance permit, the county sanitarian found soils eligible for sanitation, and Salina Rural Water District service was available. With surveyor signatures pending, the board voted to approve the final plat; the plat will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for dedication and final approval.

Administrative report and enforcement follow-up: Kinsey reviewed administrative items including the proposed 2025 meeting calendar (meetings to move to the Public Works Building starting in January), permit and fee statistics for October (9 permits; $900 collected; total valuation $332,000; sanitation 9 permits, $1,000; October fees total $1,900; year-to-date planning & zoning fees $17,375 and sanitation $12,450, total $29,825), and a phased launch of the GovGov permitting system. The board discussed nuisance regulation and enforcement authority: Kinsey said some enforcement tools require state law changes for counties to abate and recover costs, and he outlined plans for a work session with the commissioners on Nov. 18 to clarify roles. Kinsey also said staff would review previous conditional/special-use resolutions (roughly 200–220 cases) and mail property owners to confirm current use and compliance.

Votes at a glance: ZA-2024-002 (Subdivision Regulations) — motion to recommend to BOCC: passed unanimously. ZA-2024-003 (Zoning Regulations & Official Map) — motion to recommend to BOCC: passed 4–1. SD-2024-002 (Porch/Bushwood Addition final plat) — approved by the board and forwarded to BOCC for dedication/signatures.

Next steps: Each recommended change will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners at the Nov. 18 meeting; staff will pursue the planned compliance review and return findings to the board.