Reno County Planning Commission approves rezoning and conditional‑use permit for proposed Wanamaker golf‑resort

Reno County’s Planning Commission voted Jan. 15 to recommend rezoning roughly 180 acres of the former Cottonwood Hills site from R‑2 suburban residential to AG agricultural and to grant a conditional‑use permit to 2641 Wanamaker LLC to develop a golf‑course resort.

The commission’s actions followed a staff recommendation and a multi‑hour public hearing. County Planner Mark Fonachin recommended approval of the rezone based on the 12 factors in the staff report and later summarized eight conditions for the CUP, including requiring the approved site plan dated Dec. 11, 2025, paved main access and parking as specified, a 24‑foot minimum width for the primary access for two‑way emergency passage, KDHE approval for sewer systems, and county authority to rescind the permit for violations. Commissioners amended condition #4 during deliberations to change the secondary entrance minimum from 12 feet to 20 feet and granted waivers for loading‑space and parking‑stall requirements at the maintenance facility and certain lodges.

Applicants presented the plan as a large destination resort. Applicant Andrew Gehring identified himself as the applicant and engineering representative; golf‑course architect Brent Hugo said the project would build “an entirely new facility, not using any of the current golf course that’s there,” describing two 18‑hole courses, a 9‑hole par‑3 and on‑site lodging totaling about 200 rooms. He said the development would include a clubhouse with dining, cart storage for about 250 carts and off‑season hunting operations using leased off‑site lands.

Residents and businesses raised concerns about water access, wastewater and safety. Lucas Hayden asked whether rezoning would change existing water rights; Fonachin and the applicants said it would not. Resident and small‑business owner Keisha Brennan, who said she lost her home in the earlier wildfire, told the commission, “We lost everything 3 and a half years ago,” and said construction activities and brush burns have caused trauma and property damage to neighbors. Several residents asked whether the proposed lagoon for sewage treatment is sized and siting appropriate in areas prone to flooding; Cliff Bailey asked that KDHE approve any lagoon design before construction.

Applicant and staff responses emphasized several technical safeguards. Hugo said buildings will include fire‑suppression systems and that design work with the Hutchinson Fire District is ongoing to ensure emergency access; the applicant said they are negotiating with the City of Hutchinson for a potential public water connection for fire protection and redundancy. Fonachin told the commission that KDHE permitting will be required for sewage systems and erosion control and that Hutchinson Fire has reviewed proposed road widths and access and is continuing to coordinate with the developer.

After the public hearing closed, a commissioner moved to approve the rezone (Case 2025‑11) and the CUP (Case 2025‑12) based on staff factors and the public record. Staff called the roll for the CUP and recorded unanimous 'Yes' votes from the commissioners present; the motion to approve carried. The CUP approval included the amended condition changing the secondary access minimum from 12 to 20 feet and waivers for the loading‑space and parking‑stall requirements specified in the staff report.

What happens next: the planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Reno County Board of County Commissioners for consideration after the statutory protest period, and KDHE or other state agencies must sign off on required permits (sewer/lagoon, erosion control, etc.).