Commission sends Youth Front rezoning back to planning after staff failed to notify all landowners; approves Evergy transmission rezoning

The Linn County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request from Evergy Kansas Metro on Feb. 3 to rezone roughly 596.17 acres from agricultural to light industrial for public‑utility use, while sending a separate rezoning application for 257 acres from Youth Front back to the planning and zoning board after staff failed to mail required notices to all property owners within 1,000 feet.

Planning staff told the commission the Evergy application (Case USDashKS107DashLUDash2025Dash8) had been heard by the county planning and zoning board on Jan. 13, which voted unanimously to recommend approval. Jenny Cummings, planning staff, said notices were posted in the county newspaper on Dec. 24 and mailed to owners within 1,000 feet pursuant to state law and Linn County zoning regulations. An Evergy representative, identified only as Melissa from the applicant’s law/agent team, said the company intends to site a transmission substation occupying roughly 7–10 acres; the rezoning covers a larger area to accommodate future utility uses. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the rezoning on a voice vote.

A separate request from Youth Front (Case USKS107LU2025‑5), seeking rezoning of 257 acres from agricultural to heavy industrial so the nonprofit could sell or lease land to raise funds for camp operations, prompted a focused procedural dispute. Topher Philgreen, executive vice president of Youth Front, told the board the organization is exploring sale or lease options to fund existing camps and future development. During the staff presentation a commissioner asked whether certified notices had been sent around the entire parcel boundary or only from a single entrance point. Planning staff acknowledged notices were generated from one main entrance rather than the parcel’s full boundary.

The county attorney reviewed the certified‑mail records after a 10‑minute recess and reported that not all landowners within the statutory 1,000‑foot radius had been mailed notice. On the attorney’s recommendation, the board voted to return the Youth Front case to the planning and zoning board so staff can correct the statutory notice process and re‑advertise the hearing. Commissioners said the county will absorb any additional costs and that Youth Front should not be charged another application fee for the re‑hearing. The attorney also advised that the list of who did or did not receive certified mailings is public record and may be requested through the county’s public information officer under KORA.

The commission’s action preserves the statutory notice requirement for adjoining property owners and requires planning staff to regenerate certified‑mail lists using the parcel boundary so all entitled owners receive proper notice before another public hearing is scheduled.