Commission elects 2026 leadership, updates bylaws and accepts housing committee report

At the start of the meeting the Planning Commission elected its 2026 leadership. A commissioner nominated Commissioner Herron for chair; the commission voted and confirmed Herron as chair. The commission then nominated and approved Miss Nelson as vice chair for 2026.

The commission discussed appointments to a special committee on housing; Commissioners Brooks and Bowling confirmed willingness to serve and the group discussed at-large representation to ensure continuity with past commissioners. The commission approved committee appointments and later accepted a report from the special committee on housing, which included suggested adjustments to parking requirements, consideration of increased administrative authority, and plans to meet with the Kansas Association of Realtors on Feb. 18 to discuss statewide housing needs.

Staff presented a required second reading of proposed changes to the Planning Commission bylaws to align sign-up and public-comment procedures for non-public-hearing items with the City Council’s policy (requiring advance sign-up for certain discussion and action items). Staff emphasized that public hearings for zoning cases, PUDs and conditional-use permits remain unaffected and that the change applies only to non-public-hearing agenda items.

The commission voted to approve the bylaws update and accepted the housing committee’s report. Staff reminded commissioners of the commission’s February meeting and the meeting adjourned.