Public hearing on updated comprehensive plan draws questions about solar, livestock thresholds and setbacks

Chase County held a public hearing on April 28 to receive comment on an updated Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations. The hearing drew multiple public speakers and staff who questioned whether the draft plan is overly restrictive and asked for clarifications on several technical points.

Members of the public—Tom Luhrs, Lynn Prosser and Lisa Schilke—along with Assessor Mueller, zoning board representative Ryan Stromberger and zoning administrator Chris Mulder raised concerns about how the plan treats solar energy conversion systems, what decommission plans would require, and how permitted special uses are defined. Several attendees said the draft reads as restrictive and noted the plan’s approach of requiring a variance when something is not explicitly allowed could effectively prohibit certain developments.

After opening the hearing at 8:30 a.m., the board recessed at 9:00 a.m. for the Board of Equalization and reconvened at 9:08 a.m. Commissioners said they will compile a list of questions and concerns for the zoning board to clarify issues before the county board will consider formal approval. Specific items the county asked to return to the zoning board included rural residential versus agricultural lot-size definitions; an apparent contradiction between 300-head and 1,000-head livestock thresholds; septic tank language and setback rules; adding an extra high-end livestock class; Board of Adjustment membership; and mineral extraction regulation.

Chairman Kurt Bernhardt closed the hearing at 9:12 a.m. The board’s next step is to transmit its compiled questions to the zoning board and await responses and possible revisions before taking final action on the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations.