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Jefferson County commissioners set Dec. 1 hearings on easement vacations, approve multiple plats and deed transfers
Summary
At their Oct. 27 meeting the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners unanimously set Dec. 1 hearings for two petitions to vacate platted utility easements, approved several rezoning plats including a Lakeshore Estates replat, transferred quitclaim deeds to the county Landbank and recognized employee service awards. Executive sessions were held; no binding action was reported.
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners unanimously set Dec. 1, 2025 as the earliest hearing date for two petitions to vacate platted utility easements and approved a string of zoning plats and deed transactions during its Oct. 27 regular meeting.
Community Development Director Stephan Metzger told the board the county had a strong building year, reporting 57 new houses in the third-quarter permits tally. Metzger presented a petition from Shawn and Erin Hamner requesting vacation of platted utility easements on Lots 350–352 and 369–371 in Lakewood Hills II and cited K.S.A. 58-2613 as the statute governing notice and hearing procedures. The board moved to set the hearing for Dec. 1 and directed publication as required. A second petition from property owner Neil Ditty asked the commission to vacate all platted utility easements on Lots 72–74 and 88–90, Block S, Lake Shore Estates; the board also set that hearing for Dec. 1 and ordered the required public notice.
During public comment, Sharon Blankenship of Lakeshore Estates presented booklets and 53 letters opposing a replat by Todd and Kimberly Harrington (PR2025-08) and urged the commission to "protect their sewer system." Metzger recommended the Harrington replat conform to county zoning and subdivision regulations; the board approved PR2025-08 but noted a decision on special assessments remained outstanding.
The board reapproved PR-2025-03 (Erickson Farms), noting the five-year vesting period had lapsed but that the plat contained no changes from its original approval. It also approved PR2025-12 and Z2025-12 (Noll’s Corner), rezoning a portion of a 145-acre tract on the Jefferson–Leavenworth county line from Agricultural to Suburban Residential and creating a three‑lot subdivision. All motions to approve plats and rezoning were moved and seconded and passed by unanimous vote.
On property matters, the commission transferred quit claim deeds for Lots 301 and 302 in Lakewood Hills Unit I and Lots 540 and 541 in Lakewood Hills Unit III to the county Landbank, and approved six other deeds that had been previously authorized. Chair David Christy was authorized to sign on behalf of the board.
The board also recognized long-serving employees: Phil Hoffman (25 years at Road and Bridge, accepted by Ben Domann on his behalf), Aaron Low (10 years at Road and Bridge) and Colby Easum (5 years with Ambulance services).
Health Administrator Crystal VanHoutan requested a 15‑minute executive session to discuss recruitment and retention for non‑elected personnel. The board recessed for that session and for two subsequent brief executive sessions requested by County Counselor Josh Ney and Commissioner Doug Walbridge to obtain legal advice on interagency and interagency financial issues. In each case the chair announced that no binding action was taken during executive session.
The commission adjourned and scheduled its next regular meeting for Monday, Nov. 3 at the IT Building because of early voting.
Votes at a glance
• Approval of Oct. 20, 2025 minutes and vouchers — Motion: Richard Malm; Second: Doug Walbridge; Outcome: approved unanimously (3–0). (SEG 006)
• Hamner petition hearing date set (utility easement vacation, Lakewood Hills II) — Motion: David Christy; Second: Richard Malm; Outcome: hearing set for Dec. 1, 2025 (publication per K.S.A. 58-2613). (SEG 008)
• Ditty petition hearing date set (utility easement vacation, Lake Shore Estates) — Motion: Doug Walbridge; Second: Richard Malm; Outcome: hearing set for Dec. 1, 2025 (publication per K.S.A. 58-2613). (SEG 009)
• PR-2025-03 Erickson Farms (plat reapproval) — Motion: Doug Walbridge; Second: Richard Malm; Outcome: approved unanimously. (SEG 012)
• PR2025-12 and Z2025-12 Noll’s Corner (rezoning and plat) — Motion: Doug Walbridge; Second: Richard Malm; Outcome: approved unanimously. (SEG 013)
• PR2025-08 Lakeshore Estates (Harrington replat) — Motion: Doug Walbridge; Second: Richard Malm; Outcome: approved unanimously; special assessments decision pending. (SEG 014)
• Quit claim deed transfer to Landbank (Lots in Lakewood Hills Units I & III) — Motion: Doug Walbridge; Second: Richard Malm; Outcome: approved unanimously; Chair authorized to sign. (SEG 015)
• Approval of six previously approved deeds — Motion: David Christy; Second: Doug Walbridge; Outcome: approved unanimously; Chair authorized to sign. (SEG 016)
What happens next
Hearings for the two easement‑vacation petitions are set for Dec. 1, 2025 with notice to be published under K.S.A. 58-2613. The commission will still need to resolve any outstanding special‑assessment questions related to the Lakeshore Estates replat before final implementation.
