Planning commission recommends renewal of RJ Farms special use permit with conditions, requires on-site vet for rodeos

The Leavenworth County Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend the Board of County Commissioners approve the renewal of a special use permit for RJ Farms (case DEV-26-057), allowing up to 15 public events per year at 21985 Cantrol Road under amended conditions that lower an insurance requirement to $1 million, set the SUP term at three years, and require an on-site veterinarian when Mexican-style rodeos or similar livestock events are held.

The commission’s recommendation followed a staff presentation that described the request as a renewal of a previously approved SUP (Resolution 2025-06) and noted staff’s analysis under the established “golden factors.” Planning staff said the applicant requested the same cap of 15 events per year and that staff categorized the request as a tier-3 SUP and had recommended a three- to five-year term with conditions listed in the staff report.

Public comment at the hearing split along safety and animal-welfare lines. Applicant representative Aurelia Har said the property primarily hosts family-oriented gatherings and that last year the property did not host events covered by the SUP. “Family events are family events,” Har said, adding that the owners comply with prior conditions and do not plan to make rodeos the primary focus. Supporters, including Norma Broenberry and local resident Joe Herring, said the owners were seeking flexibility to hold festivals and family gatherings, and emphasized readiness to provide security and veterinary support when animals are involved.

Opponents cited animal-welfare and public-safety risks. Dr. Joan Renan, identifying herself as a USDA Category 2-accredited veterinarian, warned that certain rodeo practices are prohibited under the statute the speaker cited as "Kansas 216412" and argued that professional rodeo standards require an on-site veterinarian and other controls; she said those measures protect public health and animal welfare and that failure to follow them could carry legal risk. "Whether you call it an amusement, a party or a rodeo, when livestock are used for entertainment or sport the event can fall under statutory and professional standards," Dr. Renan said.

Commission discussion focused on three items: the liability insurance amount, the SUP term length, and veterinary coverage for rodeos. Several commissioners said $10 million, which appeared in prior BOCC conditions, was excessive compared with typical venue requirements; one commissioner moved to reduce the liability requirement to $1 million for fairness. Commissioners also debated whether a vet should be "on call" or physically on site for rodeos; the commission voted to require a veterinarian be on site for any Mexican-style rodeo or similar livestock event covered by the SUP. Finally, commissioners adopted a three-year term instead of the longer range staff had proposed to allow for closer monitoring.

Motion language adopted by the commission recommended approval to the Board of County Commissioners of case DEV-26-057 with the following changes to staff-recommended conditions: change condition 1 (general liability insurance) from $10 million to $1 million; set the SUP term at three years; and require that, if the applicant holds a Mexican-style rodeo or similar event with livestock, a licensed veterinarian be on site for that event. The commission took a roll-call vote; all seven members present voted yes. The BOCC will consider the commission’s recommendation no earlier than July 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

What happens next: the Planning Commission’s action is a recommendation only. If the BOCC approves the SUP it may adopt different conditions; if it denies or modifies the SUP, the applicant may be subject to any requirements the BOCC sets or to a protest petition process described by staff.