Planning commission backs Soldier Township fire station, forwards approval to county commissioners

The Shawnee County Planning Commission on June 8 recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve a conditional use permit for a new Soldier Township fire station, forwarding the item with a unanimous 5–0 vote.

Staff described the C2603 proposal as a public-use facility on two adjacent vacant lots—9.92 and 9.90 acres—on Northwest Topeka Boulevard. The report said the station would operate 24 hours a day with six personnel per shift and house multiple emergency response vehicles, including an engine, rescue vehicle, tanker, brush trucks and utility vehicles. Staff recommended approval with a single condition: a final plat of the subject property must be approved and recorded prior to development.

Travis Hazelip, the applicant’s engineering representative, told commissioners the project’s “core driver” is public safety and that a modern station would reduce response times and could lower insurance ratings for nearby homeowners. He said the subdivision plat that would combine the two lots is already under city review and that the applicant agreed with staff’s condition.

Commissioners queried site-drainage details and the relocation of a small on-site channel. Hazelip said the project is undergoing site-plan review and that the channel alignment has been adjusted; erosion-control measures and drainage structures will be addressed in public-works and site-plan permit reviews. Staff added that drainage reports are reviewed by public works and compliance must be demonstrated during building permits.

A motion to recommend approval was moved and seconded; the commission recorded five affirmative votes. Staff noted the matter will come before the Board of County Commissioners on July 9.

The commission also continued a separate zoning/subdivision matter (the compost facility item) to the July 13 meeting at the applicant’s request so staff and the applicant can study major proposed changes.