Commission adopts fee schedule updates and sets schedule for data-center regulations; staff previews floodplain remapping

Planning staff presented a revised Planning and Zoning fee schedule that would increase several administrative fees (zoning change fee from $300 to $400, CUP fee from $400 to $500), add an Administrative Lot Split fee, and create scaled fees and pre-application review charges for large-scale Conditional Use Permit applications such as data centers, solar projects and commercial wind. Commissioners accepted the proposed schedule and voted 5-0 to forward the update to the Board of County Commissioners.

Director Toby Stewart also briefed the Commission on a draft countywide floodplain remapping process using updated 2D modeling; the Kansas Department of Agriculture has a draft map dated March 6, 2026 and stakeholders can upload comments. Stewart said staff is currently using existing FEMA maps but expects to formally adopt updated maps in roughly 1 to 1.5 years and recommended reviewing Article 18 zoning at that time to incorporate changes.

Staff announced an expedited schedule for draft data-center regulations: a joint work session with the BOCC on June 23, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., a public hearing on July 7, 2026, another BOCC/Planning Commission work session July 21, and possible Planning Commission adoption on August 4, 2026. Commissioners were urged to document ex parte contacts and to invite the public to comment at the July 7 meeting.