It changes qualifying properties from a conditional use to an accessory use that can be approved administratively by Planning and Zoning staff. Staff supported simplifying the process for these types of rentals because they typically generate little traffic and have limited impact on neighboring properties.
Read more: AbileneRC
El Dorado, Emporia and Ottawa will have ballot questions generated from citizen-led petitions. El Dorado and Emporia voters will consider whether to prohibit “high impact data centers” that require a peak electrical load exceeding 10 megawatts, or a daily water draw exceeding 100,000 gallons. Those voters also will consider banning tier 2 and 3 battery energy storage systems, which store electricity for later use. The question defines a tier 2 system as having an aggregate energy capacity between 81 and 600 kWh and a tier 3 system as any capacity greater than 600 kWh. Ottawa’s question only deals with prohibiting “utility-intensive data centers,” which is defined as a facility with an electrical load of at least 25 megawatts.
Read more: CJonline
A total of $500,000 funding is available. The program, administered by the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity, provides grant awards that range from $1,000 to $25,000 in single communities or up to $50,000 for projects across multiple zip codes to support small-scale projects. This is designed to deliver meaningful results with a focus on increasing local capacity, fostering community and youth engagement, and mobilizing volunteers and local investment.
Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce
A $500,000 grant will support a concentrated revitalization effort in downtown Liberal, bringing property owners, businesses and community partners together to create visible improvements and build momentum for continued investment. Rather than funding isolated building improvements, BLOCK is designed to demonstrate how coordinated investment across an entire block can change the image of a community, accelerate downtown revitalization and create lasting economic impact.
Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce
The Broadband Acceleration Grant (BAG) awards will be matched with almost $14 million in private and local investment, resulting in approximately $27 million to expand high-speed internet access across 44 rural Kansas counties.
Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce
Topeka city leaders are stepping in to fill the void after city manager Robert Perez’s resignation. While Michael Webb will serve as interim city manager beginning Oct. 26, Topeka Mayor Spencer Duncan said it will be vital to make the right choice on who will fill Perez’s shoes.
Read more: CJonline
The City of Lawrence is launching a three-year pilot project in June 2027 offering 6 to 7 pre-approved housing designs to expedite permitting and lower construction barriers for single-family homes, duplexes, and accessory dwelling units. The initiative aims to address a severe housing shortage highlighted by a local study calling for over 6,300 new units amid record-low single-family home starts.
Read more: LJWorld
Susanna Madora Salter became the first female mayor in the United States after being elected in Argonia, Kansas, in 1887. Salter’s name was placed on the ballot as a prank by a group of men, but she won with a two-thirds majority.
Read more: CJonline
Members of the Arma City Council, the chief and assistant chief of Arma Police, and City Attorney Kevin Mitchelson approached the county commission on Tuesday over the issue of jurisdiction along a stretch of U.S. 69 that passes through the City of Arma. According to Arma city officials, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office ordered Arma police officers to stop their patrols along the 1,200-foot corridor that passes through the city, in violation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sheriff and Arma departments signed in May 2024.
Read more: Morning Sun
There are several towns in Crawford County that were booming places in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but they do not exist today. Three of those communities were Bruce, Litchfield and Finley City.
Read more: Morning Sun
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