Planning & Zoning
Our department regulates unincorporated Leavenworth County, which means that citizens located within city limits will need to contact their Planning departments with all planning-related concerns.
Cities of Leavenworth County:
City of Leavenworth
City of Lansing
City of Basehor
City of Tonganoxie
City of Easton
City of Linwood
The Leavenworth County Planning and Zoning department exists to create and maintain a desirable quality of life for all residents, protect our common environments, and to promote public health, safety, and welfare. This is achieved through the enforcement of the Zoning & Subdivision Regulations and the policies set forth in the Comprehensive Plan.
WHAT WE DO:
- Building Permits
- Wastewater System Permits (Septic Systems)
- Sign Permits
- Special Use Permits
- Temporary Special Use Permits
- Floodplain Administration
- Land Development Consultation and Review: Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, Tract & Lot Splits, Boundary Line Adjustment
- Open Records Requests
- Status of Parcel Letters
- Variances
STAFF ROLES
Planning and Zoning staff function as advisors to the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Board of County Commissioners on issues pertaining to land use. These matters include: subdividing property, enforcement of the regulations, investigation of violations and complaints, issuance of special use permits, determination of legal non-conforming uses, variances from the regulations, rezoning requests and any other land use questions that may come before these bodies.
| John Jacobson | Director |
| Amy Allison | Deputy Director |
| Dawn Chamberlain | Public Relations and Planning Coordinator |
| Melissa Johnson | Planner I |
| Josh Schweitzer | Development Planner |
| Kyle Anderson | Environmental Technician & Code Enforcement Officer |
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
- Staff the Planning Commission
- Report to the Board of County Commissioners on Land Use Matters
- Provide Long Range Land Use Planning
- Administer the Zoning & Subdivision Regulations
- Administer the Sanitary Code
- Administer the Floodplain Development Regulation
THE PLANNING COMMISSION is a recommending body made up of volunteers, as directed by Kansas Statute 12-744, who generally meet on the second Wednesday of every month. They review proposed changes in land use to ensure they conform to the Zoning & Subdivision Regulations and the goals, policies and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission then submits a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) concerning the approval of said applications. The Planning Commission has the ability to approve preliminary plats, but final plats are approved by the BOCC.
THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS (BZA) is a quasi-judicial body also made up of volunteers. Meetings are held as needed immediately following Planning Commission meetings. The BZA considers requests for variances from the regulations and arbitrates when decisions made by staff in the interpretation of the regulations are questioned. The BZA's decisions must be firmly backed by finding of facts and detailed reasoning. The decision from the BZA is final and may only be appealed to the District Court.
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC) is also a quasi-judicial body and is the governing body for the County. They make final decisions concerning land use other than the variances and appeals handled by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The decisions of the BOCC may also be appealed to the District Court. The Board of County Commissioners generally meets every Wednesday at 9:00 AM in the county courthouse. More information about the BOCC can be found here.
