MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Hutchinson City Council on Tuesday set four public hearings for upcoming meetings in the month of June.
A hearing on establishing a reinvestment housing incentive district (RHID) for the Meadows on Monroe neighborhood was scheduled for the June 16 council meeting. RHIDs capture incremental property tax increases from new development to help pay for infrastructure improvements.
Another hearing was set for June 2 regarding a proposed community improvement district (CID) for the Meyer Landmark building. The proposal would add a 2% sales tax within the district until either $1.5 million in additional revenue is generated or 22 years pass.
The council also set hearings for several unsafe or abandoned properties, including a June 16 hearing regarding the structure at 3405 East Fourth Avenue.
City officials said the building was declared unsafe in 2024, with compliance issues dating back to 2010. Lady told council members the structure is currently being used as a worm farm by owner Dan Rasure despite lacking a certificate of occupancy.
“This remains an unsafe structure,” Lady said.
Additional hearings regarding abandoned structures at 315 Justice Street, 1701 East Third Avenue, 300 North Town Street, 2700 Leonard Avenue and 1500 West 12th Avenue were also scheduled for June 16.
In other action, the council approved waiving permit and water service fees for the proposed Zimmerman-Hutchinson Park apartment development near 11th Avenue and Lorraine Street.
The 48-unit apartment project requested an $80,000 fee reduction, though city estimates placed the fees at approximately $33,205.55.
Hutchinson building official Jason Lady told the council the assistance would likely help the project secure low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC). Council Member Goss noted the project narrowly missed qualifying for LIHTC funding last year after scoring 88 points, while the lowest funded project scored 91 points.
The council also unanimously approved temporary zoning text amendments regulating large-scale data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS), while also beginning the process of establishing permanent regulations for the emerging industries.
Under the temporary rules, large-scale data centers and utility-scale battery energy storage systems would not be allowed in residential areas and would require conditional use permits before moving forward. The amendments now head to the Planning Commission, followed by a public hearing before returning to the council for final approval.
The amendments create interim definitions for accessory battery energy storage systems, accessory data processing and server rooms, large-scale data centers and utility-scale battery energy storage systems.
According to Hutchinson Assistant City Attorney Cody Smith, the process would allow the city to evaluate projects for issues such as noise, fire protection, electric infrastructure, water demand and hazardous materials before approval is granted. Developers would first present plans to the Planning Commission, with the City Council having final authority.