MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council will take up a mix of routine business, development proposals and policy discussions during its meeting Tuesday, including setting several public hearings tied to housing, redevelopment and unsafe structures.
Among the key items, council members are expected to consider a resolution setting a June 16 public hearing on the proposed Meadows on Monroe Rural Housing Improvement District (RHID). The district is aimed at encouraging new housing development following a 2024 housing needs assessment that identified a shortage of quality housing in Hutchinson. The RHID concept was previously approved by the Kansas Secretary of Commerce in January.
The council will also consider setting a public hearing for a proposed Community Improvement District (CID) tied to the Landmark project at 501 N. Main. The developer has requested a 2% CID for up to $1.5 million over a maximum of 22 years to help finance the project. If ultimately approved, the CID could take effect Oct. 1, 2026.
In addition, multiple resolutions would establish hearing dates for unsafe and dangerous structures. City officials say a building at 3405 E. 4th Avenue, along with several other properties — including locations on Justice Street, East Third Avenue, North Town Street, Leonard Avenue and West 12th Avenue — have been found to pose structural hazards and risks to public safety.
The council is also expected to consider initiating zoning text amendments related to large-scale data centers and utility-scale battery energy storage systems. The proposal would begin both temporary and permanent changes to city code, with the planning commission set to review the amendments through an expedited public hearing process.
Routine items on the consent agenda include approval of minutes from the April 21 meeting, an appropriation ordinance totaling approximately $1.84 million, and a proposed reduction in building permit and tap fees for the Zimmerman-Hutchinson Park project.
Under new business, council members will receive updates on the city’s strategic plan and housing initiatives. They will also discuss a proposed update to the city’s travel policy that could extend employee travel guidelines to council members. The policy is currently under revision and may include provisions for advance booking of travel through the city clerk, updated per diem rates and procedural clarifications.