September 28, 2011
Kansas

Firm hired to draft county zoning regulations

By J.W. Keene, The Pratt Tribune, www.pratttribune.com 27 September 2011

Pratt, Kan. – Pratt County Commissioners Joe Reynolds and Dwight Adams approved hiring Foster & Associates to draft zoning regulations for the county, which include a complete set of administrative forms. Commissioner Charles Rinke was absent from the meeting.

The cost of the project is in the $7,000 range with a possible add on, if the county decided to enforce a flood plain management regulation.

Bickley Foster said he was rather comfortable being in the Pratt County Courthouse, as he had gotten up and came to the courthouse for four years when he worked for the regional planning commission, which was housed there. Bickley works with his son David at the present time and has been in business 39 years.

“In the 39 years, none of our work has ever been taken to court,” said Bickley. “If the county does not go to zoning, they will have no control over wind farms.”

Bickley told commissioners, British Petroleum was looking at putting 266 wind turbines in the Kingman, Harper and Pratt county area besides the 60 some turbines Indek wants to put by the airport.

The firm anticipates completing the zoning ordinance in three months. They will meet with the county commissioners next Monday, Oct. 3rd, to review consultant’s agreement and provide a revised resolution to establish a county planning board consisting of nine members.

Foster & Associates will provide a workbook and training session for the new board of zoning appeals, county commissioners and staff, and distribute 2011 prototype county zoning regulations. The firm will begin three review sessions with new board every other week; prepare an official zoning map and all documents to adopt zoning regulations provided.

Foster & Associates will assist at public hearing, complete sets of administrative forms to administer and enforce zoning regulations, provide personal training session for zoning administrator, and provide 60 days of verbal technical assistance.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/28/firm-hired-to-draft-county-zoning-regulations/