Is that a cluck you hear in Johnson County? City Council lightens up on OP bird rules

Starting March 1, Overland Park residents stand a better chance of receiving permission for backyard chickens.

Under a two-year pilot program approved by the City Council on Jan. 24, residents no longer will need a special use permit approved by the Planning Commission and City Council.

Instead, people in single- and two-family residences can apply for an administrative permit through City Hall.

No permit is needed if the lot is 3 acres or more, and those properties can have an unlimited number of chickens, including roosters.

Permits are required for properties under 3 acres, and those residents can keep only hens — not roosters. Lots must be at least a quarter-acre for chickens, and the number of permitted birds increases with the size of the property:

▪ Three hens on lots under a half-acre but more than a quarter-acre.

▪ Six hens on lots larger than a half-acre but less than a full acre.

▪ Twelve hens on lots of 1 to 3 acres.

Chickens must be kept in an approved coop, and only in the back or side yard. The birds must be inside the coop when the resident is gone, and applicants must prove they can adequately care for the chickens in a way that’s sanitary and doesn’t pose a nuisance for neighbors.

Permits will cost $100 for the first year and $50 for each renewal.

Even with the new process, homeowners’ associations can still restrict the raising of chickens.

For the council meeting, the city staff compiled a list of properties where special use permits have been sought for chickens under the old rules. Of the 16 cases listed, the City Council approved only four, all on lots larger than an acre.

Balloting begins for Olathe school bonds

Ballots will be mailed starting Feb. 9 to voters who will say yes or no to an Olathe Public Schools bond issue of nearly $300 million. Ballots must be returned by noon on March 1.

The $298.3 million proposal won’t require a tax increase. If passed, it would fund an array of upgrades, including:

▪ The replacement of Santa Fe Trail Middle School.

▪ A new operations service center and renovation of the current building as a second bus and transportation center.

▪ Renovations of high school libraries and middle school auditoriums.

▪ Replacement of computer devices used by students and staff.

▪ Upgraded elementary school playgrounds, including new surfaces and equipment that’s accessible to students with disabilities.

▪ Enhancements to career education.

Find more details at olatheschools.org/bond2022.

Shawnee fire station upgrades

Shawnee residents are invited to an open house on Feb. 9 to see conceptual designs for refurbishing two fire stations:

▪ The fire department headquarters at Staton 71, 6501 Quivira Road, which will be renovated and expanded to accommodate fire and Med-Act operations that have outgrown the current space. The station was built in 1979 for both fire and police operations, and the last major renovation was in 1987.

▪ Station 73 at 6805 Hedge Lane Terrace, which will be renovated. It was built in 1989.

The open house will begin at 6 p.m. with a short presentation at Station 71. Staff will remain until 8 p.m. to talk with people who arrive later.

New amenities include a layout that reduces the risk that fire crews will bring cancer-causing substances from fire scenes into the office and living areas. Construction is expected to start late this year on the project, budgeted at $26.2 million. Final cost figures will be done once the designs are complete.

Gardner chooses new council member

Erik Van Potter is the newest member of the Gardner City Council.

Appointed in early January, Van Potter is filling the seat that opened when Todd Winters was elected mayor last fall. He has lived in Gardner since 2019 and has worked two decades in financial services.

His term expires in December 2023.

How should Lenexa grow?

Lenexa residents have an opportunity on Feb. 17 to offer ideas on how they want the city to grow and develop.

Lenexa completed its Vision 2040 planning exercise nearly three years ago, and now it wants to refine ideas generated by that effort. From 3 to 6 p.m. people can stop by City Hall, 17101 W. 87th St. Parkway, and answer questions related to Vision 2040’s main themes.

The ideas will be incorporated into a new comprehensive plan that will guide city decisions for the next 25 years. The plan will address items like land use, economic development, housing, mobility, open spaces, infrastructure and community facilities.

Merriam offers tax rebates

Merriam has set aside $30,000 to provide property tax rebates for lower-income residents — joining Shawnee and Prairie Village which announced their new programs earlier.

The rebates, which apply to city taxes only, are expected to be in the range of $400 to $700.

Applicants must be current on their city property taxes, have no code violations and live in the home they own. They also must meet income guidelines that vary by family size. For a family of four, the ceiling is $43,000.

Merriam began accepting applications for the program on Jan. 31 and will do so through Oct. 31. Details and forms are at merriam.org. Click the News tab and find the link in the program announcement.

Poll workers needed

National Poll Worker Recruitment Day came and went on Jan. 25, but the Johnson County Election Office is still looking for people to man polling places for elections on Aug. 2 and Nov. 8.

“We received a tremendous response from the community during the presidential election, “ .Election Commissioner Fred Sherman said in a news release, “and we’re hopeful they’ll …. join our team for the gubernatorial election.”

Workers receive training before each election and are paid at least $110 for their service on Election Day. They must be residents of Johnson County registered to vote at their current address. Those interested can apply at jocoportal.org/apply.

High school students who are 16 or 17 years old also can be election workers. Find the application at jocoelection.org. Applications must be signed by a teacher, counselor or administrator.

This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Is that a cluck you hear in Johnson County? City Council lightens up on OP bird rules."