Recent Topeka development activity (as of ~Sept 22, 2026) centers on Planning Commission discussion items (especially data centers), a new Community Development portal launch, ongoing 37th & Gage activity, multifamily projects, and limited new case filin

1. City news / Weekly Report (topeka.gov)

Latest Weekly Report (9-21-2026) and related news highlight the new Community Development Portal (Tyler EP&L / EnerGov) launching the week of Sept 21. It supports online permit/license applications, document uploads, status tracking, and payments. New transaction/processing fees apply (e.g., vendor tech fee + percentage). Link: https://cityoftopekaks-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home.

Other notes: Land Bank lots transferred for affordable housing (map portal available); standard road/utility updates; no new major development project announcements in the report. Earlier reports referenced I-470 interchange planning near SE 29th/California and Topeka Blvd improvements (29th–37th).

2. Community Development / Tyler EP&L portal

Public home page is live (login/register required for applications, invoice pay, inspections, etc.). No unauthenticated public search of recent applications/permits/valuations or open cases was accessible in checks. Users must log in to apply or track. Fee estimator and related tools are present.

3. Building permits map (maps.topeka.org/BuildingPermits/)

Tool access failed in this check (page retrieval error). Prior DGM reports reference it for permit locations. No new high-value commercial/multifamily/industrial permits surfaced in news or agendas.

4. Topeka Speaks – Planning Commission

Sept 21, 2026 meeting (most recent; packet available): No action items (rezonings/CUPs/plats/annexations). Discussion only:

• ACZR26/05: Text amendments framework for data centers and energy storage systems (discussion of potential future code changes).
• ACZR26/04: Broader zoning code text amendments (definitions, use tables/dimensional standards, specific use requirements, amendments process).
• CPA26/02: Land Use & Growth Management Plan 2040 update (text/map changes reflecting implementation, housing study, Future Land Use Map revisions).

Aug 17, 2026 (prior actions; recommended approval in most cases):

• Z26/08 (Jay Rice for SENT Holdings, LLC): Rezone ~0.15-acre at 1600 SW Topeka Blvd from O&I-2 to M-1 (Two-Family) for future residential/affordable housing (modular duplexes). Recommended approval.
• Z26/09 (Watson Real Estate Development, Inc.): Rezone ~0.3-acre at 2016 SW 10th Ave from C-2 to M-1 for single-family home (~$225k New Orleans-style). Recommended approval.
• CPA26/01: Historic Old Town Neighborhood Plan update (bounded by SW 6th/Summit/Topeka Blvd/10th). Recommended approval with discussion on affordability/displacement.
• A26/02: Annexation request by St. Peters and Paul Orthodox Christian Church and 37th and Gage LLC. Packet includes UGA/Future Land Use/existing conditions maps. (Flagged 37th & Gage item.)
• Text amendments discussion (ACZR26/04 precursor).

Earlier 2026 cases (for context; not brand-new): Various small rezonings (e.g., industrial at Burlingame, downtown garages/CUPs by Kanza OZ LLC, Azura Credit Union O&I), plats (Shorey Estates by Habitat), PUD amendments, short-term rental CUPs, and Oldcastle annexation (A26/01 at 5230 NW 17th, approved by Council). One 37th/Gage multifamily rezoning (Z26/03 Peaks of Gage / Resource Housing) was withdrawn.

Next PC meeting not yet detailed beyond the Sept 21 items advancing toward Council as applicable.

5–6. Planning services pages / DGM monthly reports

Planning Services pages emphasize pre-app meetings (typically Thursdays), contacts (e.g., planning@topeka.org / 785-368-3728), and submission via the new portal. Scam alerts noted for invoices.

DGM reports: Only January 2026 PDF publicly located (files.topeka.gov). Summary: 25 total permits (down YoY), residential down modestly, commercial sharply down (4 vs 18), sq ft down, but valuation up ~20% to ~$6.9M; 3 housing units. Top permits listed by value; map link referenced. No later monthly reports (Feb–Aug/Sept) found in searches.

7. Local news (WIBW, CJ, REBusinessOnline) – notable projects

• The Hutch (downtown mixed-use multifamily, ~6th/Van Buren–Jackson): 192 units, 2,500 sf retail, amenities (rooftop Capitol views, pool, etc.); ~$50M; designed by Hoefer Welker / Flaherty & Collins. Break ground targeted ~Oct 2026 (24-month build, phased). City approvals earlier in 2026.
• Johnson-Betts Meadows (SE Topeka, 31st & Fremont): 176-unit affordable (SENT Inc.); broke ground ~June 30, 2026; $54M; rents ~$700–1,300 (subsidized); completion Fall 2027.
• California Crossing (SE 29th & California): CID (1.5% sales tax) and ~$1M phase-1 reimbursements approved earlier (Feb 2026) for supermarket (Super Mercado Nuestra Familia) + improvements; ~$6M total eligible costs; center ~42% vacant.
• 37th & Gage / Eveningside area: Dollar General under rapid construction (target completion ~Sept 24 / open early Oct 2026). Larger site (37th & Gage LLC / MCRE) graded/shovel-ready (~19–36 acres commercial/mixed-use potential; CID/TIF/RHID possible); annexation A26/02 involving church + LLC advanced at Aug PC. Prior 42-unit workforce multifamily discussion; some construction pauses noted earlier for church. Eveningside references mostly residential sales.
• Data centers: City text amendments under discussion (ACZR26/05). Separate Shawnee County Compass Datacenters CUP (southwest of Topeka near 77th/Wakarusa, ~600 acres light industrial, phased buildings) incomplete earlier, engineering review hired by County (Sept), noise/stormwater/etc. concerns; City special meeting held; temporary moratorium ordinance noted in records. Not a City permit yet.
• Other: QuikTrip + potential apartments/retail (I-470/S Topeka Blvd area); Hotel Topeka IRB/renovation support; various smaller items.

Summary for commercial brokers/developers: Portal launch is the main process change. Highest-interest items are data-center code framework (Sept PC discussion), 37th & Gage annexation/activity + Dollar General, The Hutch groundbreaking window, and California Crossing CID implementation. Limited brand-new large commercial/industrial filings in recent public agendas/news. Check portal (login) + maps.topeka.org for permits and Topeka Speaks for packets/hearings. Next Governing Body meetings (e.g., Oct 6) may advance PC recommendations. No major TIF/CID/RHID or industrial announcements beyond the above in the latest cycle.