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Topeka Planning & Development updates (as of ~October 12, 2026)

The Tyler EP&L public portal (https://cityoftopekaks-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home) is live for many applications but requires login for detailed recent permit/application searches; some contractor licensing/permits remain incomplete, and the transition has caused reported delays for builders. The Building Permits map (maps.topeka.org/BuildingPermits/) did not resolve in checks. The latest public Development & Growth Management monthly report found is January 2026 (permits down year-over-year). Weekly reports (latest 10-5-2026) focus on roads, texting service, events, and the portal transition rather than specific new commercial cases.

Planning Commission (Topeka Speaks)

Next meeting: Monday, October 19, 2026, 6:00 PM (City Council Chambers; livestreamed on Topeka Speaks). Agenda packet available; open for comment on several items.

• PUD26/07 – Amoco Station (Haag Oil Co.): Rezone 5977 SW 29th Street from C-2 Commercial to PUD (C-2 uses) primarily for a reduced rear-yard setback (25 ft to 10 ft on the south line). Enables a new ~4,500–5,000 sf convenience store replacing the existing one (gas island/canopy positioning). Staff recommends approval with conditions. Neighbor (Foxcross Properties) has objected. Planner: Driver.
• ACZR26/04: Text amendments to zoning code chapters 18.55 (Definitions), 18.60 (Use Tables/Dimensional Standards), 18.225 (Specific Use Requirements), 18.245 (Amendments), and related. Affects manufactured/modular homes, drinking establishments, indoor recreation, large truck services, residential accessory structures, D-3 uses, second-hand shops, RV parks/campgrounds, and other clarifications. Discussed in prior meetings (July–September).
• CPA26/02: Update to the Land Use & Growth Management Plan 2040 (comprehensive plan for land use/growth). Limited-scope refresh reflecting implementation since 2015 adoption, Citywide Housing Study references, Future Land Use Map tweaks, housing choice/diversity language, annexation/UGA/rural water policies, and related. Public hearing item.
• Housing Committee report and public comments.

September 21, 2026 meeting (discussion items, not final actions):

• ACZR26/05: Framework for future text amendments on data centers and energy storage systems (definitions by type/power, CUP requirements in industrial districts, standards for screening, water/power, etc.). Aligns with county approach but applies only in city limits. City has a 12-month moratorium (adopted ~August 11, 2026) on accepting/processing data center applications and utility connections (inside and outside city limits).
• ACZR26/04 and CPA26/02 continued.

Earlier 2026 cases of note (status often pending or approved at PC and advanced):

• A26/02 (August): Annexation by St. Peters and Paul Orthodox Christian Church and 37th and Gage LLC (near SW 37th & Gage area).
• Other residential/multifamily or smaller items (e.g., duplex rezonings, PUD amendments for clinic/reuse, Shorey Estates plat, Habitat for Humanity).

Flagged items: 37th & Gage / Eveningside / California Crossing / Data Centers

• 37th & Gage area: Dollar General construction underway at the northwest corner (reported mid-2026; expected completion ~late September/early October 2026, opening soon after). Shovel-ready land (roughly 19–36 acres, graded) marketed by 37th & Gage LLC (linked to Dana K. Anderson/MCRE); across from Vern’s, near the church and Dollar General; preference for sale or partnership for mixed-use/multifamily/retail. Related annexation case A26/02. Earlier withdrawn multifamily zoning attempt (Z26/03).
• California Crossing: CID established (Ordinance ~February 2026) for improvements (interior/exterior, parking, lighting, signage, landscaping; estimated ~$6M+) in the area southeast of SE California Ave & SE 29th St; 1.5% CID sales tax.
• Data centers (high activity):
• City moratorium in effect; PC discussing definitions/standards (Types I–III by MW, CUP in I-1/I-2 and limited commercial/mixed, screening, water/power focus). County has its own CUP rules and a separate six-month moratorium (to ~Feb 17, 2027).
• Compass Datacenters: Large proposed campus (~10 buildings, hundreds of acres, SW 77th St / Wakarusa area, unincorporated; hundreds of MW potential). CUP application to county (initially incomplete, later supplemental materials).
• Forbes Field / MTAA: Nonbinding LOI (~third week of August 2026) with an unnamed developer for a smaller project on 30–40 acres (southwest area of site; two ~150,000 sf buildings expandable to four + substation; ~70–80 MW; closed-loop cooling; 45-year ground lease). Discussions with Evergy; application timing discussed post-county moratorium. City has indicated no additional water service extension for data centers. Recent local coverage (Capital-Journal, Oct 12).
• No new Eveningside-specific hits in recent official materials.

Incentives / Notable projects

• Project View District / “The Hutch” (Flaherty & Collins / Topeka FC 1, LLC): Downtown 192-unit market-rate apartments (mix of studios, 1- and 2-bedrooms; ~$50M) between SW Van Buren–Jackson and SW 6th–7th. RHID established (ordinance ~February 2026 after Dec 2025/Feb 2026 hearings); state review involved. Construction goal previously cited around Oct 2026 start with phased opening.
• Other RHID examples in 2026 process: Lauren’s Bay area (market-rate/higher-end single-family), 3D-printed homes concepts, Urish Road duplexes.
• QuikTrip (second location) rezoning/approvals advanced earlier for SW Gage & 29th area.
• I-470 interchange planning with KTA near SE 29th/California continues.
• Residential Development Forum registration and Affordable Housing Trust Fund activity ongoing; permit portal transition is the dominant operational update.

Bottom line for a commercial broker/developer: No major new commercial, industrial, multifamily, or mixed-use building permits or site plans are publicly detailed as “new” in the latest weekly reports or available DGM summaries beyond the portal transition itself. The most actionable items are the October 19 PC cases (especially the Amoco PUD and the LUGMP/text amendment discussions), ongoing 37th & Gage land/activity, California Crossing CID, the Project View RHID apartments, and data center policy/proposals (city moratorium + Forbes and Compass activity). Check Topeka Speaks packets for full staff reports and the Tyler portal (login) or call Planning (785-368-3728 / planning@topeka.org) or Development Services for the newest applications.